Michael Jackson has moonwalked for the last time and I am sad.
After I heard the news yesterday, I immediately called Gulley to see if she’d heard the news because I felt like I needed to share the moment with someone who, like me, spent a better part of 1983-1984 memorizing the choreography to the “Thriller” video.
I told her I’d never forget sitting in the stands at a junior high pep rally when the eighth grade cheerleaders came out on the gym floor and performed a routine to “Beat It”. At the time I had no idea what that song was or who sang it because I spent all my time listening to Rick Springfield and practicing my clarinet, even though I really wanted to play the flute but couldn’t because my mouth was shaped wrong according to some hack of a band director.
But, really, I harbor no ill will towards the man who ended my career as a world-famous flautist before it even began.
A few days later I saw the “Beat It” video on MTV and it made me love the song even more, though something in me intuitively knew that there was no way Michael Jackson could take on an entire street gang. It didn’t matter because the music was just so good.
By the time I was in seventh grade, I’d quit band due to clarinet frustration and moved on to choir. Choir was so much better, mainly because it didn’t require me to carry an instrument to school every day in a big black case. It didn’t seem to matter that I had little to no (leaning heavy towards the no) singing talent, until the day I auditioned for the special show choir by singing the theme from “Arthur”. Needless to say, I am no Christopher Cross and was informed that my voice was better suited to being part of the large regular choir, which we all know translates to “Bless your heart you can’t sing a lick”.
But ultimately I didn’t care because the perk of being a part of the regular, average-to-no-talent choir was that our choir director, Mr. LaForge, would wheel in the T.V. and a VCR that was bigger than the space shuttle and let us watch Michael Jackson’s performance on the American Music Awards over and over again while he worked with the special show choir. I have never been so thankful that I couldn’t sing.
We would all ooh and aah over that single, sequined glove, the band uniform and the sunglasses while we argued over who could do the best version of the moonwalk. There was a boy named Marcus who could do it pretty well in his socks, but we didn’t believe it really counted unless you could do it in your penny loafers because that takes real talent.
Mr. LaForge even threw the regular choir a bone and let us perform “Human Nature” during our spring concert complete with some stellar choreography that included jazz hands as we sang “Why? Why?” that turned into a waterfall effect as we finished “tell her that it’s human nature”. I think it goes without saying that we totally smoked the show choir and their lame rendition of “Ave Maria”.
Over the years it became apparent that Michael had his share of problems, just another example that fame and fortune are no guarantee of peace and happiness; that sometimes the people who seem to have it all can be some of the loneliest people around. Still, you can’t discount the incredible talent he possessed and the effect he had on the music world.
And, for me personally, on my fashion world.
That homecoming dress that looked like a band uniform gone awry never would have existed if not for the influence of Michael Jackson.
I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
Or black or white.
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I was in Jr. High too when he released Beat It and I was instantly in love too! I papered my walls with his posters. In retrospect, I’m shocked that my father (a raging racist) let me do that – I married an African and he quit talking to me permanently! Maybe he loved the music too? P.S. LOVE the prom dress – mine looked more like an electric blue southern belle, but the beat it look is good too.
A sad day. Michael Jackson was a man of incredible music genius and talent. I remember him as a cute little boy and his brothers in the Jackson 5 era. Michael was my age and somehow I thought I could relate to him. Much too young to die! But his music will live forever.
Oh Michael…. I looooooved him. I think he was my first ever celebrity crush.
I love some 80′s hair! I’m so jealous you got to hang with the P-Dub.
love ya!
Props for the homecoming mum. Yes a sad day for American music. I remember when I saw Billie Jean for the first time on Friday Night Videos. Never could get into Thriller because, well, I scare easily even now and especially then. Hope you have recovered from the trip & the horses!
ha ha that picture cracks me up – only because it looks identical to so many pics in my parent’s closet of me. ha!
Jazz Hands! HAHAHAHHA!!! I love the ginormous mum in your picture!
Thank you so much for sharing pictures from the 80′s. It reminds me so much of my pictures and it saves me the trouble of digging through boxes to find pics of me with my big hair to show my hubby. (I will not comment on the clothes… I do not need to be reminded of what I wore in that decade.)
