Michael Jackson

With all the tributes pouring in about Michael Jackson, I kinda wonder if high school and college-age kids are thinking, "What's all the fuss about?" All they've known in their lifetime is Michael Jackson the extremely strange recluse and accused child molester. They have no idea just how big he was in the 80's.

And he was big. I remember in college many of us in the lounge watching videos (this when they were still a new art form and fun to watch). His videos for "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" were played constantly, and were very well done. When "We are the World" came out, that seemingly was on MTV and the radio every 5 minutes. He then took videos to a new level with "Thriller." As a live performer, he was incredible. I didn't necessarily listen much to his music, but certainly recognized a music virtuoso.

So, what would these upcoming London concerts have been like? This was supposed to be his big comeback. Would it have been a spectacular rebirth of the King of Pop? Or would it have been like watching Michael Jordan play basketball with the Wizards, or Muhammad Ali trying to eke out one more fight late in his career?