Michael Jackson: The King of Pop is Dead...Long Live the King!!!
Michael Jackson died yesterday. Not surprisingly, most media programs and contents are about him. There are news of internet bogging down because of too many downloads. I’m one of those who caused the bog-down I guess.
As I watched Michael’s oeuvre, I couldn’t help but think of the generation he helped define. He probably influenced Gen X more than any other age group. Many of us Gen Xers were adolescents or about to cross that critical stage at the height of his popularity. At a time when there was no internet nor mobile phones, his popularity was such that even kids in rural areas could relate to his music. Who wouldn’t remember Thriller, Billie Jean, Bad? Or the most popular dance move of the era, the Moonwalk?
But listening to old interviews of Michael, I couldn’t help but feel sad about the tragedy and irony that was his so-called life. He had such an unparalleled talent, and yet he claimed to be insecure. He said he’d rather wear mask during his performances than show the face he was so insecure of. This insecurity is apparently a result of so much teasing from his relatives. Hence he avoided looking at the mirror. It’s so ironic that he went on to sing “Man in the Mirror” – which happens to be my favorite amongst his many beautiful songs.
Michael Jackson seemed to have lived his life in reverse too. At five, he mesmerized everyone with his adult-like showmanship. As he grew older, he seemed to try to defy age (all those rumoured anti-aging pills, oxygen capsule and surgeries) and was probably trying to catch up with childhood (Neverland).
Seeing all those old videos again, I am once more so much in awe, just as I was back in the ‘80s. In a way, our generation is lucky to have witnessed a wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime talent as Michael. This is of course when celebrities were still big and larger than life, as opposed to the current crop of “celebrities” who are much smaller, and many without talent too. And this was also before Michael’s career disintegrated. After the 80’s, Michael became more associated with weird news than with the Grammies. From so much adulation, there came a point that news about him seemed to make people sneer. Now I see so many outpourings and messages from many famous people who claim to be his friend. But I’m also wondering where were they when his life and career was disintegrating?
As with many icons before him, I guess in the end death is kinder to Michael. Now he is probably in a better place.
As I watched Michael’s oeuvre, I couldn’t help but think of the generation he helped define. He probably influenced Gen X more than any other age group. Many of us Gen Xers were adolescents or about to cross that critical stage at the height of his popularity. At a time when there was no internet nor mobile phones, his popularity was such that even kids in rural areas could relate to his music. Who wouldn’t remember Thriller, Billie Jean, Bad? Or the most popular dance move of the era, the Moonwalk?
But listening to old interviews of Michael, I couldn’t help but feel sad about the tragedy and irony that was his so-called life. He had such an unparalleled talent, and yet he claimed to be insecure. He said he’d rather wear mask during his performances than show the face he was so insecure of. This insecurity is apparently a result of so much teasing from his relatives. Hence he avoided looking at the mirror. It’s so ironic that he went on to sing “Man in the Mirror” – which happens to be my favorite amongst his many beautiful songs.
Michael Jackson seemed to have lived his life in reverse too. At five, he mesmerized everyone with his adult-like showmanship. As he grew older, he seemed to try to defy age (all those rumoured anti-aging pills, oxygen capsule and surgeries) and was probably trying to catch up with childhood (Neverland).
Seeing all those old videos again, I am once more so much in awe, just as I was back in the ‘80s. In a way, our generation is lucky to have witnessed a wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime talent as Michael. This is of course when celebrities were still big and larger than life, as opposed to the current crop of “celebrities” who are much smaller, and many without talent too. And this was also before Michael’s career disintegrated. After the 80’s, Michael became more associated with weird news than with the Grammies. From so much adulation, there came a point that news about him seemed to make people sneer. Now I see so many outpourings and messages from many famous people who claim to be his friend. But I’m also wondering where were they when his life and career was disintegrating?
As with many icons before him, I guess in the end death is kinder to Michael. Now he is probably in a better place.
