Memory Keepers

Like most everyone I have read thousands or maybe millions of words written since the death of Michael Jackson. These words are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the television coverage of the event. In all this media reporting one group of people have been overlooked – the fans. Once in awhile some reporter will point out someone who had purchased tickets to a London O2 concert and planned to fly over from the United States. That story always turns into the issue of refunding ticket money. The group I’m talking about is not someone who bought a concert ticket. I am talking about die-hard fans; like the ones who stayed outside of Michael Jackson’s Los Angles home in the vans. I can so relate to these people because I was them in August, 1977.

This is not an easy time for these fans. Grieving is never easy for anyone but it is made harder by all the information and stories being reported every day. People don’t have much sympathy for fans. Understanding a fan’s loss is impossible for most of the general public, but it is a very big loss. Fans are part of a group people joined together by a common interest. When that interest is a person and not a sport or hobby, it is looked upon as strange. Other fans understand and support Michael Jackson fans at this terrible time. They become a surrogate family for each other.

In the coming days Michael Jackson fans will hear many disturbing things about Jackson. Things they will not want to believe or accept. All of this is part of the legacy of Michael Jackson. Nothing takes away from the talent he shared with the world. It is a great sadness that so many people with such great gifts suffer so much unhappiness and pain. Maybe that suffering is part of what allows a super talented artist to connect with an audience. We all have pain at one time or another. It’s a common thread running through life. Fame and wealth doesn’t take the pain away. It does provide the means to deal with the pain in a way not available to everyone and that is not always a good thing.

Take heart, Michael Jackson fans. His music will outlast all the stories. Remember that fans of other artists, who left us too early, like Elvis Presley, understand what you are going through. Your world is dark now but it’ll get brighter. Life will never be the same. You are the ones who are keepers of the memories. The reasons for you being a die hard fan are pure. Money and greed was not involved – only love. When the time is right, and you’ll know, the world will know your story. This is the story I’m waiting to hear.