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Commentary: Jackson Leaves Legacy of a Star
There were the stories. There were the trials — one civil, one criminal. There were plastic surgeries, so many that only the physician or physicians who performed them kept count. He altered his skin color from that of a black man to the ghastly shadow of a white man.
Above all of that grief, however, stood Michael Jackson, King of Pop. His earliest songs made American pop music what it is today.
Jackson once said he felt safer on a stage than around people. Others described him as an intellectual, loving, well-read. He also was described as “wacko,” painfully insecure and, finally, shattered by the allegations of child abuse.
Jackson the superstar was born into a family of performers, and soon his talents surpassed them all. For decades, his career flourished; the other members of the Jackson Five faded from public view. Only his sister, Janet, has enjoyed a portion of the limelight in which Jackson lived. And died.
In offices, coffeehouses and on the Web, there seems to be a split between those who think Jackson was a pedophile and deserved to be punished for his crimes, and those who think he reigned as a global superstar who could do no wrong.
The likelier scenario is that Jackson was both of those people. If he wasn’t guilty of criminal activity, he certainly was guilty of using poor judgment when it came to charges that he allowed gullible youngsters to share his bed.
He was, in life and now death, a star at songwriting, music and dance. He inspired generations of youngsters who now are in their 30s, 40s and 50s. People who, like myself, drifted off to sleep last night with “Thriller,” “Billie Jean” or “Ben” echoing in their heads.
Was he guilty of molestation? Did he fool a jury of his peers? Does it really matter, now? No.
In my mind, Jackson’s guilty only of creating some of the best dance music this world has ever known.
— Noozhawk staff writer Laurie Jervis can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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» on 06.27.09 @ 09:13 AM
There were 2 Icons in this world. One was King of Rock and Roll. The other was King of Pop. They are Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. They were both Superstars. Their legacy will live on in our hearts forever. I had the honor of meeting Elvis Presley a few times and saw 99 shows. I never met Michael Jackson, but took my kids to many concerts in LA.We need to focus on the good they brought to this world, not the bad. They both did great things while they were on this earth. What a team they both will be in heaven. RIP Michael
» on 06.27.09 @ 12:51 PM
It’s true we may never know what “happened” in Michael’s bed… but it WAS sordid and strange…there’s no condoning weird s*** that hurts children.
That said, as a fully consenting adult, I remember hearing “Billie Jean” in the 80s when I was in college in Phoenix. It rolled through the floorboards of this huge multi-level dance club, some of the Suns were there, and at 5’10” I remember my eye level was barely at the tits of those dudes, they were so tall.
Billie Jean, rumbling floorboards, major league players, disco lights: we were hip, high and beautiful in those days. For that I remember Michael—and Quincy Jones too!
» on 06.29.09 @ 12:14 PM
One thing for sure: At least Michael wasn’t the Prima Donna so many celebrities are.
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