1982. MTV. An explosion of images and music. Me and a friend spent way too many afternoons sitting around and letting this stuff wash over us. When Michael Jackson came out with Thriller his command over the world of pop music seemed complete. I really wasn't a fan of the music (OK, that "Beat It" guitar solo was cool...shhh, don't tell anybody) but the videos were a blast.
1984. "State Of Shock". This was the big single from a mostly forgettable Jackson's record (Victory). A rockin' duet with Mick Jagger, it pushed all the right buttons for me. I've still got the 45 around here somewhere.
1992. "Black Or White". Pretty much the last interesting thing that Michael has done. The twisty melody was super catchy and, sure, the video-morphing thing was kinda fun.
I realize that the presentation of these memories carries a whiff of eulogy. Honestly though, it seems as though we've been watching Michael Jackson die before our eyes. This transformation has been gradual and steady. I'm not here to absolve him (or make excuses for) of any crimes. Clearly, I don't know what he's done. A jury has found him not guilty. Still, there's no doubt in the eyes of many. I don't know. I mean, the guy has become so weird that I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he had done something with those boys...or that he hadn't.
When I see the media circus that makes its living pitching its tent next to cases like this, it just makes me sad. I've often thought about how I would be able to handle the amount of fame that has clearly crushed Jackson. What would happen if I was no longer able to drive to the store for a few things...for fear of being mobbed? Would the isolation change me? Would I push past it to remain in healthy contact with the real world?
A few years back there was a story about Michael Jackson trying to acquire the bones of John Merrick, the "Elephant Man". It's more than a little depressing that the public has come to treat Jackson very much like the Elephant Man: as a freak, as the butt of many jokes, always good for a snicker.
Just last night I watched David Letterman deliver the "#1 Thing Overheard During The Michael Jackson Verdict": "Another case of a white guy getting preferential treatment".
Yes, I laughed...but it made me sad too.
Article comments
1 - sandra smallson
Great post. Should make some pause for thought before they ramble on...
2 - Eric Olsen
Sandra, I am a HUGE fan of his music from the Jackson 5 through "Black and White" and Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad DID do it all for me at the time. That is part of my resentment with him - he squandered true greatness to be a ... whatever he is
3 - Eric Olsen
btw, thanks Mark
4 - Eric Olsen
and i totally agree about "Rockin' Robin"
5 - Bennett
Thanks for a trip down memory lane. I remember the hysterical debates on whether the Osmonds would last longer than the Jackson 5 (same thing on Beatles vs Monkeys!) and I couldn't believe that some kids didn't get how amazing the Jackson 5 were.
"I'll Be There", "The Love You Save" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" were all standout hits from my childhood. The world would be a poorer place without his talent and voice. Sad how it is today.
6 - Mark Saleski
y'know...i don't know squat about the jackson 5's music. like, did they actually play any of the instruments or was it all done by a Motown house band?
7 - Eric Olsen
that's a good question - I am guessing on record they didn't play or atleast didn't play much. But they did play later
8 - Mark Saleski
all i know is that tunes like "I Want You Back" are great...no matter who played 'em.
9 - Eric Olsen
all the big early J5 hits are great:
"I Want You Back"
"ABC"
"The Love You Save"
"I'll Be There"
"Never Can Say Goodbye"
10 - The Proprietor
Odds are that The Funk Brothers played on all of the early J5 Motown stuff (at least until the move to LA). Interesting related question is just what songs did Carol Kaye play bass on, as there are credible claims she played on some tracks that are ordinarily credited to James Jamerson.
Those J5 sides were indeed great records. Sadly, at least IMO, they were the last great records Motown made.
11 - MICHAEL
I KNEW HE IS THE MAN OF HIS KIND,KNOW MATTER WHAT THEY ARE DOING HE WILL ALWAYS SUCCEED.WHEN YOU PLAYED A MUSIC BY JACKSON YOU WILL KNOW THAT HE IS A MAN OF HIS KIND.YOU GET PLEASED AND WELCOME WITHOUT ANY CONSCIENCE OF HATE, YOU WILL BE LOVED BY ALL HIS MUSIC.
I KNEW HE WILL ALWAYS WIN IN ALL SITUATION HE GOES THROUGH COS HE IS THE DEE MAN OF OUR TIME.
LOVE YOU MICHAEL
NIGERIA
12 - Eric Olsen
MS and TP, I researched the players on the J5 hits.