The events on Thursday June 25, 2009 are well-known by now, even though it has only been a couple hours, and I felt the need to report on them because this issue is close to my heart.

Not to overshadow the death of Farrah Fawcett (I saw her documentary on television several weeks ago and I feel deeply for her and her loved ones), but when I learned of the sudden death of Michael Jackson, I was devastated. In a way, it feels like one of my family members has gone, because he has been with me all of my life. Even before I was born, I was listening to his music. My mother used to play it on those big cushy 1980's headphones and place them against her stomach; and it was always one of his upbeat rock numbers, so I would kick and move about when I heard it. I suppose you could say I was born a fan of the King of Pop. His music and videos are my childhood and, being a rather nostalgic person, I just cannot help feeling bothered by the fact that I will never get to meet him in person.

Say what you want about his looks, his lifestyle, and the allegations. On those I am not going to comment, because Michael is now dead and those issues should have been put to rest a long time ago. What I will say is that there are plenty of other celebrities who do equally foolish or terrible things-- and are proven guilty of them! But these are often overlooked. I may still be living in the 80's and looking at this from the perspective of my youth, but I see Michael as a singer, dancer, songwriter/composer, and a performer of natural talent, not an eccentric child-molester. I see him as a shy individual and devoted humanitarian, which is a far cry from the self-absorbed celebrities of today and the greedy politicians running our government. Our media must be warped if Michael Jackson gave to so many charitable causes and all the press can report on is the shape of his nose. For shame.

Rather than sit here and brood for much longer, allow me to share with you a list of Michael's achievements as a tribute to his talent and selfless efforts.

The following information was obtained from allmichaeljackson.com, Wikipedia listings, and the HIStory album booklet



1970
The Jackson 5: Best Singing Group of the Year (NAACP Image Awards)

1971
The Jackson 5: Best Singing Group of the Year (NAACP Image Awards)
The Jackson 5: "ABC" Best Pop Song (Grammy Awards)

1972
The Jackson 5: Best Singing Group of the Year (NAACP Image Awards)
Top Singles Artist of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Top Male Singles Artist of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Special Commendation for Positive Role Models (Awarded by US Congress)
"Ben": Best Original Song (Golden Globe Awards)

1979
Off The Wall: Gold and Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)

1980
"Rock With You": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Favourite Male Artist (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Off the Wall: Favourite Album (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough": Favourite Single (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Top Black Artist (Billboard Year in Music Survey)
Off The Wall: Top Black Album (Billboard Year in Music Survey)
Off The Wall: Soul Album of the Year (Cashbox Awards)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough": Best Male Vocal Performance (R&B, Grammy Awards)
The Jacksons: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
The Jacksons: Best Singing Group of the Year (NAACP Image Awards)

1981
Favourite Male Artist (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Off the Wall: Favourite Album (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Off the Wall: BPI Award (British Phonographic Industry Awards)
Off The Wall: Soul Album of the Year (Cashbox Awards)
The Jacksons: Best Singing Group of the Year (NAACP Image Awards)

1983
Pop Artist of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Black Artist of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Pop Album Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Pop Male Album Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Pop Male Singles Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Black Album Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Black Singles Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Pop Singles Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Dance/Disco Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Thriller: Pop Album of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Thriller: Black Album (Billboard Music Awards)
"Beat It": Dance/Disco 12" LP (Billboard Music Awards)
"Billie Jean": Dance/Disco 12" LP (Billboard Music Awards)
Best Performance by a Male Artist (Billboard Video Awards)
"Beat It": Best Overall Video (Billboard Video Awards)
"Beat It": Best Choreography (Billboard Video Awards)
"Beat It": Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist's Song (Billboard Video Awards)
"Beat It": Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist's Image (Billboard Video Awards)
Top Male Vocalist (Black Gold Awards)
Thriller: Best Album (Black Gold Awards)
"Billie Jean": Best Single of the Year (Black Gold Awards)
"Beat It": Best Video Performance (Black Gold Awards)
Number One Male Artist (Cashbox Awards)
Top Black Male Artist (Cashbox Awards)
Top Male Singles Artist (Cashbox Awards)
Top Black Male Singles Artist (Cashbox Awards)
Thriller: Top Pop Album (Cashbox Awards)
Thriller: Top Black Album (Cashbox Awards)
"Billie Jean": Top Pop Single (Cashbox Awards)
"Billie Jean": Top Black Single (Cashbox Awards)
Thriller: Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Beat It": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Billie Jean": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Artist of the Year (Critic's Poll)
Soul Artist of the Year (Critic's Poll)
Male Vocalist of the Year (Critic's Poll)
"Beat It": Video of the Year (Critic's Poll)
Artist of the Year (Reader's Poll)
Soul Artist of the Year (Reader's Poll)
Thriller (with Quincy Jones): Producer of the Year (Reader's Poll)
"Beat It": Video of the Year (Reader's Poll)
Album of the Year (Australia)
Single of the Year (Australia)
International Artist of the Year (Brazil)
Record of the Year (Greece)
Album of the Year (Holland)
Artist of the Year (Italy)
Artist of the Year (Japan)
Album of the Year (Japan)
Best Male Vocalist (Japan)
Album of the Year (The Netherlands)
Most Important Foreign Album (Spain)
Artist of the Year (The UK)
Album of the Year (The UK)

