There were many magical moments produced by this once-in-a-lifetime star named Michael Jackson. There were many things that he did during his five decades on earth that are virtually tattooed into the consciousness of a nation and the world.
What was your favorite Mike moment? My favorite had nothing to do with his “Motown 25” moonwalk or videos or fashion trends or unparalleled golden voice. Mine happened during the July Fourth holiday in 1984 in Akron, Ohio, the year after Thriller first rocketed into the stratosphere and hijacked popular culture. He had just visited the Reagan White House.
Despite going to an all-black school, I lived in an almost all-white neighborhood on the far west side that was not very hospitable. Communication with most neighbors was pretty much nonexistent. Yet, as I walked the dogs around the block as my father tended to the slabs of ribs, I heard songs from Thriller blaring from no less than 15 of these white-owned homes, many of which had barbecue parties of their own. It was almost surreal, like something out of the “Twilight Zone.” I even stopped for conversation with a couple of them to talk about Michael’s music, the one and only time I remember ever speaking to some of them.
It was in that moment that it crystallized for me more than any other that Michael Jackson had created a work of art so special, so powerful that these people — who could have been playing Duran Duran or the Police or Men at Work or Hall & Oates, Madonna, Pat Benatar or any rock or heavy metal artist — all chose to play MJ’s songs, on the same day at the same time. I have never witnessed anything like it, then or since. Not even close.
So that’s my Michael Jackson story. What is your favorite MJ moment? Where were you and at what period in your life did Jackson enter and never leave? We’d like to hear from you. –terry shropshire
