IMO, Michael Jackson was an EXTREMELY talented man. Brilliant in fact. One of a kind. I too would agree he was iconic. But a hero? No. I think that term is thrown around waaay too much. I don't believe athletes, movie stars or entertainers are heroic.

Unfortunately, he paid a price for that talent and brilliance, as I think he was very disturbed.

The first thing I thought of when I heard he was gone, was that one of the most talented people on the planet is dead. I thought about all those fantastic songs he wrote and performed. I didn't even think of all "that other stuff" till much later.

I have a great MJ story...

When I was in the 3rd grade, the song "Ben" was popular. I wrote down the lyrics on a notepad. Later that night, my grandmother found that pad and read what I wrote. She called my mom in TEARS. Grandma said, "Chelby is a genius! Listen to this poem!" They both had a good laugh when Mom told her what it was.

Michael Jackson was a big part of my youth, like Robin all I thought about first was the musical soundtrack of my pre-teen years, not the craziness of his later life.

No, he wasn't a hero. He was just a person who got lost in his own celebrity. He got so much attention so young, there was no way it wouldn't have an impact on him.

I'm not even sure what to say. Michael was a HUGE part of my life growing up. I too grew up in the 80's. I had posters of him covering every inch of my walls. My friends and I would have birthday parties for him every year on his birthday. It seems silly now but we were young. I was lucky enough to see the 'Victory Tour' that he and his brothers put on in the mid 80's. I guess he was our Elvis.

He brought a lot of joy to many people over the years. He will be missed and never forgotten.

Let me see...

Farrah Fawcett ~ "claim to fame" ~ 0ne season of Charlie's Angel and "hair"...lived on it for 30+ years...no...not her

David Carradine ~ "claim to fame" ~ Grasshopper and kung fu fighting...no...not him

Ed McMahon ~ "claim to fame" ~ sat off to the side of Johnny Carson...no...not him...

Michael Jackson ~ "claim to fame" ~ talented musician? ~ plastic surgery denial ~ holding babies over railings ~ abnormal relations with children ~


Gee.... my answer would be none of the above...

I will admit I have had a lot of laughs over the years! I wonder if some of those he damaged would say the same.

I didn't grow up during Jackson's hey day but I recently began to understand how enduring his music is when I started adding it to my workout mix.

Unfortunately I grew up in his more notorious days so all that I knew about him was what the sensationalist local news told me. I don't doubt that he was weird in a lot of ways. Think about it--he was famous since early childhood and was arguably the biggest star in the world for much of the 80s. Fame and money brings out the worst in people sometimes.

That aside, I can appreciate his music and the legacy of his talent for what it was. For about three months now I have been listening to "Man In the Mirror" during every workout because I love the message "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change." That's what I'm doing with my weight loss. Making a change to myself so that I can improve my life and my impact on the people around me and the world at large. Thanks for the great songs Michael Jackson--and the MUSIC VIDEOS! Amazing dancer!

No-one's saying 'hero' here in the uk but lots of coverage about his abusive childhood and mostly about his music.
Sad when someone dies at 50.
Sad too that his life seems to have been so sad/screwed up.

Gary - I don't think it's for us to judge other people. 'k Like them or not, most of them are a part of the tapestry of our life.

MJ's music in the 80's has always pumped up my workouts. He had a very screwed up life.

Farrah fought a courageous battle. Her message to never give up touched me deeply. It was also a powerful reminder to live each day as if it were your last - in joy and celebration of life - because you never know what tomorrow brings.

And Ed McMahon - gave me many a laugh after a tense day at the office.

May they all find peace in the next life.

I'M SAD MJ IS GONE HOWEVER HE WILL STILL BE AROUND FOR A LIFETIME I LOVED IS MUSIC HIS VIDEO'S WERE AWESOME EVERY TIME A NEW ONE CAME OUT REST IN PEACE MJ

OK, So I was 8 years old in 1989, so I kinda grew up in the 80"s. Micheal Jackson was extreamly talented and he shaped the pop music world, he may not have been a big influence on some but to the music world I really think he was truly was a hero to many in that business.

I am still in shock and a little depressed(just a little) It's very sad.

I'm going to have to agree with EZ. Left a comment on another thread regarding FF & MJ & the shameless media exploitation.

If you don't like someone for their music or acting or anything else, at least respect the fact that they just died. It is sad when ANYONE dies. Even your worst enemy has a family and people who love them, this is a sad day, so many people dying recently. Everyone makes a big deal about celebrities because more people know celebrities than non-celebrities, so it will affect more people.

I didn't even consider myself a huge MJ fan, I do like his older music, though. I am finding myself a little sad and I didn't think it would affect me much at all...

I was born in '86, so I basically grew up in the 90's. I was never a fan of his, but it is sad when anyone loses their life. He is totally one of the most famous people in the world, and he will never be forgotten, that's for sure. Rest in peace.