I was born in 1951 and grew up in love with the Beatles…Hey, I admit it. I still love them. In 1969 the year I graduated from high school the Beatles broke up and the Jackson Five appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show with an eleven year old kid named Michael at the lead. My brain still mourning the recent breakup of the greatest band ever, found the Jackson’s kiddish and trite. I never paid much attention to them or Michael Jackson. For me the 1970’s were a musical wasteland. Nothing even compared to my beloved Liverpudlians. Then in 1983 my musical life was turn on its head. Usually I hate award shows and anniversary specials, but for some reason that May night I decided to watch the Motown 25th Anniversary Special. The kid, Micheal Jackson was now 25 years old. He was introduced to a screaming crowd of admirers…but all I could think was “here we go again with some more bubblegum music“…Was I ever wrong. Jackson came out and wowed the audience and me singing Billy Jean. His performance was an explosion. He danced like no one I had ever seem…the rhythm, the precision of movement, the dynamic voice, it all just blew me away. Regardless of what you think of his personal life, Michael Jackson was a history making performer and the music world will miss him.

Michael Jackson performs Billy Jean at the Motown Special in 1983.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15SxqqwF63U