Remembering Michael Jackson

by Robin Hilton

Michael Jackson has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 50.

I came of age in the 1980s, back when Jackson was the single biggest pop star on the planet. I, admittedly, was never a huge fan at the time. I spent most of my high-school years listening to rock bands from the '60s and early '70s and didn't have the radio on much. But I watched television and was there, along with millions of others, glued to the set when Jackson introduced his moonwalk while performing "Billie Jean" on the Motown 25th-anniversary special.

It still gives me goosebumps. Just look at him. Look at those moves! And "Billie Jean" has one of the sweetest bass lines and grooves around. He blew our minds, time and time again, deftly mixing funk, disco, soul, rock, pop and R&B like no other artist at the time, while seemingly defying the laws of physics with his dance moves.

Read more, after the jump.

This is the Michael Jackson I'm going to remember, the one who thrilled us and made us want to get up and move. His music could bring the shyest wallflowers out on the dance floor. For some of you, maybe it's the younger Michael Jackson, a phenomenal performer even as a child with his family.

We all know how bizarre and tragic his life became over the years. For some, he became a joke. For others, a disgrace. It was a sad denouement to a remarkable life, and he'll be dearly missed.

NPR's Neda Ulaby put together this wonderful remembrance of Michael Jackson.

Please share your own memories.

6:07 PM ET | 06-25-2009 | permalink

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