You hit the nail on the head… very sad about MJ but fame sometimes comes with a price.
Love the picture! That is some rockin’ hair you were sporting, Big Mama.
I was a little young for MJ, so by the time I was old enough to listen, he was in the middle of all those scandals. BUT, I sure enjoy watching his older videos. That boy could dance!!!
I too remember when he was the youngest member of the jackson five. He was very cute and could really sing…..so sad his life ended up as it did, but I suppose he will always be a legend of sorts.
Suzanne
I have a couple of LPs of the Jackson 5 and will still bust them out and listen to Michael sing his little heart out. So sorry he never found what he was looking for.
I too played the clarinet. I was terrible at it and eventually quit. It ruins your teeth anyway.
That is some serious hair, Big Mama. I could never get my hair to do that.
So I was born in the early 80s and my sister is a few years older than me, but I clearly remember her wearing one white glove around the house for weeks.
It’s a sad day indeed.
thank you thank you thank you for including that homecoming picture. Oh how I wish I had a pic of my jean jacket with the 15 MJ pins on it. If you didn’t live it, you just can’t believe it.
My routine for officer try outs (drill team) was to Thriller. He had the BEST music to dance to ever.
I am so glad you were a Michael fan too. It is so sad. Like Michael, you really made that band-look look snazzy. Only special people can pull that off.
I had to have a moment for Michael Jackson yesterday as well. I’ve always been sad for him, pitied him really. Despite all his money and fame, it seemed that he was lost and looking for something. Too bad he never found whatever it was that would have made him happy.
On a less serious note: I’m lovin’ the homecoming mum!
A sad, sad day. For sure.
I played the clarinet too. (But my friend taught me how to play her cool flute.)
Question for you–is the necklace you’re wearing in the pic with you and Harper the one my sister made for you?
Michael Jackson….sigh. I remember seeing the Thriller video for the first time in the 3rd grade. I also remember my dad had the Thriller album and a tape of it, and we would listen to the tape in the car, and that meant I had the COOLEST dad in the world! You know, because he understood my music and all! I still have “We Are the World” on my ipod. Very sad indeed (Michael’s death….not “We Are the World” on my ipod!).
Let’s keep his kids in our prayers.
He definitely has influenced many people, I remember wanting to marry him when I was five…not sure I should admit that!
Oh, girl! I feel your pain! I also was a huge fan of Michael, and had posters all over the place. It’s so great that you acknowledged him on your blog today. Most of the other “popular” blogs haven’t mentioned a word about losing such an icon. I came to your blog this morning, feeling certain that Big Mama would discuss losing Michael, and you didn’t let me down. You rock!
Love from Michigan ~
I had his silver sequin glove. Enough said.
It was such a sad day yesterday! We truly lost a legend. Good post!
Melanie – you have QUITE the memory. I’m pretty sure I don’t remember half the details of junior high and high school. Which may be a good thing, considering. HA.
I was trying to get my husband to join in my sadness last night. But, he just doesn’t get it. He WAS there, and he did try to moonwalk too. Why isn’t he as sad as me?
Oh, the hours I spent watching MJ on MTV.
I’m almost embarassed to say this, but I was a big Duran fan during the early to mid 80s. Still, I can’t deny that Michael Jackson had more talent than all members of Duran combined.
I too mourn Michael Jackson. He may have been weird, but lord he had talent.
As a Texas woman, your picture made me proud. Because you subscribe to the same”Go Big or Go Home” mantra that I do, I adored everything about it.
Big hair. Big cor-sage. Big red bag. Big dress. Big Mama.
My colleague told me I was cold-hearted this morning because I said I was mostly indifferent feeling about MJ’s passing. I mean, it is sad of course, but I’ve always been pretty convinced he was weeeiiiirrrd. His older music was much better…love me some Billy Jean
Anyway. Your choir class sounds about like mine–which was why I took it for 4 years and subjected myself to the god-awful outfit twice a year 
I can’t remember how old I was but I had the Beat It album and my parents had to buy it for me. VH 1 is showing his videos and the one with Lisa Marie and Michael shirtless or showing his chest is really giving me the creeps.
