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
PHIL GEZ
June 25th, 2009
7:16 pm
RIP MJ. I WILL JAM TO YOU ON MY IPOD FOR 50 DAYS IN A ROW.
Lauren
June 25th, 2009
7:22 pm
RIP
TW
June 25th, 2009
7:27 pm
Gosh, I can’t even vote on any one song; they are all great songs. I admit, he had his issues (as we all do) and his behavior was a bit weird in his later years, but the fact remains that he (in my opinion) was a musical genius; a living legend in his own right. We must never forget that nothing lasts forever and we are all living on borrowed time…
Vick Supporter
June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm
Lady In My Life is the Greatest Song Of All Time. RIP Michael
kool$kat
June 25th, 2009
7:29 pm
What a talent. But sad that he faded (no pun) in the last decade. He leaves a huge legacy of memorable performances. He is also perhaps the greatest example that vast amounts of money and and fame are not enough to make someone happy, or bring them peace. Only Jesus can do that for you.
Antoine Campbell
June 25th, 2009
7:31 pm
Sorry, maybe his music was great but he was embarrassed by his colour and tried to bleach it out, he did not like his features and had that all changed and he seduced and molested little boys. Granted, he was found not guilty, but the payments he made to the families broke him and the studios dropped him. A victim or guilty…smart money does not abandon innocence.
As a father of a young boy, who needs a sick pedophile like that preying on my children. Good riddance.
Overkill
June 25th, 2009
7:33 pm
Huge influence. Music icon. Marketing god. Child Molester? Dead at 50. Greatest ever? Just another dead Celeb? Twenty years ago this would have been a loss. Now? Not so much.
Dan
June 25th, 2009
7:36 pm
Very creative, decent but not outstanding material. Very creepy personal life. A black “Elvis”? You can do better than MJ.
Vick Supporter
June 25th, 2009
7:39 pm
F U Antoine Campbell
Andrea
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
RIP Michael – you were a musical icon and you will forever be remembered by your millions of fans. Peace and blessings to your family and especially your children.
Let’s be brutally honest here: Antoine, you know full well Michael Jackson doesn’t know you or your child so the chances of him preying upon your son (as you put it) are zero to none.
It requires no brains, talent or character easy to speak ill of someone after they are dead.
Golfball
June 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
Rickey Smiley just had to insert race into it, didn’t he? “He’s OUR Elvis.” Why demean a star with racist limitation? Michael Jackson was EVERYONE’s Michael Jackson. Elvis was everyone’s Elvis. Both men will go down in history as musical geniuses but also as racial healers. What will Rickey Smiley go down in history as?
guy13
June 25th, 2009
7:46 pm
He was a child molester.
Terrible Truth
June 25th, 2009
7:48 pm
Gee, Michael, I knew you would never perform ALL fifty of those shows but…Hopefully the interest earned from the ticket sales will go towards paying those creditors and other individuals that you were so famous for screwing over. And leave God’s little boys alone! Provided, of course, that is where you are.
Vick Supporter
June 25th, 2009
7:56 pm
You people are sick man. The man is dead and ya’ll still talk sh… Some of you white people are just sick man. You people (not all of you) are just born full of hate….since you’ve been on this earth
Jeff B
June 25th, 2009
7:57 pm
He was just a POS child molester that got away with it because he had some money, karma is a b. Now we are in for a bunch of hour specials about his life and times, what a joke. What a sorry excuse for a man he was. Mike Vick would still be playing in the NFL if there had been someone to pay off. Rape little boys no problem, Mama can be bought.
Vick Supporter
June 25th, 2009
8:00 pm
You people are sick. Talkin shi… about a dead person
Percy
June 25th, 2009
8:00 pm
Rest in peace. My prayers go out to his family.
Venus
June 25th, 2009
8:02 pm
I’m remembering the times, when Michael Jackson and his brotheres all from Gary Indiana . visit the Motor City back in the day , and that’s how I’m going to always remember Michael he was a handsome young man. right today he has his Silver glove displayed at the Motown Hitsville in Detroit, Michigan I know in the Big “D” / Motor City is going to have a lot of events in the mourning/ Home going of The King Of Pop!
Missing You Michael ! I will always be your fan , no matter what they say !
Chuckles
June 25th, 2009
8:02 pm
I remember a Saturday afternoon in New Britain, CT. My dad was next door, getting his Saturday hair cut. I went to go get a burger, and there he was, with his brothers, on American Bandstand.
His music was the soundtrack to my middle school and high school days. And his style!
Imagine a fat, 15 year old pining to wear a red leather jacket. Yep. I was one of those folks.
