He's Out of Our Lives

I was just talking about celebs dying in threes, since we've just lost two major TV stars in the past week (not to mention Kung Fu legend David Carradine earlier this month), and now the music industry is down one giant.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead at 50.

I can't believe it.

The kids on the street outside my apartment are blasting Thriller right now. *sigh*

I just had a flashback to the night that the "Thriller" video premiered...how I could think of nothing else all day and how I commandeered the TV and waited anxiously for it. And how I was not disappointed.

I know that Michael has been the subject of ridicule in recent years because of his legal battles, obsession with plastic surgery, and odd behavior, but that tabloid stuff won't be his legacy. I think his passing will sadden anyone who grew up with his music. Whatever you thought of him, there is no denying the impact and influence that he had on the world of music, and popular culture in general.

There will never be another Michael Jackson.

Enjoy some of my favorite MJ tunes...











And that video against which all other videos are still measured, 26 years later...

Comments

Angell said…
Beck, I had just finished reading your post at work, shut off my computer and came home to find the news of MJ.

Talk about a surreal coincidence.

Great videos. Regardless of what the man's personal problems were, he was a major talent, and the world is a little poorer today for the loss.
Malcolm said…
I too remember the world premiere of "Thriller" and how MTV played it at the top of the hour every hour. I don't care what anyone says, Michael was one of the baddest entertainers who ever lived.

It's not like I have a choice, but it will be hard to think of a world without Michael Jackson.
Cora said…
Well said.
Soda and Candy said…
This is crazy, what is going ON??? So many people dying all at once it seems.

I felt so sorry when I heard. It seems surreal.
Travis Cody said…
Gosh...I remember that frenzy when the Thriller video first aired.
Chancelucky said…
Okay, I'm the Grinch. I liked his music, but I'm glad he's dead.
God said…
Chancelucky - I'm glad I'm not the only person that thought that way. I'm a bit relieved actually, his kids might even grow up semi-normal now.
Shelly said…
Sad. I agree, whatever his personal problems were, his music was great. One of our local radio stations is playing his music all day today and I'm singing along with every song. So much good stuff.
Happy Villain said…
Although I don't wish death upon anyone, his personal life made for a miserable, lonely existance, and my overwhelming feeling is that he probably has peace for the first time. What a clown he had become, always the butt of jokes. No one talked about the music anymore, and now people are talking about the music again, as it should be. Hopefully the world will continue to show him some respect in his death, that they couldn't show in his life.
I'm so sad. Regardless, that he was a complete FREAK he was the most exciting entertainer of our generation.

I can measure the adolescent milestones in my life by his greatest hits.

BUT-there is one MJ question I would like an answer to. How did he become a white man??
Anonymous said…
The guy was loony. Period. God and Chancelucky, I join your ranks. Yes he was talented, and death is a sad part of life, but it doesn't make any jokes I said about him any less true or funny. The fact he died only proves he was mortal, not that he was a saint.

Call me crazy, but to me, "impacted the music world" is not the same as "solved world hunger."

But DAMN that man could DANCE!

Ok I'm done. But YOU did a good job, Beck. You didn't overdo it like 500 radio stations in Houston were alllllll morning. Ugh.
Red said…
He was definitely a sad character, but I will choose to fondly remember his music and leave it at that.
Anonymous said…
I remember watching him on t.v. and the first time he did the "moonwalk". We were astonished.
What? Two people died in one day? What are the chances of that happening?

Okay, I don't deny the influence that Michael Jackson had on pop culture, but I have a feeling that I am going to get mighty hungry for some different news before long.
cube said…
He was a Titan in the world of music, but he had problems dealing with the world at large. I know it wasn't easy being him, but I'm more concerned with the trail of kids he left in his wake. What of them?
Gifted Typist said…
Could not agree more
Soda and Candy said…
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Gorilla Bananas said…
A great wail erupted in the Congo when the news broke. Even the baboons started doing the moon walk.
Unknown said…
And now Billy Mays!!!
Distributorcap said…
hopefully as he passes from life to iconic dead celeb (like elvis and james dean) - it is music that is remembered....

actually michael was #4 (after carradine, ed and farrah) - the new set of three has just started