Kev Lawrence: on Michael Jackson's legacy
"Who is going to look after Michael Jackson's three children now he has died Daddy?" My eight-year-old son's question was asked with such a beautiful innocence, that it brought a lump to my throat. And I wasn't sure of the answer.
"Who is going to look after Michael Jackson's three children now he has died Daddy?" My eight-year-old son's question was asked with such a beautiful innocence, that it brought a lump to my throat. And I wasn't sure of the answer.The death of Michael Jackson last week came as such a shock. I was reminded of the time when Elvis Presley died.
I can vividly remember my mum being stopped in her tracks when news came through on the radio. It was in 1977, when I was a nine-year-old boy eating in the kitchen, while mum was ironing. She cried her eyes out.
Michael Jackson was to me, what Elvis was to my mum's generation. I grew up buying his records and loving his music videos. Watching him perform live in the late '80s on his Bad tour remains my best ever live concert memory.
Getting into work to present my Heart breakfast show the next morning was weird. Many people were waking up completely unaware of the news, so found out first from us. I only found out 20 minutes before my show started at 6am.
We decided to play lots of his music, and pay tribute to his incredible career. We also encouraged listeners to text or call in, with their thoughts and feelings towards the news. Most felt shock and sadness, while, at the same time, offered opinions on his wonderful talent.
I recall watching Martin Bashir's TV documentary, Living With Michael Jackson, years ago and feeling very confused by what I saw. In the film, Jacko admitted offering his bed to child pals. Scandal followed, and, of course, like everyone else, you couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable about it all. But while his lifestyle may have been unorthodox, I always found myself wanting to believe that he was never guilty of anything criminal. And the truth is, he was never convicted of any crime.
So while many people couldn't care a jot for him as a singer, or found him unlikeable because of his strange ways, I myself remain struck with sorrow that his life ended so incredibly young. Fifty is no age at all.
He is without doubt the greatest entertainer of my generation. Possibly the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen. All the footage of his performances. Listening again to all his songs, and seeing the outpouring of grief from all corners of the world certainly back this up.
Without doubt Michael Jackson broke down racial barriers through his music. He transformed the art of music videos. He actually paved the way for modern pop music and dance – he was the standard bearer. Michael Jackson, whose Thriller album remains by a long way the biggest selling album ever, inspired millions of people the world over.
He may have passed away, but his legend will live on forever.
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Friday 19 March 2010
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