Michael Jackson has mistakenly been given the title of "musical genius."
The title could easily go to Bono who, along with U2, has recently produced “critically acclaimed” music that I, as well as others, believe most other bands would be kicked off of their labels for making. Then there are the Rolling Stones, a group many say should have quit a long time ago (they're wrong!). Bruce Springsteen is another candidate to some, while Tom Petty is easily overrated to others. There are some who even think the Beatles are overrated.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Otis B. Driftwood
"a groundbreaking artist who paved the way for other African American performers"
yeah, it was a lucky thing for Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, etc, etc, that Michael Jackson paved the way for African American performers.
This is where I stopped reading because it's obvious you don't know what you are talking about. That comment would be almost be insulting if it didn't show how ignorant you are.
27 - Steve
Daryl, You dont need to play a musical instrument to be a musician e.g. Ladysmith black Mambazo. I would also like to point out that Quincy Jones was producer on the Michael Jacksons albums: off the wall; Thriller and Bad, not the writer, in fact the only song credited to quincy jones for writing in all three of the albums is P.Y.T. Rod Temperton wrote Thriller, Rock with you and off the wall. Michael Jackson wrote Don't Stop till you get enough, Wanna be startin somethin, Beat it, Billie Jean, Bad, The way you make me feel, Smooth Criminal to name a few. So your a little mean for only giving him credit for the one (the girl is mine) in your article, you should do more research if you wanna back up your argument. Anyone who wrote those songs and dances in such a way you can't take yours eyes off him is a musical legend to me. but thats my opinion and your entitled to yours.
28 - Christopher Rose
It's a well known fact that Daryl has the worst taste in music ever, so I wouldn't take his opinion too seriously. This is a guy who recently claimed Pat Benatar as one of the best singers ever! Pat Benatar! And Laura Brannigan!!
29 - Jack
As well as being totally clueless about Michael Jackson's musical abilities, you seem to fail to understand what the word rated means.
The very fact he has massive selling albums and critically acclaimed albums means that MORE people than most actually RATE him. Therefore you saying he is overrated does not make sense.
The fact you or someone else may not like the music of a very popular artist does not make that person overrated. I dislike U2 with a passion, but does that mahe them overrated? Ofcourse not, because the people who DO rate them, actually LIKE them.
Therefore you are using an extremely redundant term.
30 - dean jones
overrated?, are you on drugs?, it's people like you who need to be shot, how can you say that an icon like mj is overrated? it doesn't matter what you think anyway, when mj is gone from this planet he will be remembered as the number 1 artist of all time, what will you be remembered for?
31 - hd
Shit article...
hate it.
32 - HD
You better have more information if you want to call him overrated...your data is wrong
You only wrote this to create a controversy
You should call him Jacko Wacko like the other stupid newspapers do...it would be more sincere than this shit you wrote
33 - Bre
WHAT A DUMBASS DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.... HOW THE HELL CAN YOU OVER RATE MICHAEL JACKSON FORGODS SAKE...ALL YOU'VE DONE IS RESEARCHED BLOODY STATISTICS AND STUCK THEM IN YOUR BULLSHIT.
FOR THOSE CELEBRITIES ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO MICHAEL HE'S A BLACK MAN WHO HAS DONE VERY WELL FOR HIMSELF THROUGH DEDICATION AND HARD WORK HE HASN'T BEEN PUT UP THERE BY OTHER PEOPLE HE HELPED HIMSELF HE'S AN INDEPENDANT MAN SO BACK OFF.
I SEE YOU WANT OTHER WHITE ARTISTS TO BE ABOVE HIM AND YOU FEEL THEY ARE MORE SUPERIOR THAN HE IS WELL LET ME PUT THAT STRAIGHT TO YOUR TINY BRAIN YOU ARE WRONG!!!!
MICHAEL DESERVES EVERY BIT OF RECOGNITION HE GETS.
AND BTW I'M NOT A RACIST LIKE YOU SEEM TO BE!!!!
