Michael Jackson: No Groundbreaking Genius

Pajamas Media ^ | July 29 | Carol Gould

[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? ..

[dfwgator]

Stevie's Hotter Than July from 1980 was a very good album

I wonder if Stevie still thinks that "Peace has come to Zimbabwe"?

[ExTxMarine]

All these people talking about how MJ’s sales are the greatest ever when they don’t realize he isn’t even in the top THREE in total albums sold! 1) Beatles, 2) Elvis Presley, 3) George Strait!

But, beyond that, let’s not limit our view to thinking that sales are what makes you great! Debbie Gibson was the number one selling “artist” in one year, does that make her the GREATEST for that year? No, it meant she had a great PR team and was pushed like no other!

Don’t get me wrong, I like MJ. I grew up on some of his music, and I own several of his albums (yes, those round things you play with a needle). BUT, I own more albums and CDs of each of the following entertainers: Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Charlie Pride!

Want to talk about barriers - Charlie Pride won COUNTRY Music Entertainer of the Year in 1971! And Top Male Country Vocalist 1971 & 1972! From, I think, 1969 through 1972 he had eight straight number one country singles! THAT was a barrier! First black entertainer at the Grand Ole Opry since 1925!

Was he good, yes. Was he great, some people think so. Was he the greatest, not even close!

[Mr. Mojo]

(Now-not-so-little) Stevie was always more than a bit naive in the politics dept.

[Alberta's Child]

It’s sort of humorous reading people here attempting to downplay Jackson’s standing in the entertainment industry. His accomplishments in the music industry speak for themselves, really.

I don't see why anyone would downplay his standing in the entertainment industry. In fact, his standing in the entertainment industry says more about the entertainment industry than anything else.

But for the life of me, I have no idea what his "accomplishments" were.

[seawolf101]

Let's not confuae celebrity and notoriety with greatness. For those people that say Michael Jackson was the greatest, how does Michael Jackson grabbing his crotch make him great in comparison to any one of these?

[Alberta's Child]

I gotta go with Bing Crosby as a great male singer of the 20th century. Something about the soothing sound of his voice, and the talent as an actor as well.

[dfwgator]

Make no mistake, Stevie had a tremendous run from “Talking Book” to “Songs In the..”. Innervisions is one of the Top Ten albums of all time IMHO.

[T Minus Four]

I think it appealed to minorities, kids, chicks and fags

As a chick and a former kid, that was highly insulting. After One Bad Apple and ABC (and my own puberty) I scorned his music almost as much as disco.

[dfwgator]

My pick was Ray Charles. The guy owned any genre he wanted to sing, whether it was soul, country, rock or gospel.

[jennyjenny]

The reference, mine atleast, was in regard to the “Thriller” album. I think the others you mentioned made more albums than he did, at least as a “solo” artist. I could be wrong though. George Strait has made a ton.

[tdbxxx]

Oh, he was more than a celebrity. He was a pedophile who made that acceptable....to some—Not anyone who had any sense of morality.

[Alberta's Child]

I always thought Otis Day and the Knights were the greatest black entertainers of all time. :-P

[staytrue]

I like Prince or the artist formerly known as Prince better than MJ.

He actually writes his own songs.

Party like its 1929 or 1999 is a classic. The Bangles Manic Monday also really good.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I’ll stick with The Wolf, and Hooker, thankyou.

[Alberta's Child]

Right. I’ve still got some questions about Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. LOL.

[Gurn]

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

Off the top of my head, I'll go with the Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Bob Dylan.

[GreenHornet]

I always thought Otis Day and the Knights were the greatest black entertainers of all time. :-P

Wait'll Otis sees us! He loves us!

[Alberta's Child]

ROFL.

[Mr. Mojo]

“Otis, my man!” - Boon

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Someone needs to photoshop that pic, so they’re all grabbin’ the crotches!