Then, when I was older – I’d dance to the Jackson Five every week at the local indie club… then when I was older still I’d dance to Billy Jean at Trash.

He symbolised and summed up an entire generation far more succinctly than anything else I can think of.

Cassette tapes and walkman, the chart show – top of the pops… those 30min music video feature specials that premiered with each big release. In one way or another my entire youth can be related to Michael Jackson. He symbolised the American dream – consumerism, and triumphant capitalism .. but he also made damn good tunes, which were instantly attractive. Because his music was always there, as a backdrop, I didn’t always pay total attention. But now that he’s gone, it really feels like the world is lacking something I didn’t realise was so important.