Sad day - both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson dying.

[Betsy Og]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

I doubt it'll be a Diana style thing, not on this side of the Atlantic anyway. Many people had no time for him, or pitied him etc., but few seemed to really idolise/appreciate/look up to him. Therefore few feel any great sense of loss.

Britain was fascinated by their princess, she was good looking, never did anything of note out of the way, they had goodwill towards her since Charles seemed a bit of knob and she had to put up with that, plus there was the whole mystery about the circumstances of her death. So while it was a bit OTT at the time it was understandable to a fair degree. I was in London at the time and went to see the funeral cortege passing, not because I thought much about her before her death or on her death, but because it seemed a bit of a historical (and hysterical) moment.

 

[DeeFox]

I'm not saying he wasn't talented, but there wasn't really anything absolutely outstanding about any of his work - it was neither particularly innovative, groundbreaking nor original.

Can't believe I'm defending Michael Jackson, I'm not his biggest fan but I do think that a lot of his songs are timeless and very, very good. The Thriller video was outstanding and groundbreaking - it is still brilliant now so many years later. There's a reason why Thriller is the best selling album of all time. The Moonwalk was original wasn't it? Ben, Billie Jean, Blame it on the Boogie- these are all very memorable songs. I don't think there was anyone else quiet like him. Again, I'm not a huge fan - I just think he deserves recognition as an incredibly talented artist.

 

[csirl]

The Thriller video was outstanding and groundbreaking - it is still brilliant now so many years later.

How? Its not unlike most music videos produced in the same era - mini-movie of singer following a story line that fits in with the song featuring some dancers and a few actors! Only difference is that Jacko spend a bit more money on make-up and special effects.

 

[Abbica]

Do you know what I thought, poor Farrah Fawcett, she won't get recognised at all now for her career etc like she would have if MJ hadn't popped his clogs. He is a bigger story. Same as when Princess Diana and Mother Theresa. Mother Theresa was lost, it is all media manipulation, they control us. They are going to go mad on MJ as it is new entertainment news (so to speak) and I think everybody is sick of readying about Iraq! Iraq isn't really in the paper at all today whereas yesterday...... May set up camp cause we are in for the long haul.

 

[Caveat]

The Thriller video was outstanding and groundbreaking

The Moonwalk was original wasn't it?

Neither of these make him a 'musical genius' though. In fact they have nothing to do with music at all - you are praising a video and a dance.

There's a reason why Thriller is the best selling album of all time.

Not being smart - but what is the reason then? Sales do not equal quality. The soundtrack to The Bodyguard has sold almost 20 million copies more than U2's The Joshua Tree, The Backstreet Boys Millenium has sold more than Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

Just examples.

Ben, Billie Jean, Blame it on the Boogie- these are all very memorable songs.

I don't think there was anyone else quiet like him

I agree - I just don't think he was a musical genius - that's all. I'm not Michael bashing here, just commenting on the 'genius' tag.

 

[Graham_07]

Paramedic 1: he's going into cardiac arrest, should we start chest compressions?
Paramedic 2: No, we should just beat it...just beat it...beat it!!!

 

[DrMoriarty]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2502773/World-mourns-loss-of-Jacko.html

I was expecting something along the lines of "Wacko Jacko Heart Attacko!!!"

 

[Caveat]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

I was expecting something along the lines of "Wacko Jacko Heart Attacko!!!"

Very good!

 

[Graham_07]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

What's the difference between Michael Jackson and Alex Ferguson?
Fergie can still play Giggs

 

[MrMan]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

I agree - more or less 24hr news coverage is a bit over the top. Yes, it is a big news story and should be in the news bulletins, but it should not be the only story in the news. The Iranian mullahs must be delighted with this - has taken their election fiasco out of the news.

True but as opposed to the hysteria that followed the death of Jade i'm famous for being thick Goody, it is acceptable.

 

[MrMan]

I really wouldn't agree with that.

Not wanting to speak ill of him, but he was a 'pop star' in every sense of the phrase IMO. I'm not saying he wasn't talented, but there wasn't really anything absolutely outstanding about any of his work - it was neither particularly innovative, groundbreaking nor original.