I sit here now, having heard about his passing about 2 hours ago – and I feel the same pain in the throat I did when I heard that Jim Henson died – or Elvis – or any one of a handful of other event that, when they occurred, you felt was an important moment in history.
It also, in a way I think, brings us all together in a way. I had to call my friends, or 790 the Zone to tell the folks I was listening to that Michael was gone. The producer there was in shock.
My families condolences go out to the extended Jackson family, who have been through so much through the years, both good and bad. There are Atlanta connections, of course, with Janet and Jermaine Dupri. Perhaps others. God Bless, folks.
Manny
June 25th, 2009
8:04 pm
Point Blank: Greatest…entertainer…ever. This is truly a sad day.
Eddie Murphy
June 25th, 2009
8:12 pm
Tito, give me a tissue.
Jermaine, stop teasing.
Ayn Rand was right
June 25th, 2009
8:16 pm
Wow! I truly haven’t given MJ much thought in many years, but now the songs keep drifting in and out of my mind. What an amazing musical legacy.
Jesus Juice
June 25th, 2009
8:28 pm
Chuckles_ Don’t lie….you looked like KOOL-AID didn’t you in your red jacket. Will the death certificate say Black or White?
Rosita
June 25th, 2009
8:30 pm
I was angry at his behavior toward innocent children, but the man was dealt such a mixed hand — great genius and insurmountable barriers to learning how to be a loving, peaceful, mature adult. He had a wretched life, all in all, money and fame notwithstanding. Who would have (moon)walked in his shoes? RIP, great genius and poor tormented soul.
JCH
June 25th, 2009
8:39 pm
The AJC and others are letting people speak. Like it or not – the majority of it is NOT pretty. Search the Internet for yourself.
His self inflicted behavior is overshadowing any talent or good fame he ever possessed. Michael Jackson did this to himself, and for that it is hard to have any respect for him.
Maybe not that he is passed we can get some answers.
JamC
June 25th, 2009
8:52 pm
I hate to sound insensitive, but the world has lost… a PEDOPHILE. The reason he was broke was because he spent hundreds of millions using kids and paying off the parents.
Why would any decent person miss Jackson?
Famuan
June 25th, 2009
8:57 pm
It doesn’t matter what hate is expressed on this blog or on the news, its clear from the people who are gathering around the hospital, his home, his star on the Walk of Fame, the childhood home in Gary, The people stuck in their spots in Times Square, the images from ACROSS THE GLOBE…that Michael Jackson transcends whatever little bit of hate these numbnuts throw out right now. Every news channel has stopped covering EVERYTHING ELSE, just to cover Michael Jackson’s untimely passing and you haters think your little petty rants are even that noticeable in the grand scheme of things? Surely you’re not in THAT kind of denial. It doesn’t matter what Nancy Grace or Larry King shrill about, its clear the man is respected and his legacy is intact.
YouHavetobekiddingme!
June 25th, 2009
8:57 pm
First and foremost, I loved Michael’s music in the ’80s and I still do. It was not until charges were brought against him that I began to question what he does in his personal life. Personally, I could care less, what celebrities do, off camera, but when it comes to children, that is a major issue. I feel the parents of those children should be held accountable as well. The bottom line is that if you have money, you can pay for high priced lawyers to get you off. Look at O.J. Simpson. Michael and OJ paid to get off and were left broke. Michael went to the middle east and OJ robbed people in a hotel room. Desperate people do desperate things to survive, race has NOTHING to do with it.
Rest in Peace Michael
RH
June 25th, 2009
9:11 pm
Famuan – I feel so bad for you because you are only seeing what you WANT to see. Yes, this is BIG news that Michael Jackson has died, but the man was not respected and his legacy is not intact.
The news media is just doing what they have to do and saying nice things about someone that has just died, but that is it.
All the people you see on TV are just living the moment of “where were you when”. Unfortunately, this is the legacy he created for himself and this is what to be expected.
It’s human to hate and therefore very easy to have disrespect and malice for someone we don’t see as human.
Joker
June 25th, 2009
9:13 pm
Q. What’s the difference between Michael Jackson and a grocery bag?
A: One is white, made out of plastic, and dangerous for kids to play with and the other you carry your groceries in
Joker
June 25th, 2009
9:13 pm
Q: How can you tell if Michael Jackson has a hot date?
A: There’s a big wheel parked outside his house.
Joker
June 25th, 2009
9:14 pm
Q: Who does Michael Jackson consider a Perfect 10?
A: Two 5 year olds.
Biff Pocoroba
June 25th, 2009
9:16 pm
I hope that Frank Ski can find a way to make this all about him and his giant ego. I’m surprised he can’t get a police escort to get him through traffic from Mayor Shirley Girl.
