There’s Something About Michael

Monday, 05 July 2004

by Christopher Hamilton

They say everyone will get at least 15 minutes of fame during their lifetime. The truth is, most of us will never become famous at all. In the music field, it’s even harder to maintain any type of longevity due to the constantly changing musical landscape. Many of today’s artists won’t be around for long. Most of the artists from 1994 aren’t in the news much anymore. Even fewer of the artists from 1984 are making headlines nowadays. Not to even mention artists from 1974. But there is one personality that’s been around longer (1969) that dominates worldwide headlines and still manages to release (despite what you’re led to believe) multi-platinum cd’s. For those that only know him as the media-created “MJ”, let’s remember why and how Michael Jackson rose above the pack and into the stratosphere.

Back in 1969, five years after the explosion of Beatlemania hit the USA, The Jackson Five began their careers at number one with “I Want You Back”. Their second single, “ABC”, knocked the Beatles final Number One single, “Let It Be”, from the top spot. During this period, the J5’s first 4 singles went to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. There were other family groups during that era such as the Osmonds, the Sylvers and the Five Stairsteps, but the Jacksons were the trendsetters with their hip outfits, widely imitated dance moves and huge afros. However, young Michael stood out among his older brothers by his ability to capture an audience. This was a 12 years old boy commanding the stage with the presence of a seasoned professional. The world didn’t have a problem with this because the Jackson 5 was still a Black group with Black fans. This was Michael’s first 15 minutes of fame.

Even as a teenager, Michael was the subject of cruel rumors and gossip. There were the constant sex change rumors. One of the most vicious rumors was that Michael was in love with the actor turned minister Clifton Davis (who wrote one of the J5’s biggest hits, “Never Can Say Goodbye”.

If that was the end of the story, it would have been enough for a career for many artists. However, for Michael, it was only Act One.

A combination of events set the stage for Michael to take over the world. The 1979 release of “Off the Wall” was a mega album for a Black man. “Motown 25” showcased Michael’s performance as a solo artist, complete with the Moonwalk. Artists such as Gene Kelly & Fred Astaire were singing his praises. The “Thriller” album became the world’s biggest selling album ever. MTV exploded the videos or “short films” (as Michael would call them). Suddenly, Michael wasn’t just a Black star. He was a worldwide phenomenon on an Elvis & Beatles level with fans of all races. It was Michael’s next move that cemented his legacy and secured his future for life.

After being advised by Paul McCartney that the real money was in owning music publishing, Michael went and did just that. He bought the Sly & the Family Stone catalog. He bought songs of Elvis, Little Richard and secured all the rights to his post Motown songs. Then he bought the entire Beatles catalog for $47 million, infuriating his advisor, Paul McCartney. (Paul and Beatles partner John Lennon had lost the publishing rights years ago to the songs they had written as the Beatles. Paul could have bought the songs himself but thought the price tag was too steep.) The catalog now is worth over $500 million. This was only Act Two and the continuation of Michael’s seemingly endless 15 minutes of fame.

It was around this time that the “MJ” image begin to appear in print. Before you begin to judge him, imagine being in his shoes. MJ was walking ground no Black musician had ever walked. You had better believe there were certain elements that weren’t happy with the power that Michael Jackson was getting universally. The “Bad” album had yielded 5 number one singles. The “Dangerous” cd contained his biggest hit ever, “Black or White”. “MJ” then made his most cunning move of all.

In an act of sheer genius, Michael merged half of his Beatles catalog with Sony Music publishing, thus becoming co-owner of the entire Sony catalog (which includes the works of Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Destiny’s Child & countless others.) The move to destroy Michael Jackson was put in full gear.

The “Michael Jackson is broke” rumors began. The child molestation accusations began. To date, with all the children that have ever been around MJ, we know of TWO to accuse him of this horrendous crime. One took money to make it go away and the second proclaimed on “Living With Michael Jackson” that Michael is nothing but good to him but now wants you to believe that Michael started molesting him after the special aired. Oh and out of the thousands of lawyers in California, they went and got the same lawyer that represented the previous child. Armed with information that MJ allegedly molested a child in Feb 2003, the DA waits until November 18, 2003 (the day MJ is scheduled to drop a new cd) to have a 60 member SWAT team tear Neverland apart. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

We now sit and await the Trial of Michael Jackson. It’s up to a jury to decide whether Michael is “off the wall”, a “thriller”, “bad”, “dangerous”, “history” or “invincible”. While the R. Kelly case receives merely a soundbite on the trial TV shows, Michael, once again, dominates the airwaves. While Justin jumps off the MJ bandwagon, Usher has become the hottest thing in music while embracing MJ’s sounds & signature moves. Another coincidence? I think not.

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I give it a " "

POOK said:

LOL, um Pook the Sylvers broke up and the member of the group who sung "Wish That I Can Talk 2 u" lead vocalist died recently...


Anyway back 2 the subject.

I think despite everyhing negative about him he is a rich ass MUTHA FUCKA. And yes, the allegations are rediculous. But he shudda been more secure about having him sleep there, even having sleepovers with kids n stuff so that this kinda stuff couldnt happen.

MJ WOOOH

GimmedabeatJONAH!
HEE HEE
OOOH!
OW!
HOOO!
SHAMONAH!

Verrry Interesting...