The story ends here. What began in poverty ends in unknowable wealth. What began in a crowded, working class home in a crowded, working class city ends in a vacuum of isolation. What began in tragedy ends in tragedy.
In the pantheon of popular culture, Michael Jackson's spot is singular. There can be no comparison made to anyone that came before him, nor to anyone that came after. No performer so totally dominated the consciousness of his time. No performer rose as high, nor fell so far.
Jackson's life was a thing of grotesque beauty. He was a figure who seemed crafted by the Greek tragedians, a man who's every talent was instrumental in his own undoing.
As a diminutive, cherubic boy, at a time when most children were preoccupied by childish things, Jackson was a media star-- a boy with an unerring vocal range that could stop you in your tracks. He could dance. He was affable. He was handsome. By the time he was 23 years old, he was responsible for two of the greatest records in the history of pop music, "Off The Wall" and "Thriller," and had achieved a level of global celebrity previously unknown. Fans were so moved by his presence that ambulances and stretchers had to be readied by the dozens at his concerts to cart away those who passed out at the mere sight of him.
But the ecstasy soon turned to bewilderment-- as scrutiny on him increased, so too did the depth of his eccentricities. What at first seemed to be the jubilence of a child began to be something more unnerving-- the stasis of arrested development. Through the 80s, as Jackson's skin paled to the point of pallor, as rumors and whispers piled upon him, as his face began to show the ravages of disastrous plastic surgery, and as devastating sex scandals forced him into exile, bewilderment became horror-- Jackson, who had once been the beaming face of a powerful mainstream, was now a creature warped by a lifetime of examination, a man twisted by the very public of which he was at once master and slave.
We all have it-- the favorite Jackson moment. Perhaps you practiced the moonwalk on a hardwood floor. Or you have a cassette copy of "Bad" that hasn't left your car in over a decade. Or "Thriller" was the first vinyl record you ever bought with your own money. Or you watched him perform "Billie Jean" live on television and burst into tears, for you had never seen or heard anything so beautiful.
To summarize him is preposterous. To praise him is needless. To pardon him is impossible. The only way to memorialize Jackson is to stand in private awe of him. That one life could have been so beautiful, so troubled, so productive, and so horrific is nearly beyond the grasp of rational thought, and is certainly beyond words in these immediate hours. In a sense, Jackson was the great example of humanity-- in one man, as in few before him, the very best and the very worst of the species existed for us to observe, to see, to love, to hear, and to fear. A man ruined by his own greatness, and by our insatiable need for it. A man who, despite innumerable frailties both physical and mental, seemed, somehow, invincible.
There will be more said about Jackson in the next days and weeks-- a deluge of commentary, of lionization, of condemnation, of fond remembrance and of analysis. But when the din ebbs, what remains will be Jackson's life, and the works he left behind, and to look on it is to look on the face of a mountain. It is elemental, and impossible to ever fully understand, fearsome, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
Source: citypages.com
51 comments
The most beautiful piece on MJ I have come across -- and have read tons already! To David Hansen who wrote it, thank you. And to My Kind Is Dead, thank you too for posting it here. Otherwise I would have missed it. June 25 will soon be here -- a year since he passed on. But it's consoling to know that his spirit and goodness will live on forever. To those of us who believed and continue to believe in him, let's prove his detractors wrong by trying to be the good, the kind, the caring, the compassionate, the giving that he was while he was here. Thank you, Michael, for showing us how. God keep you in the warmth of His embrace.
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The article that l read was beautiful, Awesome, & it tell the Truth about this Amazing person that came to this world ever since he was little singing at a young age of the Jackson 5. l don't have to be a singer but l want to say that he will be miss. Everybody in the world loved him. l hope his children are Praying for him. Anyone out their in real life heal world for Micheal, the fans, kids, and his family. Not for sure about this but l will miss him alot. He will be Discuss alot in the future. R.I.P
I'm still crying.... :( and heart broking... :( :'( R.I.P MJ. <3.
I'm still crying.... :( and heart broking... :( :'( R.I.P MJ. <3.
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It has been a few weeks since Michael's passing and it still seems so sureal. I am still so broken-hearted about this man. I grieve for his children and his family. I pray that they too can get thru this great loss. RIP Michael, I love you
This article was beautiful, awesome, and true. Micheal you will be missed. Your music talent, dance moves and what you wished for the world were part of my life as i grew up and as my sister grew up. We love you and we miss you. May you rest in piece. All my love JB
I miss him every minute, every second, every day and I will miss him forever.
