There is no chance that Michael Jackson will ever be forgotten. The much-lamented King of Pop died last June 25 at the age of 50, barely a few weeks before his scheduled return to concert performing in London. His death shocked the world and gave rise to an unprecedented degree of mourning ever experienced for a departed music idol.
Six months later, his demise is still sadly felt. People hear a song or catch sight of a picture invariably say, sayang. In fact the void he left is more pronounced at this time because, Michael’s boy voice is one of those that most of us associate with the Christmas celebration.
Tell me, is there somebody you know who have never sung along or just perked up at the sound of “People making lists, buying special gifts, taking time to be kind to one and all…,” I doubt if there is anybody. The music, the lyrics and Michael’s singing are so Christmasy, you are induced to feel Christmas and give more, buy more and be nicer all around.
The song is Give Love On Christmas Day, the most popular cut from The Jackson Five Christmas Album. This was recorded for Motown in 1970, the time when the Jackson 5 was on top of the world making one hit after another. It is a beautifully produced album, happy, fun, sentimental and filled with soulful harmonies.
The boys singing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Little Christmas Tree and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), provide proof that they were indeed one of the best groups in pop music history. Take note too of Jermaine’s excellent lead vocals.
But of course, it is Michael that everybody could not get enough of then and even now. And when I say everybody, that includes the kiddies, then and now. They may not know anything or care about the circumstances of his death but they do know they want to sing and dance like he did.
That is not easy to do. Michael had perfect vocals even as a boy and an innate flair for how to use his voice. TJ5CA gave him a lot of opportunities to show this off. He is cute and perky and so naturally charming in Up On The Housetops, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Frosty The Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Give Love On Christmas Day.
It is just too bad he never made a solo Christmas CD. Given the sadness in his music in the later years, that would have been melancholy but I am sure still incredible. But there is no way Michael will ever be forgotten, most especially on Christmastime. The Jackson 5 Christmas Album will always be around for us to enjoy. It also includes Little Drummer Boy, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Christmas Won’t Be The Same This Year and Someday At Christmas.
Michael was not the only music star who said goodbye to us this 2009. Others whom we will be missing from now on are Natasha Richardson, 45, star of the musical Cabaret on Broadway; Dan Seals, 61, who was half of the rock duo Seals & Croft of Summer Breeze fame; Maurice Jarre, 84, film music composer responsible for the themes from Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago;
Singer and songwriter Kenny Rankin, 69, who gave us What Matters Most; Gordon Waller, 64, one half of the ‘60s pop duo Peter & Gordon who came up with World Without Love; Les Paul, 94, guitar legend, composer and producer, who constantly improved on the guitar and pioneered the technique of double-track recording; actor, dancer, singer and songwriter Patrick Swayze, 57, who made dirty dancing popular;
Mary Travers, 72, member of the acclaimed folksinging Peter, Paul & Mary trio with hits like Puff The Magic Dragon and Blowing In The Wind; Art Ferrante, 88 of the two-pianos duo, Ferrante & Teicher, Remember The Key To Love?; Stephen Gately, 33, the Boyzone member whose admission that he was gay shocked fans; Al Martino, 82, Italian crooner who sang I Have But One Heart in the movie The Godfather.
They, who gave so much of themselves to entertain us ordinary mortals will always be remembered.