1984
Crystal Globe Award
H. Claude Hodson Medal of Freedom (NAACP Image Awards)
Award of Merit (American Music Awards)
Favourite Male Artist (Pop/Rock, American Music Awards)
Favourite Male Artist (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Thriller: Favourite Album (Pop/Rock, American Music Awards)
Thriller: Favourite Album (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
"Thriller": Favourite Single (Pop/Rock, American Music Awards)
"Beat It": Favourite Video (Pop/Rock, American Music Awards)
"Beat It": Favourite Video (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Best Long Form Video (American Video Awards)
Thriller: Top Album (Billboard Awards)
Best Home Video (American Video Awards)
Best International Solo Artist (BRIT Awards)
Thriller: Best British Album (BRIT Awards)
Top Male Vocalist (Canadian Black Music Awards)
Entertainer of the Year (Canadian Black Music Awards)
Thriller: Top International Album (Canadian Black Music Awards)
"Billie Jean": Top International Single (Canadian Black Music Awards)
Thriller: Album of the Year (Grammy Awards)
"Beat It": Record of the Year (Grammy Awards)
Thriller (with Quincy Jones): Producer of the Year (Grammy Awards)
"Billie Jean": Best R&B Song (Grammy Awards)
"E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial" Best Recording for Children (Narration, Grammy Awards)
"Thriller": Best Male Vocal Performance (Pop, Grammy Awards)
"Billie Jean": Best Male Vocal Performance (R&B, Grammy Awards)
"Beat It": Best Male Vocal Performance (Rock, Grammy Awards)
Thriller: Best Overall Performance Video (MTV Video Music Awards)
Thriller: Best Choreography (MTV Video Music Awards)
Thriller: Viewer's Choice Award (MTV Video Music Awards)
Thriller: Best Selling Album (NARM Gift of Music Awards)
"Billie Jean": Best Selling Single (NARM Gift of Music Awards)
The Making of Thriller: Best Home Video (NARM Gift of Music Awards)
Best All Round Entertainer of the Year (People's Choice Awards)
Thriller: Favourite Video of the Year (People's Choice Awards)
Thriller: Platinum 20x Certification (RIAA Awards)
The Best Selling Album of All Time (Guinness Book of World Records)
Humanitarian Endeavors (Presidential Humanitarian Award)
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

1985
The Making of Thriller: Best Long Form Video (Grammy Awards)

1986
"We Are the World": Song of the Year (Grammy Awards)
"We Are the World": Record of the Year (Grammy Awards)
"We Are the World": Best Pop Performance (Duo/Group, Grammy Awards)
"We Are the World": Best Short Form Music Video (Grammy Awards)
Award of Appreciation (American Music Awards)
"We Are the World" (with Lionel Richie): Song of the Year (American Music Awards)

1987
Bad: Gold, Platinum & Platinum 3x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Bad: Platinum 4x Certification (RIAA Awards)
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)

