I took my son to see Michael Jackson at Dodger Stadium in the mid 1980’s.  About two years later,  I and my whole family saw him perform at what was then the Great Western Forum. Both performances were amazing. Michael was truly the King of Pop. 

I don’t think any musical artist in recent memory garnered the love and admiration that Michael did. He was truly an awesome talent.  The tributes to him over the weekend by so many public figures were unanimously glowing.  He had changed the way we view and listen to music and musical performers.  He was a sweet and gentle person.  He was generous and kindhearted to a fault.

That being said, Michael was a very sad figure.  The saying in the Bible ,”What profits a man to gain the world and lose his soul,” could arguably apply to him.  He had the love and admiration of  more people than just about anybody in recent history. He had enormous talent, which he was able to share with the world.  His music made us all feel good.  Yet he had become addicted to drugs, was heavily in debt, and his looks had become grotesque.

He was preparing for a 50 performance concert tour that would require a tremendous physical effort.  Even for someone in incredible shape, this was a daunting task. What did Michael need to prove and why was he doing it?  Was he doing this for the purpose of reducing his indebtedness?  I don’t think so. The money generated from the upcoming tour would only make a small dent in what he owed.  Was his craving for worldly love insatiable? I really don’t think that was it either.

I really don’t know why Michael died at such a young age. Maybe the reasons are complex. Perhaps it was from the pressure of having to continue to be Michael Jackson.  He was aging and becoming more drug dependent. His physical and perhaps even his psychological condition were making his return to the glory days just about impossible–and he knew it.  It’s sad to think that maybe deep down inside he felt very unhappy and unfulfilled. I hope that wasn’t the case.

Maybe his true legacy will be an example to all of us of what can happen to geniuses who receive love and riches beyond any one’s wildest dreams and the possible and even likely consequences of such a worldly prize.