Originally posted by Aristotle
It is a shame that people in their 20s and younger only know Michael Jackson as a freak and possible pedophile. Those of us in our 30s or older remember the 70s/80s/90s Michael Jackson who was truly a gifted artist and performer.
As someone in their 20's, I'm quite saddened at the loss. My first ever CD as a little kid was his Dangerous album. Even now, with a very different music pallette, it's still special to hear a DJ go retro and mix in some MJ.

Yet, for all his tremendous success and influence, he was a deeply troubled King of Pop. The name of his former ranch, Neverland, with its exotic private zoo, is surely a clue to his underlying psychology. Emulating the fictitious land of Peter Pan, it was the fantasy haven of a man who could not bear to grow up and clung to a childhood he wished he'd had.

The devastating allegations of his pedophilia understandably overshadow how many people perceive him. Mental health professionals during one of his trials claimed that he was like a regressed 10-year-old. Friends such as Elizabeth Taylor pleaded that his interest in children amounted to watching Walt Disney movies with them in bed. But, you know, even that's just too weird when you're in your 40's.

Whatever the sad truths about his bizarre and alarming personal life, there are just so many extraordinary facts about his career. Like other fallen pop icons such as Elvis and John Lennon, Jackson's premature death will cause his musical status to not only stand the test of time, but grow.