"I loved the music.

I pitied the man.

Now I mourn the legend.

Michael Jackson's death Thursday rocked the world as fans from across the globe remembered the childhood pop star whose smash album "Thriller" and signature moonwalk propelled him to become the "King of Pop."

Like so many who grew up listening to Jackson's music, I couldn't help but feel some part of my identity had been ripped from me Thursday when I first learned of the 50-year-old performer's death.

The mere mention of Jackson's name elicited so many memory's for me: spellbound while watching his classic video "Thriller" as a child, listening to "Stranger in Moscow" in my bride-to-be's college apartment and downloading his music onto my iPod as a father trying to share Jackson's music with my 6-year-old son.

I've grown up with Jackson singing in my ears.

Now he's gone."

Get the Story:
Kevin Abourezk: Jackson's Music Untarnished By Wild Behavior (RezNet News 6/25)

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