Michael Jackson has passed away

[Wonderlicious]

Every few years, we have a totally unexpected death of someone...JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Princess Diana are all fine examples. Jacko's now on the list. It just feels so shocking, that part of me deludes myself by thinking that he might still be alive. Whatever people may say about his music, his eccentric life and what not, I personally think that it's sad that he's gone and I send condolences to his family.

And as for the "so long paedo" comment: let's not act like a lynch-mob. Even if he did something, this is not some mass-murderer or Hitler-figure here.

[Super Aurora]

Although ol' Mike was at his greatest peak in in the mid 80's (I was born in '87) Even I, at 2 years old, knew who this man was. Like enigmawing, I wasn't a hardcore fan or anything, but I did love his shit. He's one of the main 80's icon figures.

I also remember seeing alot of parody album covers of his in Chuck E. Chesse. One was the BAD album. I also remember Captain EO and how so much star wars influence[I'm looking at you Max Reebo] in there as well (since Lucas produce it).

Most people remember him for Thriller but I personally remember him for one of the most badass music video- Smooth Criminal. Yes the one from Moonwalker movie. While the movie was just an ego trip about himself, that Smooth Criminal scene was hardcore along with some of the random clay animation showing up during the movie.

The songs I like best from him are:
1. Smooth Criminal
2. Street Walker- this one was also awesome and catchy
3. Billie Jean
5. We Are Here To Change The World.

So in conclusion, hats off to you Michael Jackson for giving a great legacy behind to the world. You produced great music, great songs, and great music videos. Rest in peace. You were great legend.



oh lol'd to all the people responding to Mr. Toad's remark when you could of just ignore him. LOL.

[ajmrowland]

Every few years, we have a totally unexpected death of someone...JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Princess Diana are all fine examples. Jacko's now on the list. It just feels so shocking, that part of me deludes myself by thinking that he might still be alive.

You and me both.

[Mason_Ireton]

The songs I like best from him are:
1. Smooth Criminal
2. Street Walker- this one was also awesome and catchy
3. Billie Jean
5. We Are Here To Change The World.

He sang Smooth Criminal? thought it was somebody else *tries remember* I'll check it out.. The only songs i'm familar with him are listed below

Jackson 5: ABC, Rockin' Robin, Zip A Dee Doo Dah (they did a cover)

Solo Michael: Beat It, Thriller and Bad. ,

Durin my time at Disney College Program they played Thriller and Beat It sometimes at the pool party and they were really catchy to me/the crowd.

Today I went on Youtube and looked up MadTv's spoof of Sir Michael and the comments were horried, many people wanted the vids removed cause they were "offensive" which in some cases they are, but others were tellin the other person(s) that it was just a spoof and they respect the dead.

I really didn't follow the whole "Wacko Jacko" headlines in 2005, though I tried to understand it, the subject gave me a headache after hearin it on the news for 3 months (I believe)

As a singer Michael Jackson was the "one who challenged" music's demands, ravished himself in the tone of his talents...such a elgant writer.

RIP Michael Jackson

[Siren]

Michael originally wrote, sang, and recorded Smooth Criminal. Some new band did a cover of it a few years ago. Compared to the original, it doesn't hold a candle.

I agree, Smooth Criminal is by far one of the best songs he ever did! And the whole video to it was amazing! How they moved was like magic, it was so cool

[Arielle]

Michael Jackson was my childhood. I had all his cassette tapes (the first cassette tape I bought with my own money). I also tried (and failed) to learn the steps to "Thriller." And one year I even dressed up as Michael Jackson for Halloween. For my biography project in elementary school I did Michael Jackson and even made (albeit poor) puppet of Michael Jackson. When I was 8, I wanted to have 9 kids and name them all after the Jackson kids.

He was such a brilliant musician and dancer. He brought so much to the world of Pop.

While his personal life is still a mystery, please please restrain from saying mean things. We are mourning the loss of a musical legend -- just let us do that.

[Chernabog_Rocks]

Since it hasn't been brough up from what I've seen, I've heard that an addiction to pain killers may have lead to his death. *shrugs* That's what a family member of mine heard from a website they were on and I haven't really had time to double check. Perhaps someone else can add more?

I didn't like MJ, just never really bothered to get into his music or anything. However I do hope that he rests in peace and hope that his children are taken care of.

[Anne]

I've never been a fan of his work but I must admit that he is a music legend. Who doesn't know at least one of his song?!

