MICHAEL JACKSON
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
I have nothing more to add that hasn't already been said in the past 15 hours -- and 40 years -- but I will say that I usually listen to music while I eat breakfast and this morning I reached for the Jackson 5's ABC album, which was my introduction to the future King of Pop in the mid '70s. I won't bore you with a review of a record that's as old as I am, but I'd like to single out a couple of moments that damn near brought tears to these baby blues today.
From "2-4-6-8," this blast of self-assurance from an 11-year old who was just getting started:
"I may be a little fella
but my heart's as big as Texas!
I have all the love a man can give
and maybe a little bit extra!"
These lyrics from "One More Chance" sound like they could've sprung from Michael the day before yesterday:
"Everybody loves the star
when he's on the top
But no one ever comes around
when he starts to drop.
Give me one more chance
That's all I ask of you
Just one more chance
I'll make it up to you."
And finally, the terrific cover of Funkadelic's "I Bet You" -- and the realization that George Clinton has now outlived Michael Jackson.