Voice of Reason #1
June 25th, 2009
9:22 pm
Michael Jackson was a great musical talent. Too bad his propulsion into the spotlight at such an early age jacked him up socially. And he should have stayed a Black man–he was looking so good then. The whole “race” issue messed with his head. He was just mixed up and didn’t handle life well. Sad. His parents partly to blame. But I remember seeing him at the Apollo Theater when I was a teenager in NYC. His fascination with young boys, etc., criminal and unfortunate. In short, a great musical talent with a sad, tragic story.
POAD The CHOADE
June 25th, 2009
9:22 pm
RIP Michael, your talent will be missed.
FU Vick Supporter, you racist piece of sh1t!
Mike S
June 25th, 2009
9:23 pm
I am praying tonight that Michael is finally at peace and that the inner demons that tormented through the last half of his life are gone.
All the other things aside, what it comes down to is this – Michael Jackson was an amazing singer, choreographer, and performer. For those of us that grew up in the 70’s and became adults in the 80’s, his music will forever be the soundtrack to our lives.
Chuckles
June 25th, 2009
9:23 pm
JJ – I never bought that jacket. Thank Gawd. I mean seriously – I was a young kid, and like most kids, desperately wanted to be cool. Michael Jackson DEFINED cool. He just was.
As for the later years, the wierd behavior, the accusations of child abuse: I have no idea whether they were accurate. I didn’t know the man personally, but like most of us, I watched his life unfold and was saddened.
If he did it: there’s a special place in hell for him. If not: imagine the hell he lived through here.
I think one thing is undeniable though: the world’s reaction to his death speaks to his legacy, for sure.
GOOD RIDDANCE
June 25th, 2009
9:25 pm
12 year old boys around the world are much safer now.
Famuan
June 25th, 2009
9:28 pm
RH….Michael Jackson announced a concert tour in Europe and the tickets for 50 shows sold out in 5 minutes….FLAT. His legacy as evidenced by the incredible outpouring of support that is visually evident regardless of what channel you’re watching is undeniable. There is no reason to pontificate what his legacy will be when tomorrow, Billboard will be announcing that the number one sold CD for the week is either Thriller or Off the Wall.
Angie
June 25th, 2009
9:29 pm
Whether you liked or hated him…Michael Jackson was a true entertainer. Michael paved the way for practically all of the young artists today, from justin timberlake to chris brown. There is not an artist out here today or within the last 20 years who have come close to the entertainment that Michael has given us. His music is timeless. You can’t say that about alot of the artists out today. RIP Michael
Lynn
June 25th, 2009
9:29 pm
And the meltdown of hating white folks continues. Heh.
Carla
June 25th, 2009
9:29 pm
HERE, HERE FAMUAN!! Rest in Peace, Michael.
Won't be missed
June 25th, 2009
9:30 pm
So let me get this straight “Vick Supporter”, only white people hate child molesters?
itpdude
June 25th, 2009
9:35 pm
“Rockers with nose rings.” BS. 1983 Nowhere, GA did not have “rockers with nose rings.”
Try again. The guy had broad appeal, but please dispense with the BS.
FCM
June 25th, 2009
9:35 pm
Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. ALL icons, ALL gone.
Chuckles
June 25th, 2009
9:35 pm
Lynn – I suffer from whiteness – and I don’t hate Michael.
Prejudice cuts both ways, darlin’.
Deirdre
June 25th, 2009
9:44 pm
There were 2 Michael Jacksons.
1. The wonderful singer who amazed and “thrilled” us.
2. The sad, bizarre shell of a man who was probably a pedophile.
Thank God for the first. God will deal with the second.
Fred
June 25th, 2009
9:47 pm
Little boys around the world are safer since there is now one less pedophile to prey on them. Burn in hell pedophile.
FANS
June 25th, 2009
9:50 pm
Some of your people are just as sick as you are saying MJ was. Have some respect for YOURSELF AND LAYOFF THE BULLCHIT (YES I SPELLED IT THAT WAY) COMMENTS. ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE US.
Chuckles
June 25th, 2009
9:55 pm
By the way – The Sun in the UK is reporting that MJ’s aides say he died from reaction to Demerol.
This may be another ‘Elvis-like’ death, involving prescription drugs.
This is all hearsay at this point.
I went to go look through my music collection. I was surprised to see how much of his music I had.
This is just so sad.
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).
