Yes I Did Say That About Michael Jackson
I am not going to be happy with this blog. I can't find the right words. The mix of emotions I'm feeling right now make it impossible for me to write what's in my heart. The best way I can put it for now is that its equal parts sorrow and confusion.
Like nearly everyone born before 1990, I have my own personal "Michael Jackson moments". Fleeting periods in my life that at least for "a moment" were profoundly defined by the whirlwind created by a musical genius. I could go through those moments of my life where MJ was prominent in my life for one reason or another, but I think I'm going to save that for the radio. For now, I'm going to talk about the dilemma that all in media are faced with today.
USA Today says this morning that "no celebrity has been as revered and reviled over the past 40 years as Michael Jackson." For sure, I have revered Michael Jackson...for me, going all the way back to 3rd grade. But I have also reviled him, feared him, suspected him, and condemned him...and I have done so not just privately but in my public persona as well.
To revile is to criticize in an angry or abusive manner. Looking back, I have definitely said things that fit this description. To deny that now (or even gloss over it) on the day after his unexpected death would be hypocritical.
No doubt that Michael Jackson was the single most influential musical artist of my life, even though he hasn't made a significant contribution to his legacy for fifteen years---but also no doubt that he was eccentric, and led a bizarre existence. When his behavior led many (including the Los Angeles District Attorney) to believe that he had committed crimes against children, he became this dual persona to me. On one side, a musical juggernaut who transcended all before him in pop music.On the other side, a mentally unstable suspected pedophile who lost many admirers, despite his escape of conviction.
Now that he's gone, I'm inclined to gloss over that part of his story...we all are...to repackage him as simply a tortured artist that no one understood, so we tortured him more with the most scurrilous and damaging rumors and accusations that can be levied at a fellow human being. I want it known that I am neither denying nor apologizing for things I've said about Michael in the past. To do that, would be duplicitous. By the same token, they are things I wouldn't say at his funeral and I won't repeat them now, the day after his untimely death.
In a way, he reminds me of the baseball hero that shamed his accomplishments with steroids, or the football star that's unstoppable on the field but can't stay out of jail in the off-season. The age-old battle of talent versus character.
Regardless, if you can strip away everything from MJ's life but those "on field" accomplishments, Michael Jackson was AMAZING. One of the five most influential people of our entire generation. That's what I will focus on today on the radio. But please know that while I may sound reverential, I'm talking about solely his career, not Michael Jackson as a person. I didn't know him as a person. I can only base my feelings and opinions on what I know to be true: That yesterday we lost an artist and performer that had a profound impact on my life, and re-defined the word "phenomenon". The loss of his talent and his potential future contributions to his genre, will be felt for years.
Like nearly everyone born before 1990, I have my own personal "Michael Jackson moments". Fleeting periods in my life that at least for "a moment" were profoundly defined by the whirlwind created by a musical genius. I could go through those moments of my life where MJ was prominent in my life for one reason or another, but I think I'm going to save that for the radio. For now, I'm going to talk about the dilemma that all in media are faced with today.
USA Today says this morning that "no celebrity has been as revered and reviled over the past 40 years as Michael Jackson." For sure, I have revered Michael Jackson...for me, going all the way back to 3rd grade. But I have also reviled him, feared him, suspected him, and condemned him...and I have done so not just privately but in my public persona as well.
To revile is to criticize in an angry or abusive manner. Looking back, I have definitely said things that fit this description. To deny that now (or even gloss over it) on the day after his unexpected death would be hypocritical.
No doubt that Michael Jackson was the single most influential musical artist of my life, even though he hasn't made a significant contribution to his legacy for fifteen years---but also no doubt that he was eccentric, and led a bizarre existence. When his behavior led many (including the Los Angeles District Attorney) to believe that he had committed crimes against children, he became this dual persona to me. On one side, a musical juggernaut who transcended all before him in pop music.On the other side, a mentally unstable suspected pedophile who lost many admirers, despite his escape of conviction.
Now that he's gone, I'm inclined to gloss over that part of his story...we all are...to repackage him as simply a tortured artist that no one understood, so we tortured him more with the most scurrilous and damaging rumors and accusations that can be levied at a fellow human being. I want it known that I am neither denying nor apologizing for things I've said about Michael in the past. To do that, would be duplicitous. By the same token, they are things I wouldn't say at his funeral and I won't repeat them now, the day after his untimely death.
In a way, he reminds me of the baseball hero that shamed his accomplishments with steroids, or the football star that's unstoppable on the field but can't stay out of jail in the off-season. The age-old battle of talent versus character.
