So I guess now that Michael Jackson is dead and buried, it's okay to talk about this. Oh wait, he's not buried yet? Well I guess that's okay too. The bottom line is that Michael is gone and so too is an era that, like so many others that had preceded it, we will never get back.
I held off on writing down my thoughts about Michael Jackson for a specific reason. I wrote the original news story for Blogcritics, updating it from the original reports of a heart attack, to the eventual reality pretty much by the minute as it happened—which during that first hour or so was occurring by the minute.
I also knew this was going to be one of those huge events where you'd remember exactly where you were years after the fact. This wasn't Kurt Cobain or 2Pac. I also remember exactly where I was when they died too, though I doubt my parents do. This was Elvis, John Lennon, and Princess Di—big. Mom and Dad remember those.
Michael Jackson may not have had a legitimate hit record in twenty years, but his impact on a generation who came of age in the eighties was in many ways similar to that which those of us who grew up with the Beatles in the sixties felt. There's just no denying it.
So anyway, I wanted to wait until the dust died down a bit—or at least until the memorial was over—before writing about him.
Speaking of the memorial, like many of you reading this I watched most of it on television. I've read one report stating that as many as one in ten Americans did. This is an absolutely astonishing number, if true.
My thoughts on the service, to be honest, are however really mixed.
It was in a lot of ways, both beautiful and touching, as it should have been. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find myself reaching for my hanky when Brooke Shields talked about the two of them growing up together as childhood stars, or when Jermaine Jackson sang his undeniably emotional reading of Michael's favorite song, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile."
And if the part where Michael's daughter talked about her dad didn't get you the way it did me—well, maybe you oughtta' check yourself to make sure there's a pulse there.
Article comments
1 - Jet Gardner
A good read there Glen, however everyone knows Eric Clapton is God.
Thriller came along while record sales were in a critical slump. Jackson not only saved his own label, but by getting people back into the record shops probably save a couple or more other labels as well.
2 - Ghislaine
Good article, thank you.
I donated money for the costs LA incurred for the security of the body and the memorial. I believe it should have been done that way.
I do not think Michael Jackson was God...I am not sure I buy that he even though so himself. Any time I saw him spread out his arms, that signature movement...I always got a sense of vunerability. That he was wide open, exposed. His chakras opened. It was as if he were saying, take even more of me... we consumed him.
I admit that I groaned when Rev. Al Sharpton got up at the memorial, but by the end, the good ole Rev. redeemed himself with me, if just for that day. What he said to Michael's children, I really appreciated.
Michael Jackson was just a human, imperfect as we all are. But he was also a great talent.
A little part of me died when I heard that he passed. Maybe the 80's died with him...but I think it is a little more than that. I am 50 and have been a fan for 43 years.
3 - Glen Boyd
Thanks for the comments Jet and Ghislaine. Not much I can really add to them, except to say that he will be missed.
-Glen
4 - Kit O'Toole
Glen, this is one of the more insightful articles I've read about this whole story. I completely agree that the Jackson family, Sharpton, etc. tried to rewrite MJ's life story, essentially turning him into a saint. Berry Gordy had it right when he talked about MJ's amazing talent, and that he made "questionable decisions" in his life (I didn't agree on the "greatest entertainer who ever lived" comment, though). I think you put your finger on why us 80s kids are taking his death harder than others--it seems like the 80s are officially gone, or at least a part of our childhood. Terrific job!
5 - Glen Boyd
Wow! Thanks Kit. Coming from someone who has written a few very good articles about the subject herself, I take your compliment as high praise indeed. Thanks again!
-Glen