For many of us, English music meant 'Michael Jackson'. The fondest memories i have is when 'MJ' visited India in 1996 as a part of History World Tour. I, remember it was everywhere on Television channels, Newspapers, and everywhere i went people were talking about it. Many of my friends wanted to visit Mumbai to get a glimpse of MJ- 'The king of pop', it was once in a lifetime oppurtuinity.
I was not so lucky, I live in Delhi and as a school going teenager it was not possible to visit Mumbai, but i would not miss a single chance to watch him on the television, everytime some news about MJ came i used to rush towards the television and would not move until it was over. Then the day came when MJ arrived on November 1, 1996 Mumbai saw the biggest crowd ever. Celebrities( Sonali Bendre and Raj Thackrey recieved Michael Jackson at the airport), fans and airport staff thronged at the airport to catch a glimplse of the star. Another thing i remember, how MJ had said he loved indian food (During his stay he had Dosa, Naan and Aloo parantha and not to forget his personal cook was of Indian origin).
After the concert was over, MJ left india but not before leavinng souveniers in the hotel room where he stayed - a signed mirror and a pillow cover and an unfulfilled promise to return to India for his million fans in this part of the world.
During my college years, I had a friend who would dance only on MJ's songs, do moonwalk and threw his hat in the air, i cannot recall any festival where this friend of mine had not won first prize. MJ was an icon for the youths of my generation and such was his glory that wherever he went girls would cry , shout and scream and his concert were always a complete sold out.
In 2002, MJ was again in the news but this time with serious charges of being a 'peadophile', a charge which was never proved. People were shocked and could not believe. My personal view -a kid with a troubled childhood( abuse at the hands of his father at a very young age), eight siblings, loving father to three childrens and someone who was looked upon at by the whole world. He was a 'idol' for the youngster wouldnot do something like this. The worse part about the whole situation was that even his elder sister accussed him( for being a 'paedophile'). Though she later retraced from the statement.
After this episode MJ never recoverd, he became depressed, dependent on drugs, his career graph was constantly heading downwards, was under debts worth millions. Towards the end of 2008, he decided to make a 'comeback' and was putting all his efforts to re-gain his 'lost glory' by doing the comeback tour. He signed 10 ( 50 according to the organizers) concerts. But the efforts were cut short in the afternoon of 25June, 2009 when the 'star of the century' moonwalked in to the pages of history forever. The end was sudden, the world was shocked and billions of fan all around the world were left heart broken. The whole world mourned the passing away of the 'Music God' they worshipped. Though MJ is not phsically with us but the legacy he left behind will continue to live.........
"MJ, was a star who was never born, never died.
He will remain in our hearts forever......"
Below are the links to some of my favorite songs:-
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