When Elvis Presley died in 1977, the New Music Express which was then smitten with punk, ran a front cover with a picture of the pre-army Elvis on stage. The headline was 'remember him this way'. This is pretty much what I am feeling about the death of Michael Jackson. Yes I feel bad for his kids. But he hadn't produced any music of note since 'Bad', his messianic hubris was appalling, his relations with children were at best bizarre and at worst abusive, his financial extravegance was disgusting.
So I will be remembering Michael Jackson as the extraordinary talent of the Jackson 5 era, when he voiced some of the most perfect pop ever created. Sure his 80s albums were also good, but it was in the 70s that he was truly extraordinary. It was of course his experiences in that time, being famous as a child, that probably damaged him irrevocably, making seeing him on stage as a kid bittersweet.
So, remember him this way:
So I will be remembering Michael Jackson as the extraordinary talent of the Jackson 5 era, when he voiced some of the most perfect pop ever created. Sure his 80s albums were also good, but it was in the 70s that he was truly extraordinary. It was of course his experiences in that time, being famous as a child, that probably damaged him irrevocably, making seeing him on stage as a kid bittersweet.
So, remember him this way:
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