This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have seen written about Michael since his death. To the author - thankyou. To Michael - I truly believe you were sent from God. Your impact across the globe has certainly been of biblical proportions. I think this is his message - God's message & Michael's message - read the lyrics of Another Part of Me - we are all connected in this world. God is not outside of us - he is part of us - & we are all connected to each other. Michael helped us to live this truth through connection with his music. In celebration of his music & in sorrow at his passing - his fans are not alone. Michael - You Are Not Alone. Thankyou thankyou thankyou...
to describe you? impossible. You to imitate, nor I try. No matter how hard I say, it will never be the sufficient to describe you. I only can say you is and he will always be the only one
This msg is for the family of Michael Jackson's and special to the kids of Michael. Just wanted to say that he will be miss , he was so good. No body will take his place in our heart and to his kids heart. And I hope that he can be rest in the Neverland Ranch. remember that he was the king of Pop. Still miss you his music and his mover were great.:(
Michael, you were my first love. I have watched you grow up to be an amazing person. No other person is known around the world as you are. I watched you dance, listened to your music and was amazed how one person can touch the lives of so many people. You will be forever in my heart. I know that in heaven you will continue singing and dancing and sending your smile to all of us here. R I P Michael - Always. Jill
As long i'll survive i'll be waiting the moment i'll could be on your side in Heaven...I'm so sad...A part of me is gone with you...Please wait for all of your loving fans...Gone to soon...RIP Michael for ever....
Brooke Shields said on Michaels memorial: He was one of a kind. And that's true in every way we know! I believe that there is something after we left this world. And so I'm thinking Michael looks from above and enjoy that a lot of people truely loves him! And surely he wouldn't see us cry all the time. All my thoughts are with his kids - Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket. Keep your father in your hearts & he's always be there. You were the sin of his life!!! R.I.P. Michael .. You are always in my heart - thanks for those wonderful time. You dearly loved & missed xxx
Well said, nothing more can be said except...HE LIVES ON!
Michael Jackson done much to me and the world I am sorry that when he was accused of pedophilia, I do believe .Was young and stupid. But then I realized that all this is absurd. And so it was not ... I am crying for 3 days and I can not stop. And I ask forgive me Michael for his mistake. Sorry. I can not believe that you are no more! I have a broken heart, that when I do something about it thought.You was King, you and stay! I LOVE YOU ! My family will not forget you KING! Your fan from Kazakhstan. P.S Sorry for my English. I study it.
I feel like nothing's ending..it's just changing, really starting..
i will miss you michael you are the best ,you are history you will always be in my heart
Your memorial was yesterday and I am still having trouble dealing with your death. Your legecy lives on in your fans and your family. May you Now rest in peace
Hi, I'm a Belgian illustrator. I made these portraits of MJ. They are available in high resolution, full quality. Please, feel free to use them: - M J, I N V I N C I B L E: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benheine/3699136453/ - M J, Heal The World: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benheine/3677029800/ - M J, Text Portrait: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benheine/3668777383/ -
RIP Michael I pray that God will have mercy on you and that all your sins are forgive. I know that you were a truly blessed and gifted person. I enjoyed your music I grew up with you and seen a couple of your concerts and I was in awe. Love you and may your music live on forever. Rest in Peace my brother.
This "The King is Dead" is beautifully written, and oh, so true. I agree 100%. I was born in 1977 and grew up listening to Michael. It's still hard for me to believe that he's gone. You will be missed Michael, I love you.
Every night I cry to know that hes gone.BUT I know that there will NEVER be anyone like him.Ive ALWAYS found him VERY ATTRACTIVE.He was my DREAM MAN and today he still is even though he is gone.The world will truly miss him.The gentle sound of his spoken voice,silky black hair that framed his face.He was still the greatest entertainer in the world
You will always be in our hearts. Thank You for leaving us all this amazing music that no one can ever do better than it. I grew up listening to his music and I will continue to live with it as well. May you rest in peace Michael Jackson
In a way, your fans are your family because we all grew up loving you and listening to your music. I'm 19 years old and began listening to your music at age 4. Thank you for your gift to the world Michael, you were an angel on earth and now you're an angel in heaven. I cannot wait to meet you up there someday. Hehe. I love you michael!
A part of me went with you.. and a part of you will always stay with me! I wont ever forget you. :-(
I can't stop crying when I watch him saying to their fans in Arena o2, March: "I love you... I really do... you really have to know that..." He loved his fans. And we love him and miss him so much.
