krikzil.com

Michael Jackson....

Growing up, I was a huge Jacksons and then Michael Jackson fan. I was in my 20s when the whole Thriller madness hit. I saw Michael in concert with his brothers and solo many times. The Jackson brothers were a talented group of young men and of course, Michael was an incredible showman all on his own. Does anything beat the BAD Tour? (Went 3 times!) I was also supportive when the first molestation claim surfaced; then shocked when he paid the kid's family off. I couldn't help but think it was a huge mistake and would dog him forever.

Life was extremely busy in the 90s with work and play and I sort of lost track of Michael and his music, and to be honest I was rather put off by a lot of his choices. (The Lisa/Debbie/Lisa menage for one.) Then 2003 happened. I could barely follow the Trial coverage -- it was all so sensational and one-sided and he looked so destroyed as it went on -- and worried he'd be convicted simply for being "different" not because he was actually guilty. I didn't think for an instant he'd be able to survive prison.

I work in the criminal justice system and can say emphatically that the Trial was bogus after investigating just what "evidence" they had. I think that kid was a pawn of his mother and it was just an attempt to get $$ like the Chandlers. I understand the reasons for that settlement but I think in many ways it was a miscalculation.

If you've read any bit about Michael's life, he most definitely was a victim and I honestly don't see how a train wreck wasn't going to be the eventual outcome in his case but I never thought it would all end in his untimely death. I'm glad Conrad Murray was convicted and I hope it gives some small peace for his children and Mother.

With his death, I've listened to some of the old music and watched the videos once more. I thought I'd post some of the photos and links to celebrate his amazing talent.