The Michael Jackson legacy and reaction
Michael Jackson. Such a mundane name. Such a singularly incredible entertainer — at least until a few years ago, when he more or less disappeared from the stage when his health started failing him.
The legacy can be summarized in song titles and ineffable images. “ABC.” “Rock With You.” “Billie Jean.” The Moon Walk. “Thriller.” That single sequined glove. “Bad.” “Black or White.”
But then came the weird behavior, the child molestation accusations, the pigmentation problems, the plastic surgery. At age 50, he had been in the public eye for 40 of those years. He arrived as an adorable ball of energy with the Jackson 5. He became a gangly teenager, then a fireball of a performer and pop culture icon. He revived top 40 radio in 1983 and forced MTV to air black aritsts that same year. To this day, you can hear MJ on the radio or snippets of his songs sampled by others.
Loading ...Silas “Si-Man” Alexander, the night jock at Majic 107.5, recalls working at the Record Bar in Milledgeville in 1983 and watching with amazement the types of folks who bought “Thriller.” Rockers with nose rings. Little old ladies. Young kids. “It would just keep on selling. Nobody has had that broad of an appeal ever,” he said.
More recently, he’s been jockeying parties at local nightclubs. “I play ABC by the Jackson 5 every week at [Sandy Springs club] Taboo,” he said. “Any Michael Jackson song and it’s on and poppin’! And this is 2009, still going strong.”
On air right now (at 6:30 p.m.), with the L.A. Times reporting his death, V-103 has Wanda Smith on the air (with Frank Ski stuck in traffic.). The station is playing “Human Nature.” Even over on 94.9/The Bull, the country station, Lance Houston said, “Your heart just sinks when you hear about it.”
“It feels like a piece of me has passed away,” Smith said on the air.
Listener Courtney, on V-103: “I’m only 18 years old. It’s real sad. Everybody has been texting me…I want to break down in tears.”
Mark Arum is doing a live show this evening on 750/WSB-AM on MJ.
When I caught up with comic and syndicated morning host Rickey Smiley (heard locally on Hot 107.9) this evening, he was still shaken by the news. “This is devastating,” Smiley said. “I’m really just numb. I really just want this to go away. I wasn’t prepared for this.”
“For a lot of black folks,” he continued, “this is so personal. He’s our Elvis.”
Smiley said he grew up listening to Jackson 5 albums with his grandma and as a musician, too, he especially appreciates Jackson’s “Lady of My Life” and “Remember the Time.”
Smiley plans to dedicate tomorrow’s show to MJ. “I’m going to play some of his songs and let people call in,” he said, ” express what Michael Jackson meant to them. Give people a chance to grieve.”
Lee Cagle, program director at 95.5/The Beat, said the station, which focuses on current music, will throw in some old-school Michael Jackson, including a 9 p.m. special music mix of MJ. And tomorrow morning, the morning show will be all about Michael Jackson.
“Listen to Ne-Yo or The-Dream,” he said. “They were clearly influenced by Michael Jackson. So his legacy lives on with the current generation of singers.”
The news networks are wall-to-wall MJ right now, of course. Fox News at 9 p.m. subbed out Sean Hannity with good ol’ Geraldo Rivera. ABC is airing a special 20/20 on Michael Jackson at 9 p.m. tonight. CBS will have its own special on at 10. Biography Network will air a best of at 10 p.m. Saturday. Kiss 104.1, Majic 107.5, V-103 and even hip-hop heavy Hot 107.9 threw out their regular playlists and played Michael Jackson songs all evening.
Atlanta-based Ne-Yo, on CNN, said, “I wouldn’t be here without Michael Jackson… When I was growing up, he could do no wrong. Everything he did was magic.”
Just plucked through a few random YouTube videos. Here’s a compilation of his dance moves.
And a montage of photos of MJ to a… country song:
And another montage using “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ” as the backer:
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135 comments Add your comment
I miss you MJ
June 25th, 2009
9:59 pm
Everyone is entitled to their opinions. MJ will go down in history as a great musical genius. The least you can do is pay respect… His children just lost their father… Regardless what he has done, they lost their father who he adored and loved. A mother and father has lost their son, siblings lost their brother, friends, fans, his death his a lost. Remember we all pass on and when you do, I pray that you are missed by someone.
I will always love MJ…. RIP in peace!!!!!!!
shay
June 25th, 2009
10:03 pm
What a sad loss! Best entertainer of all time! Rest in peace Mike.
Ramblin Rick
June 25th, 2009
10:09 pm
Vick supporter your ghetto trash. You give all the negroes of the ATL a bad name.
Won't be missed
June 25th, 2009
10:14 pm
God killed a child molester today. In a very related story Michael Jackson died of a heart attack.
Techie Loser
June 25th, 2009
10:16 pm
Yeah Ramblin Rick, you should know a lot about ghetto trash since you are a Georgia Tech fan.
Carter is a Fool
June 25th, 2009
10:23 pm
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww that was a good comment for this sicko. He was talented, but CREEPY. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Lee
June 25th, 2009
10:32 pm
Totally disgusted with Rickey Smiley’s injection of race into this sad news …. I am a white guy who was a big fan of MJ and as far as Elvis, I never was a big fan of his. Come on Mr. Smiley….you can do better than this…how sad.
RHR
June 25th, 2009
10:34 pm
Regardless of what he became it is a sad day for those of us who came of age in the 80’s. A huge piece of our childhoods died today with Michael Jackson. When I look back my mind immediately goes back to the one gloved superstar moonwalking across the stage singing Billie Jean and memories of listening to Thriller over and over and over again while we perfected our own moonwalks.
Billy
June 25th, 2009
10:39 pm
Some of you people please………. Understand life. Whatever MJ’s transgressions were he has paid for them with his earthly torments. It is not for us to judge less we are ready to judge ourselves first by walking in his shoes and then we would understand him. Let our creator be the judge. We can only respond to the ways in which he released his blessings and gifts upon us with such creative flare and showmanship. His good far out weighs his bad and you have the whole world to prove it. Listen to his music, watch him dance and be amazed at what is humanly possible in this world.
RIP Michael Jackson
June 25th, 2009
10:39 pm
Love you MJ, you are already missed and always loved!
Chuckles
June 25th, 2009
10:40 pm
RHR – I was in a sports bar in Boston. They had the Motown 25 special on the TV behind the bar.
We had just left BC to grab a bite & the folks around the bar were talking about Marvin Gaye’s performance, and then came Michael.
This is an Irish bar in South Boston. This is not exactly the center of racial equality.
When he came on – and moonwalked – the folks there all started to collect around the TV.
It was the most amazing thing at that time that I’d ever seen. It was remarkable.
These are folks that dropped the N word like folks in Philly are famous for. And they sat there,
mesmerized. I heard a lot of “wow’s”, and “is that the kid from the Jackson 5″?
And for a moment, and it passed, it didn’t matter if he was black or white. I’ll always remember that.
Jo Jo McCall
June 25th, 2009
10:45 pm
I know it’s early, but any word on what is going to happen to those caucasian kids he did not father?
Lee
June 25th, 2009
10:47 pm
By all indications by this blog, racism is alive and well in Atlanta,….sadly it seems to get worse ….
Carter is a Fool
June 25th, 2009
10:49 pm
Just don’t get it. Nothing like when John Lennon was killed. Not even when Fat Elvis died from his own demons. About as big as when Mama Cass Elliot choked on a PBJ sandwich. Not really a big deal. Talented, yes.
Sick – Definitely. He just faded away – literally and figuratively. As far as never land and the children —— EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEwWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
You don’t pay millions to families and not be guilty of something inappropriate.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEwWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
RHR
June 25th, 2009
10:53 pm
It truly was mesmerizing, Chuckles. My best friend and I were 12 or 13 at the time and we loved all the music shows, Solid Gold, Soul Train, Bandstand, all the awards shows, Friday Night Videos, Night Trax, all those were must see TV. But we had never seen anything, anyone, put on a show like that. It was truly magical. We didn’t know much of anything about the Jackson 5 but we became instant MJ fans that night, and I still have several of his songs on my ipod today, 25 years later.
RHR
June 25th, 2009
11:00 pm
Well…at least Joba got Chipper to sign a jersey for him!