1988
"Bad": Favourite Single (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
Top Black Artist (Billboard Music Awards)
Blues & Soul (Billboard Music Awards)
Outstanding Artist of the Year (Billboard Music Awards)
Best Live Show of 1988 (Billboard Music Awards)
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Best International Solo Artist (BRIT Awards)
Outstanding Editing in a Musical Special (Cable Ace Awards)
American Black Achievement Award (Ebony Magazine)
#1 Entertainer of the Year (Forbes Magazine)
Video Vanguard Award (MTV)
Best Male Artist (NAACP Image Awards)
Bad: Best Album (NAACP Image Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Leonard Carter Humanitarian Award (NAACP Image Awards)
Bad: Platinum 5x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Bad: Platinum 6x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Best Male Single of the Year (Soul Train Awards)
Bad: R&B Album of the Year (Soul Train Awards)
Frederick D. Patterson Award (United Negro College Fund)

1989
Award of Achievement (American Music Awards)
Bad World Tour: BET Award (BET)
Bad: #1 Album (Pop/R&B, Billboard Awards)
Bronze Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Triple Crown Award - King of Pop, Rock & Soul (BRE Awards)
Video of the Year (BRE Awards)
Best International Solo Artist (BRIT Awards)
Best International Artist (Male, BRIT Awards)
"Smooth Criminal": Best Music Video (BRIT Awards)
Video of the Year (British Phonographic Industry Awards)
Artist of the Decade (British TV Industry Awards)
Video Pioneer (Cashbox Awards)
Best Video (Critic's Choice Awards)
Most Important Entertainer of the Decade (Entertainment Tonight)
#1 Entertainer of the Year (Forbes Magazine)
Greatest Artist of the Decade (Friday Night Videos)
Number One Artist (Friday Night Videos)
"Leave Me Alone": Best Special Effects (MTV Video Music Awards)
Thriller: The Greatest Video in the History of the World (MTV Video Vanguard Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Humanitarian Award (National Urban Coalition Awards)
"Smooth Criminal": Favourite Music Video (People's Choice Awards)
"She's Out of My Life": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough": Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Rock with You": Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Beat It": Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Billie Jean": Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Thriller": Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
Thriller: Video of the Decade (Rolling Stone Awards)
1st Annual Sammy Davis Jr./Heritage Award (Soul Train Awards)
Best R&B/Urban Contemporary (Male, Soul Train Awards)
Best R&B/Urban Contemporary (Music Video, Soul Train Awards)
Artist of the Decade (Vanity Fair)
Moonwalker: Favourite Music Video (Video Software Dealer Association Awards)
Lifetime Achievement in Video (World Music Awards)
World Music Award Hall of Fame (World Music Awards)
"Dirty Diana": #1 Video (World Music Awards)

1990
Entertainer of the Decade (American Cinema Awards)
Black Artist of the Decade (Billboard Music of the 80's Poll)
"Billie Jean": Black Single of the Decade (Billboard Music of the 80's Poll)
Thriller: Black Album of the Decade (Billboard Music of the 80's Poll)
Thriller: Pop Album of the Decade (Billboard Music of the 80's Poll)
1st Michael Jackson Award of Achievement (BMI Urban Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Good Scout Humanitarian Award (Boy Scouts of America)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Humanitarian Award (Capitol Children Museum)
"Leave Me Alone": Best Short Form Music Video (Grammy Awards)
Man of the Decade (Music Connection)
Artist of the Decade (Presidential Awards)
Thriller: Platinum 21x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Silver Award for 1980's Artist of the Decade (Soul Train Awards)
Most Popular Artist in the History of Show Business (Vanity Fair)

1991
Thriller: Hall of Fame (Music Video Producers' Hall of Fame)

1992
1992 World Artist Award (Billboard Awards)
Commemoration for the 10th Anniversary of Thriller (Billboard Awards)
Hot 100 Singles Artist (Male, Billboard Awards)
Hot R&B Singles Artist (Billboard Awards)
Hot Dance Music Club Play Artist (Billboard Awards)
Hot Dance Music Maxi-Single Sales Artist (Billboard Awards)
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
National Honour of Merit (Gabon)
Lifetime Achievement Award (National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters)
Operation One to One Award
Point of Light Ambassador (Presidential Awards)
Dangerous: Gold, Platinum & Platinum 4x Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Black or White": Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Remember the Time": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
"In the Closet": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)

