In case you were under a rock today, Michael Jackson passed away due to cardiac arrest at the young age of 50. It was an interesting reaction when I first heard of Michael Jackson’s untimely death at dinner tonight. I was chowing down at Applebee’s when our waiter walked by and, with a shocked reaction, told us that Michael Jackson died before quickly scurrying away back to the kitchen. I was with a few friends and we all looked at each other and exclaimed a solid what. We thought for a second he was simply joking. It is interesting how when untimely deaths occur among the rich and famous the initial reaction is complete disbelief. We are so used to hearing their name in the news and tabloids that, when hearing of their deaths, we can only shake our heads and understand that after the proper time for grieving their names will slowly, but surely, fade on. But, on to the case of Michael Jackson.
Jackson’s name has seemingly always been in the news. Whether for the chart topping success of his numerous epic albums or the seemingly endless problems he faced in his life away from the stage, Michael Jackson could always find the front page of various publications for good and bad reasons. I want to attempt to stay away from his problems off the stage. Yes, in many respects, the man was a certified freak who could have done some very terrible things throughout his life that was shortened by drugs and the constant pressure of media life and performances since he was a kid. But, his music was special. He, with his special brand of theatrical performing mixed with a distinctive and fantastic voice, transcended race and genres of music. He was literally and figuratively a colorless musician who experimented with all different types of music from pop to rock to soul to theatre. His epic albums were only paired with his amazing videos like the one matched with the song of the day today, “Thriller.”
“Thriller,” which was not only an amazing song which played with hard rock and true pop, also added a video that simply changed the way music videos ran about their business. He made the first monstruous video that was shot like a movie but was for a song. An unheard of move which shot Jackson to the title of visionary. He finished his illustrious music career with 13 grammy awards, 13 number one singles, over 750 million albums sold worldwide, 2 inductions into the rock and roll hall of fame (which I thought to be pretty impossible), and a record in the Guinness Book of World Records which states that he is the most succesful entertainer of all time.
So, while the jury will be out on his legacy as a person in this crazy world, the case is pretty simple on his legacy as a musician. An incredible career for one of music’s most influential performers. So, tonight, we lay to rest a visionary, who while certainly an undeniable nut job, still was one of music’s very best.
The Music Court 