It's nearly 1am in London. Taking a break from editing to watch the news. The news is that another human being has left this earth, this time it's Michael Jackson. My thoughts go out to his family. Fifty is so young.
Suddenly the reglorification and gushing begins.
I am listening to newsreaders and contributors praising him highly, "Groundbreaker..Thriller, Peter Pan". How different to the past two decades.
I grew up listening to him, watching those mesmerising videos. To children, he was a larger than life figure that connected with them because of his vulnerability. It is not hard to see how this was exploited by others. If one looks at the bare facts, he had been "working" since the age of five. Most of his life was spent in the spotlight, how normal can you remain in that environment? So much has been rumoured about him. I hold the belief that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, somehow I wish the media would have upheld that basic human right.
He started as a child performer, became a superstar, was ridiculed like Quasimodo and is now back in the superstar books. He was simply a man, brother, father, son. As the swarm begins on the screen, I feel I must turn away. My thoughts go out to all the human beings who have left this plane today. Rest in peace.
21 comments:
Hi Clarity,
compliments for keeping up to date your blog. I heard about the dead of M. Jackson and even if I am not a big fan of him, I still find that somebody great left us.
About my pictures, I took them in Borkum, it is a tiny island in the north of Germany, a wonderful and lovely place! You should visit that once in a lifetime, it's a small paradise! Ciao! :)
In death it's good to know that he is remembered for the good that he did. I heard Barry Gordy say something to the effect that Michael Jackson was an amazing talent, with two personalities. Don't we all have (at least) two sides? And we strive to live into the good side, and leave the other one on the side of the road. Michael's music makes me smile, and because of that, he will always be with us.
totally agreed. i just cant believe all the hate from the media and people who just didnt understand. but they love their tabloids and live off of crap. well im glad you realize he was a person...and a legend.
and thanks for the compliment too:)
this is so sad. like Roberto says, even if you are not a fan of his the loss is still so palpable. he was a living legend...
Thanks for sharing those memories. There isn't a part of our lives that he hasn't in some way reached-- he was the King of Pop!
It was such a shocker. I had just heard of actress Farrah Fawcett and within a few hours it was that MJ was pronounced dead. So talented and it was just too soon. But we will always have his greatest hits - they will never get old!
so surreal isnt it? you always assume big legends like this never die, but i guess thats what makes them a legend in sorts...thanks for stopping by my blog!
I have mixed emotions about him. Still, you can't confuse the art with the artist and he was the king. They said that about Elvis too. The greats must die young to tell us something. I wonder what?
I agree, one didn't need to be a "fan" to appreciate his gifts.
Re - Paris Apartment - perhaps that death is anonymous, appreciate the goodness now, this gift.
Sonny, Cher, & the Jackson 5... how classic!
Btw, that painting you posted is lovely. :)
Glad you liked it, decent painter, Toulouse-Lautrec.
He was a passionate man that had a tough life.
So sad, what a life he had in both the UPS and the downs.
Thank you Clarity for the comment on my blog. I did not know that is what his name meant.
Thanks for posting the video, I have never heard that song before, or if I have, I don't remember it.
Renee xoxo
I have been hearing his music and thinking of his family. I feel he fell prey to "starship" but his music shall live on!
RIP Michael Jackson. He was my first concert, my first cassette and even though I have no personal connections, I think his music influenced and shaped us in differen ways. He will be missed.
p.s. thanks for the book recommendations. Lol at the Anne Rice Fangfarm..perfect description!
Also, cheers on the Orwell call out...can't believe I skipped it. Interesting about Salman Rushdie..I have heard something to that effect before. I do agree to some extent....I am drawn in by the writing but when reading his work always have to really draw myself in to the story or else I cannot pick the book up.
Hope you're having a great weekend. Here's to a great week as well
Yes to all you've said....
I remember dancing through nights to his music.
He was an amazing talent, no matter the rest!
So sad!
XX
Victoria
the new left me a bit shacken... i still can't believe it. I think it's music/art was appreciated by different generation from all over the world... that's what I liked about it, no genre no age boundaries, unlike some music that it's produced nowadays...
shame, we will miss him...
nice to hear from you!
This is a beuatiful post. I love how you summed it up :)
So sad, I was at the airport on my way to California when I heard that Farrah Fawcett's had passed then just before boarding I heard of Michael's passing. Sad week it was, he was such a big part of all of our memories growing up.
RIP.
I am avoiding all the media about him...I was sickened the way they all jumped him when he was down, and now I am sickened the way all is forgiven in death.
He was an incredible light, who was so used and abused by the people who cared for him, that all I can feel is pity, and thankfulness that I was alive to be influenced by that light.
hey! i found the margaret durow photographs through kissing her cage goodbye (on my links if you dont know it already, a really lovely blog!). I want to see your herald tribune tshirt! The news about Michael Jackson was really sad, I think that the people who are making cruel jokes and comments should realise that at the end of the day, no matter what stories have been in the papers about him, he was a Dad who has left three young children behind and it is a really sad situation
xx
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