A BLACK MAN AND HE'S DONE SOOOO WELL DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN ANY OTHER RACE ESPECIALLY IN AMERICA....YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW!!!
YOUR ARTICLE IS RIDICULOUS YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED FOR YOURSELF WRITING SUCH NONESENSE!!!!
34 - invinciblep
You are absolutely wrong. You know the difference between Michael and all those other acts, Prince, Bono and The Rolling Stones (you choose them as geniuses is laughable) and this is what makes MJ a genius. He's been performing since the age of 5. 5 again 5. Do you know what the average 5 year old is capable of. You must not have children. Theyre not capable of much besides, eating, pooping and crying. At age 5 Michael was supporting his family performing at night clubs. Like Sammy Davis Jr., and if that isn't a musical genius what and who the hell is? It especially aint Bono or Prince. They might play instruments live but no one wants to hear them, and they at their peak is selling what Michael sells now, but you guys say he's fallen off. Michael uses his body as an instrument which is the hardest one to play. You should know that you're white. How many white people can dance? I know right now you're scratching your head trying to count on one hand. How many white people can play a gutiar? Every last single one of you guys. See the artists you've mention (I'm still laughing Bono man come on) need an accessory in order to be entertaining, and even with that accessory the entertainment is minimal. Michael just needs to step on stage to be thrilling. That is what makes MJ a genius. Bono I'm still laughing.
35 - Nicki
No offence but this article is rubbish. I'm not even a fan of MJ but calling him 'overrated' would be like calling water an 'unnecessary addition to human luxuries'. Whoever wrote this article needs to get his/her head sorted out ;)
36 - Jin
The person that wrote this article has a biased view from the start. Micheal Jackson's biggest and best hits are written, produced, arranged and made by himself. Such as Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough, Earth Song, Stranger In Moscow... and the list goes on. Quincy Jones aint the one that wrote them songs for him, he didn't make the music for him, he didn't produce them, that guy didn't even want to put Billie Jean on Thriller for Godsakes. Shows how much he knows, and he stole the co-producing rights on it when Michaels original sounds exactly the same as the final. You may not know it but MJ actualy plays alot of instruments, he's played some in some of his songs. If Mike was left in the studio alone he'd make some amazing shit just like he has for the past 40 years.
Don't judge a person by his lifestyle, which alot of people have done of Mike. Judge him on what is fact or fiction.
37 - Vince
The last comment is true. Michael actually plays alot of instruments and used that skill alot on the invicible album, hes never played them on stage but wouldn't the fans be dissapointed if he had a jam on the keyboard instead of doing the moonwalk. The Invincible album, not his best but still underated by the media, if any one of those songs was released by a different artist the media would have praised it.
38 - James.T
Im sorry, but, WHAT THE HELL?
You my friend, talk the biggest load of bull Ive ever heard.
Im not a massive fan of Jackson but OVERATED? Are you kidding me? The guy IS a musical legend, you are talking complete and utter garbage.
Go home, and think about what you have said. You silly person, you obviously know nothing about music what-so-ever.
Michael Jackson overated? Madness.
39 - Sean
Some of Michael Jackson's most incredible demonstrations of raw, unprecedented musical talent actually comes from his various and hardly known music-related court depositions and candid interview moments. Were he to produce a DVD documenting the process he uses to create music, you can bet it would be a staple in every professional and aspiring musician's life. The problem is that he seems to hold back a lot of his abilities, and only uses them during the production stages of his music in the studios. But, if you watch the music depositions and listen to how he composes and produces songs, or take a look at the interviews where he beatboxes and talks about laying the foundations to tracks, you'd have a whole new appreciate for the genius that he is. I think Brett Ratner said it best last month:
RATNER: Michael does not even belong. It's like God is channeling through him. Even if he sits here with us, and just sings like three notes, it's like, "Oh my God." It's beyond anything. I've worked with a hundred of the biggest artists in the world, from Madonna to Mariah Carey, and he is just beyond. He's at a whole other level, spiritually. He's got the God spot. Everyone has it, everyone has that God spot, but it's just the way he's in tune with it. He has it. It's right there, and when he starts to sing, God has just opened it up for him. That's why he's not comfortable around people and things, because he's just such a unique-he feels blessed just to be himself. "I can't believe I'm Michael Jackson." [Laughs.] That's what it is, really. He is one of the most unique people. I've spent a lot of time with him, so has Chris. Just sitting in the back of a car, and music playing, and then him, he moves like God is going through him. Not to knock Usher or anybody else, but you see when they're dancing, they're like, "One, two, three, four." He's just like, natural. He's amazing, he really is amazing.
