In that respect, the memorial brought to mind when John Lennon died. Lennon represented everything that made me both love and essentially devote my life to music in the first place as a kid growing up with the Beatles in the sixties. When Lennon was cut down on December 8, 1980, so too was the last gasp of that perhaps misguided sense that music could change the world.
When Michael Jackson was at the peak of his popularity around the time of Thriller in 1983, though, he proved it still could be done. He just did it sort of differently than John Lennon and the Beatles did.
But there were a lot of other factors involved besides Thriller—not the least of which were the then emerging perfect storm of MTV, Hip-hop, and the whole British new wave thing.
At the time, I wasn't really listening to Micheal Jackson at all. My tastes ran more toward Echo & The Bunnymen, U2, and to a lesser extent the syntho-pop of bands like Human League and Soft Cell. But what I do remember back then was going out to clubs and dancing to Rick James and the SOS Band right alongside those aforementioned new wave bands. It was both a genre neutral and a color blind scene. Michael made that possible, and to really understand how monumental a task that was at the time—well, you had to be there.
Michael wasn't a God. And whether you are a religious person or not, the idea that he was anything more than a very gifted human being is one you'd be forgiven for being offended by. That said, however, he did more to break down the racial barriers separating music at the time than anyone else.
I'll give Prince credit for the assist. But it wasn't that long before that records were being burned in "disco sucks" rallies at baseball stadiums.
But for a brief time, he did change the world. And there hasn't been anything like it since. I'm not sure there ever will be, but I hope that one day that there is.
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