The Michael Jackson Appreciation Thread

[Jed Cooper]

I’m now listening to Jackson’s song Man In The Mirror and this is one of the greatest recordings I’ve ever heard.  At times it can still be a very moving, emotional song.  There are two songs very much like this one (not saying either is a copy of the other by any means, just a reminder); Elvis’ If I Can Dream and John Lennon’s Imagine.  Three incredibly great recordings.

[Gant]

For me Jackson was all over after Off The Wall which I think was a great album..

Sorry to sound a bit harsh but Thriller onwards was too poppy for my tastes..

[Jed Cooper]

I love every track on Jackson's 1987 album Bad.  It's one of my favorite albums by a solo performer.

[KC]

Do we really need an "Appreciation Thread" for every random pop celebrity?

[Jed Cooper]

Do we really need an "Appreciation Thread" for every random pop celebrity?

Why not?  Isn't that precisely what the Off-Topic Discussion thread is for?  To lump them all together into one would be too much.  Not so for The Celebrity Obituary Thread.  You have initial posts, some reactions and move on because it becomes, ahem, a dead issue if you will.

Michael Jackson is hardly a 'random' pop celebrity.  Like him and/or his music or not, he is a musical icon much like Sinatra, Elvis and The Beatles.  'Nuff said.
 

[The Schofield Kid]

It's a shame he'll never be remembered for his musical talents though. It will be everything else that went on in his private life that everyone will remember. I was never a fan of his and never got caught up in all the hype of his Thriller album. He had a great voice but threw it all away with the bizarre private life.

Maybe I'm biased because when he bought the rights to The Beatles song catalogue and started to sell them to advertisers, the thing that The Beatles never wanted their songs used for, that put me offside with him.

[Jed Cooper]

It's a shame he'll never be remembered for his musical talents though. It will be everything else that went on in his private life that everyone will remember. I was never a fan of his and never got caught up in all the hype of his Thriller album. He had a great voice but threw it all away with the bizarre private life.

Maybe I'm biased becaused when he bought the rights to The Beatles song catalogue and started to sell them to advertisers, the thing that The Beatles never wanted their songs used for, that put me offside with him.

Never?  I respectfully disagree.  I think his music will stand the test of time.  Musically, he was a genius.  Yeah, it would've been great to see McCartney get The Beatles songs back.  I look at it this way, though.  Regardless of performer or band, as long as the material is treated and presented respectfully when released/re-released (new compilations and original reissues) then I don't mind so much who owns it.  After all, McCartney owns Buddy Holly's catalog, yes?

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.   

[The Schofield Kid]

After all, McCartney owns Buddy Holly's catalog, yes?

Yes, but I've never heard a Buddy Holly song used to sell sneakers.

[Jed Cooper]

Yes, but I've never heard a Buddy Holly song used to sell sneakers.

I see your point.  It doesn't bother me to hear Beatles music to hawk product even though that's not what they wanted.  It's unfortunate that it's uncontrollable but from what I understand, Yoko Ono could've had a hand in preventing that.  Correct me if I'm wrong.  I don't blame anybody.  It's all business.  On the other side of the same token, it would be ultra cool to know Macca somehow was able to regain possession of The Fab Four catalog.

[The Schofield Kid]

I found this interesting website on the whole Jackson - McCartney collaboration.

http://www.pophistorydig.com/?p=2517

[Jed Cooper]

I found this interesting website on the whole Jackson - McCartney collaboration.

http://www.pophistorydig.com/?p=2517

A very insightful, thought-provoking article.  Thankyouverymuch!

[Jed Cooper]

I've been listening to a couple of my favorite albums recently, both by Michael Jackson.  Thriller from 1982 and Bad from 1987.  Great stuff.  I've posted more here:  Coop’s Favorite Albums Reviews - A Musical Stroll Down Memory Lane