I also quit band and joined choir. I was made to play the trombone. Try carrying that case on the school bus! I wonder how many people quit band simply for the inconvenience of it?
He was a great entertainer and he will be missed. Oh, you’re great too.
Well that dress really says it all.
I SO had a picture of Rick Springfield and Michael Jackson posted inside my locker in 9th grade. In my mind, I WAS Jesse’s girl!
(Michael stayed in my locker though… he never made it to my prom dress. So you got me there.) hehehe….
I’m surprised at how sad I am by MJ’s passing. I haven’t been a fan since the days of Thriller. But for some reason, my heart is heavy today. Peter Pan is no more.
God have mercy on his soul.
I love the big mum corsage that looks like a 3rd boobie! We had those as well. Ours included streamers that had the potential to reach all the way to your knees if you were dating a football player.
I had the white glove kit that you could glue the sequins onto yourself…that and a Trapper Keeper that had the Thriller album cover pic on it! Love me some MJ! We have another thing in common….RICK SPRINGFIELD!!!! No joke, my husband and my small group leader (which is so stuck in the 80′s…and the reason I dearly love him) played “Jessie’s Girl” for my birthday through the sound system at church for my birthday this year. And yes, I’m almost sure someone there thought we would surely go to hell for it…and now that I think about the lyrics…we just may….Oh Rick….I still get my fix from time to time by tuning into GH.
It’s so sad.. I feel like he was one of those larger-than-life persons. The kind of person you don’t imagine will ever die. Especially so young. I was a little younger when he was in his prime. Maybe about 9, but nevertheless, I had my sparkling sequence glove.
Our cheerleaders danced to Beat It too!
I spent a lot of time listening to Rick too. Just went to his concert last August as a matter of fact. He’s still HOT!
Ummm, I wonder what even happened to my red leather Michael Jackson jacket with all the zippers. I miss it.
I wonder if this is how people felt when John Lennon died?
Girl I had no idea he had died until my hubby told me at 3 AM and then I could not go back to sleep
I kept thinking about his life all the good and bad of it
And the prom dress totally makes me laugh!
Girl you were stylin’!
Much love
Kim
I was SHOCKED when I heard the news last night. I have spent the better part of this morning watching Michael Jackson videos on Youtube. Yes, he had some problems but he was an icon of our generation. May he rest in peace.
OO my sticker collection went on and on. Loved MJ. I had forgotten how much.
Hey, I WAS one of those cheerleaders dancing to Beat It! Was talking about him this morning with a friend wondering if he was ever truly happy in his life. I pray so.
Did love MJ’s talent and desire to change the world. Wondering and worrying about the family.
I was just finishing up my Ode to Michael and then I thought I better check out your site. There’s more to say about him then can ever be said for sure,but I love that you mentioned “Human Nature” Cuz I forgot to and I freaking LOVE that song! You crack me up! I just love your site!
I suppose EVERY 8th grade cheerleading team had a routine to “Beat It” because mine surely did. Sadly enough, I can still remember parts of it, and it was, well, sad. Pitiful, really.
My husband and I sat up watching MJ videos last night, mostly from the Thriller album. He really was something. It’s like all the parts of his body moved independently of one another. Amazing.
Thank goodness I read through some of the other comments. I now know that big thing on your boob is a corsage.
I was worried for a second.
I think you are very brave to post any pictures of yourself from the 80s.
Wonderful tribute! Very well said…as always!
I stole my big sister’s earrings with Michael’s picture on them when I turned 7–I had a glove too. Oh, and a fringed shirt with Thriller in glitter across it.
So sad.
I am in shock. He was just one of those people you really didn’t think could ever die. What a strange life that guy led. Kind of sad when you really think about it. SO many memories of watching MJ videos on the MTV…
My band director fed me that same bologna about my lips being shaped for a clarinet and not a flute. Truthfully, I just wanted to have the dainty flute case, and play a pretty shiney instrument and not the butch version of the flute. Oh well, I tooted around on that clarinet for two years, caring what felt like a Samsonite suit case back and forth every day…in an effort to make my lame director think that I was practicing, when truly that case never left the foyer of my home. Being 8th chair wasn’t so bad though
I’m new to your blog. I’ve really enjoyed your writing.
