Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Michael Jackson: No Groundbreaking Genius
Pajamas Media ^ | July 29 | Carol Gould

Posted on 06/30/2009 8:52:45 AM PDT by AJKauf

Am I the only person in the world not moved by or concerned with the death of Michael Jackson? Like all bereavements my heart goes out to his family and close friends.

But — a “genius”? “The greatest entertainer of all time”?

Why am I writing this article at all?

I believe it is important, especially for the young, to understand the true meaning of greatness and to appreciate the real essence of “genius.” This may sound like a sacrilege but, as I write, millions of youngsters are breakdancing to Jackson tunes and evidently thinking this is the be-all and end-all of life’s expectations. If I had a young child now I would want him or her to read books, go to orchestra concerts, and be exposed to selective media under my — and my partner’s — supervision. Whether or not the stars I am about to venerate grew up in such a rarefied atmosphere is debatable, but after hearing Al Sharpton’s pronouncements I would like to reflect on what true greatness entails.

The Rev. Sharpton said this week that Michael Jackson broke down a barrier: he made it acceptable for black entertainers to rise to the top in a white world. What is Al Sharpton talking about? ..

(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-176 next last
To: subterfuge
As far as Jacko being the “greatest ever”; if that is so,then why couldn’t he write a decent song the last 10 years

Even Beethoven had long periods of little or no productivity (decade or more). His "late" period, when he composed some of his finest music, began well into middle age.

61 posted on 06/30/2009 9:42:25 AM PDT by libh8er
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Gurn; jennyjenny
"...[Eddie Van Halen] probably the most overrated guitar player of all time..."


Which one of your bands has been pivotal in the rock music scene for 30+ years?

62 posted on 06/30/2009 9:42:25 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: jennyjenny
There is no disputing after 27 years it continues to be the highest selling album of all time.

Brittany Spears sold millions of records and sold out arenas everywhere. Does that make her music good, or substantive? If record sales are the measuring stick of "good music" then there are a bunch of "geniuses" out there you couldn't pay me to listen to: Bon Jovi, Poison, Journey.

That's akin to saying that John Grisham's predictable, cookie-cutter novels are "literature" because he sells a lot of them.

63 posted on 06/30/2009 9:47:18 AM PDT by Gurn (Remember Mountain Meadows.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Mojo
And it could be said that all "those" entertainers never grabbed crotch, not even once. MJ was disgusting.

His only good song in my opinion was Billy Jean.

64 posted on 06/30/2009 9:47:26 AM PDT by Sunshine Sister
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: MBB1984

You mean you can’t find the genius in a young metro-sexual who wears a glove in one hand and sings “beat it?” /s ........

And who grabs his crotch 20 times?
Back in the 80s he helped Madonna make our popular culture trashy. And now Madonna lives in “civilized” England to get away from the trash she created and to shield her children from it. Come to think of it the Limeys loved Michael Jackson too


65 posted on 06/30/2009 9:48:24 AM PDT by dennisw ("stealth tribal warfare" is what the Sotomayor nomination is about)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: AJKauf

“Am I the only person in the world not moved by or concerned with the death of Michael Jackson?”

No, you’re not. Everybody I’ve heard discussing it feels the same.


66 posted on 06/30/2009 9:49:08 AM PDT by Old Grumpy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ETL
On December 20, 1957, Presley received his draft notice

MJ who was a year younger than I am, never received a draft notice because the draft was over. By the time both Elvis and MJ visited The White House, delusions of grandeur had taken over their minds and turned them both into freaks. Neither one of them ever recovered from it.

67 posted on 06/30/2009 9:49:52 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: angcat
Judas Priest is my all-time favorite band.
They're on tour right now and playing the British Steel album in entirety at their shows this summer plus a bunch of other songs.
I got a good laugh out of your comment to see Judas Priest kill Michael Jackson back in the day! Funny stuff.


68 posted on 06/30/2009 9:51:35 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

The very best, IMHO!


69 posted on 06/30/2009 9:52:08 AM PDT by twigs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Sunshine Sister
His only good song in my opinion was Billy Jean.

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" from '79 was pretty good too. Funky. But outside of those one would have to look all the way back to the Jackson 5 for any good tunes performed by Jacko.

Sharpton is showing off a pathetic lack of knowledge of music/entertainment history. As far as just black singers/performers go, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, and Ray Charles (and those are just the tip of the iceberg) broke down far more racial barriers than Jacko the Pedo ever did. ...and they were all infinitely more talented as well.

70 posted on 06/30/2009 9:55:13 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Iron Munro

You forgot BB King!


71 posted on 06/30/2009 9:56:18 AM PDT by Sunshine Sister
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: AJKauf

Genius didn’t apply to Jackson. Great did, in regards to certain things - his dancing and his music. He was a great dancer and his music pretty much defined the 80’s.

Other than that, the man was a pervert who was a physical and mental wreck.


72 posted on 06/30/2009 9:56:54 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (When you put Democrats in charge, stupid things happen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

I much prefer the Rolling Stones and Mick went through his swishy period. Or how about Neil Young, Van Morrison and Ian&Sylvia? Very conventional where it counts


73 posted on 06/30/2009 9:57:29 AM PDT by dennisw ("stealth tribal warfare" is what the Sotomayor nomination is about)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase

Ha. You are baaaad.


74 posted on 06/30/2009 9:57:58 AM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: angcat

But Stevie Wonder hasn’t really done anything since “Songs In the Key of Life” and that was over 30 years ago.


75 posted on 06/30/2009 9:58:33 AM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Gurn

What part of “from a marketing standpoint” was unclear? Even at that, it’s okay for people to have different tastes in music. Really, it is. His record sales stand whether you like it or not. BTW, my three jock, adult, white male brothers all have a copy of this album. So, it’s not all kids, chicks and gays and minorities. They all happen to know just a little bit about music, too.


76 posted on 06/30/2009 9:59:07 AM PDT by jennyjenny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: reagan_fanatic

I agree completely. Fifty or a hundred years from now, nobody is going to be listening to his songs or playing cover versions. He was simply a pop star who scored a couple of passing hits that will be soon forgotten.

He should have been placed in a mental institution or prison years ago.


77 posted on 06/30/2009 10:01:20 AM PDT by PBRCat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: WatchOutForSnakes
A lot of these posters are fueled by something other than a dislike for his music.

Like the caller on Rush yesterday who was "convinced" MJ was a child molester. When you have strong pre conceived opinions, you will look for 'facts' to support that opinion. I wouldn't worry too much about MJ's detractors. When you are successful, wealthy and wildly popular with a huge following, you will automatically breed 'haters'. It's normal. Heck, even Rush has his haters among so called conservatives.

78 posted on 06/30/2009 10:01:29 AM PDT by libh8er
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Mojo

I don’t remember that song but I was never a fan of J5 or Michael when he went solo. Elvis, the Beatles, Everly Brothers Ricky Nelson, and the like was the music I really liked. These are just a few of the entertainers. There are hundreds I could list that I liked over the years.


79 posted on 06/30/2009 10:02:20 AM PDT by Sunshine Sister
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
Stevie's Hotter Than July from 1980 was a very good album. ...and the last gasp of his prime, imo. No standout hits, but consistently high quality throughout.
80 posted on 06/30/2009 10:03:46 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-176 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson