So I was going to do a normal mix today, with a little tribute at the end–but then I found too many cool Michael Jackson links. Tuesdays are, after all, about love and whimsy–and he is the epitome of both.
What? Did you really think I wasn’t going to mention it? :) As always, there’s a risk of flak if I say it, but as human beings go, MJ is pretty much my hero, and I’m sad to see him go. So here are some of the best things I’ve found this week.
A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson
Deepak Chopra gives a pretty cool first-hand account of Michael in his final days (and at some of his best and worst moments).
Writing Songs With My Friend, Mike
Gotham Chopra, who met Michael at fifteen, details a very different (but memorable) experience.
Nubby Twiglet gives a sweet and stylish tribute to her hero, the King of Pop.
And now, the videos…
(Remember to watch in hi-def.)
I love the crowd going wild in this. And yes–he can still dance like that. I know, right? Word is Jackson had been rehearsing eight hours per day for his summer comeback tour.
This segment is particularly fun. It kind of speaks for itself.
Edit: Just adding this now–for those who love him and those who doubt him. Please watch this–it sheds a lot of light. (Make sure you give it a minute and let it load–it’s well worth it.) If you want more detail on a lot of the things mentioned here, see the video below.
This interview is even more revealing–taken from “Living With Michael Jackson,” a documentary by Martin Bashir in 2003. This is Part 1 of 5–make sure you watch the other parts. Please note that the documentary itself was later discerned to be somewhat biased against Jackson, and this should not be bought into. However, it is full of details about Jackson’s life, which give perspective on not only who he was, but why and how he progressed the way he did.
We lost a fashion icon, pop sensation, and inspiration, guys. Shun the non-believers! This one is pure magic, and I hope you’ll remember that.
Wow, truly was the king of pop. Inspired so many…will be missed <3
On a lighter note…I really like your blog :)
xox, mavi
Thanks Mavi! His brilliance could not be ignored. Glad my first comment on this is not backlash :)
I’d not have watched this without your insistence – it’s interesting! A rare and informative insight of a strange and accomplished artist.
His response to the question of skin tone really skipped a beat for me. But his explanation of it, mentioning Michelangelo, and what’s “really important” to know about an artist, captured my fascination and sympathy.
Could you swallow the skin pigment-deficiency justification? Would he not have known a proper medical term for it, with all of his M.D.’s? As an icon of fame and fashion he was obviously absorbed in controlling his self-image…
Jordan–thanks for your comments! As childlike as he was, MJ had an eloquence about him that often went unappreciated.
There’s actually no need to “swallow” the skin pigment explanation–though he didn’t give a name for it in the interview (it was the first time he had ever spoken of the matter, and he was very sensitive to criticism), it was later confirmed that Jackson did suffer from a skin disorder called Vitiligo (he’s actually mentioned in the article here), as well as (though in remission) Lupus, and took medications which only further lightened his skin tone. His Wiki profile is actually quite good, as it factualizes pretty much everything a person could ever have wondered about him (including reasons for his rhinoplasties, his traumatic childhood, and his “unorthodox” behaviors). I just think it’s amazing (not that I’m accusing you of this, of course) how much judgment can be passed on a person–especially someone in the public eye. It’s easier for people to form opinions than to fact-check, unfortunately.
It is so easy to for people to villainize what they don’t understand. Weird things do get shunted in the public eye.
I’m defs reading Moonwalker.