Ease on Down the Road

Love him or loathe what he allegedly became, there's no denying that Michael Jackson touched millions of lives with his music, artistry and iconic cultural status as the "King of Pop." Look here. He even inspired Jeff Koons who is, himself, no slouch in the pop culture sphere.

As for me, I will remember him simply as an integral part of my youth and thank him always for the music; we all have our personal soundtracks in Life. Selective memory, perhaps, but nonetheless valid.

By the way, Bubbles is alive, well and spending his days acting as chimpanzees are meant to at an animal preserve in Sylmar, California.

Image credit:

Jeff Koons (American, b. 1955)
Michael Jackson and Bubbles, 1988
Ceramic
42 x 70 1/2 x 32 1/2 in.
(106.7 x 179.1 x 82.5 cm)
Photo © Douglas M. Parker Studio, Los Angeles
The Broad Art Foundation, Santa Monica / © Jeff Koons