Since his death Michael Jackson has been more popular than a fur seal in a baseball bat emporium. This is in part due to his life-long contribution to compulsive consumerism, but also to his recent successes with the green movement who interpreted his death as a form of high end recycling with possible applications pertaining to poly-carbonates, asbestos and bobblehead toys. After all, prior to his departure Mr. Jackson was a genetically modified biodegradable superplastic with a top end chemical PH balance of 74.
There is no doubt that Jackson’s life was a tragic one. From the foreskin that had been surgically transplanted at the tip of his nose through to his Pepsifried hairdo; Jackson certainly endured a lot prior to his ‘use by’ date last year. Accusations of weirdness, paedophilia and glove puppetry must have taken their toll at times. Nevertheless, Jackson always came back with albums that were consistently destined to trump the elevator market scene – a scene that has always been difficult to crack (Billy Joel and Mark Knophler would testify to that – it took them years to break into the elevator market scene before reaching their current status as the two artists who dominate it most).
But it is interesting to note that since Jackson’s death not only have sales of his back catalogue suddenly skyrocketed, but he has also become one of the top artists being downloaded on I-tunes. It is this I-tunes factor that perplexes me the most and reeks of global music hypocracy. How long has I-tunes been around? But because Jackson suddenly dies people think “hey, I like his music. I didn’t when he was alive, but I’ve just remembered that I’ve always been a great fan”. This must bring untold relief to artists like Elton John who are forever trying to find ways to revive a fading career. Jackson demonstrated what so many before him have demonstrated (Elvis, Lennon, Cliff Richards - oops, he's not dead yet, just seems like it). Indeed, the secret to reviving a fading musical career - death. Good luck with that Elton...
Anyway, it’s at times like these – when criminal charges fly and medical professionals run for cover as pharmaceutical companies hire one-armed men to protect their interests, that we ponder the legacy of the individual. And Jackson’s legacy was indeed great. From his early childhood when he and his four brothers; Peter Jackson, Joe Jackson, Jesse Jackson and Stevie Wonder; formed the super group ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’, through to his solo career as ‘Prince’ – Jackson was always at the forefront of the Latin dance scene. And for this reason alone, he will be sadly missed.
That’s what I think… and usually I’m right.
No comments:
Post a Comment