Michael Jackson: No Groundbreaking Genius

Pajamas Media ^ | July 29 | Carol Gould

[NRA1995]

Like all bereavements my heart goes out to his family and close friends. But — a “genius”? “The greatest entertainer of all time”?

I believe most of Michael Jackson's "genius" was courtesy of Quincy Jones.

[ETL]

Re: Like all bereavements my heart goes out to his family and close friends. But — a “genius”? “The greatest entertainer of all time”?

Just to clarify, that is a quote from the article.

[gigster]

“The Wiz” was (wiz-was?) the Greatest Movie in the History of the World!!

Oh, wait, no it wasn’t.

[Dixie Yooper]

I can remember tapping my toe to some of the Jackson Five hits from the early 70’s. After that, nothing he did moved me to buy even a 45rpm record. Sly Stone at his best was so much better than Michael Jackson's best efforts.

[Alberta's Child]

“Gay” isn’t even a strong enough word to describe Michael Jackson. The guy was an absolute freak.

[Gurn]

Agreed. Adding Eddie Van Halen to “Beat It” was genius, imho.

Probably the most overrated guitar player of all time.

Michael Jackson's (post-J5) music was of no substance. I think it appealed to minorities, kids, chicks and fags.

[twigs]

Hubby and I agree with you that Davis was way more talented than Jackson. But our vote for most talented, at least that we could think of, was Fred Astaire. Talk about dancing.

[Dixie Yooper]

They both looked pretty stupid at The White House...

[subterfuge]

I think even EVH would say he was overrated.

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?

[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

[Rummyfan]

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

Believe me, you are not alone!

[Deo volente]

I told a friend one time that I thought Frank Sinatra was probably the greatest male singer of the 20th century, and she fell on the floor laughing and saying that was the craziest thing she ever heard.

Some people just don't have taste, I suppose...

[MizSterious]

I really can’t think of a single song of his, except Beat It. I really hated that one, still do. So much for his so-called legacy. I’m sorry he died, but he doesn’t warrant all the hoopla.

[McGruff]

I'm so old, I knew Michael Jackson when he was black.

[VanDeKoik]

I agree.

Jackson 5 to Thriller was phenomenal, and Jackson by most accounts was a pretty normal kid.

Around 1987 the weirdness started.

[dfwgator]

Yep, “The Corporation” used their best songs and musicians on those early Jackson 5 songs, and “Thriller” was essentially a Quincy Jones album.

[EggsAckley]

No, not the greatest movie in history, but one of the most underrated. There were some wonderful songs and some wonderful cast members (Nell Carter was my favorite), but it was not well-received by the black “community” because it was too “white.”

So spare me your sarcasm.

Thank you for playing. We have some lovely parting gifts for you.

[Rebelbase]

“why couldn’t he write a decent song the last 10 years?”

Give the guy a break. He had his hands full with little kids.

[ETL]

Please don’t compare that freak MJ to Elvis Presley.

“On December 20, 1957, Presley received his draft notice. Hal Wallis and Paramount Pictures had already spent $350,000 on the film King Creole, and did not want to suspend or cancel the project. The Memphis Draft Board granted Presley a deferment to finish it. On March 24, 1958, he was inducted as US Army private #53310761 at Fort Chaffee near Fort Smith, Arkansas. Two Army officers Arlie Metheny and John J. Mawn, coordinated the entry and shielded Presley from bombardment by national media and free-lance photographers.[118] Presley completed basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, on September 17, 1958, before being posted to Friedberg, Germany, with the 3rd Armored Division, where his service took place from October 1, 1958 until March 2, 1960.[119]

Fellow soldiers have attested to Presley’s wish to be seen as an able, ordinary soldier, despite his fame, and to his generosity while in the service. To supplement meager under-clothing supplies, Presley bought an extra set of fatigues for everyone in his outfit. He also donated his Army pay to charity, and purchased all the TV sets for personnel on the base at that time.[120]

Presley had chosen not to join “Special Services”, which would have allowed him to avoid certain duties and maintain his public profile.[121]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presely#Military_service_and_mother.27s_death

[jennyjenny]

I never said Van Halen was the greatest ever. By “genius” I meant from a marketing standpoint. At the time there were a lot of Van Halen fans who became attracted to this particular album because he was on it. Same with the Paul McCartney song. It brought in music fans it otherwise may not have. There is no disputing after 27 years it continues to be the highest selling album of all time.