There will never be another Michael Jackson

After following and reporting the news from the preliminary trial, I thought it was time to address some other issues or comments being made about Michael Jackson. These are not about his tragic death, disregard for his life or the troubling shift that was predictable “blame the victim” but rather comments on whether or not there will ever be another Michael Jackson.

In the wake of Michael’s death, many in his inner circle have promoted themselves, professed their everlasting love (how many of them really emotionally supported him when he needed them) but as equally disturbing is how many seem to be claiming they are the ‘next Michael Jackson’ or at the very least feel pressure to take up the reins for the late King of Pop.

Now, I am making an assumption that these reports are accurate and that some of these celebrities/singers are actually claiming this and that it is not just a bunch a lies spread by media needing the next story.

So lets assume that the media reports are true about how new artists (e.g. Usher, Bieber, or whoever) feel they are the ‘next’ or have to live up to him…..we want to make our opinion clear…..get over it…get over yourself…..forget it, etc.

For one why would you want to be the next one. Yes he made a fortune, donated a fortune and lost a fortune but at what cost. His face, voice and name was the most recognized in the entire world. Yes, the most anywhere. It was pre-Internet but everyone knew him and many loved him …and I mean loved him not liked him….loved him. But getting back to my train of thought….he made lots of money but at what cost.

Lack of Privacy

There was a serious cost. In better times, MJ radiated with love and attention. The boy wonder could do no harm. Everything about him was copied, talked about etc. but as deep as the admiration the mocking, ridiculing and vicious attacking was 10x worse. So why on earth would anyone want to be the next Michael Jackson. If they are famous or rich why is the degree they already have not enough?

To give up your entire privacy is costly. Michael Jackson was the most hunted human being on the planet. If camera personnel could have followed him into the most intimate moments (lets say a bathroom stall) they would have. One wonders why it has been reported he was suspicious or paranoid…I don’t know …even if he was don’t you think there must be a bit of logic since he was mobbed everywhere he went.

Talent

There have been many talented people born and celebrated. Talent is not just about art or music for sure. It can be about discoveries, inventions, kindness, creativity, etc. Since Michael was musically and artistically creative, we will stick to comparing with similar examples. There have been musically creative people in our lifetime. I won’t bother to go back in time – we will try to keep in contemporary. Elvis changed music so did the Beatles and others. They touched people but even those examples seem a bit dated. Elvis seemed to represent a certain generation. The Beatles made their mark but seemed to fade. Lennon rises above the rest of course but his is about his message and how he lived his life and died that helps elevate him to a hero status to many.

So why is Michael different or at least in the class of some of the greats. He provided, unlike many of the new want to be’s with material almost his entire life. He was truly gifted. You could see it and hear it when he was a child. What adult listens to music from a 10 year old. Michael’s fans do. His early work pulls on heartstrings sometimes even more than later work. He provided a vast catalog before ever going solo yet many think of him from his Thriller days onward.

The new Michael Jacksons may sell out arenas, may be popular now and may even be talented but they will never be the next Michael. He provided raw talent before studio manipulated every sound. He was the real deal in a day when the business was raw not some corporate manufactured product with a short shelf life.

As for talent he invented the very method of delivery and the standards we take for granted today. He was groundbreaking. None of these newbies are. They rehash the old stuff sometimes even copying the moves and sounds of MJ. You have to revolutionize and pioneer something. They don’t.

Now in fairness, the business and life are different. Not sure the biz could support another one. You are judged on your last hit, must sell your stuff online via iTunes and are not allowed to mature. That is not the artists fault it is just the model used today.

I thought a quote about Michael in Rolling Stone magazine summed it up.

“No single artist – indeed, no movement or force – has eclipsed what Michael Jackson accomplished in the first years of his adult solo career. Jackson changed the balance in the pop world in a way that nobody has since. He forced rock & roll and the mainstream press to acknowledge that the biggest pop star in the world could be young and black, and in doing so he broke down more barriers than anybody. …

When Jackson died on June 25th, 2009, of apparent cardiac arrest in Los Angeles at age 50, the outpouring of first shock, then grief, was the largest, most instantaneous of its kind the world had ever known, short of the events of September 11th, 2001.”

