Michael Jackson: The Significance of His Thrilling Career

When I first heard the news that Michael Jackson had died, I was leaving my office and I immediately denied it. I thought it was a cruel rumor that was being circulated. I got into the elevator with an older Black woman who looked visibly shaken. I asked what was wrong and she confirmed that Michael was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m., June 25, 2009. 

As the elevator sank toward the bottom floor, my heart sunk with it. Like most Black people, I felt as though I had lost a close childhood friend. Losing a childhood friend is more painful than losing a distant relative because of the historical bond you share. When a childhood friend dies, a part of you dies with them. Such was the case for me and millions of others who had the pleasure of growing up with Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5.

Unlike any music artist in history, Michael Jackson was able to cast a wide net of popularity over generations of people that cut through genres, cultures, nations, and all ages. It was a feat that will likely never be accomplished again. His influence is easily seen in Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Usher, NeYo, B2k, and BTS. They share some of the tangibles, but not the distinctive intangibles. They are best in show amongst their peers and categories, but not top of the class - all classes -  like Micheal.  

 

I've heard the term "superstar" used to describe Michael Jackson along with similar descriptions like megastar, and worldwide superstar because of his recognition around the globe. Those references fall short because they are too complex. He was simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived. Michael picked up where James Brown left off with his pure, powerful soulfulness and unsurpassed dancing skills. James Brown had moves. Michael Jackson had moves and choreography. He mesmerized white teenage audiences with greater effect than Elvis. 

 

Elvis had charm; Michael Jackson had charm and unprecedented energy. He crossed over and was embraced by white audiences in a way that Prince had only dreamed of. Prince had crossover appeal; Michael Jackson had crossover appeal and successfully crossed over. Young children were also drawn to and excited by Michael Jackson and his music in an inexplicable way that no music artist has ever been able to come close to. That's what made him the greatest. 

 

As strongly as I'm tempted to point out the derisive treatment of Michael Jackson over the years by white people I have to cautiously refrain, but his original fan base, consisting of the Black families like mine, who at least visually, resembled his own. 

 

At a time when Black pride was wavering, Michael Jackson made every young Black boy in America feel that they too could be a Pop star and viewed as "cute", if they had the requisite Afro and psychedelic 70s attire. 

 

White people also loved Michael Jackson. They recognized and rewarded his extraordinary talents and creativity when he was allowed to be the first Black artist to have a video played on MTV; a move that positioned him as the King Of Pop and ignited record sales of Thriller, the best selling album of all time. Michael Jackson is as much a part of their lives - and occupies as big of a space in their hearts as he does in the hearts of most Black people.

Michael Jackson was not physically well, nor physically fit before he died. We took for granted the amount of preparation, discipline, energy, and hard work that he put into being the greatest entertainer that ever lived. The trait of all professionals is how easy they make the difficult look easy.  

Michael Jackson performances were superbly rehearsed and characterized by flawless precision and timing. He made them look easy, but they were a physically demanding and often exhaustive undertaking; one that a younger, healthier Michael Jackson was conditioned to executing. But an older, less health Michael would need an array of medications to pull-off.

His heralded final act, the This Is It Tour, found Michael physically and mentally distressed. He was never going to be able to honor 50 performance dates. It would have been the equivalent of Michael Jordan coming back at the age of 50 and trying to compete at the same (athletic) level in a playoff game. Michael Jackson issued a call to action himself, in response to requests from his fans to honor them one more time with his physical presence. He agreed; but with the condition that this would be it - making the name of the tour both appropriate and definite.

 

So the man who created magical Pop music in the 70s that instantly transported people to happier times in their lives; defined an era; set the world on fire during his mesmerizing solo performance on the Motown 25 TV special with his "moonwalk" and single glitter glove in the 80s; legitimized music videos as an art form and valid promotional tool; and created songs that would be a part of the soundtrack to people's lives, was set to thrill worldwide audiences once again.

   

 

But it was never to be.

 

In a time in which so many artists superficially blurt out "I love you" to their fans, Michael's love of his fans, and his desire to satisfy them, defined his life, and may have possibly ended it. How much his official biopic, Michael, will shed light on this will be interesting to note. Michael's legacy, captured in his timeless songs and videos, are a treasure. He himself has been a treasure to music lovers for decades. The movie, Michael, should at the very least, capture and present his music artistry, performance mastery, and story of success, but conveying his significance to new, younger audiences will be the accomplishment.