Do you remember parachute pants? How about bandannas? Growing up in the ‘80s was quite a memorable experience. I can remember taking break-dancing lessons at a local teen club in Louisville, KY. I was about 8 or 9-years-old then, and my competitive nature propelled me to be asked to become a member of the club’s break-dancing team, “The CC Breakers.” Crystal Cove was the name of the club, and I still remember many names and faces from that experience. One of the first dance-moves I learned, which was before the break-dancing lessons, was self-taught. I picked it up by observing my idol, Michael Jackson. I was an incredible moonwalker at a very early age. Mike was my hero.

My parents bought me the “Thriller” cassette, and I still remember carrying my table-top tape recorder/player around everywhere I went and playing the tape over and over and over. The lyrics of “Beat It,” “Billy Jean,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “PYT,” and especially, “Thriller,” are forever ingrained in my memory. I loved Michael Jackson.

My mother, being more aware of time and history and having the realization of documenting the present, helped me to start a Michael Jackson scrapbook. I still can recall sifting through newspapers and magazines — carefully cutting out pictures and articles about the King of Pop (MJ). My parents bought me the famous, shiny, right-handed glove (of course, it was not as cool as the real one). They bought me two special articles of “outerwear,” too — the badass Thriller jacket, and the zipper-covered Beat It jacket. I was the man… I had the training, I had the passion, but most importantly, I had the attire. “You Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”? I was the man.

Okay, Elvis was my first love… And, KISS came shortly thereafter. But, I can remember MJ being the first musical artist that hypnotized me. I cannot listen to any song on the Thriller album without being jettisoned back 27 years in history — it’s like association in its purist form.

Last night (6-25-09), I received a text message from a friend. It informed me of MJ’s untimely demise. To be honest, I first thought it was a spam-message — you know, the crappy Forwards you get from your friends and family. But, when I got home, and then today, watching the news is like watching my own funeral. I mean, my childhood idol was way too young for this to happen. Is this a joke? Is this one of those “fake your death and run to a 3rd world country for anonymity” schemes?

Michael has been chastised over and over for being a little “eccentric,” and many things (like reconstructive surgery) he brought on himself. But, he has been an easy target for many cruel jokes over time, and especially the last ten years. I read a book about him when I was a kid — one that talked about his childhood. His life, as a child, was more messed-up than his life as an adult. I admit that I don’t know the truth about Michael, and I never will. However, a part of me has always sympathized with him. How could anyone that lived his life be expected to act normal?

Well, he’s gone now. It still seems surreal, but there are a few things that will always be “real.” Michael Jackson entertained millions of people, Michael Jackson changed music videos forever, Michael Jackson was the architect of Pop Music, and most of all, Michael Jackson affected many people — even some simple folks like me.