Rest in peace.

"Were you at Michael Jacksons last concert in Norway?" This is the header of the top article in the online version of one of Norways largest newspapers. Not a surprise, perhaps, considering that "MJ" past away on June 25th, every newspaper, TV-channel and radio show are talking about it, playing his music, etc etc. The big surprise is that I can actually answer "yes" to that question.

I was there
Michael Jacksons last concert in Norway was at Valle Hovin Stadion on the 19th of August 1997. Back then I was 11 years old, heavily affected by my sister and by result a total and utter MJ-nutter. Already then he was white as a sheet and had a nose so pointy it could stab your eye out if you got too close, but I didn't care about that, or all his "eccentricities", to use the political correct term. It's amazing how many flaws and defects you can ignore and overlook when you're in love. Or obsessed. And I felt like I was both; I listened to the music, saw the movies, wrote a paper on him, read the books, you name it. Naturally, going to this concert was probably the event of my life, as far as I was concerned, up to that point anyway. The stadium takes 40 000 people, and I would hazard a guess that it was sold out. We were stood on the right side, in what felt like the middle of the stadium, it was a sunny, hot day, and we actually sat down on the floor of the stadium and sat in our bikinis for a while. I remember I was annoyed at the damn sunlight, which ruined all the lights and special effects of the show, but that was just about my only complaint. It's beyond me how I managed to see anything at all, I am now 23 years old and measures in at 156 cm. Safe to say I wasn't any taller at 11. But I think I sat on the shoulders of my sister and her friend. Twelve years have gone by, and sadly I can't remember much, I have some vague recollections of tanks on the stage, a gangster theme on Smooth Criminal and some tommygun shooting that gave me a fright. I'm sure it was excellent, the reviewer in the newspaper I mentioned gave the concert a 5.


Where were you...?
Ever heard the question "where were you when "insert random important event" happened?" I am ready to bet that this will be one of those moments. "Where were you when you heard he had died?" And I will always remember where I was; sat in a tractor on a horribly hot day, listening to the radio, hearing one of his songs (which one I can't remember), and when it faded out the person talked about it being her favorite song, and that his music would always live on. "Odd thing to say... Wait, has something happened? Has he died? How can I not have noticed? I read the papers online every day? Did they say something on the radio this morning?" Thoughts ran through my head quickly, but i Had to sit there guessing for 20 minutes before someone actually said the words.



Michael Jackson is dead. This weird, ingenious man, is gone. He's been a natural part of my life since I was born, and due to my older sister's obsession I had easy access to books, articles, LP's, videos, I grew up with his music around me, he's been a big presence in my life and I never tire of his music. Allthough I doubt he ever would've made as good music as he once did, or reached the same level of stardom as he once had, it is a fact that the biggest pop artist in the world to date, is dead. And I'm actually kind of sad about that. Rest in peace, man. And thank you for the music.