The Voice of Michael Jackson

With all the drama and circus that has surrounded this truly gifted performer as of late, I think its best that we take even a moment to take note of what Mr. Jackson is most highly regarded for; his ability to perform and dance. I really don't have the skills or talent to describe somebody's voice, but this excerpt from Wikipedia will have to do!!!!! I've made some of my own comments in red. NOTE: I was never a huge devoted fan of Mister Jackson. But I really have a deep nostalgia for his place and celebrity in the 90s. His songs as I listen to them now sound timeless and fresh.

From Wikipedia:

Jackson did not use the hiccup technique— somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping— fully until the recording of Off the Wall: it be seen in full force in the "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" promotional video. [11]

The hiccup thing was so awesome! So fierce!!!!
With the arrival of Off the Wall in the late 1970s, Jac

kson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded. At the time, Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly".[170][171] 1982 saw the release of Thriller, and Rolling Stone were of the opinion that Jackson was then singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".[174]

This last observation about sadness in his vocals is something I think most of us overlook. I think this is really why his songs are so moving. 

When commenting on Invincible, Rolling Stone were of the opinion that—at the age of 43—Jackson still performed "exquisitely voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies".[191] Nelson George summed up Jackson's vocals by stating "The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothness—that combination of elements mark him as a major vocalist".[175]

He had so much singing talent and it never went away. I really can't think of any other vocalist who kept such a great voice for such a long career. Its really sad to think about all the albums and records that could have been. I hate to end on a sad note, so here is a fun picture from back in the day: