Just as I was on the road when another "King" died (that would be Elvis), I was on the road when Michael Jackson did--missing much of the news about it till I got home last night. I appreciate both musical artists' abilities but am not particularly enamored by the star status. What happened is sad. I never bought their records, vinyl or CD. But if sales skyrocket on MJ's products, as is predicted, I hope all the proceeds go to raise his children. That's the worst part about this story, that he leaves three children behind--more than likely with fighting ahead on who should care for them. That's really sad.
Jackie
Annie Logue
· 5 months ago
Thanks, Jackie.
One of the things that bothers me about his kids is that MJ's parents are lining up to take custody, and I'm like, what, you didn't exploit your own children enough? You need to find some more kids to screw up while they support you?
With Elvis, it's interesting how Priscilla Presley showed up, whipped the estate into shape, and made her daughter richer than she would have been otherwise, as Elvis left relatively little money behind.
Elaine
· 5 months ago
I agree. Of all the MJ posts, I'm choosing this one to respond to.
According to reports, Debbie Rowe's also waffling on whether she wants to pursue custody of her children (??? that is BIZARRE to me) and has actually said that MJ wasn't the bio father in the first place. Those poor freakin kids.
Question for the membership. Is it a Truck Driver Gear Change in "Man in the Mirror," or does the fact that it's done by a gospel choir trying to invoke feeling mean it gets a pass?
Elaine
· 5 months ago
I stand corrected. Now Debbie Rowe is saying that MJ wasn't biodad, AND she is not biomom. She doesn't seek custody because they're no more her children than mine, sitting here tonight in my living room. So, yeah. Oh, and MJ never bothered to formally adopt the children. Yeah, I know married presumptive biological parents don't have to adopt their children, either. Guess this explains the need for the sham marriage. But what about Blanket's surrogate?
(Of all the despicable stuff I've heard about Michael Jackson, this scheme takes the take.)
Annie Logue
· 5 months ago
Whoa. I haven't been paying much attention to the MJ news this week, but - wow. It's like those kids are foundlings or something straight out of a V.C. Andrews novel.
Weird.
Daniel
· 5 months ago
What about " The Lost Boys "?
Daniel
· 5 months ago
The man was a freaky, quirky nut - job. Elvis had a few quirks, too, so did the late Andy Kaufman & the has - been Paul "Pee - Wee Herman " Rubens. I'm sorry that he died, but I'm not sending any flowers to MJ. If I sent anything it would be a contribution to charity. If everyone that really LOVED / ADMIRED this guy sent money to one of the charities like USA for Africa or something similar, it would give his death meaning.
People die everyday - Hate crimes, random violence, HIV, cancer, Policemen on duty, our servicemen in the Gulf. Do we celebrate their lives & honor their deaths like when a celebrity dies ? Think about it.
Chris X
· 5 months ago
I recently watched the video of the debut of the Moonwalk from the Motown 25 show(which I remember watching live on TV!) the uproar this caused brings back another memory. About literally how dude's every move and musical release back then caused EVERY SINGLE PERSON to take notice, and became household/schoolyard/workplace conversation topics on a daily basis.
Seriously though, whenever he did a TV appearance, or one of his videos premiered, or was even IN A TV COMMERCIAL, it wasnt just something coming on TV, it was a fucking EVENT, and everyone talked about it the next day as if it were the biggest story in the world, and in reality, it really was. You really don't see shit like that anymore.
I kept a scrapbook back then of every article and picture I could find, and I'm pretty sure its buried in my grandparents' garage someplace, I really need to dig it out sometime. I remember having posters on my wall; making lists, trying to name every MJ song that existed; writing out the lyrics to "Thriller" to take into my classmates the following day; getting trivia books and just learning every fact I could about him. My cassette copies of (yes, cassettes, remember those, folks?) Thriller and Jacksons Live got so warped from me playing them sooo much. In fact, Victory was the first tape I actually owned. I still have Triumph and Off the Wall on vinyl. To say he was a huge influence on my love of music is an understatement. He was probably THE biggest influence. Everything he did, from Jackson 5 era up through Dangerous, had such a profound impact on me and is probably why I love music as much as I do, and probably why I am a DJ.
Lance
· 5 months ago
I'm sorry for the loss of your sorority sister, but just because people die in different ways doesn't make one less tragic than the other. Any loss is a loss overall, and a grieving family is left behind.
Let's also remember, the key word when you refer to Michael's alleged drug overdose is still "alleged", and he was acquited of all pedophilic charges(the tone of your writing heavily suggests you feel otherwise).
I can understand the need to see things for what they are amidst all the media hoopla, since Michael Jackson was no saint. Yet he did more good for people in this world(We Are The World and numerous other charitable acts) than many others have in 5 decades on this earth. It would be nice if people could try and remember that.
Door, ass, slam, etc
· 5 months ago
I was a fan of this blog until I read the vitriol and racism in this essay and in another one, where all blacks are broadbrushed as believers OJ Simpson was innocent. It must be amazing having Wonder Twin powers to see into the minds of every African-American person in the nation and know what they are all thinking. I imagine that super power is as burdensome as the clairvoyant one that enables you to know Michael Jackson definitely molested anybody. I've noticed far too many coincidental attacks on black people here. As a non-black Gen X-er, door, ass, slam, et cetera.
Nevertheless that slam means one less visitor to your blog who can then tell others. More doors, more asses, more slams. Do the math and don't forget to launder your white sheets.
jefito
· 5 months ago
Your comment has so little to do with this post that I had to re-read Ann's essay to make sure you're as insane as you seem. And "far too many coincidental attacks on black people here"? I'd ask you what the hell you're talking about, but I'm sure you have no idea.
All Comments
Just as I was on the road when another "King" died (that would be Elvis), I was on the road when Michael Jackson did--missing much of the news about it till I got home last night. I appreciate both musical artists' abilities but am not particularly enamored by the star status. What happened is sad. I never bought their records, vinyl or CD. But if sales skyrocket on MJ's products, as is predicted, I hope all the proceeds go to raise his children. That's the worst part about this story, that he leaves three children behind--more than likely with fighting ahead on who should care for them. That's really sad.
Jackie
One of the things that bothers me about his kids is that MJ's parents are lining up to take custody, and I'm like, what, you didn't exploit your own children enough? You need to find some more kids to screw up while they support you?
With Elvis, it's interesting how Priscilla Presley showed up, whipped the estate into shape, and made her daughter richer than she would have been otherwise, as Elvis left relatively little money behind.
According to reports, Debbie Rowe's also waffling on whether she wants to pursue custody of her children (??? that is BIZARRE to me) and has actually said that MJ wasn't the bio father in the first place. Those poor freakin kids.
Question for the membership. Is it a Truck Driver Gear Change in "Man in the Mirror," or does the fact that it's done by a gospel choir trying to invoke feeling mean it gets a pass?
(Of all the despicable stuff I've heard about Michael Jackson, this scheme takes the take.)
Weird.
I'm sorry that he died, but I'm not sending any flowers to MJ. If I sent anything it would be a contribution to charity. If everyone that really LOVED / ADMIRED this guy sent money to one of the charities like USA for Africa or something similar, it would give his death meaning.
People die everyday - Hate crimes, random violence, HIV, cancer, Policemen on duty, our servicemen in the Gulf. Do we celebrate their lives & honor their deaths like when a celebrity dies ? Think about it.
Seriously though, whenever he did a TV appearance, or one of his videos premiered, or was even IN A TV COMMERCIAL, it wasnt just something coming on TV, it was a fucking EVENT, and everyone talked about it the next day as if it were the biggest story in the world, and in reality, it really was. You really don't see shit like that anymore.
I kept a scrapbook back then of every article and picture I could find, and I'm pretty sure its buried in my grandparents' garage someplace, I really need to dig it out sometime. I remember having posters on my wall; making lists, trying to name every MJ song that existed; writing out the lyrics to "Thriller" to take into my classmates the following day; getting trivia books and just learning every fact I could about him. My cassette copies of (yes, cassettes, remember those, folks?) Thriller and Jacksons Live got so warped from me playing them sooo much. In fact, Victory was the first tape I actually owned. I still have Triumph and Off the Wall on vinyl. To say he was a huge influence on my love of music is an understatement. He was probably THE biggest influence. Everything he did, from Jackson 5 era up through Dangerous, had such a profound impact on me and is probably why I love music as much as I do, and probably why I am a DJ.
Let's also remember, the key word when you refer to Michael's alleged drug overdose is still "alleged", and he was acquited of all pedophilic charges(the tone of your writing heavily suggests you feel otherwise).
I can understand the need to see things for what they are amidst all the media hoopla, since Michael Jackson was no saint. Yet he did more good for people in this world(We Are The World and numerous other charitable acts) than many others have in 5 decades on this earth. It would be nice if people could try and remember that.
Nevertheless that slam means one less visitor to your blog who can then tell others. More doors, more asses, more slams. Do the math and don't forget to launder your white sheets.