Gone Too Soon: Remembering Michael Jackson

Lindsay Live | Jun 25, 2009 | 1

Writing on behalf of the entire dance community, words cannot even begin to express the magnitude of this tragic loss. A pioneer, a legend, an icon - call him what you want - the King of Pop is truly irreplaceable and will never be forgotten.

Jackson, who was perhaps one of the most elusive and misunderstand public figures, had a tumultuous life. Performing was his outlet, from the time he was a kid and a member of the Jackson 5, until today when he suffered a heart attack while preparing for his much anticipated comeback tour.

A few weeks ago I interviewed choreographer Tina Landon, and she recalled working with Jackson on "Smooth Criminal." This is what she said:

"I had just never seen anybody work like that. He'd be in the corner with Vince Patterson and they'd be studying Fred Astaire videos," she recalls. "And he never marked anything. We could do 100 takes and he would do it full-out 100 times. So he made every dancer pull up and really come to the table. I mean, seriously, how could you mark it standing next to Michael Jackson?"

Whatever Jackson did he gave 110% of himself. Friends and colleagues have often referred to him as a "workaholic," and it's certainly evident from the number of plastic surgeries, skin treatments and makeovers that he was a perfectionist as well. Not to mention his dancing, which was always spot on. Simply put, Michael Jackson never missed a beat.

I wasn't there when he collapsed and don't know the circumstances of his death, but I probably wouldn't be wrong to say he most likely danced himself to death. Although still fairly young at the age of 50, his body was weak and fragile, damaged from years of stress from medical operations, rehearsals, performances, tours, injuries, family problems, legal battles, etc. Some say he was also abusing pain killers, which contributed to the stress on his heart. It seems as though his body just couldn't keep up with his passion and drive. To be honest, I couldn't imagine him dying any other way.

I've always thought of Michael Jackson as superhuman. Perhaps that's because he was always a part of my life. Not only did I rock out to his music on the radio, but I also danced and performed to many of his songs. I'll never forget my solo in my studio's rendition of "Black or White" or the summer of 1996 when my jazz teacher at the Rock School choreographed a dance to "Scream." There was always something about his music that brought out the badass rocker in me, even at the height of my ballet training. All it takes is one beat to know it's "Billie Jean" or "Beat It" or any other brilliant piece of music he recorded during his career. Right now, it's almost impossible for me to fathom that he's no longer with us.

You know how you'll never forget where you were when you learned that somebody important has passed away? Like Princess Diana, for example. I can tell you everything about that day, down to what t-shirt I was wearing. Well, I'll surely never forget this day... because he died while I was dancing. And as I enter this new chapter of my dance life, I will try to always remember the countless ways Michael Jackson influenced dance. And more importantly, the ways he influenced me.

I'll leave you with a video of Jackson performing "Gone Too Soon," the ninth single off his Dangerous album, at President Bill Clinton's first inauguration. The song was a tribute to Ryan White, a young boy who died of AIDS in 1990. Although Jackson, like White, is gone too soon, he will never be forgotten. I would say "rest in peace," but knowing MJ he's probably still moonwalking, where ever he is.

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