I just have to do it......

My own Michael Jackson memory might be different than some.....especially being Korean-American with a mom that thought classical music was the ONLY REAL music on this planet. To her, everything else was just noise.

Since my dad was in the US Army, he had some exposure to "western" music and actually loved contemporary music. He listened to everything from the Eagles to the Beach Boys to Motown. So, I listened to what he listened to. I remember putting on the radio and wearing HUGE headphones so I could hear it more clearly. Then in 1982, the Thriller album was released. I remember wanting it SO badly but actually buying albums or records (and later on tapes, etc.) was seen as a waste of money to my mom (unless it was classical music but as a kid, who would beg for Beethoven's greatest hits?). I was told that I could just listen to it on the radio. Sure. Good plan.
(*side note- To an immigrant mom from Korea...MANY things are considered a waste of money unless it's not directly related to education, cultural enrichment, getting in to Harvard or Stanford or whatever top university Koreans can think of, and of course, education.)

Next step is to ask my dad for it. So, I did but my mom heard and thought it was insane to spend money for something you could hear for free on the radio. My hopes were crushed. But one day, he brought it home (even with my mom yelling) and I can still remember putting the needle on the record with my heavy headphones on...and looking at the album, MJ in his white suit, from top to bottom...listening for hours. It was a true bonding moment for me...with MJ, my dad, and that version of pop music.

RIP Michael. Thanks for letting me bond with my dad and allowing us to get closer to each other through your music.

yy