40 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"to call him one insults true musical geniuses such as..... or Kurt Cobain."
Daryl, you maybe correct in your characterization of MJ, and I can even appreciate your p.o.v.,BUT, you lost all credibility with me when you mentioned Cobain as a musical genius...HA!!
Talk about someone who can't play their f*cking instrument. What next? BECK should be held up as high as the great classical composers because he composes all his music on a computer and they didn't?!
*Smirk* You slay me....:)
41 - lil T
Michael Jackson.,an artist, musician, performer.., humanitarian.., a person with a great soul. as a musician he's majic. he's genius. as a performer on stage he's just not from our planet. as a human bieng... so sensitive and true.., some times too true and kind that he falls into trouble and doesn't realise that his associates using his name, image,wealth up. I had the pleasure of getting know this remarkable personality and as from the first time i met him up to present day he's not changed a bit inside. after all his trebulations and trials and personal trauma he went through he's unchanged. He's one of the most strongest guy's i've ever come across. Amaizing. He's truely an inspireation. Such personality's in his calibre appaers just once. as same as people like mahatma gandhi, martin luther king, mother theresa, ect..
42 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*BTW* I would have to say that MJ wasn't just an impressive dancer... He is the only dancer that has influenced an entire generation (besides James Brown)!! That man can f*cking move naturally,flawlessly. It's sick to watch and it makes me envious. And on top of that, he can sing. Let's not go there...
43 - Rodriquez
Pooh, I have never seen so many good responses on an article about Michael Jackson. I agree with everyone who bashes this article.
A true genius gets inspired by other genius people and puts his own originality to it. If he inspires people to do the same thing then he is a genius. Nothing more, nothing less.
This article and the responses should be placed on the world wide tabloids and in all the tv-news channels of the world. And should be talked about for weeks.
Go Mike, the world loves you and will be forever thankfull for your gift to mankind.
44 - Stevie G
Take it your a Michael Jackson Hater Daryl? It's difficult for some people to seperate the man from his music. He does have a strange lifestyle now but nobody can say hes not a music legend. Thriller was so successful because of the people Michael got to help with the album. to begin with he had Quincy Jones to help produce the album (he didn't write any of the songs by the way, just produced it) then when he released thriller, he got John Landis (a movie director) to direct the video. Thats when thriller really took off, because nobody had ever seen a music video like it. Then he got a rock legend Eddie Van Halen to play guitar in Beat it which attracted even more interest. So How you can say thriller was only successfull because of Quincy Jones I have no idea. PLEASE Do some research before you publish your next article.
45 - daz j
who is this joke who wrote this article, MJ is the best of all time everybody no's that. i cant beleave all that crap he wrote, fool
46 - Maria
A little jealous on Michael Jackson, eh?
47 - Uh Yeah
So Kurt Cobain is a musical Genius and Michael Jackson isn't? That's hysterical.
Michael's instrument is his voice and his dance, of which he has superior talent to everyone you mentioned as geniuses. You also, strangely, left out Stevie Wonder but had Bob Dylan and the aforementioned Cobain.
48 - Paul
It was Elizabeth Taylor who dubbed him The king of pop at a music award show in the late 80's, the the media and the fans took it from there. Michael never refered to himself as the king of pop, you made that up, like most of the so called facts.
49 - Logan
Your entire article is over-rated.
You do not know what you are talking about.
You owe it to yourself to at least RESEARCH your topic before writing it out as if you know everything.
You don't, I'm sorry.
