RIP Lauren Bacall

RIP Robin Williams

I remember where I was the day Michael Jackson died

It was five years ago today that Michael Jackson died at his home in California. I remember watching the local CTV newscast with my attendant at the time when news broke he was being rushed to hospital by ambulance. Less than 10 minutes later, a newscaster announced that he had died. (The cause of death was later reported as a drug overdose, which I won't describe in detail because it is too sordid, complex and disturbing.)

That night I remember writing on my Twitter account, "I can't believe he's gone." I still can't believe he's gone, though so much time has passed now that I, like the rest of the world, have come to accept the news, and have moved on.

Five years later, a younger generation has come to discover and enjoy his music, just like with other musical greats such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. It's good that fans around the world are keeping Michael Jackson's musical legacy alive.

From the Archives: "My thoughts on Michael Jackson's 'This is It'"

Subject: My comments on Michael Jackson's 'This is It'

Posted Date: Nov 1, 2009 11:43 PM

Today I saw This is It, the musical documentary starring Michael Jackson, and I'm glad I did. Right from the outset this movie is made "for the fans," and it delivers. This would have been the show that Michael Jackson would have taken on the road had he not died last June.

The film includes every song Jackson would have performed in order of sequence. Many of the big hits are heard in mostly fresh-sounding arrangements. Even the filmed sequences are mostly new and breathe new life into these classic tunes.

Jackson had his hand in everything when putting this show together. The viewer will discover his take-no-prisoners approach to crafting the show and his more relaxed, child-like nature. I especially marveled at his creative process.

This film provides evidence that Jackson still had 'it' going for him. Detractors who wrote him off as having lost 'it' years ago would be taken aback if they were to see him in this film.

The theatre I saw it in was nearly packed. I'm so glad I reserved my ticket a month earlier. I even joined in the applause when the closing credits began to roll, something that doesn't happen too often.

Had Jackson undertaken this tour he would've blown all the younger acts to pieces. Though he was 50 years old at the time of his death, he could still sing and move around like he did in his golden Thriller period.

I personally thank his family for allowing Sony Pictures and director Kenny Ortega to release This is It to the public. As Jackson himself would've said, he did it all for the love of his fans.