Michael Jackson Fan Strives To Continue His Legacy

 Jeremy Horn will never forget June 25, 2009. 

He was at work when a co-worker told him that his musical idol, Michael Jackson had died. 

"I didn't believe it at first," the 26-year-old graphic design intern said. "Then, I borrowed my co-worker's cell phone to browse the Internet and read the horrible news--and I was in a daze." 

Horn immediately headed home and broke down into tears. 

At 6-foot-3, the Park Forest, Illinois resident is expected by some to be more of a Michael Jordan fan than the King of Pop. But Michael Jackson's music had a greater impact on his life than any NBA championship. 

As a student at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, Horn channeled the creative spirit of Jackson as a member of the marching band. And in class, he faced some backlash from classmates for expressing love of his favorite pop star. "Yes, I did get teased a whole lot because of my love for the Jackson Family--but also for defending Michael when he was arrested in 2003 for child molestation charges," he recalls. 

While in high school, Horn had academic challenges to overcome. He was a special education student with learning differences. For him, Michael Jackson's music was a motivating force in staying on the path to graduation in 2003. Five years later, he received a degree from International Academy of Design and Technology.  

"He put a spark in me that I can not let labels or the condition I was living in hold me back from accomplishing the bigger things I want in life," Horn explained. 

Being the youthful music aficionado that he is, Horn still listens to Michael Jackson's songs on a daily basis and dedicates most of his Facebook and Twitter posts to the pop legend. He says that Grammy-award winning artist made a long-lasting impact in the entertainment industry and must never be forgotten. 

"I ask every fan to honor the legacy of Michael Joseph Jackson not only on his birth and death anniversaries but everyday."

With this music fan leading the way, the King of Pop will never be dethroned.

~ Zack A. Isaacs  

Read More

Remembering Mr. Hooper, My Church Musician

Harold M. Hooper was a musical genius.  For 39 years, he served as the Minister of Music at Third Baptist Church of Chicago, a prominent congregation on the city's South Side.  During his time, he became known as "Mr. Hooper"-- the man who could get folks in the spirit with his selection of traditional gospel songs.

Last Monday, Mr. Hooper passed away at the age of 74. In a year where my favorite musicians have expired (Prince, Lecresia Campbell, Daryl Coley, and now Joe Ligon), the news of Mr. Hooper's death left me with "the blues". However, my personal memories of his work have served as a postlude. 

In 1996, I saw that firsthand as a prospective member of Third Baptist Church. My parents were considering joining, so we started visiting.  One thing was for sure: Mr. Hooper could start playing a song and many would erupt in very loud shouts of praise. As a 12-year-old boy at that time, I was startled by the noisy response-- but also intrigued at the gift of the man "on the organ". (Depending on the song, he would also play the piano.) 

In the late 1990s, I was a teenager when Mr. Hooper recruited me to sing with the Men's Day choir. I was hesitant at first because I'm not the greatest singer. Yet, Mr. Hooper worked with all of us (ages 15 to 80) to be the best singers possible. 

For Mr. Hooper, the music continues in the hearts of his choir members. Now, he's singing a song in Heaven to the one who gave him his gift.

He will be missed.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Thursday, December 15, 2016
 9:30 a.m. - Wake
10:30 a.m.- Funeral

Third Baptist Church of Chicago
1551 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643

(Gatling's Funeral Home is providing funeral services.) 

Read More