Micheal is extremely talented and plays a variety of musical instruments. The fact that he doesn't do so live doesn't negate the fact that he is a musical genius.
Think about it: Coming up with songs that TRANSCEND the language and TIME barrier (Billie Jean STILL sounds as good as it did back in the 80s) takes a lot! It takes a genius to come up with that.
I'll say it again, you do not know what you are talking about.
50 - L123
Actually Michael plays several instruments, as you will see if you look through his album sleeves. On Morphine, he played every instrument in the song including drums, percussion and piano. The fact that he doesn't feel the need to strut around on stage clutching a guitar unlike some performers I could mention, doesn't mean he can't play them. Michael has always said he's a dancer first and foremost - where precisely do you suggest he puts his drum kit while he's trying to moonwalk across a stage?
My personal bug bear is with artists like Prince who feel the need to SHOW themselves playing their instruments in every single video, almost to prove to their audience, "hey look, I'm talented!"
Mind you, I might have given this article more credence had you not put Bob Dylan in the category of "musical genius". And you criticise those who call MJ one...
51 - daryl d
LOL! I see the Michael Jackson fanatics, you know, the few in the world that are left, have emailed each other about this article.[Deleted]
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer at one point. For me, that's as far as it gets. [Deleted]
52 - jackson is a freak
thanks daryl for saying it like it is although you give the guy WAY too much credit. He was the male Britney Spears before she existed all he does is lypsynch and sing wee hooo chammm on. His voice is all a squeak and it's funny that his fans call you "racist" when Michael is as white as they come. I hope all of you who negatively commented get molested like Michael has done to thousands of children.
53 - Paul
I think you've actually lost your argument completely in that last comment. you were on about him being overrated now you've just proved it was a lame attempt at putting the man down over a molestation charge he was cleared of a few years ago. Im not a big MJ fan nowadays but he was cleared fair and square, so get over it jealous man. He will always be a musical legend.
54 - jackson is a freak
"Talk about Madonna who can neither sing or dance but is only good at generating publicity. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL OVERRATED."
And I will say this although I'm not a Madonna fan this shows the jealousy of Jackson freaks. She at least extended her musical career beyond 1983 and didn't self destruct like Jackson. She has become a pretentious old woman but at least found her way and records music that sells.
I believe this same person insulted Bono who does a lot for children instead of molesting them.
55 - daryl d
I never said he didn't play a musical instrument. I just never saw him play one in concert. I never said he wasn't talented but just said he wasn't a musical genius. You guys sounded like I insulted your mother!
Oh, and for those of you who ripped on me for bringing up U2 and Springsteen again. I did NOT insult them in this article; I complimented them. They play instruments: something so rare for musical artists to do in this world.
Thanks, Jackson fans. [Deleted]
56 - Christopher Rose
For the avoidance of confusion, I just want to let you all know that I have deleted Daryl's offensive remark.
The Comments Editor
57 - sky
i only read the first few lines and i just didnt bother reading anymore as this write is an idiot who wrote this article simply based on mj`s life rather than on his talent,,,just do us all a favour u loser getlost,,before u judge michael jackson do ur research first then write an article about him, and judge prople and honestly.
58 - Tom
I agree Madonna has had a wonderful career. But its not that much different from Jacksons to be fair. Madonnas last album sold 8 million world wide the same number as Jacksons last album. and Madonnas life hasnt exactly been sqeeky clean either. The price to pay as both are eccentric stars. They both know what will make the headlines, and both use that knowledge which doesn't always go in thier favour.
59 - Goran
That was a wrong opinion dude, but it's yours, you own it ...I hope you change it soon
60 - Steve
I think A lot of people feel your a little unfair on your article, because you state Michael Jackson is the most overrated musical act ever but dont back it up with anything substansial. He has written songs, preformed them, inspired many new artists and sold million upon millions of records, so why isn't he a musical genius. Although the article does stray from the truth I can sort of understand where your coming from on the instruments comment. it's great seeing a band play live. Michael Jackson is just a different type of musician.