Reality
June 26th, 2009
12:55 pm
So not only was he a sick and disturbed pedophile, he was also a drug addict. Wow, what a great role model.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
I am done with this blog. Michael Jackson was a legend, an icon and there will never be another like him. Thriller is the number one album of all time, of all time!!!. Bigger than the Beatles (whose rights he bought by the way), bigger than Elvis. Regardless of what you say about him or how you feel, no one on this blog can take that away. No one can come close to the career of Michael Jackson, and that is just a fact. 40 years of music. He influenced several generations, basically made MTV what it is today because of his videos. He transcended race and was a gentle soul. Hate on him if you want to, no one will be able to change that fact. So, for all of you judging him, hating on him, basically ripping him apart in death, I pray that when judgment day comes for you, you will not be so bitter and hateful. Life is too short. Have a good day everyone
Rev. James
June 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
Don’t worry, DENISE.
You will join Michael in the eternal Lake of Fire soon enough.
Carlene Carpenter
June 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
I am and always will be a fan I am 45 years old and from Maine and when I think back to the 80s and school and friends and dances and parties Michael Jackson comes to mind his music will live on. He will always be the KING OF Pop and nothing the Tabloids say about him negative will ever take that away from him. My condolances go out to his family he was a big part of my life and I will miss him Love You Michael You can rest now
MJ Fan in Decatur
June 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
Dear Denise,
Why don’t you and “Life Partner” Bernice pack up your mini-van, drive your obese, homely selves back to New Jersey and start your own softball team since you hate it here so much?
Maybe there is a carpet outlet there that will “sponsor” your team.
Your Yankee mother should’ve gotten rid of you with a coat hanger before your were born.
Corliss
June 26th, 2009
1:34 pm
Michael, like so many other “geniuses” was a phenomenal talent@at the same time was his/her own worst enemy(see R. Kelly, Marvin Gaye, Michael Vick, Britney Spears, Elvis, Heath Ledger, OJ, Kurt Cobain, Tupac, Hammer, et al). All of them, by their actions not only hurt themselves but everyone around them. It’s sad when people talk about how he left behind 3 kids: when you’re half a billion dollars in debt, what exactly are the kids getting? Self-Loathing was also something all these folks had in common: including Michael. All the $$ in the world can’t make one fulfilled. You can rent all the happiness in the world for a while but it’s true: ultimately, you can’t buy it.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
2:05 pm
Thank you MJ Fan in Decatur. I believe you just threatened me. I just reported your comment. Keep it up.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
2:07 pm
Rev James, is that a threat? I just reported you as well. Thanks.
Perez Hilton
June 26th, 2009
2:12 pm
His legacy? He was a pedophile that died of a drug overdose. No more.
Ramblin Rick
June 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
Report this Denise…. your a tool. Thats not a threat, thats a fact. I am guessing you are fat, unemplued 300+ black woman who blames “the man” for all your problems. Get off the blog and go for a mile walk… in traffic.
P.S. Please report me.
R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett
Ramblin Rick
June 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Harsh MJ! but freakin hilarious
Sandra
June 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Denise, you are a very ugly person in addition, to nothing about obviously also being a complete hypocrite.
I have just reported you for all the racist, hate-filled, venomous, cruel, vicious insults you have been making on this blog about other people all day long.
This blog is supposed to be honoring a beloved icon and person who has now left us, and all you can do is show the EVIL in your heart. You do indeed seem likely destined for eternity in a very bad place. How can someone be as bad as you?
Please have some respect for the deceased, Denise.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
4:13 pm
Sandra, are you really Ramblin Rick or Buck? If you are not, did you even read their blogs and their hateful responses. And by the way, Rick, I am not black. And Sandra, mind you business. You obviously have a problem with the truth to not see how cruel most of these other response have been. You must be a girlfriend of the white trash Ramblin Rick or white trash Buck. Go back to your trailer homes.
Denise
June 26th, 2009
4:14 pm
Oh, by the way, f you Sandra!!!
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
4:25 pm
I don’ know what all this fuss is about, he’s looked dead for years. His body just caught up with his face. Oh by the way, Paul McCartney asked if he can have his songs back now.
Elbert
June 26th, 2009
4:26 pm
Denise, please go away. This blog is about Michael Jackson, NOT YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUCK
June 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
Wow Denise, The “F” bomb from a “lady”. And I’m white trash? That’s the pot calling the kettle white if I ever heard it.
Don
June 26th, 2009
6:58 pm
HEY Ramblin rick you are a joke why dont you meet me at lenox mall and say the punk ass things you post online?
Ramblin Rick
June 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
No thanks Don, I stay away from the ghetto malls. Why don’t you come meet me up in Barrow County? We’ll have a rope waitin’ on ya boy
Corliss
June 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
Hey Ramblin Rick:
“WE’LL have a rope?” whats the matter? You don’t got the nuts try to lynch someone yourself? Let me guess, you’ll just stand there & watch. Please, Im sure the unemployed Black woman you’re speaking about is either Nadya Suleman or Kate Gosselin(by the way,tax dollars are going to pay for THEIR kids,too). Trust me, it’s the MAN’s fault they got knocked up too. You’re not a racist(don’t flatter yourself),just an idiot who still thinks Robert E. Lee is going to save you. MJ is no less dead than Lee is. Keep right on blogging. No one w/half a brain should be the slightest bit offended by you. Your game is weak & transparent. You’re talking an awful lot but really not saying anything.
Go try to bully/piss off someone else, it don’t/won’t work here.
Iron Sheik
June 27th, 2009
12:16 am
Corliss is gay and f@ggit. I will fock your arse and make u humble. You stupid negga
LadyMuzik
June 27th, 2009
12:27 am
To party pooper: I dont believe OJ killed them but that doesn’t mean I dont think he may
have had something to do with it directly or indirectly.
LadyMuzik
June 27th, 2009
12:38 am
To Reality: He was a great role model for millions of children, gave them hope and belief in themselves and thats more than most parents are dishing out to their own children. Children learn from adults, not just one adult but all the adults that they come in contact
with. WHAT KIND OF ROLE MODEL ARE YOU?
LadyMuzik
June 27th, 2009
12:53 am
I was raised to have respect of all aspects of life even if it was something that you did not like or agree with. “If you cant say something nice and respectful about someone, Dont say anything at All” Everyone here should remember:”What goes around comes around” and “You Reep What You Sow”. How will you defend yourself before God for your disrespectful comments during a very sad time in Millions of people lives. Be careful what you wish on other’s because it can be YOUR fate instead of theirs. Role models dont say or teach hurtful things that children can learn to hurt other’s.
Corliss
June 27th, 2009
10:04 am
Hey Sheik: go seduce a camel. You Sand “Negga”.
Ramblin Rick
June 27th, 2009
11:11 am
Corliss can you please speak English? I don’t speak “ghetto”. PS your black and unemployed with bad credit. and you probably “date” fat ugly white women. I’m not responding to u anymore because you are black and below me. enjoy a life of poverty and dodging bill collectors.
RIP Farrah Faucett
Corliss
June 27th, 2009
1:13 pm
Hey Rick, If you’ve got to blog on this the way you do, you probably don’t have a job yourself. By the way, if you’re not responding to me because Im Black, then I must be doing this blog a service cause there are other Black people who blog on this as well. So if we never hear from you again, then I’ve done a public service. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, either. By the way, I speak better English than you ever will. Go back to Barrow County, put your coloring book & tablet paper down and read a book with polysyllabic words. If anything Rick, you are beneath ME.
Don
June 27th, 2009
3:49 pm
Hey Ramblin bitch, like i said you are a coward it takes a KLAN of your people to hang 1 person me and you one on one i would kick your ass and the rest of you red necks in Barrow co!
The Toad
June 27th, 2009
7:59 pm
What a bunch of Hipocrits; When Michael was a live everybody i knew (black and whit) thought he was a pervert. Now that he is gone everybody thinks he was the greatest entertainer of all time. Yeah right!
Kay Kay
June 28th, 2009
10:25 am
To the sick a@# people who have to spew out his or her hate when posting a comment, go somewhere else with that. Better yet, crawl back under the rock from which you came from. No one needs to go around with that much hate in his or her heart. No one wants to hear that right now. This forum is to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson and send condolences. If you don’t like him (a man who is dead), then get yourself some help! People are not in a position to judge and we don’t want to hear your negative bullcrap.
Parker
June 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
If Michael brought ONE smile to your face in his lifetime then he is a hero.
Happiness counts even in small increments. I will always love how his songs
made me feel…so forget all the increasingly poor accounts of him.
JimC
June 28th, 2009
6:13 pm
Michael Jackson is not a hero. He was a sicko pedophile who rented kids from money-hungry parents who should be flogged. Miss him? Hardly.
Love ya MJ!
July 1st, 2009
3:17 pm
Michael we miss you and will always love you. RIP!
mj fan for life
August 19th, 2009
7:59 am
R.I.P michael i will love u forever. my prayers go out to ur kids and family. u were the greatest entertainer that will ever live. have fun up there ur moonwalking with the angels now.
Dawood
August 22nd, 2009
1:28 pm
P Diddy had very precisely described the genius of Michael Jackson: “He showed that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic.”
Check other notable tributes paid to Michael Jackson by peers:
http://www.tributespaid.com/category/m/michael-jackson