I know that many DJ’s are putting extra effort this weekend towards highlighting Michael Jackson in their gigs. I’ll add my voice to the moment by remembering some of the things that made MJ an icon in music history.
First of all, there are very few artists in music history that literally mesmerized the world like MJ. Was there anyone in America doing anything other than staring at their TV during his historic Motown 25 performance? Or who didn’t wait anxiously for the premiere of Thriller on MTV?
And speaking of Thriller, I would say that no artist in history has ever used the concept of the music video as effectively as MJ. His videos were not just videos, they were EVENTS!
I still to this day don’t understand why we never found his dancers in his videos to be korny?!? Even today, I can look at ‘Beat It’ or ‘Bad’ and not find anything strange about a bunch of thugs doing contemporary jazz dancing in the streets or subways – they always looked kool as long as Michael was in front of them. :)
Lastly, as a DJ I will always appreciate Michael’s music, because you always know that you can get the mood of the gig going strong by putting on “Rock With You” or “PYT” or any number of classics. And no, you don’t have to wait to play him only in your old-school set – throw him in right after Stanky Legg if you want! LOL
We’ll miss you, MJ!
-check one two-
