Michael Jackson Dies?

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by Belmit

However, I still have a spectacular memory of Chicagos in Essex, where they ended the night with an MJ medley, and a certain Mr. Von Smallhausen decided that Earth Song was the most appropriate song to moonwalk across the empty stage to, with images of starving kiddies filling the projector screen behind him.

THAT is something to thank MJ for.

[Davey_Pitch]

Originally Posted by Bigstan

I agree with Desmo.
In his earlier years he was an awesome performer but the "Wacko Jacko" stuff turned me off him and finally the sleeping with little boys thing turned me against him entirely.

I would never gloat over the death of someone like MJ but, at the same time, I find it difficult to feel any grief over his physical demise. The loss of his talent, on the other hand, is something definitely to be mourned - but I mourned that many years ago.

Couldn't agree more Stan. He was a musical genius who was also a very troubled individual.

RIP MJ.

[Pumpkinstew]

When I was growing up everyone had two albums - Bad and Appetite for Destruction.

He was already an icon for his music and a one man publicity circus for his antics in his private life, his untimely death can only add to his legend.

[Dee]

Can I just say, I am proud of the responses in here, if you didnt like him or respect him, fair enough. But the amount of bad jokes and posts in other forums Ive seen today are sickening

Well done BD

[Chuckles]

Originally Posted by Pheebs

Every genius is a bit loopy though aren't they. I'd defy anyone to name a genius which isn't a bit nuts.

Yeah, but normally they turn to drugs rather than start sleeping with kids.

[loki]

Agree with Stan there. It is/was a shame for such a talented individual who also lead such a tormented life. I remeber watching a documentary about him a few years back in which MJ responded to some of the allegations of being a kiddy fiddler. It was a shame to see how hard his Dad was on him and how he used to beat on him. Then to be coccooned from normal life to live in the showbiz spotlight from such an early age must have distorted what we would consider to be normality.

It's a real shame but his better days are most certainly behind him

[NokkonWud]

Originally Posted by Garp

Fully agree. MJ was an absolute Legend who sadly never really topped his 80s stuff.

Neither has anybody else though.

[Wryel]

Well none of the really bad stuff was ever proven one way or the other so I'm not going to comment on that.

When I was about 8 I got my first Walkman and one of the tapes I got with it was Bad. I listened to that tape a million times and his music has a special place in my heart. I wish we could of seen more of the 'real' MJ but when you are that big its going to tear you apart one way or another.

[Flibster]

My word - that is quick.

New 5 CD set due out on June 30th apparently.

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by NokkonWud

Neither has anybody else though.

Agreed. I always think it's sad when people achieve such amazing levels of creativity and do so much for the world of music, and yet if they don't remain as consistently brilliant (which is very unlikely to ever be achievable), then somehow their brilliance is tainted. Shouldn't happen.

He WAS a major influence in the lives of many people young & old alike. he changed the face of music completely and he's present in virtually every single dance act you see today, the likes of Diversity, George Sampson, Justin Timberlake - they all have their roots in Jackson's moves & music as do so many more.

I find it really distasteful that people who feel he was a huge part of their growing up and childhood are feeling like they have to justify why they feel sad today or why it's a big deal to them - it's all over forums/twitter etc. Just because the media make it a massive hype and ram it down everyone's throats isn't the fault of those who will genuinely feel sorrow that the guy has died - and I don't like that they're having to read people who don't care about it slating him and by proxy, them for feeling that way.

You know what - I didn't know Michael Jackson personally, I don't really have any real reason for being sad that the human being has passed away, other than it's always sad when that happens to someone. However, today people are grieving for not just MJ the man - if they are at all - more it seems it's a little bit more of their childhood - their inspiration -their formulative years that died yesterday - and I think they should be allowed to do it without all this attitude directed towards them and the man who changed the face of pop music & popular culture forever.