Edd’s MANtra: A world without MJ
Last week, word spread that the King of Pop wasn’t having a very merry Christmas.
Biographer Ian Halperin claims that Michael Jackson needs a lung transplant because he is suffering from alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency, emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. He also claims that Jackson has gone half-blind as a result of these ailments.
“He needs a lung transplant, but may be too weak to go through with it. He also has emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, which his doctors have had a lot of trouble stopping. It’s the bleeding that’s the most problematic part. It could kill him. He can barely speak. The vision in his left eye is 95 per cent gone.”
But never fear, for there was a Christmas miracle! Sort of.
So says billboard.com:
A spokesperson for Michael Jackson is calling yesterday’s claim that he is seriously ill “a total fabrication.”
“Concerning this author’s allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorized ‘biography,'” said Jackson’s “official and sole spokesperson.”The writer’s wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson’s health are a total fabrication.”
OK, so maybe the biographer guy was just trying to drum up some book sales. You can’t blame him – recessions make people do crazy things.
Regardless, it made me wonder – what WOULD happen if Michael Jackson kicked the bucket? Would anyone really care?
Sadly, probably not.
For today’s younger generation, Michael Jackson is like salt-water taffy – a funny-looking, gross thing that only old people like. I don’t think they realize that if not for MJ, there would be no Usher, no Chris Brown, no Justin Timberlake and certainly no Ne-Yo, the No. 1 MJ copycat. If Michael wasn’t around, Ne-Yo would have had to steal Alexander O’Neal’s outfits and dance moves.
And if you’re asking who Alexander O’Neal is, you’ve proven my point.
I’m not just bashing the kids for not knowing any better. Grown folks are just as bad. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the name Michael Jackson? Underage children? Bubbles? That Neverland ranch? His mean daddy? Capt. Crunch vests? A rat named Ben? I bet “musical talent” would be pretty far down the list. Thriller is arguably the greatest album of all time. And although I’m not a huge fan, Off The Wall is a million times better than anything your favorite artist will ever churn out.
I’m not saying that ol’ MJ didn’t bring a lot of his troubles on himself (who dangles a baby out a window?). But it’s kinda sad that drama has tarnished his legacy. I hope he’s remembered as a pioneer and not a pervert.
Do you think Michael’s legacy will remain intact despite years of scandal?
Actually, MJ’s music is the first thing I think of.
When we went to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, both resorts had a “Show de Michael Jackson.” It was a 2-hour long deal where a (dead-ringer) impersonator sung his songs, wore his outfits and did his dance moves.
Both times, it was a highlight of the vacation, and we cued up all the MJ tunes in our MP3 players on the way home.
Sure, he’s got a lot of other problems… but ABC and P.Y.T. cannot be denied.
salt water taffy LOL
I also think of MJ’s music first..sure all the drama comes in a close second, third, fourth and so on, but good music is good music no matter what. I wonder if we’ll ever again see another entertainer achieve the success or have the mainstream appeal he did at the height of his career. I don’t feel you have to be a die-hard, pass-out crying, boob-flashing fanatic to recognize his musical genius, so I think he’ll go down in HIStory (lol) for the right reasons. At least, let’s pray.