As we all know, the so-called King of Pop died. I certainly was never a fan and in fact was quite horrified by Michael Jackson. Regardless, his music was a significant part of my childhood. I was there for the whole music video transformation that Thriller started and I remember when a Michael Jackson video was an event not to be missed. I have to admit that he was a gifted singer and dancer, and he worked very hard to perfect his act.
Sure, I have lots of memories (just like most of you folks do) with his different his different songs and but what really gets me down is that I can't separate Jackson (his many surgeries, child abuse allegations, skin bleaching, and crazy behavior) from his music. Gone is the fun I had as a youngster being entertained by Jackson. It's like there were two of him. The memory of what he was and the grotesque parody he became.
I cringe everytime I hear his songs...
Well except Thriller... because Michael Jackson, it turns out, was a zombie after all. I guess he just needed his outsides to match his insides.
So maybe there really wasn't two Jacksons, and that's the saddest thing of all because now I realize that he was crazy the whole time.
here's the prisoner version of thriller:
On a comic book side-note (because I just gotta have one), of course we all remember the Thriller parody/homage in Dazzler #33 right?
-Swinebread
Kinda my thoughts too...I just didn't understand folks obsession w/him. In fact all three (McMahon, Fawcett, Jackson) never really impacted my life much...so meh.
ReplyDeleteI read that he had a disease that made his skin fade in patches, but that certainly doesn't remove the fact that he was a deeply disturbed individual who couldn't handle stardom.
ReplyDeleteI just remember going out of my way to watch the Thriller video because John "American Werewolf" Landis directed it.
ReplyDeleteHe actually made Michael seem like a well-adjusted (if high-voiced) young man for the video. A feat that only a master director could accomplish!
LB: I never understood an obsession with ANY celebrity really. I also don't get sports fandom (though I love watching sports).
I never understood the attraction. He could dance, but sing? Regardless, I just don't get "fan-dom" - I have favorite singers,actors, etc., but I don't idolize them or make them the focus of my life. Jackson was kind a creepy choice to idolize at that.
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