When I heard of his passing (I was 21yo) instinctively I turned of the news and blocked notion of what I've just heard. Then for the longest time for me he was still alive... I played all the music over and over and actually used the songs on my journey of learning English as my second language. Now 20 years later I started researching all about this person that I admired so much... No words to describe the emptiness that such a talented person leaves us... Rest in peace Michael, you will always stay alive in our memories. Your journey here was a gift to the rest of us.