Remembering an Unrepeatable Legend of Music and Entertainment: Michael Jackson
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 25, 2009 (midnight Thursday, 4 Tir 1388, Tehran time), it wasn’t the first time Michael had shaken the world—and it probably won’t be the last. He was a mysterious life and a mysterious man. For a man whose entire life was an accident and a secret, nothing else should have been expected. But it would be a fantasy to think that it’s over. As he said, he was born so he would never die. And he won’t die. Again, he will conquer the world.
No one knows what’s coming next. Maybe his old songs that were never released. Maybe new songs that were supposed to be released on his new album. Maybe the awards that will be given to him after his death. Maybe more videos of his live performances around the world... and hundreds of other maybes. What is certain is this: it isn’t over, and it won’t be over. On the afternoon of Thursday, June 25, 2009, the world was shocked. A weakening rumor that first started with a report from an unreliable news agency—so it was ignored at first—was then confirmed, then denied, then confirmed again, and remained confirmed. In just a few hours. Faster than that wasn’t possible.
In recent months, many rumors about Michael Jackson were being passed around mouth to mouth around the world. News of his illness spread thanks to a columnist (Ian Halperin), known for rumor-mongering and stirring up controversy. Then, in March, Michael was healthy and full of energy, but with a slimmed-down body, news came that concerts in London would be held. He said, "I’ll see you in July."
10 concerts turned into 50. And then it was said that a likely worldwide, three-year tour was on the way. The best dancers from all over the world were selected. A huge, professional team was formed to create what was supposed to be the greatest live stage show in history. Rehearsals began, and rumors grew. Michael changed his hairstyle. Everyone knew his curly hair smelled like concerts and tours.
His repeated visits to a treatment clinic in Los Angeles—where Michael was staying—and his rehearsals for the London concerts became controversial. The media doubted his health, but AEG officials, the company organizing the London concerts, assured everyone that he was healthy. They said Michael had passed a tough five-hour athletic test with an excellent score.
In short, the world was waiting for July. The start date of the concerts changed from the 8th to the 13th. The media blamed Michael’s unpreparedness, and AEG cited the stage not being ready. Sales of Michael’s albums had risen because of the announcement of the concerts. Everyone was happy and excited—and Michael even more than anyone. 750,000 tickets disappeared within a few hours. Michael continued to set new records until the last minutes of his life. Tickets for 50 London concerts sold at the speed of light. People from all over the world bought these tickets. The concerts known as This Is It were recorded in history as the fastest-selling in terms of ticket sales.
Everything was going well and according to plan. Kenny Ortega, the director of the London concerts, wrote exciting updates on his Twitter page—how energetic Michael was and how incredibly hard he was working. That Michael was amazing. That everything was going well, and...
On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, Michael’s final rehearsal went perfectly. He was very happy. Everyone who was with him confirms this. On stage, he performed his last live shows with tremendous energy and excellence. He joked with everyone. He made everyone laugh. He thrilled everyone. He entertained everyone. He made everyone happy—and then he shocked everyone. He shocked the world. Even those who weren’t fans fell into grief over the loss of an unrepeatable legend and regretted it.
He sang and danced on stage until 1:00 a.m. He only felt a bit of tightness in his throat. His doctor visited him that night, and they say he injected him with pain medication. They say he had pain—but they didn’t say what kind of pain.
The next day, at noon, his spirit decided that he wanted no more of this world, no more of his pain and suffering from people who gave more and more and thanked less and less. And his heart decided, very suddenly, to stop beating. A heart that beat for all of the world—for all the goodness—for the children—for human beings—for music—for peace—for love—for miracles—continuing to create more miracles. A heart that had been wounded and hurt throughout his life. It had been scarred. According to his close friends, and as his family attests, Michael had been hurt the most by the people he trusted the most. His former wife, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the late Elvis Presley, says that vampires and leech-like creatures were circling around him. Michael decided not to trust anyone. He was alone. Very alone. His close friend Ory Geller says Michael looked into his eyes and told him that he was a lonely man—so, so lonely.
The accusations, baseless claims against him, and the harsh words of the media as they criticized even the smallest of his moves—ignoring his enormous achievements, forgetting his history-making songs—stopped all at once. Now the world speaks with one voice about his goodness. About his art and music. Everywhere, people sing his songs. Radio and television networks play his songs nonstop. Everyone opens their mouths in praise of him. All controversies are forgotten. All accusations are forgotten. What remains is his art and his unique, lovable personality. And that means he is, without question, a legend.
Half an hour after 12:00 noon on Thursday, June 25, 2009, the big doors of the house—no, the royal mansion—witnessed the departure of an ambulance. The ambulance was taking Michael’s body to the hospital. Minutes earlier, Michael’s heart had completely stopped. Hours of artificial respiration and electric shocks had no effect. Neither Michael’s heart could return, nor his spirit. A few hours later, hospital officials announced that Michael Jackson had died.
Michael didn’t just make everyday people dance with his songs while he was alive—he did it even at the time of his death. News of Michael Jackson’s passing was placed on huge billboards across busy streets in New York. His death became the top news story in the world’s media. Online news sites went down due to traffic. And people poured into the streets to honor his memory. They sang and danced so Michael’s spirit would know that the music he created would remain after his death. Forever. Forever.
Source: eMJey.com