Waking up to the news that Michael Jackson had died was something I’d never expected to hear, I don’t know why, but you think someone like Jacko is invincible, after all, he is, and will remain, The King Of Pop, and to some, Wacko Jacko.
The first time I really heard him I was in junior school, and I’d gone for tea to my friend Rachel Gregory’s house for tea, when we were messing about in her room putting make up on and generally acting like kids do, she put on one of his albums, and I heard The Earth Song for the first time.
There was something in hearing that song that made me really sit up and recognise how influential these lyrics were, and I asked Rachel to make me a tape of that CD… and when it was done, I was constantly rewinding The Earth Song as I walked to and from school.
It’s shameful to admit I only really listened to that, but let’s face it, I was only 10 years old, and my musical tastes weren’t quite as broad back then, I really only listened to what my mum used to sing along to in the car.
To be honest, I was never really a true ‘fan’ of Michael Jackson, and as I got older and saw the media calling him a peadophile and ‘Wacko Jacko’ I’m going to have say that, as an impressionable young girl, I took in everything they said.
I carried these opinions of the star with me into my adult life, as it seemed the papers only ever focused on the crazy antics of Michael, for example his colour changing skin, the adoption of a Chimpanze called Bubbles and the opening of Neverland Ranch, aimed to bring pleasure to under privileged kids.
Obviously the influx of children to his home led to money grabbing families to realise they could exploit the already negative image of Michael and a number of alleged assaults came to fruitition, with one of the families being quoted as saying; “If I go through with this, I win big-time. There’s no way I lose. I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever…Michael’s career will be over”
The problem is you see, whilst I appreciate what a massive recording artist he was, the only memories I really have of Michael, is that evening listening to him with my friend, and the reports of what a bad man he was, and I worry that his memory might be tarnished by what he did (or didn’t do) during his life, rather than his huge musical achievements.
No matter what your opinion is of Michael, or whether you own just one single or his whole back catalogue, the influence he had on this music business should never be overlooked when telling the story of this incredible human being.
Please share your thoughts with me, I would love to hear how Michael touched you.
Ruth. xx
Hi Ruth,
I thought he was absolutely fabulous,I never believed the peado story i just think he was very lonely and mis-understood.When i listen back to all the range of songs he wrote and performed i don’t think any one else is even close to that sort of magic,professionalism and artistic skill.
Debra
It goes without saying that his music was great and he gave 201% every time he stepped on stage..but when i think of Michael it is with a certain sadness…he appeared to be a lonely person, a greatly misunderstood person..he was surrounded by a lot of people who misused him and took advantage of him..he was no saint, none of us are..he had flaws like every other person on the planet..but he was no devil either..i don’t for one minute think he was capable of knowingly hurting any child either physically or emotionally…he was many things to many people..but above all, he was a man who loved his mother and his children and bought the world closer with is wonderful music and generous heart and spirit…and that, in my opinion, is what should be remembered about him and the memories should be cherished not bashed as we are sometimes prone to do.
Michael Jackson helped me to see the positive things in life and has helped me to put through difficult situations during my life, I will always love him and he will always be with me. God bless him and may he find the peace he couldn’t find during his lifetime
Obviously, you are much younger than me, I followed Michael Jackson throughout his career and there is so much more about him than those allegations etc. He is a legend, a musical genius, he gave so much to the music industry. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I thought as he got older he got a bit odd, but look at the life he had, no one can say he had a regular childhood, and I don’t think it’s fair to say that this is the price of fame. He was enormously talented, and this was perhaps exploited somewhat by his advisor’s. I am very sad that he has died, and very sad that greedy money grabbing people troed to bring him down. He is a legend who will never be forgotten.