The news of Michael Jackson‘s death is still at the forefront of most every conversation I’ve been having for the past few days. “So… Michael Jackson’s dead,” or “So… did you hear that Michael Jackson died?” or “So what do you think of Michael Jackson’s death?” are typically how the subject is brought up. Even my mom wanted to talk about it.
It seems that MJ’s death resonated deeper into our hearts than we expected it to.
The conversations I’ve been having usually start with how shocked we were when we heard the news… how young the man was… how amazing he was as a performer, singer, artist… and how there won’t be another one like him for a LONG time. Since his 1982 release Thriller, has there been anyone to come close to Jackson as a performer? I’d argue no, not even close. Not by a long shot. Sure, there are other singers who dance, and they’re all good in their own right, but compared to Michael Jackson? Everything else is just a lite.
Just check out his Super Bowl performance again… the way he stands there during the first couple of minutes is bone-chilling to me. Every head turn, hang gesture, kick, and spin was a statement.
The thing about these conversations, though, is that they take a turn to the darker side of things. Jackson’s upbringing always comes up… how he was never given a chance to be a “kid,” how hard his parents pushed him, how he was thrust into the spotlight at such a young age… this topic always comes up, and the big conclusion is that everybody feels sorry for Jackson.
Now, I consider myself an artist. I write music, I perform, and I am always creating something. I can’t NOT create. I can’t NOT push myself to find the next level of my artistic side… I may not be as prolific as I used to be, but it’s still there, and it will always BE there. I would venture to say that most every other artist is the same… we all long to create something from nothing. We all have to find a new way to communicate what’s inside. We are all driven to share, to connect, to reach out, and to (hopefully) inspire.
I can only guess that Michael Jackson was cut from the same cloth.
Please understand, I’m not saying that I’m anywhere close to Michael Jackson’s talent. I’m just saying that I think I can relate to him on an artist’s level.
Yes, I’ve seen all the tabloid nonsense. I was there along with the rest of the world to see if he would be charged with child molestation. I thought he was a bit weird to have a monkey with him at various awards shows. I felt it odd that he went through so many physical changes when he looked perfectly fine and well on the Thriller cover. I read the stories about how he felt alone and isolated…
But do I feel sorry for him? The answer would have to be no.
He worked his tail off for his success and recognition. He could have quit after the Jackson 5, but he didn’t. He moved forward and carved himself quite a nice solo career. He had to create… he had to inspire… he had to connect… and he did, in a HUGE way, in a way that maybe less than 1% of the artists EVER have.
He didn’t emulate, he became his own brand name. People copied him, and will continue to copy him until the end of time. His talent and abilities can only come from dedication, commitment, and long hours of hard, hard work. He’s a great example of what one can achieve if they would dedicate their lives to something. He put more hours in than any PHD, any MD, any lawyer out there, guaranteed.
His last days were even filled with him on stage, working and further developing and perfecting his craft.
Don’t feel sorry for an artist who has the opportunity to do that. That’s all an artist ASKS for in life: a chance to grow and share.
So to all those people who write about what went wrong with Michael Jackson, I can only shake my head and ask why they can’t focus on what went RIGHT, and what we can all learn from it.
Commitment, dedication, and the never ending quest for perfection. For an artist, for ANYONE no matter what their profession is, there is no other greater purpose in life.
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Download: Man in the Mirror
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I think you are absolutely right. Throughout all of this, all the discussions I’ve been a part of, the one thing I keep saying, as my “Michael Jackson Bottom Line” is how sad I am for US, that I think he had a lot more to share and now we’ll never know.
If there is any sympathy I have for Michael, it is strictly about the way he was unjustly treated by so many people and in the media. He was a self made success and so many people leeched onto him, with open palms. Others were just hell bent on bringing him down at every turn.. and he would just get up again. To be so brilliant and yet not even able to go to McDonalds for a Big Mac, or attend a movie, or go for a walk in a National Forest… It’s just very sad. Hopefully there will be a lot of soal searching by a lot of people.
Well said.
Michael was Jesus of our time! Go King of Pop, Rock, and Soul… !!