Yesterday, singer and undisputed 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson, passed away. He was 50. The cause of his death is still not known, as an autopsy is to be performed today. It was reported that Jackson collapsed in a rented home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles; he was in cardiac arrest when attending paramedics arrived at the house and CPR was performed. He was taken to UCLA medical center, with resuscitation efforts continued en route. Michael was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm (PST).
In his illustrious career, Michael Jackson carved out an undeniable niche for himself in the history of music. Though his career as a solo artist began in 1972 with Got to Be There an aside to his then-concurrent work with his brothers in the Jackson 5 Michael's real breakthrough came with 1979's Off the Wall. 'Wall paired Jackson with well-respected musician/composer, Quincy Jones. Jones' and Jackson's collaborations would become the stuff of legend; they'd already worked together on the soundtrack to The Wiz, and their collaborations from this point on would result in hits like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Rock With You" and "Get on the Floor". Michael's partnership with Quincy Jones would pay off in ways thought unimaginable with the release of Michael's 1982 record-breaking album, Thriller a brilliant dance-pop/R&B hybrid that fully shattered numerous boundaries for popular black music in a then still-discriminatory mainstream market. Thriller saw Michael Jackson pioneer the long-form music video in the self-titled single a virtual short film directed by John Landis. More, the music video for one of the album's singles "Billie Jean" is frequently cited as the first music video by a black artist or group to experience frequent rotation on the then-burgeoning MTV "Billie Jean" and Shalamar's "Dead Giveaway". "Thriller" went on to become the best-selling album of all-time its pioneering breakthroughs continually cited by all manner of pop music archivists and historians.
Michael Jackson followed Thriller with equally sleek full-lengths such as Bad (1987) and in a quest to embrace the then-current New Jack trend, Dangerous. Dangerous saw Michael enlist the talents of Teddy Riley hot off projects for Bobby Brown. The completed album (Dangerous) was an intriguing recording, both urban and popular. Jackson's last album the largely unknown Invincible (2001) mostly appealed only to devoted enthusiasts, but serves as an appropriate reminder and (musical) swan song for a man who increasingly (and unfairly) became more known for his eccentricities than his art.
In his later years, Michael Jackson had an outwardly troubled existence. Sure, Michael was obviously misunderstood even early on in his career, but Jackson's latter life was frequently tabloid fodder. Twice accused of child molestation once in 1993, and again in 2003 (and found innocent both times) Jackson's music sales and public image declined. Though, he was still unquestionably one of the greatest pop performers that ever lived, the gossip-hungry paparazzi insisted on focusing on Jackson's financial problems, familial habits and personal health issues. In much the same way Diana, Princess of Wales, was hounded until (and arguably unto) her death by celebrity-crazed tabloid photographers, Michael's musical work and various philanthropic projects on behalf of children increasingly saw little in the way of publicity.
In understanding the intriguing life that was Michael Jackson's, one must look at the whole picture to get a basic understanding. Jackson from his childhood onward was immersed in publicity, incessant touring and recording sessions. Doubtless, he never had the time to form friendships or play with others his age in his childhood, or even enjoy something as basic as watching Saturday morning cartoons. Many will (and have) said that the monetary rewards of Jackson's career alone should've overshadowed any childhood "fun" deficiencies; I say rubbish! The often-overlooked and underrated privilege to be a child can have highly devastating effects on us as adults no matter how much money and acclaim we accrue over the years. Michael Jackson was obviously a highly gifted man, but also perhaps more than most a deeply troubled one.
Michael Jackson's death should serve as a constant reminder that some of us are born with extraordinary gifts and sadly no matter how much we make others happy with these gifts, there will always be those who would exploit the negatives that are also inevitably a part of our make-up. More, we should all be allowed to grow with these gifts and experience life to the fullest without the ever-looming spectacle of money-to-be-made for others at our expense.
Rest in Peace, King of Pop! May you find everlasting joy...
Categories: Michael Jackson; Quincy Jones
