The sense I get is that the general public is okay with the Michael Jackson "not guilty" verdict, not necessarily because they don't think he did anything wrong, but because our system favors the accused and given the demonstrably variable character of virtually the entire lot of Jackson accusers, the "reasonable doubt" was basically built in to the verdict from the beginning.
In addition, my guess is that there is an underlying understanding that a guilty verdict might have literally been a death sentence for the frail and fading former King of Pop, who it has now been revealed went straight to the hospital after the "not guilty" verdict was announced. Had he been incarcerated he might have never recovered and withered away like Karen Carpenter, trapped in a cell rather than a closet.
But just because the public didn't want to see Jacko executed for his questionable behavior with young boys, nor did they come away from his trial with anything but a profound sense of distaste, aversion and sadness due to the lifestyle, proclivities, attitudes and bizarre combination of vast ego and self-destructiveness revealed in the trial for the entertainer who once stood astride popular culture.
Objectively backing these admittedly sweeping conclusions are the stark sales figures of Jackson's latest release, the career-spanning 2-CD set The Essential Michael Jackson, which despite its litany of genuine musical treasures covering a 35-year period, sold just 8,000 copies in the US in its first week of release, reaching number 128 on the Billboard album chart. Contrast these figures to the 436,000 copies the number 1 album, the Now 19 compilation, sold this week.
Of course, the fact that this is Jackson's third hits package in just the last two years is an important factor in these astonishing figures, but simply the presence of so many great songs in one place would seem to mathematically ensure a certain level of popularity. But the American public isn't much taking artistic quality into account by this stunning shunning of a former icon.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Vanessa
The only reason I'm not buying The Essential Michael Jackson is because I have all the songs, If it was new material I no doubt will buy it. And Michael jackson is the greatest living artist in the world.
2 - Ryan W Blaisdell
I also have every song Michael Jackson has ever made that I could get my hands on. If there was even one unreleased song on the new greatest hits album, I would have purchased it. Most people don't even know a new MJ greatest hits album exists. I will by any new material he releases. I think there are far to many writers like yourself who don't look at the facts and use Michael Jacksons name just so someone might read one of your pathetic articles. Michael Jackson is far more talented than all of the BS that is released on the radio today. You don't have to be talented to be on radio any more. It is only about the record label making fast money and leaving there artist behind to produce another non talented group over night. Michael Jackson is by far the most talented artist that has ever been and most likely ever will be.
3 - Eric Berlin
I saw that 8,000 figure elsewhere and assumed it couldn't have been the weekly US figure.
I think a decent contrast is with The Beatles' 1 album, which sold like hotcakes despite the fact that most people owned most of the songs.
4 - Al Barger
Thing is, the bottom has dropped long since from under MJ's actual art. That whole new half of the HIStory album blew hard- not even one decent song. Invincible was worse.
His name is thoroughly ruined. He'll never in a million years be anything like the King of Pop.
He could have a more modest career among, say, actual MUSIC fans if he had the goods. If MJ actually made a great album, I would buy it. I just don't think the guy's got it in him anymore.
5 - Pete
Eric Olsen is back with his 'objective' bias.
Max Clifford is a PR puppet. He is creating his own PR by stating Jackson came to him. He does this often in the British press. It isn't indicative of anything. I do not believe that Jackson would come to this throwaway agent.
Also how does that even give any conclusion about his hopes in the UK? His album went to Number 2 and this week it's at 4. His last Greatest hits - released after the allegations came out sold 1.5 million units in the UK alone. He has a massive fan base in the UK and Europe.
The USA is not the world, so I don't know how you can conclude that the 'public has spoken'. Outside the USA he is still the King of Pop and that tag will never fade, no matter how much self righteous people like you grate on the subject with this ridiculous diatribe.
6 - Eric Berlin
Ridiculous diatribe?
7 - Barry Stoller
Remember Jackson's alledged attempt to buy the Elephant Man's bones in 1987, right as the "Bad" album was "faltering" because it was only selling a trillion copies. His fascination with Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley are other indications that Jackson has openly courted the pathology of celebrity. This is certainly cool - except Jackson never found a way to get his obsessions into his music. Consequently, his hits are now too bland for his image. Could Phil Spector be the right producer for Jackson?
8 - Jones Violet
There's this very small, tiny ounce of hope in me that is wishing Michael Jackson would get his crap together, record an album that would blow everyone away and do one last incredible tour before giving up. Sure, it's not likely...ok, not even a little bit likely, but it could happen.
