The other day, I was channel surfing and ran across an airing of "The Wizard of Oz" on TBS. Whenever I watch this wonderful movie it evokes many fond memories. More than any movie I have ever seen, this one, for me, is synonymous with family. Wonderfully entertaining, it takes back to a simpler, less complicated time.
Like many, I'll miss Michael Jackson. As much of the hoopla surrounding his death begins to wane (unfortunately, it's not over by a long shot!) I felt it a good time to comment. While I'll miss his music, I feel much the same when Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, or Luther Vandross died. I miss genius. Just like so many others, Michael was true genius.
Today at Michael Jackson's memorial service, Lionel Ritchie sang a wonderful Commodore's classic from 1978, "Jesus is Love.' While the Commodores were more known for such R&B classics as "Brick House," and "Easy", this particular song has always been one of my favorites. Today, Lionel Ritchie once again proved to me why.
Once upon a time in the Seventies, there was a popular singing group. A group of brothers. Bringing song to the world. Times were different then. We weren't consumed with the scandal. We didn't care to dig for what was not there. We just enjoyed the music. These brothers, man, they could sing. They burst onto the scene in the late Sixties. They had us "finger snapping" and "toe tapping". They were the Jackson Five. And they were led by their little brother, Michael.