61 - RF
Daryl-
I am a famous journalist who is very "popular" among Jackson fanatics. I say your article is, perhaps, the most accurate article ever on Jackson. Whenever I write about the pervert, I get lawsuit threats from his fans and publicist. Isn't it so sad that some people live their lives through a criminal sex pervert? Keep up the good work!
62 - Luke
Your article Daryl just lost all its credibility. You actually have to comment on your own article, because your being shut down by not just Jackson fans but people in general.
Many people who left comments on this article admitted to not being Jackson fans at all. You really are a sad sad person. Its unfortunate you know, that your opinion is so janted and biased. I dont even know what to say about it, i guess just some will never be confident enough with themselves to seperate the controversy from the music. It takes a brave soul to be able to do that, someone you do not have.
Your opinion does not bring out the truth, but rather your own insecurities about yourself. Your bashing a man you have never met. Your so sure about him molesting kids, but have you ever seen it? Or maybe Daryl, maybe you have a little secret about MJ molesting you? If not... you cannot say he is guilty of that crime.
If you actually watched and followed the trial, you would see MJ was innocent. I suggest to you (although i know you wont ever bother reading it), to purchase Michael Jackson Conspiracy by Aphrodite Jones. Jones is a journalist for Foxnews and has came out and reported that the media has an agenda to defame and bring down the celebrity of Michael Jackson. You need to do your research buddy. Opinion only goes so far.
Michael jackson is a musical genius. One of the greatest the world has ever seen. You however...are nothing more then some hate filled hick imposing your biased thoughts that have no credibility whatsoever.
Cheers.
63 - Andy
Rf???
Omg is that Roger Friedman. I bet it is. You buddy have your own set of issues. I know a few people who want you dead. You are the one who needs to get their head checked.
64 - RF
Daryl-
One more thing-a fellow writer of mine who used to work at Entertainment Weekly was told, back in 1991, that in order to review his album Michael Jackson had to be called "King of Pop." This went out on all the press releases for his Dangerous album. They tried to get people to call him the "King of Pop, Rock and Soul" but that failed.
In 1995, after HIStory bombed, Michael Jackson and Sony records had a "few good friends" at Billboard Magazine. They convinced Billboard to make double disc albums count as two albums and that's why you have all the extra platinum numbers on HIStory. It should also be noted that "You Are Not Alone," the single from HIStory, was actually a flop but Sony was able to get music retailers to discount it for 99 cents, one third the price of a regular single. Michael should thank Sony for sticking by him for so long but eventually, like everyone else, they jumped off the ship.
65 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
" They play instruments: something so rare for musical artists to do in this world."
Daryl, now you are just showing your lack of experience in music & showcasing the fact that you are a slave to the mainstream pop world.
There's no doubt, the "old-school" MJ was a musical force to be reckoned with. He did play an instrument...His Voice. He can also beatbox like crazy and has used those samples to create some damn good tunes. I can agree that maybe ,nowadays, he hasn't released anything brilliant but look what he has went through. Still, this does not take away from his genius. And, though I did take some time to think about your point of view, that last statement truly shows your lack of musical education!
Madonna was your basic hit making machine, while Michael Jackson progressed into writing songs about things that matter. Even if you don't like his music(I'm not much for it either)you cannot dispute that fact!!
66 - RF
I need to also add the fact that many of these people here commenting are street team members from Michael Jackson's camp. They hire people to call radio stations and request his songs as well as others to harass writers who may not happen to like Jacko. You'd be surprised at the other things I found out - wish I had your email address.
67 - jenna
Roger Friedman, [Edited] how dare you speak this rubbish about micahel
68 - Jorge
"Madonna was your basic hit making machine, while Michael Jackson progressed into writing songs about things that matter"
I guess this shows your lack of musical knowledge as well. Madonna was no "hit-making" machine. She wrote or cowrote most of her songs and even though she started out writing cheese bombs, "Like A Prayer" and "Ray of Light" are two of the most critically acclaimed albums ever. Unlike Michael Jackson, she is still a hitmaker which is why her latest hit "Hung Up" tied her with Elvis for the most top ten singles ever.
