I was poking around today and came across this post on Ron Davis' blog Chatter. 25th anniversary of the album that has sold more than any other album in history. 42 million copies.
No matter how weird or twisted he seems now, that's a commendable act. Michael Jackson put out Thriller and redefined music and sexuality in a way that only David Bowie and a few others have. Prince and MJ were the same beings on different sides of the same coin. The Jekyll and Hyde of androgynous pop music. Showing men of the world how to wear heels and eyeliner and the meaning of accessorize. They gave David Lee Roth a run for his money for the underwear of American's twenty- and thirty-somethings. I was a kid then, so I saw (and heard) pop culture through very naive eyes and ears. Michael Jackson's Bad was my first cassette tap after Raffi's Baby Beluga. (ps I can't wait to play these favorite kid songs of mine for Julian. "In the Jungle," anyone? Note to self: Make mix tape for JP.)
Michael Jackson was a caricature to me. The costumes. The white glove. The dancing. His whole persona. Only now am I realizing what a star he was. Who compares to that now? Justin Timberlake? JT has six songs in the top 40 now. That's incredible. Nobody does that now. Except Mr. 'NSYNC himself. Michael Jackson had the world on a string. And maybe he still does. Ebony, as Mr. Davis pointed out, has him on December's cover. It's a damn fine photo. Yes, he's white as a Scandinavian. Yes, his eyebrows are painted on. But watch that video and tell me he doesn't still have it. The top hat. The confidence in front of a camera. He remains borderline freaky, yes. But tell me if this or this isn't freaky. Being a little off-kilter is inherent to star appeal. The child-molester thought lingers, yes, but something inside me just really wants to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Side note: "That's Eddie Van Halen on guitar," Ian says. We're listening to "Beat It." Reason 66,576 that I love Ian: His profound knowledge of music history. We got to enjoy a band last night at the Cathedral. We threw chicken on the fire, rocked Julian to sleep in his car seat, met some crazy fun new folks. Just got to enjoy each other and our friends. Julian was an all-star kid. Finally, a break. A respite from the uphill progress of parenthood. Hallelujah.
Now, for your viewing and listening pleasure.
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I remember the era of Thriller. I was teaching 5th grade and the kids taught me how to the moonwalk. This recess pasttime evolved into a creative writing venture that eventually turned into a play that the kids wrote for a PTA performance. Nowadays, teacher's don't have much time for adventures in whatever the kids are into at the moment. Too many GLE's (teacher talk for objectives) to cover before state assessment time in the spring. Maybe that's why we have so many disconnected kids in elementary school. Oh well, thanks for the great times, Michael. I wish you could reinvent yourself in a fresh, authentic newness that could stir the world all over again.
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