Michael Jackson was and always will be a worldwide icon. His talent and showmanship made for concerts that those fortunate enough to have scored tickets for will never forget. But often when the media sets you up on a pedestal, when they get ready to take you down, they go twice as hard.
Tragic death rocks the world
Jackson died a tragic and untimely death on June 25, 2009. It was an event that, like the deaths of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the legendary superstar Prince, most people will never forget. Get any group of family or friends together, and they can tell you exactly where they were or what they were doing when they heard that Jackson had died at only 50 years of age.
In today’s world 50 is not your father’s 50. With all of the medical advances, people in their 50’s are often still vibrant and active.
Jackson was not only still going strong, he was about to embark on his last world tour, which he eerily named the “This Is It!” tour. They were already in rehearsals when news of Jackson’s death stunned the world. His physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for giving him too much propofol. The drug, which is only supposed to be used in a controlled environment like a hospital operating room, was administered by Murray in Jackson’s home. In what some people consider to this day to be an extreme miscarriage of justice; Murray only served about two years of his four-year prison sentence before he was released.
The legend was a regular dad
With Jackson snatched away so suddenly, fans understandably cling to anything or anyone that was connected to him. It is no wonder that the lives of his three children Prince, Paris, and Blanket Jackson are followed so closely. Robin Roberts interviewed Jackson’s son Prince this morning on “Good Morning, America” and he gave a refreshing view of the real man Jackson was as a father.
Michael’s own father Joe Jackson was notoriously hard on his boys. Although it paid off with the success of the Jackson 5, one gets the impression that Joe almost forced the boys into show business to make up for the success that eluded him with his own band.
Prince said that his father was quite the opposite. Jackson encouraged Prince and his siblings to do what made them happy.
He encouraged them to follow their own dreams and desires. Prince told Roberts that Jackson told them, “I really don’t care what you do in life, as long as you’re happy doing it, and you’re the best at what you do. Prince proudly spoke of his dad being called the “King of Pop”. He continued, “My name is Prince, but for all intents and purposes, I'm the King's son. I am working to get my own epithet.” He said no matter how busy his dad was, he always had the time to be supportive of his kids and talk with them.
Prince is only 15 years old, but for a child who’s spent most of his life under the glare of the spotlight, he came across as a well-adjusted and happy kid. One can’t help but think that Jackson would be extremely proud.