He will be greatly missed and I truly hope his children will be okay and will grow up fine without their dad. May he rest in peace.

[Super Aurora]

Since it hasn't been brough up from what I've seen, I've heard that an addiction to pain killers may have lead to his death. *shrugs* That's what a family member of mine heard from a website they were on and I haven't really had time to double check. Perhaps someone else can add more?

yeah, it was also in the newspaper. Supposedly, He took some prescription medication that doctors didn't recommend to him or some shit like that. I didn't understand the whole story myself either.

Siren, yea not just the song and the video of Smooth Criminal was awesome but also fact that it had a 1930's/40's gangster flair into it. I love stuff from 20's to the 40's.

[drfsupercenter]

Wow, I didn't realize this thread was here...

But as I posted in a couple other forums...

I'm sure kids were sleeping soundly Thursday night

Hey, whether he was a child molester or not, kids had every right to be afraid of him... I personally thought Michael Jackson was pretty creepy, even if he never actually did rape anybody. I like some of his old songs, back when he was a black man, but his career as a white woman was just odd.

[Siren]

Since it hasn't been brough up from what I've seen, I've heard that an addiction to pain killers may have lead to his death. *shrugs* That's what a family member of mine heard from a website they were on and I haven't really had time to double check. Perhaps someone else can add more?

yeah, it was also in the newspaper. Supposedly, He took some prescription medication that doctors didn't recommend to him or some shit like that. I didn't understand the whole story myself either.

Siren, yea not just the song and the video of Smooth Criminal was awesome but also fact that it had a 1930's/40's gangster flair into it. I love stuff from 20's to the 40's.

Yeah, there has been some suspicion about the doctor. Apparently Michael was already on some heavy meds, the doctor gave him more Demerol...then heart attack. The doctor was missing for a while and finally comes back and turns his van in to be processed. And now the doctor has resigned from practicing medicine.....VERY suspicion. IMO, the doctor killed Michael, I don't believe on purpose, but he was defiantly in the wrong.

Another problem with the doctor, he was doing CPR on Michael while he was laying on the bed. Anyone who has ever taken one CPR course knows, you put someone on a hard, flat surface to administer CPR. Otherwise, on things like a bed, it is less effective since when you pump the chest, the springs give way.

And I agree about Smooth Criminal. The gangster feel was so freaking cool! By far the BEST music video! I have Moonwalker on VHS. I wonder if they will release Captain Eo and Moonwalker on DVD now in light of his passing.


For those who never have saw it, or want to see it again, this is the video for Smooth Criminal. I admit, as a teen, I found this video totally sexy. It was too bad Michael did go through all those plastic surgeries, he was good looking for a little while there
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[pap64]

Since we are talking music videos, one of my personal favorites is "Speed Demon" which was actually a segment from "Moonwalker" done by Will Vinton studios.

When I was a kid my parents had rented Moonwalker for the weekend. While I never saw the whole film I walked in just as Speed Demon was starting and I was blown away by everything. The music, the animation, the humor, everything stunned me. Hell, even when MJ is in Claymation form most of the time he still delivers amazing dance steps.

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The "cameos" by Steven Spielberg, Tina Turner, Pee Wee Herman and Sylvester Stallone are also great.

Another fond memory of Michael Jackson I have is his appearance on the game Space Channel 5. He made a cameo appearance in the first game, and became president of Space Channel 5 in the sequel and became one of the main characters.

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[Mason_Ireton]

Thanks for sharin memories of Michael Pap64, the vids were very interesting.

Now I've heard of Rockin Robin and ABCs by Jackson 5 and realized that I never knew the history behind Michael's orignal success.....

Back in 1992 ABC produced a mini-series film based on the life of Jackson 5. It was praised as the best Telefilm of the year

Plot: based upon the history of one of the most successful musical families in show business and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group The Jackson 5.

I'm currently watchin this film, youtube style and I must say....What a show, what a history, these boys knew music and talent, now Joesph Jackson, Michael's father really did push 'em so hard and ruled with an iron fist, warnin there's a few "abuse scenes" but not too graphics..

Won't post all 25 vids so I'll just send the playlist link.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 7542BA5C4A

[milojthatch]

Good riddance child molestor.

See I knew someone would bring this up. We will never know for sure if he was a child molestor. Everything was shrouded in mystery, rumors and vicious jokes that all of us took part in.

