When I heard the news about Michael Jackson passing away on my way home from work tonight, the first thing I thought was “he was like my generation’s Elvis”.

Growing up in the 80’s the hippest radio station to listen to in the Boston area was WHTT 103.3.  And ninety percent of what they played on there was Michael Jackson.  It was usually “Billie Jean”; when it wasn’t “Billie Jean” it was “Beat It”.  Ironically I still listen to 103.3 but now it’s called Oldies 103.3.  And I was comforted tonight when I turned that station on and heard my two favorite radio personalities, Zito and Karen Blake, reminiscing along with the listeners about The King of Pop’s notorious life and music.  Thank you, Zito and KB, for being there tonight.

Would I consider myself a Michael Jackson fan?  Not really.  Although I will say I do own a lot of his music, including “Thriller” and I like a lot of his music.  I was not crazy about him as a person.  He was a bit too odd for me to like as a person, a bit too bizarre for me to understand, I guess.  But as a songwriter and performer, Michael Jackson was a class act in my eyes.  I will miss that part of him and that is the part I wish to remember.

Watching the news bits and seeing the crowds emerge on the hospital and just at various places throughout L.A. tonight really does make me believe he was like my generation’s Elvis.

RIP, MJ.