Do not understand Jackson phenomena

[Big Rig]

Yah, I liked his music and his cute little voice and he was fun to watch on stage and I cant do the fucking moonwalk but WTF he was a entertainer. Could not even play an instrument.

Like you could be a great scientist who gives tremendous knowledge to the humanities that might save our species or you could be working isolated on a theory to prove there is a God http://www.ctmu.org and barely get noticed when you die. Might even go through life without and blow job and no one cares because you are not cute and cannot dance and sing.

Why are our values so tweezed?

 

[LKD]

you're just jealous

 

[to-guy69]

Only a handful of male solo artists have ever been able to capture the imagination of an entire generation worldwide in the way he did in his prime and there hasn't been anyone since who has.

He was, however, never as popular in Canada as he was in other countries which may explain why he never returned after 1984 to perform here.

 

[mandrill]

Only a handful of male solo artists have been able to capture the imagination of an entire generation worldwide in the way he did in his prime.

Uh, not so much. But then, I spent the 80's listening to Alternative radio stations and records.

 

[JEFF247]

His musics OK. I never bought a CD of his. Just amazed at what a freak he turned out to be. And all that money he pissed (it's his prerogative) away on a lavish lifestyle. I am sure he did some good things. Threw some people and charities a bone, but nothing beyond that. Other than the music, a pretty pathetic life. Hope his kids get help soon.

 

[5hummer]

He put out some good songs.
I feel his "Off The Wall" album was his best, personally.

I just cannot understand people who would travel to the UCLA hospital or some other landmark to pay tribute.

It's weird and sad that people devote themselves to a person. A person that they've probably never met in person and knows only through a pair of speakers or headphones. A person who was definitely not perfect and had documented problems throughout their life.

 

[mandrill]

I saw an interview with him some years ago and it was quite sad. He was obviously pretty insane and had been for some years. But at one point, he got up and started to dance and moonwalk and the talent and magic were still there.... sort of. I felt sorry for the guy. I'm sure he was kept as a puppet and a cash cow by his entourage and they made sure he was drugged up and never got proper treatment for his insanity.

They say the same thing was done to Howard Hughes.

Well, MJ will be the subject of movies and novels and exposes and a source of inspiration for anyone interested in WEIRD for decades to come in. So he got all the immortality anyone could ever want and a whole lot more as well.

 

[tboy]

I don't know why it's so hard to understand, the world has become a pop culture based society where notoriety and fame supercedes just about everything else.

I mean hell, we pay movie stars and performers better than we pay our presidents/premiers.

I don't know if the beatles were the first, but I believe they were the first to create "hysteria" over pop idols. Ever seen any of the concert footage when they played live? I mean chicks CRYING FFS.

If one has nothing to believe in (and can't believe in themselves) they might as believe in a character like MJ........

 

[Aardvark154]

I don't know why it's so hard to understand, the world has become a pop culture based society where notoriety and fame supercedes just about everything else.

I mean hell, we pay movie stars and performers better than we pay our presidents/premiers.

I don't know if the beatles were the first, but I believe they were the first to create "hysteria" over pop idols. Ever seen any of the concert footage when they played live? I mean chicks CRYING FFS.

If one has nothing to believe in (and can't believe in themselves) they might as believe in a character like MJ........

I agree.

 

[BallzDeep]

It's because there's emotions involved in music, one of his songs probably helped people through rough stages in their lives, they are emotionally attached to him and his music. Music brings emotions out in people, memories of breakups, death of a loved one, wedding song, etc.

That's why musicians are idolized probably more than anyone else, plus the fact that musicians and performers entertain us and take us away from our problems lives for a short period of time. A normal same woman would scream like a teenager when she saw him perform because she couldn't help it.

When you play on someone's emotions, they are putty in your hands, remember when Susan Boyle came on the scene, one of the girls on here would listen to it over and over again because she was sad at the time.

 

[Hadrian]

It's because there's emotions involved in music, one of his songs probably helped people through rough stages in their lives, they are emotionally attached to him and his music. Music brings emotions out in people, memories of breakups, death of a loved one, wedding song, etc.

That's why musicians are idolized probably more than anyone else, plus the fact that musicians and performers entertain us and take us away from our problems lives for a short period of time. A normal same woman would scream like a teenager when she saw him perform because she couldn't help it.

When you play on someone's emotions, they are putty in your hands, remember when Susan Boyle came on the scene, one of the girls on here would listen to it over and over again because she was sas at the time.

