The world is sadden by the loss of a Rock Icon, Michael Jackson. I'm old enough to remember Michael as a little boy singing in the Jackson 5. What an incredible talent at such an early age!

There are many who became disenchanted with Michael in the recent past. He seemed to get just a tad over the bar when it came to eccentricities. Personally, I feel that much of his unusual behavior stems from not really getting to have even somewhat of a normal childhood. Think about it, he was working as hard or harder as a young boy than many of us work now as adults. That had to have had a serious effect on him as he grew up.

Whether you liked him as a grown man or not, you have to give him this: Michael Jackson changed music with his talent. He took performance on the stage to a new level back in the 1980s. His dance routines changed the music video forever and created an industry that thrives today. Music videos were in the infancy stage when Michael wowed us with his "Thriller" performances and videos.

Whether you agreed with his personal life or not, we do owe Michael great respect for the songs and entertainment he gave us over the years. As with Elvis and the Beatles before him, he made a mark in the music industry that very few ever achieve.



Goodbye, dear Michael...may you rest in peace.