Michael Jackson died last night at his home in Los Angeles, aged 50. It is being reported that he had a heart attack and couldn't be revived.
This is one of those moments people won't forget and is very sad for anyone who has ever enjoyed his music, his dance routines, and his cutting edge music videos. He was the greatest popular (pop) music artist of all time, and I don't think any other pop music artist will ever come close to matching his level.
Thriller is still the best selling album of all time, so far having sales of over 100 million copies, and it is reported that the album and its music videos have just been remastered and cleaned up for release on the album's 25th anniversary.
His Triller music videos were also instrumental in the early success of MTV, increasing viewing figures dramatically as each was released, especially the video for Triller itself.
He now joins Elvis, John Lennon, Hendrix and all the other greats as one of the greatest musicians the world has ever known, and will never be forgotten.
It must also be a huge shock to all those involved in, and for all those who purchased tickets for, his upcoming fair well tour, and you have to wonder if the preparations for the huge sell out 50 date concert put too much strain on the artist who had been in training and rehearsing ready for the shows.
The sad truth is that without the court case that cost him all of his money he probably wouldn't have needed to do this final series of concerts and might have been able to live a long life in retirement. I hope Gavin Arvizo is proud of himself!
It is however reported that this final concert was due to earn him around £250 million for the 50 dates (based on a report that the first 10 dates would earn him £50 million). A lot of money that I doubt he would have been able to turn down.
And even though he was forced to sell it, it would be fitting for the new owners of Neverland Ranch to convert it into a museum to celebrate Michael's life. Much as was done for Elvis's Graceland home. I doubt this will happen, but it would be the right thing to do.
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I liked his music. Can't say I was a fan of the man himself. Not that I think he did all those things they accused him of, he just was a weird character. Just
out there, you know?
But he was a damn fine artist, got to give him that.
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The genius' of this world are always a little mad, eccentric and odd. It goes with the territory. For someone to be so amazingly good at something, you have to become obsessed with it to such an extent that it consumes you life. It is how come they are so great at what they do.
And his persona reflected this on stage. He was energetic, charismatic and full of energy. But off stage he was shy, reserved and quiet. Much like Freddie Mercury. They give so much to their performance that it is their life, and off stage they just don't fit in.
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Given that he's probably never had a normal childhood (being constantly pushed by his father, bullied about his appearance etc.), and being haunted by paparazzi looking to ruin him all his life, it's kind of understandable he went bonkers at some time.
It's a sad thing, for he was a great artist and performer, and there probably won't be another one quite like him.
R.I.P.
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