1993
International Artist Award (American Music Awards)
Dangerous: Favourite Album (Pop/Rock American Music Awards)
"Remember the Time": Favourite Single (Soul/R&B, American Music Awards)
"Black or White" & "Remember the Time" Two of the Most Performed Songs of the Year (BMI Urban Awards)
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Best International Artist of the Year (ECHO Awards)
Living Legend Award (Grammy Awards)
Lifetime Achievement Award (Guinness Book of World Records)
25th Anniversary Entertainer of the Year Award (NAACP Image Awards)
"Black or White": Outstanding Music Video (NAACP Image Awards)
Dangerous: Platinum 5x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Thriller: Platinum 22x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Bad: Platinum 7x Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Will You Be There": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Humanitarian of the Year Award (Soul Train Awards)
Dangerous: Best R&B Album (Soul Train Awards)
"Remember the Time": Best Single (Male, Soul Train Awards)
Best Selling U.S. Artist of the Year (World Music Awards)
World's Best Selling Pop Artist (World Music Awards)
World's Best Selling Artist of the Era (World Music Awards)

1994
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Outstanding Musical Special (Cable Ace Awards)
Caring for Kids Award (Children's Choice Awards)
Humanitarian Award (Crenshaw Community Youth & Arts Foundation)
"Will You Be There": Best Song in a Movie (MTV Movie Awards)
Favorite Singer of the Year (Pop Rock Magazine)
Thriller: Platinum 24x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Bad: Platinum 8x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Dangerous: Platinum 6x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Best Male Vocalist (Smash Hits Awards)

1995
Hall of Fame (BET Awards)
Special Hot 100 Award (Billboard Awards)
"Scream": Video of the Year (Pop/Rock, Billboard Awards)
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
"Scream": Best International Video of the Year (Brazillian TVZ Video Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Humanitarian Award (Harry Chapin Memorial)
Best Male Artist of the Year (MTV European Music Awards)
Best Male Performer (MTV European Music Awards)
"Scream": Best Choreography (MTV Video Music Awards)
"Scream": Best Art Direction (MTV Video Music Awards)
"Scream": Best Dance Video (MTV Video Music Awards)
Artist of the Decade (Popcorn Magazine)
Best Male Vocalist of the Year (Popcorn Magazine)
Favourite Male Vocalist of the Year (Poprocky Magazine)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Gold, Platinum & Platinum 5x Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Scream": Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"You Are Not Alone": Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
Best Male Artist (Smash Hits Poll)
Hall of Fame (Soul Train Awards)

1996
Favourite Male Artist (Pop/Rock, American Music Awards)
Favourite Pop Male (Blockbuster Entertainment Awards)
Gold Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Platinum Otto/Lifetime Achievement Award (Bravo Magazine)
Best Male Singer (Bravo Magazine)
Best Show (Bravo Magazine)
Nicest Singer (Bravo Magazine)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Best Album (Bravo Magazine)
Artist of a Generation Award (BRIT Awards)
Best International Male Artist (Danish Grammy Awards)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Best International Album (Danish Grammy Awards)
"Earth Song": 1995 Doris Day Music Award (Genesis Awards)
"Scream": Best Short Form Music Video (Grammy Awards)
Best International Male Artist (Hong Kong Hit Radio Awards)
"You Are Not Alone": Best Song of the Year (Hong Kong Hit Radio Awards)
Best International Male Artist (Irish Music Awards)
"Earth Song": Best Video Award (Le Film Fantastique Awards)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Platinum 6x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Best Selling Male Artist of 1996 (World Music Awards)
Best Selling American Artist (World Music Awards)
Best Selling Artist Ever (World Music Awards)
Best Selling R&B Artist (World Music Awards)
Thriller: Best Selling Record of All Time (World Music Awards)

1997
Ghosts: Best Choreography in a Music Video (Bob Fosse Awards)
Silver Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Best Show (Bravo Magazine)
3rd Best Looking Singer (Bravo Magazine)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Best Album (Bravo Magazine)
"Blood on the Dance Floor": Best International Video of the Year (Brazillian TVZ Video Awards)
Best Live Show (Dutch Music Factory Awards)
Legend of Live Entertainment (Live! Magazine)
Most Memorable Male Performer (Live! Magazine)
Favourite Male Vocalist (Popcorn Magazine)
Thriller: Platinum 25x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
The Jackson 5: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1998
Silver Otto Award (Bravo Magazine)
Best Foreign Male Singer (Mix Magazine)
Best Singer (Mix Magazine)
HIStory World Tour at Parken Stadium: Best Event (Mix Magazine)
Best Foreign Male Singer (Puls Music TV)
Best Show of the Year - 1997 (Puls Music TV)

