NO matter what we might think of Michael Jackson, there were many shades to his character and personality, but above all he was undoubtedly a musical genius.

It is in his music, groundbreaking in its impact, that we find the man.

How often do we see a child star sustain a talent, yet alone create a style and music that transformed a generation, as in Jackson’s case?

Like so many with great talent, there is the eccentric side. There is also the pressure of stardom driving the talent, but also drawing upon the body’s resources, physically and emotionally.

There is an assumption that with talent, genius and celebrity status safeguards exist, but in the case of Michael Jackson being surrounded by security and living in a fortress masked a sad and weird figure.

Watching the images and listening to the music of the child and the man, it is important that we remember that most of all.

It will be the sounds that will be recalled in tribute gigs and album re-releases that, ironically, will make more financially in death than he has lost in his life.

But, somehow, I think to Michael Jackson money had a secondary value.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe, Durham.