^^^
Yep

 

[petitelover]

They say there will never be an icon like Michael Jackson again. Who knows if that is true but to have lived during the same time as Jackson and been to his concert and heard his music live is amazing. Although I might not go for his personal life at all, I respect his music and how he has shaped the music industry. Few can successfully argue his music genius. I think his life was a sad one. May he RIP but to the original posters point - - I agree. More emphasis should be placed on people that shape humanity for the better. To that point, Jackson did so professionally and I am sure the music world thanks him for it.

 

[JohnLarue]

Its a shame when anyone dies before their time

He had some talent & was quite popular, but this was obviously a very troubled person & I never really bought into his super stardom.
I did not buy any of his music and would shake my head at his physical transformation (that was strange shit) and bazaar behavior

By way of comparison, I was far more troubled to hear of the lose of these people than Michale Jackson passing

Bon Scott
John Bonham
Victor Davis
Stevie Ray Vaughan
John Candy

 

[Hadrian]

Its a shame when anyone dies before their time

He had some talent & was quite popular, but this was obviously a very troubled person & I never really bought into his super stardom.
I did not buy any of his music and would shake my head at his physical transformation (that was strange shit) and bazaar behavior

By way of comparison, I was far more troubled to hear of the lose of these people than Michale Jackson passing

Bon Scott
John Bonham
Victor Davis
Stevie Ray Vaughan
John Candy

I'm still in mourning over Dime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BallzDeep]

Guys will never understand his phnomenom because we weren't his market audience, my guess is most of his mourners are 25+ females because he hasn't been relevant in 15 years, much like Gretszky isn't relevant for young hockey players anymore, rare to see a young player say Gretz was their favourite player growing up anymore.

And to the OP, I don't think truck drivers were Michaels target audience.

 

[petitelover]

Its a shame when anyone dies before their time

He had some talent & was quite popular, but this was obviously a very troubled person & I never really bought into his super stardom.
I did not buy any of his music and would shake my head at his physical transformation (that was strange shit) and bazaar behavior

By way of comparison, I was far more troubled to hear of the lose of these people than Michale Jackson passing

Bon Scott
John Bonham
Victor Davis
Stevie Ray Vaughan
John Candy

Chris Farley and John Candy were two icons in the comedy world. Sad to see them go also.

 

[Safdar]

I think MJ popularity can be attributed to circumstance. The music video revolutionized the music industry and Jackson revolutionized the music video. He took full advantage of the music video, showcasing his dancing talents and producing music videos like Thriller which was was a mini movie. This was a boost to his popularity worldwide. Videos gave him an advantage over musicians that came before him.

I would also say he is the first black artist to break into the mainstream. He was the first artist to be played on MTV and he had an appeal to the young and the old.

There have been more talented musicians before him and after him but his is the most popular of all time. I don't see another musician being as popular as him just because the music industry is so diverse now.

 

[LKD]

his legacy will live on forever... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GweUjzhUwNw he already has new followers


btw did you guys know that MJ is in the guiness book for the most number of charities donated to by a single indivudual... I'm sure a lot of his fortune was given away there

 

[petitelover]

I think MJ popularity can be attributed to circumstance. The music video revolutionized the music industry and Jackson revolutionized the music video. He took full advantage of the music video, showcasing his dancing talents and producing music videos like Thriller which was was a mini movie. This was a boost to his popularity worldwide. Videos gave him an advantage over musicians that came before him.

I would also say he is the first black artist to break into the mainstream. He was the first artist to be played on MTV and he had an appeal to the young and the old.

There have been more talented musicians before him and after him but his is the most popular of all time. I don't see another musician being as popular as him just because the music industry is so diverse now.

Excellent points. If you look at MTV now it is nothing compared to what it used to be. Now, anyone can be a "movie" star by the use of YouTube and similar outlets. Although I think he was extremely talented both from a vocal and dance perspective, much of his success can also be attributed to exposure on MTV. Will that mix ever happen again? Probably, but I don't think in our life time.

 

[Smallcock]

It's pretty simple.

-good albums/songs over the span of decades
-pushed the door open on MTV and evolved lockstep with it. It is what it is today because of Jackson
-instrumental in increased racial harmony, awareness
-was a catalyst for entire genres of music, dance, and styles
-influenced tons of artists
-was exciting stage presence only comparable to Elvis
-charitable
-even though he was on top of the world, he was likable because he had a meek personality; no ego at all.

He's in pretty distinguished and exclusive company, up there with Elvis and the Beatles. The reasons are clear.