RHR
June 25th, 2009
11:01 pm
Dee
June 25th, 2009
11:14 pm
It is amazing to see all the hatred on this blog. Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer of all time, period. Regardless of what you think about him, he was great. MTV is what it is today because of Michael Jackson. So all of you haters, racists, whatever you are, you cannot deny that fact. There will never be another entertainer that can touch him. I am surprised that Rodney Ho is allowing all of this hate on such a sad day. I will definitely have to write a complaint to managing editor of the AJC.
eyes wide open
June 25th, 2009
11:40 pm
Yeah – the black Elvis. They both had stunning careers, and both destroyed their legacy in later life. Elvis had the controlling Col Parker, MJ had the abusive father. Both had a child fetish – met Priscilla at 14, married at 16, while MJ just got kids drunk and screwed them, and went broke paying off the parents. Sounds innocent to me.
This isn’t the least bit racial – I’m glad he died. I wish it would have been painful and protracted. He was a self-hating pedophile who deserved to die in prison. I don’t care how big of an entertainer he was.
Always a Fan
June 25th, 2009
11:53 pm
It saddens me to hear the passing of Michael Jackson. He was a true Icon and Music GENUIS! Yes his life has been clouded by many accusations regarding child molestation- I do not advocate or support a child molester. However, at the same time MJ was found not guilty. He may have paid families off- but I question the parents that accepted the check rather if in fact it was true- have justice be served. I was fortunated in my lifetime to see MJ perform twice live- words cannot express the talent that I saw before me. I will remember MJ as the GREAT artist he was and pray for him and his family. Any wrong he has done he will have to answer to it just like the rest of us. RIP Michael- I will always remember your music!
GOOD RIDDANCE
June 26th, 2009
12:21 am
I learned something today: If you hate pedophiles, you are a racist, but only if the pedophile is famous and black.
GOOD RIDDANCE
June 26th, 2009
1:18 am
I learned something today. If you hate pedophiles, you are a racist, but only if the pedophile was black and famous.
WHO CARES!!!
June 26th, 2009
1:39 am
rest easy children… don’t worry everyone else. we with jobs will pick up his debt like we do the rest of you. you are welcome for the welfare!
WHO CARES!!!
June 26th, 2009
1:44 am
HE WANTED TO BE WHITE!!!!!
LadyMuzik
June 26th, 2009
3:55 am
This a comment about Freds comment. Michael Jackson was a great man at the least and I do not belive he molested any children. Not a lot of people admit it but a lot of adults sleep with children and not for sexual reason’s. It is only God’s place to judge Michael not your’s. It is only your opinon that he was a pedophile and “NOT” a fact. A jury found him innocent because their was no actual evidence and felt the child had been coached by the parent (which is probably true). Do you know how many money hungry individuals, that you think are good people are out there; whom will even use thier children to get money. It happens everyday. You only know what you have heard, you didnt know him, and because he was a little strange you “KNOW” its true, No you dont. So how can you say “Burn in Hell”. Be a little more careful in your judgements of other people, because what you wish on other’s, God just might have in store for YOU. And to all you other negative people: He did not want to be white exactly, but what would you do with a skin disease if you had one? And I and Millions of other people CARE!!! Who will care about you when YOU die? Not Millions. Being a pedophile has nothing to do with racism and most pedophile’s are White. Yes There is a lot of hatered here from people that probably didn’t like Michael before he was ever accused of anything. And as for the Welfare comment. Im a working tax paying american and Im sure Michaels family will handle his affairs, so I dont think you need to be worried about his debts, not to mention Im sure he had lots of life insurance. I think that I can comment on these subjects because I was sexually molested by a 21 year old pedophile when I was six years old. Im gonna close by saying I think Michael was the Greatest Entertainer that ever LIVED!!! and I will miss him dearly and so will my children along with Millions of other’s. I feel sorry for his children, for they will not get to know him and that is the true tragedy. Michael was and is my Brother in the eyes of God and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM.
LadyMuzik
June 26th, 2009
4:18 am
I want to add that NO BODY is perfect and all the disrepect for the dead and everybody that has something negative or is judging Michael also has done something they are probably not proud of or don’t want anyone else to know about and I know from expierence that EVERY FAMILY has someone gay, someone that’s a liar, someone that’s a theif, someone that’s a Murderer, someone that’s “A PEDOPHILE”. Wheather you want to believe it or not, wheather they are close or distant, EVERY family has one or two or all even if they don’t know it. So people really need to look at themselves before they start judging other’s. In the END you will be judged. What will people feel about YOU when you die? Again I love you Michael Joseph Jackson, I WILL MISS YOU MY BROTHER…….RIP
LadyMuzik
June 26th, 2009
4:48 am
Michael Jackson began with “The Man In The Mirror” and so should all you HATER’S.
