Friday, June 26, 2009

Thoughts on Michael Jackson's Death

If you've read some of my older posts, then you know that I have repeatedly cited the 80's as the decade which eternally ruined music; the so-called "powder-keg" which once lit, led to the unfortunate downfall of the music industry. However, despite my chronic disappointment of not having been a flower child, I am not ashamed to admit that one of the few high points of growing up during the Regan years was growing up with Michael Jackson (well, his music). Unlike the dreck that clogs the Hot 100 today, Jackson actually WROTE and COMPOSED many of the songs that have evolved into iconic standards. I have little doubt that his vast catalog of hits will remain exemplary models for as long as man listens to music.

Let me cite a few examples of why his music is so great: first and foremost, his style has been mimicked by Madonna, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, his sister Janet, and probably by every other R&B/Pop star born after 1980; he practically invented and re-invented the music video beginning with "Beat It" and "Thriller" and continuing onward with "Black or White" and "Remember the Time;" his songs have been sampled and covered innumerable times by acts of all ages and genres ranging from Fall Out Boy to Alien Ant Farm to Chris Cornell; his music is reguarly played at the hottest Manhattan night spots and are amongst the most popular at karaoke bars all over the world (I can't help but think of the [only] funny scene in Rush Hour 2 where Chris Tucker flawlessly performs "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"); televison programs like American Idol dedicate entire episodes paying homage to his catalog; he has been famously (and reverently) parodied by Weird Al Yankovic, who notably, was personally granted permission by Michael himself to spoof his music; he started eternal fads like the Moonwalk and the ubiquitous over-sized aviator sunglasses (and you know you wanted that red leather jacket when you were in 2nd grade); and he remains a household name amongst children and octogenarians alike, from the most metropolitan cities in the U.S. to the smallest villages in the African plains. I imagine that his name falls on that list alongside Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny and McDonald's as one of the most recognizable names on Earth.

He is a legend and I hope that in years to come, all of the nonsense that plagued his life (and surely precipitated his untimely death) will be overlooked, and he will be remembered for what he did best -- make us happy. Alas, the King of Rock and the King of Pop are now united in that great kingdom in the sky, and I suppose they will compare notes and share a few laughs about the genius and drama that surrounded their lives...or so we may read about while in line at the grocery store.

DS, Weightstaff

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The dude was also a child molester. . . remember?

Even musical geniuses do NOT get a pass.

He is lucky he didn't die in prison.

what, too soon?

WeightStaff said...

I'm not an M.J. apologist but, if I remember correctly, he was acquitted on all charges in 2005, and prior to that, in 2003, he was not charged with ANY crime nor was there ever ANY corroborated evidence against him, despite millions of dollars and endless man hours spent investigating him. Recall, that the incident culminated in a $22 million settlement [blackmail] paid to the family who made the claims. You can't deny that Jackson was always the subject of groundless witch hunts.

On a side note, how quickly people discount the fact that Jerry Lee Lewis and Edgar Allan Poe -- both geniuses in their own right -- married their 13-year old cousins...but no one seems to care about that...

DS, Weightstaff

Anonymous said...

Blackmail?

25 Million Dollars. The kid drew an exact replica of Mr. Jackson's odd genitals. Only after his genitals matched the drawing, did he pay $25 million dollars as "blackmail."

At the very least he has admitted to inappropriate behavior bordering on pedophilia with a 12 year old cancer patient. That is not in controversy, and that is unforgivable. Even after Thriller.

http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2005/07/orth200507

WeightStaff said...

Hey, I never said he didn't have the mind of a 10-year old...I just said he was acquitted. Bottom line, no one will ever know what really happened. As for the "settlement," if that money was indeed given to the parents in order to "silence" the allegations, then shame on them for selling their kids out to make millions of dollars (recall the family failed to cooperate in the criminal proceedings). Model parents.

DS

Anonymous said...

Let's not forget that he was acquitted by essentially the same court and community that acquitted OJ. Do you think he was innocent too. You might also be interested to know that the CA state legislature thought he was so guilty that because the complaint was withdrawn after the first (of several) civil settlement, they actually changed the criminal code to allow a molestation suspect to be charged without a complaining victim.

WeightStaff said...

That sounds real constitutional.

I'm laughing because this is the same legislature headed by The Terminator -- who himself ADMITTED to sexually harassing various women over the span of two decades...

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

DS

Anonymous said...

Agreed that the Governator is ridiculous but I am fairly certain that much like the federal government, in CA the chief executive does not head the legislature, different branches and all.

Anonymous said...

Your "no corroborating evidence" and "mind of a 10 year old" comment is just plain silly and naive.

10 year old boys do not:

"drink alcohol in soda cans, and give these drinks to other ten year olds;"

"spend the majority of their day ingesting copious amounts of opiates;"

"have a library of gay and straight porn;"

"have sleep overs, whereby their friends sleep in the same bed as them, and touch each others genitals;"

Next, you'll tell me that Phil Spector couldn't have possibly put a gun in a woman's mouth and pulled the trigger?

yet another witch hunt.

WeightStaff said...

Oh god, I didn't realize I was talking to Gore Vidal...the governor still signs bills into law and has the power to veto. At the end of the day, the buck pretty much stops with him...

DS

WeightStaff said...

So, besides this crappy blog, what do you do in your free time when you're not reading about Michael Jackson's sexual predilections? District Attorney? Friend of Joseph McCarthy? Relative of J. Edgar Hoover?

DS