Shocking news tonight that Michael Jackson died. My kids didn't know who he was until today. It's hard to explain the MJ phenomenon -- we don't own any of his music, but he was so HUGE during our early adolescence that Anthony and I know all his hits.
I remember waiting around the TV for the premier of the "Thriller" video, and being breathless and blown away by seeing it. We watched it every time it was announced it would be on. So did all my friends. And all our parents. Everyone in the world knew who Michael Jackson was, that he did the Moonwalk and had that distinctive dancing style. He was our Elvis. King of Rock-n-Roll, meet the King of Pop.
Will there be anyone like that in my kids' lives, someone so huge they reach across generations and genres, and everyone has seen their video? It seems like that time is gone. With digital media, there are so many specialized genres there are no superstars. Its great that smaller artists can reach their niche audience. But I don't know any songs by current pop stars (even if I know their names, I don't know their music). Is there even a Top 40 anymore? And American Idol doesn't count -- I don't even watch that.
We showed Anna and Colin a video of Michael dancing to "Billie Jean," when he unveiled his moonwalk. They were bopping their heads to the music. "Why is he wearing the one glove?" Colin asked. "He looks so different than his other pictures," Anna said.
Maybe tomorrow I'll show them "Thriller."
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7 comments:
Yeah. Too bad he was a freak.
I liked him a lot as a little boy with his brothers. I know he had such BIG talent and he was so innovative.
And that moonwalk thing. Amazing.
But I think that he blew it with the pedophile stuff. And he doesn't deserve the major play the media is giving him because of the seriousness of his perversion.
Yeah. Too bad he was a freak.
I liked him a lot as a little boy with his brothers. I know he had such BIG talent and he was so innovative.
And that moonwalk thing. Amazing.
But I think that he blew it with the pedophile stuff. And he doesn't deserve the major play the media is giving him because of the seriousness of his perversion.
I remember the impact he had in the 80's. He was HUGE! I watched the Dateline special on him and Farrah last night (weird that they both died the same day) and it was just so bizarre how his face and behavior went from weird to grotesque.
Excellent choice. Billy Jean is one of the best songs of all time!
Excellent choice. Billy Jean is one of the best songs!
Was he proved guilty of that then,Eric? pity he changed from such a lovely looking little Boy :(
A.Norma.
I used to LOVE him...posters on the wall and I even got a MJ barbie doll one year for Christmas.
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