I'm 30 today. I grew up with his music : my firt "rock" was Beat it, my firt "horror movie" Trhiller (i was 4) ; i used to listen "BAD" album again and again when i was a teen, the first CD i bought was "Dangerous"... I didn't realise how much his music has been important in my life untill i knew he was gone. So sad these days ! Thanks for everything, a part of my youth is gone with you.
R.I.P MJ U are indeed a LEGEND
A while ago i searched the internet for a film about The King. But i soon realised that no one can impersonate Michael Jackson, no matter how good he is or how many awards has won because this king of actor hasn't been invented yet. It takes a great deal of talent and detachement to be MJ. May his soul rest in peace!!!
Michael Jackson is unique, one of a kind which will never be born. I see today's generation of music and I dont think there is any remote possibility of anyone turning up like Jackson. The whole world criticised his looks, his actions, his words. But with his death we have realized that we underestimated a child prodigy and a genius. To make so many fans all over the world, even in Asia stand up in awe of him, can be done only by a person who is more than extra-ordinary. We cannot even state the magnitude because he was right up there. In many ways this world was unfair to him and this is a lesson that we all must take not to underestimate any genius ever... If we do, then the regret that follows his death is very deep
havent stoped listening to mj song since last week i keep expecting it to flash up on the telly that it is a joke of for michael jackson to turn up at the o2 arena and start singing and dancing like he does i refuse to blive that he is dead but truly he will never die WE LOVE U MICHAEL WERE EVER U ARE XXX
i am so mad that he had to die so soon...and he had never been happy
Father God, have mercy on us. In Jesus Name, Amen and thank You.
Gone too soon...
When it comes to Michael, one thing comes to mind: Life sucks and then you die! R.I.P. Michael, you truly do deserve some rest!
hats off to u michael for having the courage to do and to be whatever u wanted to in this life. though with your heavy heart and so much of pain within you, u had yet the strength to be one of the most beautiful people this world has ever known. you are now where u belong.. u have finally found your peace..
Michael Jackson Just Typing Out His Name Makes Me Burst Into Tears His Songs meant something different to each and everyone of us .. some sexy , some funny , some meaningful but All Absoulutly amazing May He Finally Get the peace he deserved because we couldnt offer it to him here on earth Neverland is yours forever Sleep well king <3 xxx
i cant find the words to decribe how i fell that you are gone it hurts to see you gone i cryed all that day when i heard u died i didnt want to belive it. when people talk about you it hurts also not liking you is one thing but talking bad about you is another its like you are the one who brought people together and if you didnt make the music you made we wouldnt have the music we like today you were also an inspriation for not only me but for alot of people all over the world my little brother would tell me all the time that he wants to me just like michael joseph jackson i just cant belive your gone i will miss you alot RIP michael jackson. luv you biggest #1 fan meshiael. p.s. i still cry untill this day and its the 2 of july but it dosent matter to me cause we lost a special talented father i love you michael.
I still can't find the words to explain my feelings about this tragedy :-( I sang the songs from the King of Pop long before my English courses! I just stood in my room, danced and sang, sang, sang, cried, laughed... He stood by my side in EVERY moment of my life. Angel you were, Angel you became again, may all the Magic (the true one) fill up your soul! With love... Your always loving you Anny (from Luxembourg)
those liars will burn in hell for destroying your life. no more pain in heaven. we love you so much. rip mj.
Each Saturday mom and I would clean house as we watched American Bandstand. When the Jackson 5 came on we dropped the Pledge and began to dance along with you!! Knowing you were to perform was always a pleasure & sitting still was hard. Later in life my sons would moonwalk across the kitchen. Thank you for the music and memories.
we will all miss you, wish you could have watched your kids grow up R.I.P pain free at last but in the wrong way
ur gone..u wont come back..but ur memories will stay with me..ur troubled life kills u..but nw the world know ur innocent..i knew ur innocent..i never believe the lies..i know who you are..i alwiz will be missing you..and will alwiz love you...i cant stop crying..RIP MJ..my prayers goes to ur family and ur kids..
Michael you will live forevere with your music, in our hearts..We will never forget your talent, kindness and your sensibility... We love you!! I'm very sorry for your troubled life, I hope you've found peace now.
RIP. You will always be the king of pop!
We will MISS YOU! REST IN PEACE! My KING Forever in my heart