Essay: "Legacy of Michael Jackson"

Sarvar Abdullaev

Dr. Rippel

English 82B

12 October 2010

Legacy of Michael Jackson

When the real music comes to me – the music of the spheres, the music that surpasseth understanding – that has nothing to do with me ‘cause I’m just the channel. The only joy for me is for it to be given to me and transcribe it. Like a medium. Those moments are what I live for.

-       John Lennon

Michael Jackson, the world’s biggest shining star, has now left the world as the human only to enter the greater world as the Angel. Michael Jackson was a messenger of love, kindness, generosity, inspiration, humanity, optimism, and change through his character and music. Michael Jackson will never be replaced in our hearts, never in mine.

We all have a little bit of King of Pop in us. I find connection with most of the people who admire the work of Michael. Those people understand that no human in the world has achieved what has achieved Michael and has given so much to the world. He understood he had a talent from God and worked hard on it to excel in it. Michael was a perfectionist; he was a workaholic. His songs are a true reflection of his popular, hard, amazing yet lonely life. As he would later on say that success comes with loneliness.

Michael’s message was to learn, explore, develop, progress, help and create a better world. Michael knew that and was able to pass on his message to us, his loyal fans, through his songs such as We Are the World, which raised millions of dollars to help fight the poverty in the third world countries. That is why we admire him. He stood up and took action like the Man in the Mirror. He rocked our world, he was dangerous for some time and he always thrilled us. It was never about the fame or money but leaving positive footprint in human history.

Michael was a workaholic, perfectionist, a restless student. He watched greatest at creating their greatness and he became greater than them. One gets all these materialistic things yet is empty inside and makes it up by buying more materialistic things. Michael worked harder than his peers, than the already established giants in the music business and he kept going, all the way, telling us: “You have seen nothing yet.”

Since the age of five, Michael was on a mission when many people are still lost in this world not knowing what they live for or what their purpose is. Having four consecutive number one hits before turning thirteen, the world was witnessing the rise of the Greatest Entertainer of All Times. At twenty one, he was a veteran with sixteen years of experience. Michael was already signing contracts, arranging music tones and rehearsing dance steps of the group within the same day. Michael developed multitasking ability and was able to excel at many things at the same time as he had to train his mind so. He developed his visionary skills and he would present his art that people are naturally attracted too. He would replace his team of lawyers, producers and other associates every ten years as he did not want them to rest on their laurels. He always challenged himself and others in creating his masterpieces that live long forever.

Michael understood human nature and he excelled at providing us, the humans, what it had been missing: unity through music. His music is loved and admired from a one-year old to a 99-year old. He has the widest audience of listeners! I can moonwalk anywhere in the world and scream “Auuuu” and be accepted as I am showing respect to the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

I am always admired by Michael also as he was an avid reader. He would buy books during his concert tours and the whole bus would be full of books at the end of the tour. He liked sitting in the back of the bus and reading them, especially old Hollywood Glamour books and pictures. He would analyze and memorize postures, gestures, moves, different styles, so he can build his own image and his own history.

Overall, secret to Michael’s success was that Michael always tried to stay young and open to universe which brought most creativity out of him. He was always surprising and something was illusive about him, the way he would look at us through the TV. He would never open up all of his cards. He was a magic and had people always trying to figure him out.

Never stopping, always surprising, has Michael influenced all of our lives. From amateur shows to the biggest sold out arenas in the world, Michael has did it all. Michael was making history anywhere he went to. He dominated 80’s and 90’s. His presence is passed on through the next generation of artists and performers. They all have a little bit of Michael, if not too much of him.

 Breaking records of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Beatles, he is a true ultimate entertainer the world has ever seen. The singer, composer, producer, artist, and more importantly, a humanitarian, there will never be another Michael. All the stress and allegations he went through, in his heart he knew that loyal fans will always stay with him. He left the world as Mr. Unbreakable. I am proud to live during this era to witness Mr. Michael Joseph Jackson and will continue to spread his legacy around the world.