1999
Humanitarian Endeavors: Outstanding Humanitarian Award (Bollywood Awards)
"I Want You Back" (with The Jackson 5): Grammy Hall of Fame
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I: Platinum 7x Certification (RIAA Awards)

2000
Thriller: Platinum 26x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Dangerous: Platinum 7x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix: Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
Best Selling Male Pop Artist of the Millenium (World Music Awards)

2001
Invincible: Gold & Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2002
Artist of the Century (American Music Awards)
Pop Artist of the Millenium (Bambi Awards)
Humanitarian Endeavors: Magic Life Award (Celebrate the Magic Foundation)
Ghosts: Longest Music Video (Guinness Book of World Records)
The Making of Thriller: Best Selling Music Video (Guinness Book of World Records)
The Jackson family: Most Successful Pop Family (Guinness Book of World Records)
"You Rock My World": Outstanding Music Video (NAACP Image Awards)
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special: Outstanding Performance Variety Series/Special (NAACP Image Awards)
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special: Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special (NAACP Image Awards)
Best International Male Singer (NRJ Awards)
Invincible: Platinum 2x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Songwriter's Hall of Fame
World Arts Award 2002

2003
"Butterflies": BMI Urban Award
Contributions to Racial Harmony: Power of Oneness Award
Humanitarian Endeavors: Humanitarian Award (Radio Music Awards)
Number Ones: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
HIStory on Film, Volume II: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
HIStory on Film, Volume II: Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
HIStory on Film, Volume II: Platinum 3x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Video Greatest Hits - HIStory: Platinum 5x Certification (RIAA Awards)

2004
Humanitarian Endeavors: Golden Elephant Award (AASA Awards)
Number Ones: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Number Ones: Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
The One: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)

2005
Thriller: Platinum 27x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Number Ones: Platinum 4x Certification (RIAA Awards)
Number Ones: Platinum Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Billie Jean": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
"Thriller": Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Video Greatest Hits - HIStory: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)
Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour: Gold Certification (RIAA Awards)

2006
Most Successful Entertainer of All Time (Guinness Book of World Records)
Youngest Vocalist to Top the US Singles Chart (Guinness Book of World Records)
Highest Paid Entertainer of all Time (Guinness Book of World Records)
First Entertainer to Earn More Than 100 million Dollars in a Year (Guinness Book of World Records)
First Entertainer to Sell More Than 100 Million Albums outside the US (Guinness Book of World Records)
Most Weeks at the Top of the US Album Charts (Guinness Book of World Records)
Thriller: Most Successful Music Video (Guinness Book of World Records)
"You Are Not Alone": First Vocalist to Enter the US Single Chart at Number One (Guinness Book of World Records)
Legend Award (MTV Japan Awards)
Diamond Award (World Music Awards)

2008
The Jacksons: BMI Icon Award
Thriller: Grammy Hall of Fame
Off the Wall: Grammy Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement Award (NRJ Awards)

2009
Thriller: Platinum 28x Certification (RIAA Awards)



All that and more. Say what you want about him, but there is no denying the talent. TALENT. Not special classes or lectures. Talent that he was born with. We all have our own. His was in singing, dancing, songwriting, and performing. Michael Jackson not only wrote and composed many of his own songs (a rarity in the music industry), he could play the piano and guitar, choreographed his own music videos, and was quite talented as an actor, too. A nice guy who cared about people, animals, and the Earth, but was sadly given a bad reputation near the end of his life.

The list above speaks for itself. His life certainly was not wasted. So when you think to make a rude comment about Michael, consider what you have just read. Weigh his achievements against your own. Think about which of his songs you have in your playlist. Odds are you have at least one, probably more.

This is my personal tribute to my favorite singer. For any of you who are curious, my favorite song of his (and favorite song of all time) is "Man in the Mirror," my favorite album of his is "Bad," and my favorite music video is "Smooth Criminal." I love Michael because he was always a part of my life, his music is inspirational-- there is a lot of thought and heart in it-- and his humanitarian efforts make me want to be a better person. Whenever I feel sad, his songs are the miracle cure.

Thanks for all you have done, Michael. Rest in peace.