69 - Kayla C
It's one thing to dislike Michael Jackson's music and personal life but it's another to address it as "over-rated." It's obvious you don't understand the definition of "over-rated." Why don't you visit dictionary.com and see what it says, hm? There's no way any informed human being in their right mind would use the words "Michael Jackson" and "over-rated" in the same sentance without being a little absent minded. While you're at that, how about you do some actual research before writing articles you clearly know nothing about. You just look stupid. Michael Jackson is (and stress THAT word) a musical genious, if not more.
70 - Jerome
So the author of this pathetic article had his comments in defense of his viewpoint deleted by the moderator because they were essentially "offensive" in nature?
LOL. Way to prove your case man!
I'd definitely say you lost this argument.
Don't quit your day job.
71 - Niko
I love Michael!
72 - daryl d
Brian, I usually like your feedback a lot. But nowhere did I state that MJ wasn't musically talented. This article is about him being overrated. And yes, I agree, I have to get out of the "pop" music realm more.
73 - MJJOS
Yes, there was a time after the MJ trial that the over active fans sounded very stupid with MJ because everyone was so sure he was guilty despite a not guilty verdict. These days, it is those who think that he is a sexual predator that seem very stupid. The facts of his trial are out there to look at, like as mentioned above the book Michael Jackson Conspiracy by Aphrodite Jones, and another book I enjoyed called The Trials of Michael Jackson by Lynton Guest. Both examined his trial from different perspectives, and both drew the conclusion that MJ simply did not commit any crime. For journalists to come out stating that he is a pervert, they shouldnt be journalists at all if they lack the ability to examine ALL facts.
So I say to those reporters that they are so certain that MJ is a pervert, get over yourselves, and learn to report all facts truthfully if you want any credibilty. If you can't do that, just stop reporting. We are not interested in what you have to say.
As for the claim of this article, what a waste of time writing. To understand MJ and his musical talent you must listen to ALL his music. You must stop juding MJ's private life, and learn to really listen to the music. The lyrics, the tune, and for MJ, the dance. Clearly the author here does not know anything if he can claim that MJ does not play a musical instrument, when it is a fact he can play the Piano, which he does beautifully, the guitar, and drums. Has anyone studied MJ as he listens to the music of other artists? It is like he is studying very note of the music and vocals. If you listen to what MJ has to say about writing music in interviews, he is clearly excels where most acts today can not. MJ can take a topic and can make meaningful music to the topic, that entertains you and gets the message accross at the same time, like Heal The World. Personally in this day in age we need more people telling us to Heal the World than we need some of the degrading music out there today.
Michael Jackson is not only a musical genious, he is artist. I don't mean an artist in musical terms, I mean artistically. Singing, dancing, acting, playing instruments, he can do it all.
I would like to point out, that look at Pavorotti this week who died. He did not play any musical instrument, he had his amazing voice, and the world respected him for it. So according to this article he also cannot compare to most acts today because he did not play a musical instrument on stage?
Imagine MJ on stage as the author would have him called a musical genious. MJ starts with a dance, sings a bit, runs over to the instruments and takes over from the band, plays a bit of music on the instruments, runs back out to the front of the stage, sings and dances more and runs back to the insruments again all night long during over 100 concerts on his BAD Tour, 60 on the Dangerous Tour and 80 on the HIStory Tour? That would be quite a show wouldnt it? He would be so tired it probably wouldnt sound good.
Well done Michael Jackson for all your achievements, and best of luck for the future.
74 - V.
"LOL! I see the Michael Jackson fanatics, you know, the few in the world that are left, have emailed each other about this article.
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer at one point. For me, that's as far as it gets."
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Daryl.
Don't worry about his supporters - they enjoy shoving their opinions down people's throats. They believe Jackson is the target of a "conspiracy" to destroy him, and, in their minds, you [and RF] are now part of it! LOL
75 - MJforever
Michael Jackson is the best
This article is pure bull***t and everyone here knows it!