26th June 2009

Michael Jackson means so much to me and has been in my life from a very early age and I feel as a therapy I need to write this piece. I was born on 11^th July 1988 – The same day Michael Jackson arrived in London where three days later he would perform the first of his seven record-breaking sell-out concerts in the original Wembley Stadium as part of the ‘Bad’ Tour. So from day 1 of my life, Michael Jackson has always been my life.

My first conscious memory of Michael Jackson must have been at age 3 (November 1991) when the world premier of ‘Black or White’ music video was shown. MTV held a Michael Jackson marathon the following day and ever since I have been perfecting his moves. My parents early memories are of me, as a toddler, dancing and Moonwalking just like Michael Jackson down our cul-de-sac in Brayton under a lamp-post.

I always dreamt of the day I would see him perform live on stage, so much so, that when I had the chance I bought tickets for 7 concert dates for the “This Is It” tour with my best friend and fellow MJ fan, William Fox. For the past two weeks I have sat and thought about it and not been able to stop smiling. I even had a song-a-day countdown on my facebook and twitter profile.

I tried to imagine how happy I would be the moment I would see him singing and dancing on stage, but it was not to be, and I do not think anything else in my life can take me anywhere close to the happiness I would of felt in that moment.
I was due to see Michael perform at the O2 on 13^th July – two days after my 21^st Birthday – and it would have been the best birthday that I would remember forever, but not to be.

I have seen Michael Jackson on stage once. Will and I travelled to London to the World Music Awards in 2006 and whilst Michael only sung one line of “We Are The World” perfectly, I will always have that moment both in the video I took with my mobile photo and more importantly in my memories.

Michael has had so much influence on my life from not been scared to have my own style to having similar shy and modest characteristics like MJ and even considering it okay to wear white socks with black shoes!

Throughout my life, no matter what emotion I am feeling, there is *always* a Michael Jackson song to suit my current emotions.

When it comes to Michael Jackson, it is always about the music and live performances. I do not care about his personal life and the media circus that surrounded it. No one will ever come close to Michael Jackson as an artist, others can try but no one comes close to the King Of Pop.

The world took Michael for granted and now he’s gone everyone will see in the future how important to the world Michael Jackson really was. Listen to the songs “Man In The Mirror”, “Heal The World” and “Earth Song” and when you compare when they were wrote, you will realise that these songs are way ahead of their time.

Even though I obviously never knew Michael Jackson personally and had never met him, I will really miss Michael. But as I have been told his music will live forever and a few words that have helped me today “Do not weep for what you have lost. Smile 4 what you were blessed to have had”

Over the past year, a few people have got to know me in Selby as “that lad that can dance like Michael Jackson” or “the Michael Jackson fan.” I want to thank everyone who placed me in their thoughts and sent me their kind and supportive messages.

This is not a sob story or me wanting you to feel sorry for me. This is me wanting to write a piece about a man that is a massive part of who I am and is also a way for me to get over the massive shock of losing my idol. This piece of writing may seem rather emotionally strong coming from just a fan who has never seen or met Michael Jackson, but this is how I feel as I write this with tears in my eyes. But, this article is intended for fellow MJ fans and as a thanks to those who sent me their comforting messages at this very sad time.

Michael Jackson. My Idol. My Hero. My Passion. My Life. | R.I.P Michael Jackson, I love you.

(http://twitter.com/MalBryc/status/2343276257)

Malcolm Bryce
26^th June 2009