Heck, the 24x7 news cycle makes me feel that way just about almost every story, but...
He used to be a megastar in the 1980s and then he grew progressively... odd.
I guess this is the crux of it. If this is how you see him, then it's not surprising that you're saying 'enough!'.
I'm six years younger than Michael Jackson. The first songs I remember singing were by the Jackson 5. While my friends were googly-eyed over Donny Osmond, I was carrying a Jackson 5 lunchbox. I remember getting Thriller as a present from my mom. And drunkenly dancing in fraternities to Michael Jackson (and the B52s and the Clash and Madonna and Squeeze and Bowie; the crazy 80s!). I remember waiting to see what video he would unveil next. Even when I grew into my late 20s and early 30s and my musical tastes changed, his songs still wove their way into the background of my life.
He's tremendously important to the history of music as a singer, as a songwriter, and as a dancer. He remade popular music in his own sound and image, including elevating the music video to an art form (forcing MTV to put AA performers into steady rotation) and influencing legions of other performers. I have no doubt given the positive critical reception of tracks on his final solo album that he would still be musically relevant if not for his personal difficulties. There is still unreleased music created in collaboration with current artists that hopefully we'll get to hear at some point. And if these things aren't enough, he donated vast amounts of his time, talents, and personal fortune to charitable endeavors.
I think today's service was important to give the many people who needed it a time and space to grieve; given his cultural impact, I think it was an appropriate use of public airwaves and funds.
For me, while I'll remember his smooth and soulful voice, I think my most indelible memories will be of watching him glide effortlessly across a dance floor, leaning into space as if he could defy gravity, and moving as if he waswas the music.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-07-08 01:19 am (UTC)He used to be a megastar in the 1980s and then he grew progressively... odd.
I guess this is the crux of it. If this is how you see him, then it's not surprising that you're saying 'enough!'.
I'm six years younger than Michael Jackson. The first songs I remember singing were by the Jackson 5. While my friends were googly-eyed over Donny Osmond, I was carrying a Jackson 5 lunchbox. I remember getting Thriller as a present from my mom. And drunkenly dancing in fraternities to Michael Jackson (and the B52s and the Clash and Madonna and Squeeze and Bowie; the crazy 80s!). I remember waiting to see what video he would unveil next. Even when I grew into my late 20s and early 30s and my musical tastes changed, his songs still wove their way into the background of my life.
He's tremendously important to the history of music as a singer, as a songwriter, and as a dancer. He remade popular music in his own sound and image, including elevating the music video to an art form (forcing MTV to put AA performers into steady rotation) and influencing legions of other performers. I have no doubt given the positive critical reception of tracks on his final solo album that he would still be musically relevant if not for his personal difficulties. There is still unreleased music created in collaboration with current artists that hopefully we'll get to hear at some point. And if these things aren't enough, he donated vast amounts of his time, talents, and personal fortune to charitable endeavors.
I think today's service was important to give the many people who needed it a time and space to grieve; given his cultural impact, I think it was an appropriate use of public airwaves and funds.
For me, while I'll remember his smooth and soulful voice, I think my most indelible memories will be of watching him glide effortlessly across a dance floor, leaning into space as if he could defy gravity, and moving as if he waswas the music.