Michael Jackson

[anne]

I am very sad to hear on the CNN news that Michael Jackson has died. He was such an amazing musician and gave the world so much. He will be missed so much. RIP Michael
from Annie

[I-H-F]

Yes, its sad. I wasn't a big fan, although I did like some of his songs.

It feels like one of those defining moments in history, like JFK, the death of Elvis, 9/11 etc. Everyone will remember where they were when they heard that Michael Jackson had died.

Some of his behaviour was strange, but he still had a huge fan base, even throughout all his problems. He was a pop phenomenom, and he inspired generations. To still be popular after almost 40 years in the music industry, is quite an achievement.

RIP Michael

[fusilier23]

His story wasn't all his doing, though, no ethical surgeon would do that many cosmetic surgeries on one person.

At his height he did give the world a lot, but I think, when the dust settles, there are going to be a lot of dark shadows that his memory will never shake.

[nicola]

I felt nothing but mild surprise. I watched his music videos as a child, and my parents are big fans, but his name has been dragged through so much mud in my conscious years (he hasn't been artistically active since I became teenager until now which is the age of 24) that Michael Jackson is very much a dirty name to me.

I don't know how to feel about Michael Jackson to be honest. Maybe if I were a little bit older when he was at his height of success, I might just be able to turn his personal issues off and just think of his music. I was in the wrong generation to think this way, though.

I am sorry for his children, his core fans and the rest of his family at this difficult time. They know him best, and know best how to remember him.

[Jono]

Nicola,

Michael Jackson's music still features on pop charts, still gets played in clubs and on radio stations, and still gets talked about by people here in NZ. I'm not sure if it's the same worldwide.

I know he hasn't come out with anything new since I was...much younger...probably just before I was a teen. But I seem to always hear songs like "Billie Jean".

I can't say I'm much of a fan either...but I don't really base that on what he's done (allegedly or not)...its just music to me.. (I don't know much at all about some other artists I enjoy anyway)

Jono

[stevemacdonald]

Let's leave the guy alone now that he's gone. Nobody's perfect. Yes, Jacko was indeed whacko, but look at all the other singers who ruled in their day. Frank Sinatra was best friends with the Mob. Elvis became a doped-up caricature of himself. Chris Brown battered his girlfriend Rhianna. Madonna turned British. It's an imperfect world and welcome to it.

[nicola]

There's something quite offensive about listing the crimes of a woman beater alongside someone 'turning British'.

I have no idea what you meant by that.

As to Michael Jackson, it's sad that he's gone, it's sad that he endured a troubled life, but he is now in a place where he can enjoy peace. May he rest in peace.

[stevemacdonald]

Jun 26, 2009 19:44:42 GMT nicola said:

There's something quite offensive about listing the crimes of a woman beater alongside someone 'turning British'.

I have no idea what you meant by that. ...

Meaning she became a joke to many of us. She came from gritty Detroit and worked in seamy New York City along the way to her success. Then she became a mega-star and reinvented herself over and over, the "turning British" thing just one more silly installment, faux accent and all.

[Dave]

Well known people from both sides of the Atlantic make that kind of switch and many would argue that they are fully entitled to do so and that it is entirely their business.

But let's not drift off topic, this thread is about the music of the late Michael Jackson.

Dave

[martindn]

I too have a huge respect for what Michael Jackson achieved, although I was never a fan. Tonight on Radio 2, Chris Evans said that his favourite song involving Micheal was "I want you back", recorded when I think he was eight years old. Some say he never grew up. But in the end he was clearly a very talented performer, and perhaps this is a warning to those who grow up with fame. Not everybody can cope with it, and it is no good trying to pretend that you live a normal life of have a normal childhood. You don't. It is the price you pay for fame. It is not surprising that Michael was a bit "wierd". He had a global hit record when I was what, eight years old?
If anything I feel pity for him. He has spent all his life trying to live up to certain expectations, and has not always done so Despite that he made the best selling album of all time. Many people, by son included, idolised him. But the machine owned him. He was a phenomenon for sure, and I'm not sure he ever managed to sort his head out. Which bothers me, because that is something we all need to do.
So, altough I never particularly liked his music, I repect him, since countless others loved him. And it is sad that he died so young, in debt, and with a tour ahead of him that I'm sure would have been a triumph.

Martin

[grant]

Hello everyone

I was never a fan of Michael Jackson, though I remember quite liking some of his early music. I feel a great sadness for his family, friends and fans across the world because, despite his odd behaviour in later life, he was a true phenomenon.

I heard someone on TV say today that he has sold 750 million records. I actually found out about his death this time last night when I turned on my computer and read the latest newscast - it came as quite a shock.

I hope at least now he will have found peace.

Best wishes
Grant

[stevemacdonald]

Let's not forget the enormous influence Michael Jackson had on our own Hayley. Here she is singing one of his early hits: www.youtube.com/watch?v=az76TQvqOcc

Clearly he made a significant impression on young Hayley and it is easy to speculate that some of her singing style traces back to what she learned from him back then.

[comet]

I will miss Michael, May he rest in peace.
He was a great hitmaker and his music could certainly get a dancefloor moving during the seventies and eighties. I saw a lot of skating performed to Michael's music as well as we had craze of rollerdromes around the same time. I was a disc jockey during Michael's prime and his music was very much a part of our regular playlists.I do remember having a copy of Bad as it was released and the audience requested EVERY track off it in the one night,That was almost 25 % of the music played in a four hour show, NOBODY else was ever in that much demand that I can remember.

I did see him in concert in Dublin's Landsdowne Road Stadium in the late eighties, I did some freehand posters for his management company that were used in the crowd as they were making a video of the concert with things like "King of Pop" and "Michael we love you" on them, They paid me for the posters AND gave me 4 free tickets for the concert, I brought my son and daughter to it, It was an amazing show and he left the stage with a jetpack on his back, just took off from the stage and out of the stadium, I would have loved a lend of that gadget.
Michael was probably one of the most inovative video makers in his time as well, he was certainly leading the way with video techniques way before anyone else in the music industry.

[postscript]

I think your response Martin and Grant's too, coolly and calmly present a fair and balanced opinion with which I do not disagree. I think these tributes highlight something in those artists we follow here for which we all have cause to be grateful. Judy Garland and Lisa Minelli come to mind as a previous generation who had their problems, although in their cases more due to influences upon them than they themselves creating their problems and of course child star Lindsey Lohan has gone off the rails in a way Hayley Mills never did.

Here with 'our' Hayley and lately with references to Faryl we have so often written about their feet being firmly on the ground and their heads well screwed on. There is something about their personalities that show an inner strength. These are 'deep' people. Talent may 'out' but if the vessel containing that talent is not one of substance, talent can destroy.

This thought leads me further on, talent alone is not sufficient. Talent is like a musical instrument in need of a player and what the instrument delivers depends upon the character of the player. Meaningful expression can only come from players with a deep understanding of life and total mastery of themselves. Only then may they master their instrument.

Peter S.

[dazza]

Hi Everyone,

I was very shocked when I first heard the news, as a child of the 80's and 90's I grew up with the music of Michael Jackson. I can't say that I am a big fan and don't own any of his CD's although I do like a few of his songs. His music will still be played on radio stations and brought many years from now. There is no doubt that whatever happened in his private life, he was a great singer and performer who was loved by millions and that's how he will be remembered.

R.I.P

Dazza