Why is it that most creative people suddenly pop off? History is proof of the fact that many people like artists, singers, dancers and other people related to the arts field tend to live full lives and then, suddenly crack under pressure. Why is it that you need extreme emotion and all kinds of paraphernalia to live a globally fulfilling life only to be cruelly snatched away from it all?
Having been exposed to English music early in life due to the social atmosphere surrounding me, in school, in the locality where I lived and my friends, I was happy listening to Abba, Boney M and the like. When I jumped into my teens, the light soft music of my childhood years suddenly got usurped by the sensational moonwalk music of Michael Jackson. Wow! I remember thinking then. How does he manage to do this singing and dancing so well? I was hooked. I tried dancing like him. I sang his songs. I remember purchasing my first Michael Jackson audio cassette (there were no CDs then, remember?!) for my first audio player way back. It was fun. I would never miss seeing his new albums. My parents wondered what was in this Jackson boy that entranced their girl. It’s not that I had forgotten all other kinds of music. I listened to them too but loved listening to Michael Jackson whenever I was in a great mood.
Time passed. I heard about the things happening in Michael Jackson’s life. I wasn’t impressed but still stood by him. After all, he was such a great singer and dancer, I justified. Don’t all creative personalities have these little strange things happening in their lives all the time? Then, I heard about the little boys - about the ranch where he lived his life with animals and little children, about the cases that plagued him. Why wasn’t he straight like the others, I asked myself. Why did he not get into a relationship, some relationship, even a gay relationship would be okay? Why was he so queer? How could he be so strange when he was so talented? Why was he allowing his personal whims and fancies to spoil his world famous musical record - too many questions for which I didn’t seem to be getting any straight answers?
I moved on. Tastes in music changed but Michael Jackson stayed where he was. After all, I reasoned, I shouldn’t allow his personal life to influence or prejudice my love for his music. Then, there was a lull in my life as far as Michael Jackson was concerned. I supposed he experienced that lull too or was it a storm that he was undergoing! No family, no emotional security, nobody to call his own. He was lost in his own world which seemed to have started when he was still a boy and maybe, he just got stuck there – time just refused to budge for him. Even with that adult human body and its moves that billions were crazy about all over the world, maybe Michael just couldn’t “beat it!” No wonder, public figures like him who get adulation, fame and fortune early in life without anyone to guide them, experience early burnout, not in terms of their talent but in their ability to interact with the world and more primarily with themselves.
Nobody expected Michael Jackson to die this early. Everyone knew that he was in extreme debt, that he had undergone terrible physical transformation in terms of color, etc. But, he was making a comeback and people, even after these years were expecting the very best from him. They had full faith in his talent and ability to draw crowds. Unfortunately, the Jackson that Michael left behind was a skeleton tortured with needles, drugs and bruises. That he was alive and singing in spite of it all is a miracle. That he was hoping to make a superb comeback in spite of his problems speaks volumes of his desire to become that same Michael he was ages ago. Or maybe, he was doing it for his three children. We will never know. I wonder what they must be undergoing having been under the care of such a different parent.
Today, the world offers its tribute to this superb moonwalk dancer and singer. Lots of speculations run in the air regarding his death. Was he murdered? Was it a freak move on the part of this equally freaked out personality? Whatever be the case, Michael Jackson cannot be easily forgotten. Just as he left his relationships and even his comeback venture incomplete, his fans all over the world feel incomplete without his presence. But Michael can be rest assured that his all-time music is here to stay forever.
Good blog Shail! Popularity of MJ's music transcended nations and has survived the test of time. It will continue to entertain more generations to come.
Reply to this
That's very true. I introduced my nine year old son to Michael Jackson just a year back and he loved the music. Thanks for reading Archana.
Reply to this
Nice blog....MJ's songs have been in my life a good many years too.Loved the purity of his voice.
Reply to this
Thanks Beyniaz. Something in his voice was so very enticing.
Reply to this
A very heart-felt and moving tribute to Jackson. I happen to be an MJ fan myself and grew up listening to ABBA and Beatles myself.
Reply to this
That's something we have in common Indrani. Thanks for appreciating the article.
Reply to this
Shail, very balanced and well written blog. It's really too sad that MJ had to go the way he did...but somehow I find that people who are geniuses sometimes tend to go over the brink.
Reply to this
Thanks Mita. I too wonder, why do genuises go overboard?
Reply to this
it is sad that people are dissecting his personal life too much as if he was a an with perverted sexual lfie. Atually he was fond of kids and he loved his kids.sometimes itis a pain to be rich and famous. People never let you be in peace and quiet.
Reply to this
Most of the time, the rich and the famoous forget that they are seen as role models. As for dissecting his personal life, that's a very costly price that most celebrities pay. Thanks for reading Srividya.
Reply to this
An uncanny end... but MJ will live on...
Reply to this
True Irene. Michael Jackson will truly live on inspite of everything and despite everything.
Reply to this
Fame is hard to handle...I was sad to read about his 'Bad' end. Nicely written, Shail.
Reply to this
Thanks Nayantara for reading. Its really 'bad' that Michael Jackson could not 'beat it'(his problems).
Reply to this
Dear Shail,
Very sad to realize that MJ is no more and his end, as you mentioned, became as mysterious as his life was. His music will live for ever in the hearts of millions....
Reply to this
That's true Chitra. His music will definitely live on. Thanks for reading.
Reply to this
Shail,
How can anyone forget his Bad, Thriller, Black or White and his most famous song with other singers - We are the world. That song speaks so much.
Reply to this
True Sudha. Just can't forget his music. You won't believe it. I even carry the ringtone of We Are the World on my cell. I did not know then that his death would be so sudden.
Reply to this
A nice blog dear.
Was shocked to read the news--cos probably none believed that he was going to die--that too in such a sudden manner.
He maybe gone--but his music lives on.
Rgds Jess
Reply to this
Thanks Jess for thinking so. His music does and will live long.
Reply to this
Nice blog Shail!
Reply to this
Thanks Chandrima. Many of us will always remember Michael Jackson as a trend setter.
Reply to this
Shail,
I was really sad when I heard of MJ's death and still feel a tug in the heart when I hear his songs.. God rest the soul.
Suneetha
Reply to this
Yes Suneetha, I too pray that this troubled man's soul rests in peace after all that he has undergone in life.
Reply to this
He'll live in the momory of all his admirers and his songs will get more and more popular day by day.May his soul rest in peace.
Reply to this
Thanks Manjula for reading. Yes, Michael's songs will never die. His body did but definitely not his soul.
Reply to this
MJ's death was a real shocker. The problem is that with name, fame and glamour, comes hordes of insecurities. MJ tried to be what he wasn't meant to be. This led to his downfall.
Reply to this
Very very true Laxmi.Hit the nail. Still, his music lives on.
Reply to this