SalesHQ

This seems like a party group that works hard. With that thought in mind, I think back to 1983 living in the Dallas area, when I was a National Government Account Manager for a division of a marjor health care concern. My wife , myself and our baby boy had moved to Texas and I had recieved my first big career promotion. We had brought our first nice home. These were exciting times!

When I heard about the death of Michael Jackson, my mind went back to a night if gin and tonics, watching motown's 25  year celebration, at a neighbor, co worker and friend home. I have lost touch with skip for a good 15 years, but that night of him trying to moon walk, was a highlight of my 8 month stay in Dallas.

I tried to call Skip today and left him a message. I was not a big Jackson fan but he did have perhaps the most successful 7 year run in the entertainment industry. Say from about 1979- 1987, he was a bad dude.

What are your memories of Mr. Jackson?

My heart is heavy with a pound of grief.

I find it disgusting that this was covered non-stop on every national news station last night (and my local channels this morning) when there are much more important, real news issues that should be covered.  Last week when the trains crashed in DC, my local stations didn't even cover that as a lead story and on national news, you only got a blurb.

What an incredibly sad commentary on the state of the US media and the world we live in.

LivetheDream says ...

I still have his Thriller album on Vinyl.

Dream, you have to love Billie Jean and Beat it

The_Brooks_Group3810 says ...

Cheers to the late, great Michael Jackson.  http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/28853018/michael_jackson_fans_flood_la_landmarks_to_remember_king_of_pop

I'LL be there, with the cheers

My 13 year old made the comment, "wasn't he the one that had kids in his bed a few years ago". Some will remember his contribution to the music world while others will remember the controversial side.

I was never a huge mj fan........he obiously was a huge talent.....and then it became overshadowed by the controversies he created himself....I do agree regarding the amount of coverage there has been with everything else happening in the world.....a media frenzy that could be better used.....sympathy for his children who hopefully will survive the media crunch.....

Jackson was an innovator of music crossover that many artists today are trying to copy. His Thriller album made artist discover the video music world and to take it seriously. What it did do was create more one hit wonders within the music industry. The music industry was changed in the 80's due to his understanding of the pop culture.

 A series of three albums made history and are classics today.

MSI says ...

I find it disgusting that this was covered non-stop on every national news station last night (and my local channels this morning) when there are much more important, real news issues that should be covered.  Last week when the trains crashed in DC, my local stations didn't even cover that as a lead story and on national news, you only got a blurb.

What an incredibly sad commentary on the state of the US media and the world we live in.

But it's Michael... not OJ!!! :)

jimdwalton says ...

Redhead52 says ...

My heart is heavy with a pound of grief.

Redheat, I am surprised with the out pouring of grief

Jim, Redheat here. I like that!

Aside from Sales Professional I've been a Music Journalist for nearly 20 years. I grieved with the loss of my Layne Staley. I grieved with the loss of my Kurt Cobain. I hope Willie Nelson lives forever because I can't take much more grieving.

Thanks for your interest. I think you're swell.

jimdwalton says ...

MSI says ...

I find it disgusting that this was covered non-stop on every national news station last night (and my local channels this morning) when there are much more important, real news issues that should be covered.  Last week when the trains crashed in DC, my local stations didn't even cover that as a lead story and on national news, you only got a blurb.

What an incredibly sad commentary on the state of the US media and the world we live in.

MSI, We live in a Pop culture and I am very surprised this is such a large story, I mean, he took Ms. Facett out of the news. We will spend more time watching ,listening and debating this than the Health Care Bill

Ms. MSI -- I mourn America's Angel too. I once wished I could be a part of Charlie's crew...

Michael had some issues in later years, but I want to remember him for his best. What he did for music and the endless entertainment he provided to us. I worked out to his music in College and saw thriller on its worldwide introduction while at college too. He was awesome!!

rich34232 says ...

Rich... Thriller sure revved up MTV's viewership, didn't it? Isn't that album still the biggest world seller in history?

  I would think  Dark Side of the Moon had that honor being on the billboard top 100 for what twenty years? I am not  but I think you would have better knowledge than I.

  I am not sure his influence was greater than the beatles,rolling stones,pink floyd,cream, drifters, 4 tops,smokey robinson,miles davis,chuck berry,elvis,led zepplin,deep purple,black sabbath,bb king,iron maiden,alice cooper and so on down the lost of the real influenctial rock and roll and blues legends.

  I however believe that he is best known for crossing over to different groups ,ages, and racial divides. His presence has not been felt for over 20 years.

  Tk hit the nail on the head he will be best remembered for his troubled life,bizarre behavior, and legal issues.

Rich -- We all have 'issues.' I've seen Michael's private Hollywood recording studio (in the V.I.P. building where Prince and Paula Abdul also rented studios in their heydays). Michael's space included the infamous red leather jacket over chair, photos of Liz, dolls and games. I had the impression he was a genius and was possessed by the demons of creativity. I think he truly loved people, and having a childhood that thrust him into the spotlight, little Michael never grew up.... like the persona of Peter Pan. He lived in a fantasy world (which BTW made him an amazing song writer), and that would've been fine if he was still 9, but when he expressed himself personally as an adult he was misunderstood. If he had been allowed sleepovers as a kid, he prolly wouldn't have felt the need for them as an adult and father of 3.

That's my opinion, agree or not, that's my viewpoint.

Redhead52

rich34232 says ...

We all have 'issues.

  This is true however the VAST majority  of us did not moleste children due to our issues.  I am not sure I want to cast the term issue to that disease. He neded to be imprisoned for what he did to the terminalluy ill chidlren. To bad that the parents who brought their children to him were paid huge sums of money not to testify against  him. He chose his victums well , the parents are greedy bastards that need their children taken away from them.

  Some willl make it about music only and call him a musical genius  and that is impossible to do it is about the whole and not just part of a persons life.

 That is  like saying Charles Manson is a great guy when he isn't killing people and I do put child molestation as a worse crime then murder.

  The more I think about it the less I want to put this guy on a pedalstool. I understand how you feel and that is fine. This is how I feel

I don't like Manson. I was a publicist for a record company. My boss wanted to hire that beast for album cover artwork and I shrank into my office chair. He had already used Richard Ramiriz and John Wayne Gacey for previous album art projects. Manson was the last straw.

Back to Michael... I've done articles on sexual criminals... and I still can't be convinced he was as he was accussed. I had more of an impression he was patsy for a $20M lawsuit.

I don't think there were any songs Michael Jackson did that I didn't like.  He opened new avenues for others to test, brought about new ideas to the open stage.  Shame on those who believe everything they read in the media.  Yes, Jackson was kinda like the elephant man, he was weird and strange at times, much like Howard Huges, who are we to be the jury of any of their faults.  I am sure we all enjoyed the song "thriller", it was common to hear especially around Halloween up here in Canada anyway. 

I think Michael Jackson was a tortured man inside.  I don't think the general public ever judged him fairly.  And, just ask yourself, why were all the allegations of Michael doing things with children ALWAYS in his jurisdiction?  I don't think that if you don't have anything good to say about someone while their alive, then you don't have the right to say anything bad about them when their dead.

I think the music industry will miss him, I will miss the music he didn't have a chance to complete.