I remember the time I went to see Michael Jackson in Birmingham, Alabama at the Boutwell Auditorium. Surprisngly, it was a very intimate concert as I remember it. I was in ninth grade, and found myself standing at the very front of the stage. I wore a 3 piece tan pinstripe suit and a straw hat with a cream band around it. I thought I was looking fly.

Anyway, the show started and Micheal took the stage. He was electrifying! It was like he was a machine dancing on air. He had the whole crowd captivated. You almost forgot the other brothers were on stage with him at times. To watch him move and sing was like watching a masterpiece being created right before your eyes. Michael was very plain then compared to his later costumes. He was simply wearing black pants, a white shirt, and black penny loafers. I remember his face being so sweet looking with a great smile.

The song "Shake your body down to the ground" was a big hit then. The Jacksons' started in grand fashion as ususal and right before the chorus part, Michael came over and took my hat off my head and placed it on his, and they all pointed their fingers and started jirating their heads back and forth. Micheal then took off my hat and flung it backstage. It was "AWESOME"!! That was the best moment ever.

It was a totally unexpected and a moment I will never forget. I never got my hat back. When I asked the security gaurd they couldn't find it. Someone had picked it up backstage.

I hung around after the show to try retrieve my hat, but didn't get it back. As we were leaving the auditorium a huge Winnabago pulled out of the alley and with the curtains opened in the back window.... there they were - Michael, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, and Marlon waving in the rear window. There were only a few people left outside the auditorium at that time. I would guess about 50 -75 people at most, but I was one of them. Half of us ran down the middle of the street behind them until they turned the corner.

When I first heard the news that Michael was dead, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I hoped it was some horrible rumor, but as we all know now it was true.

My mother called me later that night and asked If I remember when Michael Jackson wore my hat on stage. My reply " Mom, of course I do".

June 25, 2009, was a sad day for me. It was the day after my Birthday (the 24th) and a day I will always remember. This was the day the world lost a Great Enterainer. I cried the day of the Memorial, because it felt like a small part of my childhood died with Michael. Michael gave us decades of great, clean music. The music that made you feel good and want to sing along. I pray for his mother Catherine, his siblings, his children, and his fans.

I would love to hear your comments on your favorite Michael Jackson moment.