RIP Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

[Ken Smith]

I just heard yesterday about his sudden passing. He was a one of a kind person and the Artist of the Century.

Two of his past Bass players were Smith Bass users, Don Boyette and Freddy Washington.

I remember seeing him on TV as a young boy doing ABC, the Jackson 5. In the 1980's when I heard he was coming back out as a solo Artist, I didn't believe it would come to much. At my first Calif. Namm show in 1980 I met Jermaine Jackson who came to try out my Bass. The one I had on display was made for Stanley Clarke who picked it up after the show with me included as I was his house guest for the rest of the coming week.

Meeting Jermaine was the closest I had come to meeting Michael with the exception of the time Don Boyette came over to the NY office/shop to pick out a new bass and brought most of the band with him, less MJ.

Well, the rest is history so RIP MJ, you will be missed...