The Internet, the world, (and Twitter's servers) are in shock, as Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, has died in Los Angeles today from cardiac arrest.
The exact details surrounding Jackon's death are fuzzy. TMZ reported he was dead first. CNN would only report that he was in the hospital and had suffered from cardiac arrest. Then, the LA Times reported that he wasn't dead, but in coma, which CNN confirmed, only to have the LA Times quickly report that Jackson had in fact died. At the age of 50.
To even begin to describe what a huge part of our culture, music and personal memories that Michael Jackson is, would be impossible. We all have our memories of him... that curious, tragic, mystifying, incredibly talented man with the single glove, and the disturbing past.
Perhaps what's most distressing about Jackson's death, is the amount of people who think it's OK to laugh and poke fun at this tragic human being. The facts are, that Jackson was never convicted of child molestation. Ever.
He suffered a childhood of intense pressure and abuse from his father.
It's clear to anyone and everyone around him that he was not a well man. His life was not a normal life. He loved climbing trees. He got on best with children... because, inside, he was a man who never really grew up. He was the real-life, deeply sad, deeply-confusing Peter Pan.
But, his music. Holy shit, his MUSIC. His ART. His VIDEOS!
When I think of Michael Jackson, I don't think of his face. I don't think of his skin. I don't think of the court trials or the circus masks he makes his children wear.
I think of the opening bars of "Smooth Criminal". "Billie Jean". "Thriller".
I think of moon walking in my kitchen when I was five-years-old.
The Jackson 5.
He was haunted man. He was one of the greatest musicians that ever was. He was Michael-Fucking-Jackson.
And he will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace, MJ.