2009.06.25
Michael Jackson dead
The pop music icon, who created the soundtrack for a lot of lives yet became tabloid fodder via court cases and plastic surgery, died suddenly Friday at the age of 50. Details, interactives.
As his fans mourn worldwide, post your comments, thoughts, memories of "The King of Pop."
Michael was one of the Best that ever came into the music world. RIP
Comment by David — June 25, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
I'm a little older than my friends who were big Michael Jackson fans back in the day. "Thriller" impinged on my consciousness only in the form of the two or three songs my aerobics teacher used for our classes, along with other songs. I didn't listen to pop radio. I didn't have a TV, much less cable, and I never saw his videos on MTV. I knew *of* him, of course, but only as a celebrity, not as a musician as such. I think he was a genius as a performer, but I'm not and never have been a fan. When I did become aware of his music, it didn't grab me, though of course some of "Thriller" at least is catchy as hell. I was much more into singer-songwriter, folk, world music, and blues, and I didn't care for the pop of the time, and still don't. (I've never "gotten" Prince either--not that I think either of them was overrated--just no more appealing to me than the Beatles were to my Benny Goodman-loving dad.) So that's where I'm coming from with this--neither a fan nor a detractor. Just wondering, for those who are a bit younger than me, whether MJ's death is having an impact like the shock my age group felt with John Lennon was killed.
Neither MJ nor Lennon was at the peak of fame when they died; they were more giant figures for what they had done in the past. Both were working on comebacks. Each had gone off into private lives that some people found strange, though obviously in very different ways. Both were acknowledged geniuses of their musical generation. I think MJ's level of popularity was more akin to that of the Beatles as a whole rather than Lennon individually. But is there a sense that the MJ generation is being shocked into an awareness of mortality through his death that wasn't there before?
I suppose it might be too soon to say.
Comment by BW — June 25, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
the king he will sadly be missed ,i grew up wit his amazing songs along with him. my prayers go out to his childrens and family. to his family from my family. we love you..........
Comment by barbara myers myers — June 25, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Michael will be missed, I saw him either 4 or 5 times, he was the greatest.
Comment by SILVER — June 25, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
When i was a kid Micheal Jackson seemed godlike. I would listen to the greatest hits tape my mom bought me over and over and over and i even loooooooved billie jean so much i recorded it onto two tapes and dubbed them full of that song so i would have not one tape but two tapes full of billie jean over and over and over. Im sure you can imagine how well that set with the rest of the family.
As time moved on Micheal lost his hero status to me and I dare say most people. To me he became more of a metephor for Pop Music and teen pop sensationalism as a whole. These teen idols are put up on a pedestool at such a young for their talents and when they grow up and have real issues the yes men, agents, and handlers are completely worthless and the public becomes overly harsh towards them. The harshness and the daily criticism is what ultimately pushed Jackson into the hole of Neverland Ranch where he could spend his days pretending he was a child again and perpetuating a life of absurdity.
I wish that along with the death of the King of Pop would come the death of Pop music itself which leads so many young talented people down a road of slavery to the public eye under the guise of puppeteering record execs, producers, managers, parents, etc...
Micheal Jackson at one time was my hero. Now hes dead. Some people called him a child molesting zero with demons in his head. How could it be that the king of pop would end up to be such a flop. Perhaps it was playing too much of simon says.
the end.
Comment by Bobby Ray — June 25, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
He was a very talented musician.. just took the wrong turn on the wrong road.... children will be safer..... RIP
Comment by Steve — June 25, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
Michael Jackson encouraged his fans who really were interested in his life to listen to his autobiographical song "Childhood". One of the lines of the song is "Have you seen my childhood?"
Many of us did see Michael Jackson's childhood. We saw incredible performances when he was very young. It has been reported that he spent many hours each day singing and practicing his dance moves. He did not have a common childhood. He worked harder than most adults do.
His fame robbed him of the opportunity to enjoy what most of us take for granted: a walk in the park, a ride on a ferris wheel or an evening at the ballgame. It makes sense that he created Neverland to try to experience what he never had and what he would never be able to have.
It's too bad that there was not an equal to him that was his age to share his life with. Lisa Presley was the daughter of the King of Pop but she had a childhood. Lisa was looking for a man when Micheal wanted to enjoy the playfulness of childhood. Micheal's friendship with Elizabeth Taylor made sense. She was a child super star but she was too old to be a partner for Micheal. I can't think of any girl super stars that would have been the same age as Micheal.