9 - Chris Evans
I honestly think Michael's done. Whitney, Courtney Love, Pete Doherty--these people have some semblance of a chance to revive their careers. Michael is just too far gone. Physically and mentally.
10 - Jones Violet
Yeah, Chris, I suppose you're right, but I'm still keeping my little ounce of hope alive.
11 - John
interesting new book about jackson here
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-36190-0
12 - Vanessa
Just wait and Michael Jackson will come stronger than ever, we just got to wait.
Remember this.
13 - Al Barger
Miss Vanessa, I hope you're right. I'd love nothing better than another album as good as Bad.
14 - Marty Thau
I wouldn't be so quick to write him off. We're still talking about one of the great artists of all time and his musical success was no fluke. Unfortunately he turned into a bizarre weirdo along the way but musically speaking I'd venture to say that there is probably some magic left in him.
At this point he ain't Usher, or Eminem, or any number of others that have captured the public's ear. But, still, you can't write him off. He's still Michael Jackson!
15 - Pete
Yes Eric, 'Ridiculous diatribe'. What kind of a reply is that?
16 - Jones Violet
Yes Marty! Let's hope!
17 - Al Barger
Well Pete, that's as much of a reply as your ridiculous hostility and abuse of the language deserve. Specifically, a diatribe is: "A bitter, abusive denunciation" This column is nothing like that.
18 - Mark Harrington
Thank god MJ is no Eminem like Marty stated. Eminem is a talentless pillock without an ounce of respect for true talent. He is like the Crazy Frog, a fad that will fade. Eminems sales are on the wain, which is why he is thinking of going into producing, and he as only been on the scene for six years or so!
MJ's new album was at No. 2 in the UK chart, yet its full of songs that his fans aleady have. I'm a big fan, and I havn't bought it yet and maybe wont.
People criticise MJ's latest sound. I think it is amongst his best. Earth Song, Little Susie, Stranger in Moscow,Whatever Happens, Speechless and many more are songs that make you realise that MJ is one of the greatest songwriters/composers that ever lived, and I think there will be more.
19 - batman
The USA have turned their back on Jacko because of all the unfair bad publicity he has got in the last 5 years. After all they are too thick to see through it.
20 - Eric Olsen
ah yes, I missed the Jackophiles so, especially those who don't know a diatribe from a diaphragm.
The facts are the facts - live in denial, live in a constant state of alertness to offense - but the numbers are the numbers: the U.S. is fed up with Michael Jackson.
I am happy to set aside a corner of my mind to hold out hope that he can do something interesting once again. And if he does I will be happy to say so.
In the meantime, reality is reality no matter what you want it to be.
21 - uao
On those sales figures:
Had it not been for the Now 19 compilation, which toppd the 100,000 units threshold, this would've been a nightmare week for the record industry, with a #1 album failing to top 100,000 units moved; one of the weakest ever.
The 8,000 units for Jackson is a surprisingly poor showing, but as you've noted, it is his third compilation in a short period, and as some commenters noted, it adds no unreleased material which would have assured the disc of added sales.
The real test will be when he gets around to releasing an all-new album, and the accompanying promotion.
I gotta admit, I'm curious to see how it would be promoted. Assuming he makes another album; who knows where he's headed at this juncture.
22 - Mihos
I keep reading that the public has spoken unanimously against Jackson. This is more of the same presuppositional bias. It perpetuates its self and fills the news desk akward silence over whatever really awfully obvious thing just happened.
Jackson's album is old material and obviously is a part of his contract to Sony- a label he will obviously be moving from as soon as he can.
We havent seen the beginning of Michael Jackson yet. He needs more Rumi in his daily diet. Mark my words, Jackson will do more for global peace than the pope in his lifetime. More people the world over adore the phenomenon of Jackson than are remotely aware of the Pope.
Americans already hate the guy for not knowing his place. Its ironic that Michael Jackson will be accepted by a global community that detests America and they'll comprehend his poetry while Team America shreds its value for not being cool enough.
23 - Eric Berlin
Mark -- You may not dig Eminem as a performer, artist, or person, but he has undeniable talent. His pure hip hop chops are unchallenged by even his fiercest critics. Personally, I don't think he's going anywhere and that he'll continue to improve with age. I liked the ensemble work he did with his hometown peeps in D 12, which I think allowed him to loosen up a bit.
24 - Eric Olsen
interesting also that they went all the way basck to the Thriller era for the CD cover pic
25 - Eric Berlin
You'd think that that would have boosed sales (almost) by itself, no? My mind keeps coming back to 8,000 -- that's very very close to pathetic for a name as big as MJ's...