For a little more then the first decade of my life I grew up on the music of Michael Jackson. I studied his moves, his songs, his image, his lyrics, his history, and anything I could find that had his name on it.

When I was about 9 or 10, I was well on my way to becoming a professional Michael Jackson impersonator/back up dancer. At any family gathering, wedding, any event, and as soon as Michael Jackson was on, I was the center of the floor doing the best emulation I could. In 3rd and 4th grade, my friends and I would bring a boom box and jam out to MJ.

I remember it was either my 9th or 10th birthday coincided with his HBO special, so my birthday party was watching the concert.

Obviously my dreams of being Michael Jackson didn’t pan out, as I transcended into the world of metal and hardcore, and put down any sort of musical ability I had for a camera.

To me, Michael Jackson was always an individual, unlike any other performer, or any other person on earth. He always had a positive message, and he was the absolute best at what he did… and it is with who he was, that always spoke to me, and defined him as one of my heroes.

I grew up the straight edge goth/metal kid in a town that lacked another like-person. It was never a struggle to be who I was, because I always know who I am, what I stand for, what I believe in, and who I will always be. I didn’t have a strained upbringing, nor did I have an uncountable amount of demons to conquer, However when I did face adversity… the strength I had stemmed from the roots planted by the image of MJ, and knowing I could be who I wanted to be.

Michael struggled with his own identity and his own image for his entire life.

Though his lifestyle was outlandish, and unfathomable to most, with his zoo, his neverland ranch, and so on… I think most are forgetting how he grew up.

Michael grew up on tour… watching his family get with groupies, while they pushed him aside because he was too young to understand or partake in the activities. He grew up with a tireless work ethic knowing that the only time he was truly happy is when he was performing, because that’s when he was safe from the persecution of his fathers sturdy hand and his brothers antagonism. Always told he was ugly, his nose was big, his pimples were a mine field, or being beaten by his father…

He was robbed of his own self-image, and his childhood… I could never imagine what it would be like to grow up in that kind of environment, not being able to go out in public because of how famous you are at age 12… and it never let up… and only increased every step he took in his career.

In the music industry alone, he is the most relevant recording artist in HISTORY! – as he still holds the number one selling record of all time, EVER. Upon his death – he controlled the top spots on the billboard top 100 with nearly all of his records in the top 10 spots. He sold out every arena he played within minutes of tickets going on sale.

If Michael Jackson were to be alive, tour and record… he alone could easily be 25% or more of the entire music industries income.

When I see people in the industry belittling him, id like to remind them of the above...

As well as his insane list of awards he won… he was not just the “artist of the year” he was “artist of the decade” “of all time”

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and I also STRONGLY recommend checking out this list of his other achievements (below the chart spots) with facts like 500 million people watched the view preview of black or white… when have 500 million people watched anything else all at once?

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Michael Jackson was always light years beyond anything anyone has ever witnessed before or will ever witness again in musical performance. He was unrivaled. He was not the next Elvis, nor would there ever be “the next MJ”.

I see people bashing him, for a few reasons…

one and most popularly because it is SUPER BROOTLZ to hate what other people love… cool +10 scene points! Go rock a big font shirt and cross your arms in a mosh pit cause youre too good for it…

two, because of unproven accusations and allegations against him… now being that a few of his accusers were found guilty of FRAUD AND BLACKMAIL! (one so far as to have blackmailed 20+ other famous artists in the same way) is it really that improbable that a bunch of shitty human beings were trying to cash in on someone who is too nice to everyone?

I am one of those people who are far too nice for my own good, and I have paid dearly for it. I am owed more money then one would ever imagine because of being a caring and giving person… however it has crushed my kindness, and I am far colder then I once was…

For Michael that never changed… he was always the giving kind soul who would help anyone and everyone who needed it. He’s built schools, hospitals, and funded more charities then any other person living or dead.

I understand that some can not separate negative media attention from an Iconic and Legendary career… but innocent until proven guilty still exists in this country, right?

Parts of Michaels career and life died when the media started taking more from him then he was willing to give… struggling with his identity thru surguries so he could be comfortable with what he saw in the mirror… as well as clearing his name… even making his valiant return to the stage and recording studio…. None of these things will ever happen.

His soul will not be at rest knowing he died prior to what was to be his last hurrah… never loving himself as much as he loved everyone else. Never finding, in himself, what he found in so so so many others.

His music, his message, his charity, and his kindness has inspired more then the work of anyone else, and will never be forgotten, nor will it ever be matched.

Today millions of people from all races, all religions, all over the world… all united to watch and bid farewell to an Icon who wanted to unite the world. I don’t believe there is anything else on this planet that unites such a wide variety of people from such vastly different backgrounds.

Now… I do not believe in god or religion, but I do know the world is a better place for having Michael Jackson in it. And we all are so lucky to have been alive to witness the magnitude of his career and the impact of his message.

I would not be who I am today if not for seeing the cover of bad, and deciding, yeah, I need long hair, and leather jackets.. I need to be bad as hell! …when I was 10….

I am lucky enough to work primarily in the industry of which Michael was the unchallenged king. My initial push into music, was his music, and now its my job.

The world took so much from him, so many were out to tarnish his image, and bring him down…

It makes me sick to think so many are posting praise of his death, and belittling this short sliver of time in which we have to say goodbye.

I implore anyone who is reading this… please do not tarnish love, with hatred. So many are hurting, and trying to heal… Let him fade into eternity, as his fans, his friends, and his family mourn with heavy hearts.

To my fallen hero… Rest In Peace Michael.

In Our Darkest Hour
In My Deepest Despair
Will You Still Care?
Will You Be There?
In My Trials
And My Tribulations
Through Our Doubts
And Frustrations
In My Violence
In My Turbulence
Through My Fear
And My Confessions
In My Anguish And My Pain
Through My Joy And My Sorrow
In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow
I'll Never Let You Part
For You're Always In My Heart.

- Will you be there? – Michael Jackson