I can understand why some people might be confused and believe that Micheal had a pedophile profile. But when one looks at the totality of Micheal's unique profile it does not fit the profile of a pedophile. When Micheal described allowing a boy to sleep in his bed while he slept on the floor he sounded like a kid having an innocent slumber party. A pedophile would have hidden his behavior. Micheal was open and innocent.
It's sad that people are still speculating about Micheal's innocence even after a jury acquitted him from the pedophilia charge.
People may ponder Micheal's often bizarre behavior but no one can deny the excellent music he created, his awesome performances and his humanitarian contributions. The world suffered a tremendous loss today.
Comment by Freeda Cathcart — June 26, 2009 @ 12:46 am
If it had been a one time occurance, even discounting the $15 million dollar payoff to the molestation victim's family, maybe, just maybe it could be viewed as a simple extortion, but when another voice came forward ten years later, with a detailed descripiton of Jackson's genetalia, that pretty much sealed the case for me, as it did for most people, that Jackson was indeed preying on children. Sad.
Comment by Sten — June 26, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Michael Jackson was one of a kind! He was so talented. I have been a long-time fan of his.,I feel like I grew up with him.
I think everybody is in shock, I know I am!
Michael....you can now rest in peace.
Comment by Paula — June 26, 2009 @ 10:41 am
I hope all the younger entertainer look and learn from this man MR.MJ. I hope parents of young entertainers look and lean what can happen when we push our children out there in that entertainment life too soon. Michael life became a pile box and his only escape was his music.He love people and love children and when he was around the kids he became more of a kid on their level to which he already was. I think Michael died inside when he was up with those charges of child molestation and got the title as a pedophile. If you listen at his songs they told you how he was feeling and thinking. I hope Michael find peace in the new world and I feel for his family. May Jehovah Gods' holy sprit be with the family at this time of needing comfort and under standing. I feel like I lost a child, A child who only want to be love by every one.
Comment by sarah — June 26, 2009 @ 11:39 am
It doesn't fit the profile of a pedophile that there would be a description of the Jackson's genitals. That would fit the profile of an exhibitionist and Jackson's usually modest costumes does not fit the profile of an exhibitionist. The case that you're citing was the one examined by a jury. It was revealed after 5 days of questioning that the mother's story was extremely suspect and that gold digging was probably her motivation. The jury found Jackson innocent.
The pay off that you reference was due to questionable counsel. He was advised to pay off it to make it go away so it wouldn't hurt his reputation and taint his career. Unfortunately it left him open to gold diggers. Even though he later went to trial for another accusation and was acquitted his career took a huge hit and the flames of rumors still burn even though he is dead. He had to deal with a no win situation.
If Jackson had really been preying on children there would have been more accusations and ones that could be verified.
Comment by Freeda Cathcart — June 26, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Michael Jackson's death was the talk of Buchanan last night:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/botetourtview/2009/06/26/michael-jacksons-death-is-the-talk-of-buchanan/
Comment by Dwayne Yancey — June 26, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
You're delusional if you refuse to believe that Jackson was a pedophile. That creepy little secret room he had that that could only be accessed from his bedroom closet was one warning sign. Another was the elaborate security he had inside his own home to give him an "early warning" of anyone approaching his bedroom. Even his closest friends from the entertainment industry began keeping their distance after the second incident. Indeed, he does fit the pedophile profile, as he was quite possibly molested by older members of his own family while growing up. I have no doubt that many revelations on Mr. Jackson's bizarre lifestyle will begin to surface in the coming months.
