I'm sure we've all had mixed feelings regarding Michael Jackson over the years, and rightly so. No doubt, the man was a bit confused. Regardless of what you think, Michael Jackson has molded pop music like no one else.

Elvis, Madonna, The Beatles. No one comes close (well maybe The Beatles). What enables MJ to stand out from the rest is his constant reinvention, and I'm not talking about his face. What Michael did better than anyone was appeal to the most varied of audiences. He was able to blend dance, soul, funk, rock and even metal into what is commonly known as 'pop'. He is responsible for your Justin Timberlakes, your Daft Punks and pretty much every boyband since the Jackson 5. His title, the 'King of Pop', on reflection couldn't really be more accurate.

When I first heard about the feature film 'Michael Jackson's This Is It', I instantly dismissed it as a cruel way to recoup the money lost as a result of the London O2 shows being cancelled. It is that, don't get me wrong. Had we not lost Michael tragically in the summer, this film would not have been released. That much is true. During the opening credits in fact, director/choreographer Kenny Ortega makes the point that the footage used was for Michael's personal collection, and was not originally intended for the public. As the film progresses though, you can't help but think that this is what Michael would have wanted.

The end result really is enlightening. From the testimonials of backup dancers/vocalists to the live rehearsal footage of classics such as 'Thriller', 'Beat It', 'Billie Jean' along with cult classics like 'Jam' and 'Man In The Mirror', this is the first time that I have ever been aware of just how integral Michael Jackson is to modern music. He was a tireless professional, a perfectionist and the kindest of souls. Through a lifetime of hardship and being misunderstood, he never lost sight of what he deemed to be critically important. His dedication to making a real change through the unity of pop music is something I have come to admire, and as a musician, will carry with me for the rest of my life.

'This Is It' is the first real insight into what goes into preparing for an epic concert series. From the looks of things, the O2 shows would have been visually breathtaking and worth every penny you paid for a ticket. With it's cinematic segues and mind-blowing pyrotechnics, this show would have been one for the ages, and it's a true shame that they never came to be. Nevertheless, this film paints a picture. Not only are we able to experience the concert to a greater extent than we ever expected, but we are able to experience the painstaking process of what goes into putting a show like this together. Through it all though, the one thing that really stands out for me is the knowledge that regardless of what was happening, Michael was vigilant in ensuring that everyone involved was having the greatest time. He longed for the performers and crew to form real, lasting bonds, and that through these bonds, successful shows would be had. To see someone as grandiose as Michael Jackson set that kind of example is extremely inspiring, and that is how I left the film; deeply inspired to create and perform for all the right reasons. To want to make a difference, to touch lives with your music is one thing, but to succeed in doing so on such a huge scale is simply heroic.