Michael Jackson
When Michael Jackson died just over a month ago, I wasn't surprised. What has subsequently surprised me is how upsetting and challenging his death has been. Initially, I thought that for all intents and purposes, Michael Jackson died years ago. That is to say that the Michael Jackson who made Off The Wall and Thriller has been long gone. The eccentricities and scandals had become so enormous that they overwhelmed the man and his music. That was where I started upon hearing of Jackson's death.
In subsequent days and weeks, my participation and reading on a couple internet forums maintained my focus on Michael Jackson longer than it would have otherwise. As a fan, I found myself in the position of defending Michael Jackson against those who were attempting to diminish the entirety of his career on the basis of his eccentricities and child abuse allegations. In a way, I had done the same thing. However, as I read the dismissals of his work, I started to think I had made a mistake in my initial assessment. The negativity about this man and his work was an assault to my sense of fairness. At first, I made the argument that the artist's life has nothing to do with his work. The music stands on it's own. Then I began to argue that Michael Jackson was generally misunderstood and deserving of empathy, not to mention, benefit of doubt.
I knew that the real problems were first, the child molestation accusations, and second, the plastic surgery. These and other lesser issues made people feel uncomfortable with Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson was extremely aware of the importance of PR, yet he behaved in ways that could only generate hostility. I don't think he was deserving of the animosity he received, but he should have known better. His inability to recognize his problem with plastic surgery or that people would find it weird is a reflection of Michael Jackson's state of mind. Worse still, his justification of close friendships with children was incomprehensible. He appeared to have no idea that these relationships were not only unusual, but socially unacceptable.
With these frustrations in mind, I began to think about what Michael Jackson special. Why was it that at one point everyone loved him? I went back to the clip of his performance of "Billie Jean" on the Motown 25th anniversary special in 1983. That was the moment when Michael Jackson transformed from a very successful performer to a worldwide phenomenon. I was in seventh grade when the show first aired. I was struggling with algebra homework. This was the first time I took particular notice of Michael Jackson. I knew who he was, and that Paul McCartney sang on one of his songs, but nothing more. I have a hard time describing the Motown 25 performance. It's not a matter of whether it was good or great. It was a transformative moment for both the audience and artist. I have never read words that capture it.
I have subsequently watched that performance dozens of times in the past few weeks. I still find it exciting. Certain parts give me goose bumps. I don't even like dancing, but I find Michael Jackson's dancing fascinating. Everything that was great about Michael Jackson could be found in that four minute performance. He was a huge star prior to that performance, but the Michael Jackson and Thriller phenomenon started that night. He never bettered this moment, not that he didn't try. It was impossible. Something happened during that performance that wasn't in his control. The combination of artist, performance, music and the cultural moment was a one time thing. Nothing can replicate the excitement of the mass simultaneous discovery of a brilliant artist. I felt it while trying to my homework, and so did millions of others.
I understand that I have overstated the importance of Michael Jackson. His performance didn't convert Iron Maiden fans. He was a pop star. World events were unchanged. My algebra was still due the next day. Michael Jackson, the newly "most famous person in the world" returned to the home he shared with his parents. He was just a person after all. He was a 24 year old man who had plenty of highs, and an increasing succession of lows in the years to come.
Ultimately, Michael Jackson didn't make it easy to be a fan. He was once the most mainstream and universally accepted artist. By the end of his life he was a niche artist. Michael Jackson was "alternative". His internal struggles were manifested externally in ways that were confusing and uncomfortable. His actions seemed self destructive and occasionally ridiculous. Yet the source of his downfall was also the source of his greatness. Michael's emotional distress and self loathing gave him the motivation to become the biggest star in the world. Over time, those same torments manifested themselves to no good end. I'll deal with those issues later. For now, check out the Motown 25 performances. Try to remember when everything he did was new. Try to set aside the searing, yet hilarious, parody of Michael Jackson on South Park. Before he became an acceptable target for ridicule for everyone from Neil Young to Eminem, he was great. Check it out.
Motown 25 performance with the Jackson 5
Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean
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