What do you remember of the Eighties in the deep and meaningful sphere of pop culture? There was the big hair, the shoulder pads, shiny clothes and the moonwalk. It was also the decade of ‘Thriller’, ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Beat It’. It was the time when Michael Jackson took us to the moon with his cool moves. Even though the Man in the Mirror became quite strange as time went by, there is no denying the electrifying stage magic he generously bestowed upon us. After his passing on June 25, 2011, there was a renewed interest in Jackson’s music. Michelle Patrao, RJ at Indigo 91.9 says: “My favourite song has to be ‘The Way You Make Me Feel.’ In fact, my husband and I danced to it at our wedding.”
The King of Pop continues to dazzle new generations of listeners, who adored his classics and stage presence. There are those who feel if he had been alive today he would have been collaborating with the hottest names in the music industry. There are others who feel he would have been better off as a solo artist as any collaboration would have seen Jackson overshadow the other artist.
“MJ is MJ, and no one can match up to him,” says Danya, a degree student in her twenties and music lover.
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The hit-maker’s dance moves are legendary — how many of us have tried to do the moonwalk? “If he was alive today, he would be choreographing and dancing,” says Prasath, a student in his 20s, whose favourite song by Jackson is ‘Dangerous’. The 1990 single from the album of the same name is still popular. “He should have collaborated with Prabhu Deva if he were alive today,” Prasath says—now that would have a dream team!
On the topic of collaborations, avid fan and Christ Junior College student Hanish Immanuel says, “My favourite song is ‘Hold My Hand’, where Jackson collaborated with Akon. His voice is exceptionally good in that song.” Pre-University student Ricky Noah chooses the iconic ‘Beat It’ as his favourite MJ number. “It rocks. The lead guitar is awesome.” Trivia junkies would know that the guitar solo was courtesy Eddie Van Halen—another fruitful collaboration.
Boaz, member of Bangalore band Conditions Apply, also counts ‘Beat It’ as his favourite. “It is filled with energy. Although he is not as popular in India as he once was, I am sure everyone must have listened to him at least once. He is a great dancer, singer and essentially a super performer.” Jackson had the star quality that dazzled many. "We can see his influences everywhere, particularly in Bollywood,” says Javed, a fan and film buff in his forties. “The film industry in India is largely influenced by him, be it his steps or melodies.”
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And what about those whoops and squeals that were an integral part of Jackson’s songs? “No one can squeal like Michael Jackson,” RJ Nathan Worter from Indigo 91.9 declared. Michael Jackson lives on, moonwalking into every first time listener's life.