He was probably a better performer - dancer, singer, showman/theatrics etc - than he was songwriter TBH.

Apologies if that opinion offends anyone but it's not meant to.

Are you saying that being a pop star does not allow one to be regarded as a musical genius? There is alot of snobbery regarding pop music, but in truth most people enjoy pop music.

 

[Caveat]

Are you saying that being a pop star does not allow one to be regarded as a musical genius?

No - which was why I said 'in every sense of the phrase'. Pop as in popular as well as what is musically regarded as 'pop' and star as in celebrity etc as opposed to musician or artist.

There are plenty of artists that would fall under the pop category that I would regard as much more talented than MJ. Geniuses even.

There is alot of snobbery regarding pop music, but in truth most people enjoy pop music.

I agree.

TBH I don't really want to say much more on this myself as the more I post about it the meaner I feel - and probably appear.

I've nothing against Michael Jackson and I quite liked some of his music. Felt a bit sorry for him too.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Ah come on - I am not some huge michael jackson fan or anything but the guy was definitely a musical genius. Absolutely no doubt about it.

He wrote some great stuff in fairness to teh guy and contrary to an earlier post by someone he was without a shadow of a doubt innovative and original.
Unbelievably so in fact.

You've gotta give him that much.

 

[emaol]

Its a bit appropriate that both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson died on the same day.
She was into Majors and he was into minors.................(awaits backlash)

 

[Yoltan]

How? Its not unlike most music videos produced in the same era - mini-movie of singer following a story line that fits in with the song featuring some dancers and a few actors! Only difference is that Jacko spend a bit more money on make-up and special effects.

Do you actually remember the video?? It was so unlike anything at the time.

 

[Yoltan]

Can't believe I'm defending Michael Jackson, I'm not his biggest fan but I do think that a lot of his songs are timeless and very, very good. The Thriller video was outstanding and groundbreaking - it is still brilliant now so many years later. There's a reason why Thriller is the best selling album of all time. The Moonwalk was original wasn't it? Ben, Billie Jean, Blame it on the Boogie- these are all very memorable songs. I don't think there was anyone else quiet like him. Again, I'm not a huge fan - I just think he deserves recognition as an incredibly talented artist.

Anyone that doesn't think that he was a musical genius should go off and listen to the Thriller cd.

 

[carpedeum]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

Thriller album on a par with Marvin Gaye's work, but, he will always be tainted...a mAnipulator of children? Not quite in Gary Glitter's league, but, still he seems to have taken advantage of innocent kids sacrificed by their dollar chasing parents.

 

[baldyman27]

Re: Reaction to Jackos passing away.

a mAnipulator of children? Not quite in Gary Glitter's league.

Can you be so sure? And, yes, I agree with your observation that dollar-chasing parents saw a golden goose.

People, the media (and not necessarily just the redtops) have sold God-knows-how-many millions of rags and thus made God-knows-how-much money out of so many different stories on which they take completely opposite views depending on the topic and what they deem to be the public perception of that topic. They take the gamble, they sensationalise, idiots feed in, they make money. Mr. Jackson is possibly/probably the epitomy of our (human race) obsessions.

Get over it. A MAN died aged 50. So many more don't hit that age and leave behind much more. Reality, please.

 

[MandaC]

Have to say the one thing that struck me about watching all the MJ videos etc that have been on the past few days is just how talented and original he really was. I do think he was a musical genius and whatever else he was, that cant be taken from him. I think he was one of those people who crossed the line between genius and insanity.

Made me realise how bad pop music is today, where we rely on the likes of X Factor where people are just told - go up there and sing that. Though people will always say pop music was manufactured - look at The Monkees.


The Jackson's parents obviously have a lot to answer for as all of the Jacksons are as disfunctional as.

 

[Complainer]

The early fame that came to him at 5 years old was probably a form of child abuse and many people prospered from his genius.

Indeed, I don't think he ever had the chance to grow up. Something like Brittany, in fact.

Feel very sorry for the 3 children.

No offence intended, but I'm wondering if they will be better off without him. They might have some chance of a more normal life now, and maybe even might get to go out without wearing masks. Let's hope that whoever gets guardianship (and watch out for the mad rush to get greedy hands on the trust funds) has some common sense.