The Best Performer. Ever. No Questions.

Michael Jackson died today at the young age of 50. We're watching news footage of his fans gathered now at the Apollo Theater here in New York - celebrating his music and legacy. It's a strange feeling when the death of someone you don't know but has been in your life affects you. Who didn't try (and fail miserably) to moonwalk? Who didn't want the red jacket? Just last weekend, we saw the red jacket at a used clothing store in the East Village and if it wasn't so expensive we would have bought it. Who else but Michael Jackson could make high water pants and a sparkly socks and gloves look cool? Who didn't watch MTV eight hours a day when Michael Jackson's videos were on high rotation? Human Nature and PYT are our morning subway commute songs. And this is our Off the Wall Cassette Tape in our apartment.


He was born to perform. His live performances were unmatched. His moves were just downright crazy. His moves were natural. He moved with ease. He was like water. You can't teach his moves at a dance school. He just had "it." I had the fortune of seeing him perform in concert twice. He was, is, and always will be the best performer. I remember watching him perform in complete awe and amazement. From the moment he hit the stage until he left, you almost forgot you were breathing because he held your attention 100%. I don't know any other musician that could do what he did on stage. The second time I went to see him in concert, I nearly got crushed and trampled on because of the fans that were just so emotional about him. That's the kind of affect he's had on people. Just look at the millions of imitators. There will never be another performer like him in our time.

As some of you may know, our budget date nights at home (which were some of our favorite nights) before we moved to New York City were nights on our couch with cold beer watching old school Michael Jackson videos on You Tube. The videos we used to watch over and over again on MTV Rock With You, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,Beat It, Thriller are still our favorite videos now. They'll never get outdated.

He has left us with an enormous and incredible amount of music that brings us joy.