SPUNKY
June 26th, 2009
6:06 am
MICHALE JACKSON WAS A FANTASTIC ENTERTAINER THAT SUPPORTED AND AIDED PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. REMEMBER WE ARE THE WORLD???WHAT HAPPENED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY??HE WAS NEVER PROVEN GUILTY ON CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES. YES PEOPLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY. I AM SO SORRY THAT HIS LIFE WAS CUT SHORT NO ONE REMEMBERS ALL THE GOOD YOU DO JUST THE CRAP GROW UP FOLKS AN REMEMBER THE GOOD FOR A CHANGE. I HOPE THAT HEAVEN IS ROCKING AND ROLLING TONIGHT. HE WAS A MUSICAL GENUIS AND FANTASTIC ENTERTAINER. I WILL MISS HIM GREATLY
Andrea
June 26th, 2009
7:56 am
Well Ramblin Rick – if he does “burn in hell” you will know because I am sure you will be there to witness it.
Andrea
June 26th, 2009
8:11 am
You are judging as well – don’t dish it if you can’t take it. Carry on.
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
8:18 am
All the little boys of the world can breath a little easier now.
Kimberly Sherard
June 26th, 2009
8:18 am
MJ you are a legend and you will be missed….. Your music will live on but you’ll never be forgotten!I am weaving the fibers of a new world through your lyrics. Life has to be lived, that’s all there is to it. I will never forget your music. “I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror ,I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer, If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place, Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change (Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah)”
party pooper
June 26th, 2009
8:23 am
lady muzik, oj was innocent
Hoop
June 26th, 2009
8:33 am
@itpdude: Millegeville is a college town. Even in the early 80s, I’d imagine there were some kids with nose rings down that way attending GCSU.
Seriously, though – the man was an incredible talent, and also incredibly incredibly flawed. You can’t gloss over the allegations, but you also can’t deny how amazing a performer he was.
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
8:36 am
This is just devastating. Words can not describe my sadness. The world has lost an icon, a beautiful person, a legend. My grief is indescribable but I know the whole world feels the same. Thank you for all the memories, you will not be forgotten…..Goodbye Farrah.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
8:37 am
There is something really wrong with Ramblin Rick and Buck. Isn’t there a moderator where we can keep these two off the blog? I have already written to the managing editor about this hate spewing and those two aren’t the only ones on here. There is a special place for people who speak ill of the dead, trust me.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
8:40 am
I have only lived in the South for 4 years and the attitudes here make me want to move back to the North. A bunch of racist, ignorant, backwood hillbillies who think one way and one way only. It’s a shame.
Ramblin Rick
June 26th, 2009
8:41 am
so long denise i’ll buy you a greyhound ticket.
RoHo Fan
June 26th, 2009
8:58 am
He will be sorely missed. RIP MJ!
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
8:59 am
Denise- Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
9:05 am
He is probably down there right now hitting on Little Satan JR.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
9:24 am
I agree Roho Fan. He will be sorely missed. RIP Michael!!!
party pooper
June 26th, 2009
9:37 am
well, there goes the neighbor hood.thanks for coming dowm denise
Loran
June 26th, 2009
10:44 am
What a shame!
It should have been Michael VICK instead of Michael JACKSON.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
11:00 am
Seriously Loran. Do you really mean that? Wow
Ramblin Rick
June 26th, 2009
11:36 am
It’s called FREEDOM OF SPEECH, look it up Denise. You aint got nothin’ better to do.
Terry
June 26th, 2009
11:54 am
Denise,
There are at 2 Interstates heading back up North, and both of them are paved.
Also, Denise, Delta has plenty of flights daily back up to the northern states for your rude, condescending, sagging and overweight rear end, you nasal-toned heifer.
We neither need nor want “Your Kind” here.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
12:15 pm
Terry, you don’t know me. Obviously, my comment resonated with you, meaning relate to what I stated about the ignorant people down here. Breathe, it’s not that deep. “Your Kind” comment proved my point. Thank you for that Terry. Have a wonderful day
Denise
June 26th, 2009
12:19 pm
Ramblin Rick, “I ain’t go nothin’ better to do?” Don’t you mean “I do not have anything better to do.” That is the correct way you say it.
observor
June 26th, 2009
12:52 pm
You have to love the irony of judgemental and ignorant people accusing others of being close minded and ignorant (see the above posts).