Regardless, if you can strip away everything from MJ's life but those "on field" accomplishments, Michael Jackson was AMAZING. One of the five most influential people of our entire generation. That's what I will focus on today on the radio. But please know that while I may sound reverential, I'm talking about solely his career, not Michael Jackson as a person. I didn't know him as a person. I can only base my feelings and opinions on what I know to be true: That yesterday we lost an artist and performer that had a profound impact on my life, and re-defined the word "phenomenon". The loss of his talent and his potential future contributions to his genre, will be felt for years.
28 Comments
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Comment by Patsy on June 26, 2009 at 6:33am - Very well said Kidd...Thank you
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Comment by Napablue on June 26, 2009 at 8:29am -
Regardless of what one thinks about Michael Jackson the person, Michael Jackson the Entertainer was iconic and an American Treasure. To dismiss his influence would be folly. To undermine his greatness would be misguided. Having few peers, the likes of Ray, The King, Ella, and The Chairman of the Board, the King of Pop defined entertainment. Heaven is heavily weighted today with talent: Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Mozart, Beethoven, and Bob Marley to name a few. If a party was ever dull, all you had to do was put on MJ; joined by MJ today, Heaven is indeed rockin’, even as we mourn.
My brother had the incredible fortune to walk, sing, and be friends with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Michael during the early 80’s. He contributed to the Thriller album and personally watched MJ the genius at work. Each day with Michael brought a strange yet insightful view into a man none of us will fully understand. I remember when my brother called and said that Michael showed up with his pet snake – an eight foot python, I believe – and let it slither around my bro’s house. Days like that was more the norm than the exception.
Some will despise him, some will cherish him, but we will all remember him – only when the sun fades into the cosmos will his memory fade as well.
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Comment by KayKay on June 26, 2009 at 10:23am -
succinct, profound, eloquent--
MJ will be more than missed. We "rocked with him", as our parents were "workin' day and night". Wondering who "Billy Jean" was, while secretly longing to be his "pretty young thing" or for some his"dirty diana". Fantasy took over as we envisioned him saying "beat it" "the girl is mine" while he smoothly asked "wanna be startin something'?" Our curious "human nature" couldn't stop staring at "the man in the mirror" and his continually changing appearance. We began debating whether he was the "dangerous" "smooth criminal" the media was portraying, someone "off the wall" and truly "bad". MJ, you will be missed and this much is true... I never really cared if you were "black or white", I'll always want to "rock with you" and your music makes me want to "get on the floor" and "burn this disco out". "I just can't stop loving you", you were the ultimate "Thriller" and you are "gone too soon". RIP
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Comment by Bernadette on June 26, 2009 at 10:33am - I totally agree in what you said about MJ. Just haveing a discussion at work about this exact same thing!
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Comment by Danae Palmer on June 26, 2009 at 11:18am - Well said Kidd!
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Comment by Devon on June 26, 2009 at 11:47am - Beautifully said - I can remember growing up with his music echoing through our house...I remember when the video Thriller first came on our TV screen, I at the age of about 10, was scared to death to touch the TV to change it...those monsters scared me to death LOL!! To judge him for what we as the public made him is wrong, in my opinion, to be different does not equal being a monster - He was amazing and I will spend the next few weeks playing those same songs for my kid in our house!! RIP MJ!!!
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Comment by Laura on June 26, 2009 at 1:54pm -
Napablues,
I will love and cherish MJ, as both a person or as an entertainer.
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Comment by Mark in Frisco on June 26, 2009 at 4:39pm - I hope you are happy with this Blog - it was very well said! it's ok to love the art without loving the artistl.
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Comment by Faith on June 26, 2009 at 10:52pm - I cannot judge a person unless they have been proven guilty. I do not have that right. I choose not to judge. He apparently had a screwed up childhood that made him the way he was. If he was in pain emotionally and or physically that would justify the bizare behavior. Behavior that many would never understand or would never have the ability to understand unless they too have experienced such abusiveness or emotional abandonment as a child. Nothing to condone but to understand where he was coming from puts his actions in a place where it's not so shameful. He was a wonderful entertainer and will be missed. I will hold tight to my Thriller album..I will hold tight to my Saturday morning memories of watching their cartoon..and I will always have respect for him.
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Comment by Cafeaulaitskinnyandsweet on June 28, 2009 at 1:31pm - Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kidd. It saddens me to think that Michael may have left this world a tortured soul. Where I feel Farrah passed away at peace with herself, I don't know that Michael had the opportunity to come to peace with everything that happened in his pubic and private life. I pray that his soul does indeed Rest In Peace.
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