I too in my Jr high dayz loved Michael Jackson. I even had a thriller outfit. I collected, read and watched anything i could get my hands on. I even saw the last Victory Tour date in LA (we were vacationing from Alberta Canada in LA at the time, what luck). He back in the day was definitely the king of pop. He will be missed by alot of fans and the music industry….
Levar was the kid in my class who could moonwalk better than the rest of the boys, no question. Pretty sure he proved it at our kindergarten rodeo carnival, where a Michael Jackson disco was set up in a tent under the gym teacher’s parachute.
It’s a sad end to what turned out to be a sad life of a tremendously talented individual. Proof that having good parents makes all the difference in the world, and that those who lose out on the good parent lottery are in many ways doomed, no matter how great their talent.
totally diggin the mum in that picture ;o)
cracking up at the thought of judging a performance of human nature vs. ave maria!
fitting tribute to the king of pop. Thanks!
Even this self-admitted music snob (whose 14 year old daughter didn’t know MJ was black…or a man…until yesterday’s video collages hit the airwaves) is saddened by this loss.
He was lost, confused, and lonely, though I don’t think sinister. It would be easier to say good riddance if I could think he was sinister. Such brokenness! *sigh*
His passing forces us to face our own imminent mortality. And for me, I find myself mourning the loss of something that represents my childhood when it was still on the sweet side of innocence.
I just knew we were soul sisters from the moment I first read your blog, and then to open up your blog today and it has the exact same title as mine!!! Oh, how I loved MJ in middle school along with my best friend, Kim. Thanks so much for sharing your memories of him also!
The whole your-mouth-isn’t-shaped-right-to-play-the-flute is a conspiracy because ALL the girls want to play flutes and there’s just not enough places for that many flutes in a band. Maybe now that we’re making it public, hack band teachers will be stopped in their tracks and prevented from perpetrating their evil a-clarinet-will-suit-you-better ploy. I also stopped playing in junior high after the band teacher told me to find something better to do with his time.
I was a fan of the Jackson 5. That was my era. “I’ll be there” was my favorite.
Girl, you are working that dress and that hair!
I, too, was a MJ fan. As odd as he became, I will always think of him as locked in that “Thriller/BeatIt” time frame. Such a loss.
PS… I think I went as Michael one Halloween. How strange is that?
What hair.. oh my! I would have thought, with that hair, that you would have mentioned Farrah,too. Anyway, I was a tween during Jackson 5 and Osmond mania (and the Partridge Family, and David Cassidy). Michael was so cute! And then, when I graduated from college, he busted out “Thriller”, and I was amazed. If you weren’t there, you can never understand who and what he was at that time.
As for me? My brother played the trumpet, therefore, I had to play the trumpet. And I played a mean trumpet.. 1st chair 1st part. Always hated my goofy lips after I played though.
MJ… praying, dude, that somehow you’ve found peace, finally.
I completely agree with you. Michael Jackson was a truly talented person. And while his music shaped the 80′s, Farrah helped shape the 70′s’. It’s sad that she will not receive the recognition that she deserves.
There was an article in the local paper about how both Farrah and MJ were icons for those ofus n Gen X and shaped our world and their passing is the first to really massively hit home to our generation that is not brought by drugs/partying etc….
what i find interesting i never was a huge fan…i have respect for his ability and the talents he possessed, but he was on the nutty side from the beginning and its sad that he always did stuff in the name of prolonging his life like te oxygen chambers and such to have it end this way.
steff
LOL. I can’t believe you got to sing songs like that at your school! That didn’t happen at mine! I’m so deprived!
Loved his music, didn’t love the relationship that he had with small children
Love your perm reminds me of mine way back in the early 90′s, have a great weekend!!
~Molly P
Black or white hahahahahahha
I think my junior high cheerleading squad did a dance to Beat It as well. Must have been what UCA taught a cheer camp that summer in the 80′s. My, oh my, that was some fine music he put out…..
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