Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" who once moonwalked above the music world, died Thursday as he prepared for a comeback bid died at the age of 50. After hearing the shocking news I wished it was another rumour which would fade away soon. It took me time to believe that one of the world’s most popular entertainers is no more. I first started listening to Jacko during my sophomore. Even though now I listen to varied collection of genres, still MJ music is always special at my heart. I really admire him for his extraordinary musical talent. He is so fascinating to me because he went from beloved child star to a young adult icon to a strange troubled freak show. His 13 number 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey.
By 1972, he had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which included the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the forlorn theme song from the movie "Ben." In 1978, Jackson made his film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a black-cast adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The movie launched a creative and commercial partnership with Jones
He was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. In 80s, he became the world's most popular entertainer thanks to a series of hit records -- “Beat It,” "Billie Jean," “Thriller” -- and dazzling music videos. In Nov 1982 he released “Thriller” that became the best-selling studio album in history and a cultural landmark. Its music video created an impact in the music industry.
In 1983 he electrified the world with his moonwalk, a dance step he created his own iconography, the illusion of levitation. He took the stage in a black sequined jacket, silver shirt, black fedora and black trousers that skimmed the tops of his white socks. The final touch was a single white glove, studded with rhinestones. His dance style combined the robotic moves of break-dancers, and the quicksilver spins. Not only did "Thriller" smash sales records as the best-selling album of 1983, it made him the first artist to top four charts simultaneously: pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album. It earned five Grammys. The "Thriller" success enabled him to negotiate what were believed to be the highest royalty rates ever earned by a recording artist. But it also put him in a cage of his own anxieties and obsession.
He bonded himself to past pop-music royalty by marrying Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The marriage was short-lived, however, and his wealth was imperiled by an extravagant lifestyle that included the 2,700-acre Neverland ranch. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, where children never grow up.
In recent years, he has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood. Years of plastic surgery had made his face a weird landscape. He was deeply in debt and had lost his way as a musician.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
A frail-looking Jackson had spent his last weeks in rehearsal for an ambitious comeback attempt and 50 already-sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. A major motivation was the $300 million in debt run up by a star who lived like royalty even though his self-declared title of King of Pop was more about the past than the present.
To me he was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpse of him in public a bit like alien sightings.
It is a big loss to all of us Jacko fans. I like many million fans love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies! We will truly miss you...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
