By Lloyd Bayer
This is a tribute to the man, the legend and the legacy left behind on Jun 25 2009.
On Jul 7th at the Staples Centre, a rhetorical question posed by CNN reporters was “what made Michael Jackson a truly world renowned personality?” Though obvious, the answer lies very much in the question it self. Every single nation, governed or lawless, developed or underdeveloped, communist or democratic, English speaking or otherwise, reveres him not only as an icon, but the man who made, revolutionized, and ruled the world of pop music for more than four decades.
The Beginning.
Born on August 29th, 1958 to Joseph and Katherine Jackson, their seventh of nine children would be considered a musical prodigy much before his tenth birthday, employing his singing talents as a soprano, tenor and falsetto in genres ranging from pop and R&B to rock and soul. From The Ed Sullivan Show to Motown to concerts in all major world cities, Michael Jackson was, is, and always will be the undisputed King of Pop. After leaving his sibling band the Jackson Five, MJ’s solo performance as an artist saw a robust yet explosive career from 1971 and did not slow down till the late 1990s. During this epic period, every single album including singles bombed all possible charts within and outside the US. Albums from Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), to Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), earned him a staggering 13 Grammy Awards excluding 13 number one hit singles which stayed at the top of the charts for months on end.
The Fame
Besides the Grammys, Jackson was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, multiple citations within the Guinness Book of World Records, Billboard and American Music Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and many other prestigious awards after being crowned the “Best selling solo artist of all time”, according to the World Music Awards. During all this time, MJ was also credited with being the brainchild for what is now known as “break dancing”, a unique method of synchronizing all limbs, the head and torso with musical beats. Two of which are still practiced and attempted today are the “Moonwalk” and “Anti-gravity Lean”, the latter having been patented by Jackson. Though less relative to music, MJ also enjoyed a close professional relationship with Hollywood veterans like Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, besides starring in and writing songs for films.
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| Young Michael Jackson circa 1970. |
The Healing
Apart from music, MJ is also considered as one of the top most celebrities to have ventured into humanitarian aid. But as it seems, setting up several charities around the world generating hundreds of millions of Dollars was not enough. The music he wrote and performed was aligned against war, famine, disease, racism and the urgent need for positive change. Sure, these revolting realities in life have always reared its ugly heads since the dawn of civilization and in all probability will continue to do so, but the inner strength of a person can only be judged when that person stands up and does something about it. “We Are the World”, “Heal the World” and “Man in the Mirror” in addition to others, more than drove the message home, besides being warmly received by heads of states like Nelson Mandela, Ronald Regan, George H.W.Bush amongst other top National dignitaries.
The Controversies
As a performer, dancer, entertainer and artist, MJ, like all celebrities in showbiz succumbed to his share of the pressure. But allegations of child abuse, body alterations and bankruptcy seem to have been the real reason to have destroyed the last years of his career and subsequently his life. Yet there really is no point in bringing this to discussion now, as the man is no more physically available to poke fingers at. Then there is the controversy that Michael Jackson died many years ago and an impersonator has been standing in for him all along. With no proof even minutely substantial, the real controversy is whether or not we should believe everything we read on the net. For that matter, any avid conspiracy theorist will agree that behind every major world figure, there is always a shadow organization hell bent on bringing that figure down.
What remains is the fact that Jackson was loved for his music, on stage charisma and his invaluable attempt in contributing towards “making the world a better place”.
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| Michael Jackson in Singapore circa 1993 during the Dangerous tour. |
The End
Watched by an estimated one billion people across the planet, Michael Jackson’s memorial was held in full capacity at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on July 07 2009; an irony in itself when considering he was the seventh born in the Jackson Family. Eternally resting in a golden casket at the foot of the stage and in full view by over 20,000 spectators in the centre, the ceremony was a service fit for a king. Eulogies were read by Jackson’s closest associates, Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson followed by childhood friend and confidant Brook Shields recalling the good times. The Reverend Al Sharpton also provided a power packed speech reassuring the crowd that there was nothing strange about Jackson, except the strange world he had to deal with. This was followed by tributes from close friends Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Usher and brother Jermaine Jackson. The finale came to a teary end when his 11 year old daughter took to the stage. Before she broke into a sob, Paris Katherine expressed her undying love for a man who was the best father anyone could ever imagine.
For the rest of us, and the rest of the world, we have not lost just an artist or a phenomenon, or even a humanitarian, but a person who struggled to bridge race, religion and culture into harmonious unity.
June 25th 2009 will go down in history as the end of an era in music in its entirety.
In memory of Michael Joseph Jackson. (1958-2009).
Lloyd Bayer
Lloyd is our newest contributor and is based in UAE. You may contact him at lbayer@franksreelreviews.com
Comments
George says:
July 21, 2009 at 01:10
Great piece of work Lloyd. I'm a big fan. MJ's music lives in our hearts. His music brings back nostalgic years like high school, college, dating. Painful as I recall, my fondest memory is spraining my ankle trying to moonwalk on my 13th B'day.
Cheers dude, catch you later.
George.
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ysa says:
Aug 8, 2009 at 15:01
MJ will always be the KING OF POP and will always be in my heart. I believe that this was his destiny to fulfill. A lot of people has criticized him negatively because of their polluted mind. Inspite of everything written negatively about him from fault-finding people who instead of giving constructive criticisms used their power to destroy a pure soul with good intentions.
I'm also proud to say that my husband and son is also named Michael Joseph and Michael Joseph Jr. The KING OF POP RULES!
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mz.fantastik says:
Sep 3, 2009 at 16:48
I loved Michael and his music he was always so real and I will always be a big fan he will always be missed and forever he will be THE KING OF POP and he will always be in my mind and heart we all will love you Michael always and forever
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Katty (LA) says:
Sep 26, 2009 at 04:08
Everywhere I go these days, all I hear is Michael Jackson's music. Its like the whole world just woke up and realized he hasn't been given due recognition for all that he stood for. Well tough shit!!
No point crying over spilt milk now.
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