Jackson and Spector: Pathologies Bred In Isolation

The dangerous, outrageous behavior of Michael Jackson and Phil Spector (some just alleged, some not in dispute), in court on the same day last week, has been enabled by the money and power generated by their wild success. Be careful what you wish for. I discuss this at MSNBC:

Hidden world of troubled genius: Isolation, lack of limits breeding ground for Jackson, Spector’s tragic circumstances

Pop music icons Michael Jackson and Phil Spector, their lives in the balance, appeared almost simultaneously last Thursday in separate Southern California courtrooms on shocking, sordid felony charges: child molestation for the 45-year-old Jackson, murder for Spector, 63.

THOUGH THE CASES are unrelated, they have more in common than just a bizarre coincidence of the calendar. The accusations against each legend stem directly from the trappings of their early fabulous success, and the ability of each to create isolated domains with themselves as absolute rulers.

Both multi-millionaire recluses have loudly proclaimed their innocence. Jackson, through a new Web site, has called the charges made by his 12-year-old accuser – who appeared hand-in-hand with him in Martin Bashir’s controversial documentary earlier this year – a “big lie,” writing, “Lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons. The truth will win this marathon in court.” Jackson is free on a $3 million bond.

….Spector – the boy-genius songwriter and producer who created the fabled “Wall of Sound” in the ’60s working with the Crystals, Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers – pleaded not guilty to the murder of B-movie star Lana Clarkson, who was shot in the face at close range last February in the foyer of Spector’s Alhambra, Calif., mansion.

Please take a look and let me know if you agree.