But he also led a tragic life. Despite his amazing talent he was the product of an abusive father who only saw him as the only way he can make his dreams come true. He suffered greatly for it and I am sure its was lead him to his early death.

So whether you think he was a great guy or very creepy show some respect because MJ was first and foremost a human being, a human being that suffered throughout most of his life and the least he deserves is for the pedo jokes to go on during his death.

Papa64, well said! I don't know if he actually molested kids or not, but I would tend to side with the fact he most likey didn't. But either way, he did do some really odd things the last decade or so, like hanging his baby from his balcony.

My take is that things like his fame and crappy childhood caught up with him and he lost it. He has had a bad life in a lot of ways and I for one hope that now he can find peace.

I actually went to the same elementary school he did, Gardner Street Elementary in Hollywood, CA and remember as a small boy watching him walk down the halls in the early 90's of that school as they were naming the auditorium after him. I just thought it was the coolest thing!

I want to remember him from his 80's/ early 90's days. The man how danced with zombies and made it look cool, the man who could Moonwalk, and the man who is and always will be The King of Pop! RIP Michael!

[blackcauldron85]

That miniseries that Mason mentioned is quite entertaining and interesting. I used to watch it when VH1 would air it.

[Mason_Ireton]

these guys were the orignal Jonas Bros (no offense) and had talent and knew music.....

Now the Jacksons boys don't show up till part 5-7 (I believe) and it is entertaining and one of best TV movies I've seen in a long while... 2nd best to Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows

[AwallaceUNC]

A chilling but potentially revealing article about Michael Jackson: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... s-ago.html

Also, if anyone is interested, I have recorded a Michael Jackson tribute podcast:
http://www.aaronwallaceonline.com


-Aaron

[David S.]

Great job on the podcast Aaron!

A few comments, in order of your presentation:

The part about listening to cassette versions of the albums through headphones and on a boom box brought back a LOT of memories! Except for me being, er, "slightly" older, and the cassettes in my case were Thriller and Off The Wall rather than Dangerous and HIStory ( Off the Wall and Thriller are probably still my personal favorite Jackson albums)

GREAT take on the Disney connection. I, too, would love to see Captain EO get a DVD release (and BD for the BD collectors) . And I've always enjoyed that medley that includes "When You Wish Upon a Star" from that DL special.

I always thought it was cool that he had his own private amusement park. Heck, if I had his money, I would have done the same thing. People who made fun of him for that were probably just jealous, and/or didn't understand that it was impossible for him to have a peaceful day in a public park without having to buy the place out after hours. I saw him at Knott's Berry Farm in 1985 when on a Cali vacation with my parents and it was sad to see how long it took for him and his bodyguards to get from the log ride to the Mine Train right across the midway, with all the people mobbing him.

Again, excellent point about the skin disease/lightening skin issue.

And your take on the controversy and the public witch hunt regardless of his aquittal is pretty much the same as mine.

"Innocent until proven guilty" and "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" come to mind. Also, that family had a history of shoplifting and lying to authorities. I always believed he was innocent, and "guilty" of only naively putting himself in a position of being an easy target for these type of things. But like you said, we just don't know. But I was certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt considering the circumstances.

On a lighter note, nice countdown! I was glad to see tracks from Off the Wall well represented, and even "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)," a Jacksons track from before he went solo. I really enjoyed the production of those late 70's Jacksons and solo Off The Wall disco tracks from my childhood. It didn't matter what the lyrics were, it was just fun stuff that made you want to dance!

I totally agree about the title track from Off the Wall ; it's an underated, ace track.

I think some of my favorite songs from his later career are some of the slower ones. Glad to see "Heal the World" and "Will You Be There"* made the list, and kind of surprised "Childhood" and "Gone Too Soon" didn't, as lyrically those two seem especially poignant in view of recent events.

Anyway, great job, and thanks for sharing the link!

* Did anyone ever notice part of "Will You Be There" sounds similar to "Tapestry Of Nations/Tapestry Of Dreams" from Epcot? (now used as Illuminations post-show music)

[CampbellzSoup]

Michael was such a genuine nice person as well I'm very sad by this news

[AwallaceUNC]

Wow, David! Thanks so much for that detailed feedback! I don't want to hijack this thread but I really appreciate that and I agree with everything you wrote.

"Childhood" is a great song. You're absolutely right about its lyrics having even more meaning now. Cutting the songs down to 25 was tough. "Gone Too Soon" is great and I was glad I was able to feature it, even if not in the countdown.

-Aaron