Just because you read it in a magazine / Or see it on the TV screen / Don't make it factual

Michael Joseph Jackson 08/28/1958 - 06/25/2009

Michael Jackson.

What can you say? He's arguably the most well-known person in the world. Who hasn't heard his name, hasn't heard at least one of his songs, doesn't know his life story?

"It was hard to love him, but hard not to." - Larry King

That sums up my feelings perfectly. I loved him as a kid. The Good Years. Bad and Thriller and Dangerous and HIStory. I can sit here and think of where I was when I listened to each of those albums, the first time I got them, watching his videos (remember "Black or White?" on VH1 during the summers.

On one hand, it was a complete surprise. He's only 50. He was working on a comeback tour. But on the other hand - rumors that he was unwell, the scandals that seemed to follow him everywhere.

I'm sort of discombobulated. But here's how I feel (and it's my blog, so nyah.): I'm shocked. Stunned. I loved him. Yeah, maybe he did bad stuff, maybe he didn't. I don't care. I've always liked him, I've always been a fan, I've always been a supporter.

But the truth of it is that he was a legend. He will never make a new video. Never produce or release a new album. Never go on that comeback tour.

It's sad, and I'm not ashamed to say I've teared up a bit, especially now that they're playing "We Are the World" on CNN. There's so much I could say, but I don't have the words right now.

Rest in Peace, Michael. You're loved.

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