I was thinking about doing a diary about Michael Jackson this morning while driving. Had NPR on the radio, listening to several people being interviewed about Michael Jackson. Now I must preface this by saying that I wasn't a big fan, that I don't have a single album of his post-Jackson Five days, and frankly if I was given a concert ticket I'd probably stay home.
But I can't say he wasn't a really astounding talent. The man had it coming out of his ears, and then of course into our ears. Now he didn't do it alone, he had great help from scores of really talented professionals making him look really good. But in a way, isn't that what really defines brilliance?
Surrounding yourself with competent people, delegating them with those tasks they excel at, and coordinating their efforts on your behalf. Sounds like a certain president we all know.
The last twenty years haven't been as kind to his career, but that happens a lot with musicians. Their best years are in their youth, when they are vital with fresh ideas, powerful imaginations and an unconquerable spirit. But there was a time when he could do no wrong, when every song was near perfection. Both in his time as the leading (yet youngest) member of his family's group and in his solo career, the combination of well crafted songs and strong vocal interpretation almost monopolized the pop airwaves. A new album was greeted the way a Beetles, Dylan or Rolling Stones album was a few years before. Every single off the album would rocket to the top of the charts. This didn't happen before in this nation to an African American. While the preceding half-century was filled with staggeringly brilliant performers and composers in almost every genre of recorded music, he was the first that broke all of the barriers for the mass market. Armstrong, and Miles died relatively poor. The Duke may have lived well, but outside of NY nobody recognized his face.
And yes, Michael had made some rather poor choices in the last few years. I guess when you work that hard during your formative years, when you are forced to be "on" when everyone else your age is playing and in school, you tend to get locked into a permanent mindset. I can't condone his actions but all you need to know is the people who loved him really loved him- how bad a person could he be when so many people spoke so eloquently about how joyful, loving, and giving he was? He might have been tabloid fodder, but there were always many willing to come to his defense without any reservations. How much was madness, how much misguided publicity stunts?
This really has become a ramble about a subject I'm really not too brilliant about. I've probably heard 90% of his output yet can't name the orders of the songs on any album. Guess that's a sign of too much AM radio in my youth, and too much MTV in my early adulthood. I was too genre-restricted myself to go out and buy his stuff. But as I get older, I embrace more and varied sources. I guess what I really need to say is the past is the past, relish the life and greatness that we all have within us and celebrate those who have the talent and the drive to turn said greatness into actual art. Forget the misdeeds of the past, and say absolutely nothing but good of the dead.