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A lot has been said about Michael Jackson since he passed away on June 25th, 2009. Reporters, friends, pop culture junkies, music historians, even myself… we’ve all waxed poetic about the man, his music and the legacy he leaves behind.

But of all the countless words that have been said and will continue to be spoken about MJ for the months/years/DECADES to come, this is perhaps the most touching and honest of them all: (watch)

In that one moment, Paris Jackson humanized her father in a way that no one ever has. Raw emotion, straight from the heart, from someone who knew him NOT as a superstar…or an icon…or a tabloid “freak”. For this little girl, he was simply “Daddy” - and the pain on her face and in her voice was simply heartbreaking.

Today we laid to rest the greatest entertainer of a generation, possibly of all time. Michael Jackson stands right alongside Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles as a man who changed music, pop culture and the world FOREVER.

For me, Michael Jackson was my musical hero - and the single biggest reason why I ever wanted to study and write about music, or work in music television. My greatest MJ memories are wrapped up in a series of “firsts” - the first album I ever owned (Thriller), the first video I ever saw (Billie Jean), and the first concert I ever went to (The Victory Tour in 1984). His music is quite literally the soundtrack of my life, and all I can do as a fan is be grateful that I was alive to witness and appreciate his greatness.

Magic never dies.

- Antonella La Farcioli

Tags: michael jackson, michael jackson memorial, mj

Posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 3:45 pm by antonella and is filed under Concerts & Events.

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