{ Dashus:land }

A year later. Still missed.

Connecting the dots...

Michael's Earth Song

The tribute to Michael on Sunday's 52nd Grammy's featured one of my favorite Michael Jackson tracks called Earth Song. No more of my words need to preface this - Michael's song performed by some of pop music's best is enough. Enjoy.

MJ's This is it. The Video.

This is it. A sneak peek.

I'm hoping that I'll get the chance to see the film documenting Michael Jackson's preparations for his THIS IS IT tour that sadly never came to be. The following clip sheds some light on Michael and the rehearsals for his tour. It was likely going to be quite the show. Bummer. Anyway, I'm definitely intrigued.
Check it out.

Madonna honors Michael...

In a very touching and thoughtful address about the late Michael Jackson, Madonna kicks off the 2009 MTV VMAs.
Watch her entire speech below.

Flashback. Michael. 1995.

Walking down the street the other day I saw a huge poster commemorating Michael Jackson's Thriller album which is now 25 years old. I began to think of how much me and my buddy Jason used to love him. Well, Jason was the bigger fan. I was beginning my love affair with Madonna at the time. Duh. Anyway, Jason and I would watch his performances and just be absolutely blown away. There was no one like him around. What he could do on stage was poetry. I know we are way past the days of questioning what the hell happened to his career, much less his appearance, but sometimes it just strikes me as so sad. He still has every ounce of his hard earned talent but who wants to give him the time of day to show it off? Even if Michael wanted to jump start his career, I don't think the American people would allow it. We all love to see the triumph of the underdog and see as they come back out on top but I think he past that stage eons ago. With a quick search I was able to find one of my favorite Michael performances ever. The following performance is from the MTV Video Music Awards in 1995. I remember watching this knowing that no one could ever touch this. Every step of this performance seems effortless. It's all so innovative and inspiring and thoughtful. Each move he makes is calculated and on point. Just watch this performance. It's effin' flawless. Pure dance genius. In recent time, a few critics have begun calling Justin Timblerlake the King of Pop. I still think he has a way to go. Justin's stage performance is amazing but it still can't quite compare - not just yet anyway. If there was ever any question on where to look for guidance, this performance should be part of Pop School 101. It's amazing that Michael still, in my opinion, holds that title of King of Pop nearly a decade past his hit making prime. Michael's last #1 was 1995's You Are Not Alone. I guess he set the bar so high that even he couldn't reach it again. I sure would like to see him try.

Cuz this is Thriller...

Ok - forgive me - this clip has been circulating around for a while now but I had to share. I saw this clip on several blogs but for some reason I just didn't think it was going to be too interesting. I finally got around to watching it and ya know what?! It's amazing. When I was young and had found a new favorite song, I used to round up anyone I could find my good friends in the neighborhood and choreograph extensive dance routines in my front yard - yes, my front yard! I had no shame! We would spend hours on a these long summer days getting the whole routine down perfectly. When our parents would make it back from work, we'd allow them time to go in and change, grab beers when necessary and return back to the front yard and we'd put on a show! Work! How my Dad did not run crying in to the shed is still beyond me. He and my Mom would just clap and give their thoughtful approval although it was likely the gayest thing they'd ever seen. I was "expressing myself" and they could tell I was having a blast. Ah well - good times...good times. When I saw the following clip, it took me back to my youth. Although, unlike the folks you'll see, I was not incarcerated nor was I backed up by a troupe of hundreds - sadly. The clip was shot inside of a prison in the Philippines. The inmates decided to try their hand at a little Michael Jackson's Thriller! See for yourself - it's quite kick ass.

Thriller - Prison Style

Is it wax or is it real?

Isn't it a shame that I think the wax figure of Michael Jackson looks better than the real thing??  

He is still SOOOOOOO creepy...yikes.