I remember the exact moment my little brother opened the wrapping paper. It was the first christmas when we finally got some- what we thought- adult toys. He ripped the paper and I saw the Thriller cassette and I immediately was jealous. I can’t recall my cassette tape, probably something girlie.. maybe Olivia Newton John, as I faked my excitement I planned how I could convince my younger brother to trade. We shared the music for a little while, making up dance routines until it was safely placed in my hideaway cupboard. 1982 with a bullet! As I sit watching a Michael Jackson Rage special I feel very teary. I am really sad I never saw him live. My friend Lynnette saw him as a young girl in Singapore with her brother as a chaperone. A story to tell the grandkids. 

The diehard fans must feel like they lost a sibling, black or white. His music was so influential, I feel for the lucky kids who had comeback tour tickets. My dad just told me he saw a friend of my little brothers on the news who met Michael Jackson when he was about 8. They had old footage of the Melbourne boy who had cancer and Michael dancing and rapping together. Despite the rumours that is such a cool story. Even a little sick kid at the bottom end of the world life changes from a quick momentous visit. R.I.P