Comment by Jack — June 26, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
The passing of Michael Jackson is an event of immense cultural significance, his music has touched many people around the world. Jackson's legacy is unfortunately tainted by the accusations of child molestation and improper behavior with children. The argument that Jackson was innocent or guilty of the charges can not be answered but the overwhelming evidence is that there was improper behavior. He gave children wine, had them sleep in his bed, and paid a reported 20 million dollars to settle one case our of court. Innocent people fight with all their being when improperly charged, especially with such a heinous crime as sexual abuse of a minor. In my opinion, Jackson never made that fight. He knew the evidence against him was strong to pay out such a large amount of money. Innocent people don't give 20 million dollars to someone who falsely accuses them, the desire to have them proven as frauds would be too strong to allow that. I am quite sure Jacson could have afforded better lawyers than those of his accusers. The fact there were allegations of this improper behavior by multiple children is strong testament to the crimes he participated in. Those who would hail Jackson as the greatest entertainer ever are swayed by his music to disregard what they know to be true in their hearts. Michael Jackson was a pedofile and as such we should be celebrating his career with some manner of reservation. Crimes against children, even those by a noted entertainer, are among the most vile comitted in society. I am an educated person and must say the truth, Jacson should not be hailed right now anymore than Hitler or Manson should be hailed as a great influencer of people. When the news came on that he had died, I was not sad. I was not happy either, but the overwhelming sense of closure to the end of this evil man's existince makes me feel relief. His place in history is assured, but his legacy is a tainted one of a man who would not fight for his "innocence", because there was no innocence left to fight for.
Comment by Thomas Waldron — June 26, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
Micheal was a very talented artist in so many ways. It is very sad that he is gone at such an early age. My heart goes out to his three children, who lost thier father way to soon. Ay least they will always have thier memories and his wonderful music. May he be at peace now. God Bless him and his family during this very difficult time.
Comment by p dellis — June 26, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
I don't know why it's such a surprise her died of a heart attack. He has had a 11 year old crack problem.
Comment by Buford T Justice — June 27, 2009 @ 1:11 am
MICHEAL JACKSON HAS BEEN CALLED THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER IN THE WORLD, AND I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH THAT. I KNOW EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION ABOUT THE ALLEGED CHARGES HE FACED, AND, HERE'S MINE. WHY WOULD A PARENT ALLOW THEIR CHILD TO STAY WITH AN ALLEGED CHILD ABUSER. I BELIEVE THOSE PEOPLE DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAT OUT TO DO, AND THAT WAS TO USE THEIR OWN CHILD AS A PAWN FOR FINANCIAL GAIN. IF I EVEN HAD AN INKLING OF SOMEONE TOUCHING MY CHILD IN ANY INAPPROPRIATE WAY, THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WORLD TO SATISFY ME. I WOULD WANT THEM BEHIND BARS. SOME PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY AS WE ALL KNOW. MICHEAL GAVE THEM EXACTLY WHAT HE KNEW THEY WANTED, RATHER THAN GO THROUGH A LENGTHY TRIAL, PEOPLE PAY OUT EVERYDAY JUST FOR THAT REASON,CELEBRITY OR NOT. WE WILL ALL HAVE TO GO BEFORE GOD FOR JUDGEMENT WHEN OUR DEATH COMES, MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.
Comment by D. COOPER — June 27, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
He finally got what he deserved. all child molesters deserve death.
Comment by joe — June 27, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
A musical genius who will be missed. Sorry he had such a horrible childhood.
Comment by pammala — June 27, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
fame & social responsibility are two different things...
his fame was thirty years ago, he had no responsibility!
Comment by joe — June 28, 2009 @ 6:23 am
I consider myself one of Michael's biggest fans... he is going to be missed terribly in the world of music and dance. He was a genius who transformed pop culture. No matter what you think of him personally, no one can deny his natural raw talent. I believe we were all inspired by his music at one time or another.
"Keep the Faith" from the Dangerous album is one of his best songs, in my opinion. The positive message that is conveys is one that is missing is so many songs today. His song writing and overall composition was one of greatness.
I have 4 tickets to his opening night stand at the O2 arena in London, England. I had never seen Michael in concert and when I heard about his stand of London concerts, I knew I had to go. I signed up for a pre-sale code and to my surprise, I received one. Then, I woke up at 2am to get online and buy tickets... I got right through. Nothing like this ever happens to me, but finally, I thought... "this is it" I am going to a MJ concert.
Needless to say, I was heartbroken when he died. Not because I could possibly lose my $500, but because I never got to experience the magic in person. I had felt it from watching performances at home, but I never got to live in that moment live.
This is getting long, but no matter what you think of him personally, let's respect his music, his dance, and his soul. He went through a lot in his life and he deserves to be celebrated.
Comment by Riley — July 7, 2009 @ 9:20 am