The article continued later to describe the effects of the Motown Billie Jean performance. “This was one of Michael Jackson’s first public acts as a star outside and beyond the Jacksons, and it was startlingly clear that he was not only one of the most thrilling live performers in pop music, but that he was perhaps more capable of inspiring an audience’s imagination than any single pop artist since Elvis Presley. There are times when you know you are hearing or seeing something extraordinary, something that captures the hopes and dreams popular music might aspire to, and that might unite and inflame a new audience. That time came that night, on TV screens across the nation – the sight of a young man staking out his territory, and just starting to lay claim to his rightful pop legend. “Almost 50 million people saw that show,” Jackson wrote in Moonwalk. “After that, many things changed.”

Exposure

Celebrities are so over exposed today they don’t have to even do anything really to get exposed. Reality TV has proven you just have to rude, criminal or stupid to become a sensation.

Michael was different. He was the most hard working artist, grew up in the business, knew how to manipulate the press and business to get exposure and was known as we said across the planet prior to the invention of the Internet.

No one will ever get the exposure he did but as well for the reasons he got it. He became a household name because of innovation, talent, kindness, curiosity , intelligency, sympathy, love etc. I can’t image any other artists being able to capture the imagination like MJ did. It is not their fault they are truly just not as interesting.

Impact

The up and coming whoevers are not going to have the same impact that Michael Jackson had on popular culture. It is not their fault…its just reality. He touched everyone whether you liked him or not. I remember after he died a relative telling me that they were shocked how affected they were. I bet no one expected the outpouring of sorrow, the effect, the constant desire to know more etc. demonstrated around the world. We have had major political leaders, royalty, artists, etc. die and they did not have the day in and day out coverage afforded Michael Jackson.

He impacted music, TV, video, journalism, etc. in a profound way and that was clearly demonstrated in the months following his death. The world could not get enough of anything Michael. His memorial, official funeral and news coverage regarding his death and the reflection regarding his legacy were unprecedented.

Charitable Deeds

His legacy is about artistic contribution but equally it is about his charitable work, the message and how he popularized the concept of celebrities using their reach to make a difference. We watched as this kind man not only spoke for change but put his money where is mouth was. Unlike most celebrities today who donate by offering their face or presence to a cause, he gave cold hard cash to those in need. He played concerts, delivered toys and supplies, taught his children by acts of kindness and spread and wrote about love. There is no other celebrity that I can think of that embodied the message more than Michael Jackson.

Target of Unkindness

Michael contributed to the modern day reporting we know today. Whether through his use of the media or just the negative nature of people, no other artist has ever been as targeted as Michael Jackson. The world felt it was entitled to comment and judge everything about him even down to his face, voice etc. We judged him like no other and for that…he is mankind’s personal shame. I really mean that…and I don’t think it is exaggerated. This man experienced worldwide bullying on a global scale. The scale to which he was attacked was unlike any other celebrity.Again for that reason, there will never be another Michael Jackson.

Loyalty

For all the bad that followed or surrounded him, he had something that no other celebrity will probably ever have and rightly so. For all his acts of kindness and generosity to his fans he got the most outrageous and loyal following of fans. His fans have been described at times as crazies, etc. and maybe some actions are but rest assured they stuck by their man through thick and thin. Michael had a relationship with his fans unlike any other. It was deep, intimate and loyal. Sorry want to be’s …you are not the next Michael Jackson.

His name will not be forgotten. His contributions will not be forgotten and his fan base only grew when he died because even those who had long forgotten …his tragic death reminded them of who he was, how truly unique he was and how much they would miss him.

His life, birthday and death will be celebrated. Much of his music seems timeless and his vast catalog left behind only reminds us of how much talent he had even when he was out of sight to many.

So regardless of the intention to the speculation regarding who will be the next Michael Jackson..we want to say once and for all…Michael never expected any of you to pick up his torch and carry on. He might have inspired you to use your celebrity for good deeds but I don’t think he ever tried to burden any of you with becoming the next copy of him.

Rise with your own talent, enjoy the attention as long as you have it and hopefully use it for the good of mankind but get over ever becoming the next Michael Jackson. It is not going to happen. That train left in 2009.