Michael Jackson 1958 – 2009
The Passing of a Musical Icon
The King of Pop
News of the passing of Michael Jackson today at age 50 was met with shock and sorrow by millions of fans the world over, including here on TDC.
Many of us grew up with Michael Jackson from his early days as lead singer for The Jackson 5 through such milestones as the video production of Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean and others. His contributions to the world of music are legendary as are his humanitarian efforts. There will be many tributes to Michael Jackson in the days to come, but for now, here is a photographic tribute to The King of Pop.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
A very sad day in the world of music.
Rest in peace Michael.
SB
A sad day indeed. I do so hope he is really at peace.
I had the pleasure of seeing David perform tonight in Newark. It was great to bump into Happy and DJfan, and share some time with them before the concert. The night had a surreal quality with the news of Michael Jackson’s death having just been announced and playing on the TV in the bar at the Prudential Center.
Having been spoiled by being thisclose to David at the PC Richard event, our seats tonight were towards the back. Tonight was dedicated to listening to David sing HIS songs at this huge arena and in front of a packed house. David was, I think, clearly upset by the news that one of his mentors had died right before his set was to begin, and he made a brief statement to that effect. However, David’s performance tonight was truly magnificent, and you can add “trooper” to the laundry list of wonderful qualities that David embodies. He sang his heart out, and every song just filled this huge arena with his delicious voice. At his inaugural , John Kennedy said that “the torch has been passed to a new generation.” I could not help but get the feeling that a similar torch had been passed on this night. I left with a feeling that we now have a new “king of pop”, one which the previous one would have been most proud.
Thanks for this, Marlie, and thanks for the recap, Bliss. I too get a sense that “the torch has been passed.”
I’m still gathering my thoughts together.
bliss…So strange to have that feeling tonight about the passing of the torch…but I had that feeling…what a time it has been lately.
SB
Every time I think I can’t love David more, he goes and says something that makes my heart grow three times its size:
“I know everyone’s talking about it but he deserves the respect. I hope people will appreciate what he’s done.”
School us, why don’t you!
It’s an uncanny thing, but last year, when Heath Ledger died, I was saddened by the news then, one month later, I was introduced to David -- indicating to me that a new heart throb was on the horizon.
Today, a legend, a musical icon that I grew up with, passes, and in his wake is what I believe to be the next music genius to take the world by storm. It may unfold very differently with David, but he is definitely poised to step into some very big shoes that I hope will fit.
Rest in peace, Michael!
David has such a great sense of the appropriate. His performance, while utterly fantastic, had a somewhat subdued quality. The set respectfully did not have any of David’s “fun” touches, while in no way was it lacking in joy or energy. David sees the whole picture, even if its thrust upon him a mere hour before show time. I was very proud of David tonight, along with being thoroughly entertained. He’s a pro’s pro, and had the huge throng in the palm of his hand start to finish.
I’m amazed by David once again. His tweet about MJ and everyone needing to understand all Michael has done is priceless. This young man has a distinctive classy quality that is very rare. Bliss, you said it with describing David as having such a great sense of the appropriate. I sometimes wonder where this young 18 year old get’s it? Wherever it came from, I hope it breeds.
bliss…David knows how to be so very respectful yet he knew that the show had to go on. He is the best role model that idol has ever seen.
Wow. I finally remembered my password. Haven’t been able to log on at TDC in ages. It’s good to be back! I, like everyone else, am still in shock about Michael Jackson. I don’t know what I was doing all day, but it was David who delivered the sad news to me tonight. I was standing at the time and had to take a seat for a moment. Bliss, sorry to have missed you this time around. We met briefly outside the P.C. Richard Theater last month. You are so right about David. He was a bit subdued, but clearly inspired. I noticed Mike didn’t yell for everybody to jump during ZG. What more can you say about David? I’m more impressed each day. It’s already late, but I think I’ll go back to watching more MJ tributes.
By the way, it was great to see Happy, DJ and Dawn again, and to meet bebereader and her husband, for the first time. Good night all.
Gosh, with all the MJ and Farrah tributes airing tonight, it could be a very depressing evening. I keep reminding myself, death is a reemergence and an extraordinary new beginning. My impression is that Michael was a very unhappy being, later in his journey, and that this is a welcome threshold for him to cross, into the healing of unconditional love. IMHO. He is certainly being blasted with love now, from both sides of the wizard’s curtain.
I am stunned and saddened at Michael’s passing. I used his music to create special moments with my children when they were little. We were all together today, for the celebration of my daughter’s graduation it was bittersweet, but totally fitting that we were together, dancing to his music, on this day. RIP Mr. Jackson. You will be missed.
David is a class act for sure. I always expect him to know what to say. He always hits the right note.
I am still processing the sad news about MJ, but…Wow, um, speaking of passing the torch… Uh,have we seen this??? My Hands at Nassau Coliseum Wed. Nite (major warning here)
Gosh, listening to this finally brought it home. John Mayer’s tweet:
“one of my favorite live vocal performances ever. This was Michael Jackson. G’night all.”
Thanks, John.
Ajna -- I just heard on kgw, that blond female guitar player who was with Michael Jackson is an Oregonian! I think this is her in the beginning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWOBHVPvi-s
Looks like her, from the interview.
Glad there’s *finally* another Oregonian here!!! I commented on the previous thread, but have you posted here before? So happy to see you here, I thought I was the only DA fan in Oregon!!!
Sad… I am another who grew up with Michael, and will never forget seeing him live with his brothers on the “victory” tour, I think in 1884? It was an awesome show, and he an amazing performer.
He will be missed, and I think of his kids. Thanks for this thread Marlie.
yikes 1994!!!
uuurrrgggg!1984
Growing up with MJ’s music is probably one of the many blessings I can count on. He was a change agent, an artist extraordinaire. For his contribution to the entertainment landscape alone, he was beyond phenomenal.
Watching the CNN coverage and listening to those who are paying him tribute, I cannot help but be astounded by the many parallelisms with David. Getting the public’s attention at 10 or 11 yo; Michael spending 3 hours studying before recording; having 2 personas — one being the shy, soft-spoken & mild-mannered young man off-stage & the other being the sure-footed, explosive performer on-stage; Crooning songs that belie his age; Michael’s charitable endeavors; His impact on people -- stories of how the fans react to him; How he reacts to fans — gloomy and sickly 1 minute, then coming alive next when he sees his fans; lastly, how he re-creates magic…
W.O.W.
Well, can’t talk about Michael w/o sharing this video. You may have seen it — vid has 23M++ hits so far.
The inmates will perform this again this weekend as a tribute to the King of Pop. LOL, only in the Philippines
Good morning everyone! The news is still sinking in. I’m slowly coming to accept that the world shines a little less brightly with the death of our biggest star.
One day, another star will shine as bright…
JR, I remember that inmate video! How cool that they’re going to perform it again!
I have a quick question for those of you who remember the passing of Elvis Presley. Some of the news reports are comparing MJ’s death to Elvis’s (apart from making comparisons between their pop icon careers), and I have no memories of Elvis’s passing. So, I was wondering how and what did Elvis die from. I can imagine the world reaction was just the same.
Hope everyone is doing well.
HG I was in high school at the time, vacationing in Virginia and away from home in NY when Elvis passed. I think the reaction was similar in the way the public is responding except for the way the information was distributed and shared. My son was in the city on a mission when his cell phone began exploding, friend after friend texting first the news and then their response to it. Late last evening he scrolled the messages to show me. It ranged from OMG, to stunned, to I’m devastated…to RIP Michael….thanks Michael. His friends are a diverse urban mix who barely give a crap about any artist older than 30….but then Michael was different for them. If anything, I think Michael’s reach was wider because when Elvis died at 47, I think most people, especially my peers at the time saw Elvis as passe, done, finished, over the hill. My son, and his peer certainly don’t think of Michael that way. So for me that would be the difference.
I too am processing this news. This is the first morning that I have awakened knowing that Michael Jackson will no longer moonwalk. Somehow that seems unreal to me. I am old enough to know that this shouldn’t be shocking or extremely unthought of perhaps, as I have buried family members far younger, and personally closer to me, than him, but still it feels as if I should do something, other than pouring out my guts on blogs and message boards to mark this time. I just don’t know what it is yet.
HG -- if I remember correctly, Elvis died from drug overdose at 42yo
It is hard to believe the news about MJ. The Jackson 5 was my first album. I’d sit in a chair, looking at the cardboard album cover, while I sang along. One time, I was chewing bubble gum and blew too large of a bubble, and it popped all over the album cover, my face, and my hair. I was devastated but my mom helped me pick the gum off the cover. The Jacksons and Michael were such a part of our family. What an amazing talent he was. RIP.
Thanks for responding to my question, Brooklyndawn and JR. As for personal tribute, I’m starting first with just listening to his music today. That’s really what he’ll be remembered mostly for, I think. And his videos. And his dance moves.
Interesting, Brooklyndawn, that while your son received the text messages, I was getting phone calls (long distance and local) and emails. The same kinds of reactions from friends and family.
FunnyGirl, my first MJ album was Off the Wall. And don’t get me started on Thriller and the glove and red leather jacket that I had and the buttons and the posters on my bedroom walls. I was pretty clumsy with the moonwalk. haha!
One of my friends, during our phone call, told me she dressed up as the girlfriend from the Thriller music video for Halloween. I had to give her props for that one b/c that was far more original than me dressing up as Michael himself!
Our stories are pouring in, so I guess this is a tribute of sorts.
My favourite Michael Jackson memory is standing in a tiny train station in the south of France, trying to translate the lyrics of “Billie Jean” from English to French for some local students. They loved the song and MJ and were desperate to know what the song meant. They had thought it was about jeans, lol.
It brought home to me the worldwide love for his songs and the power of music to connect us all … David reminds me of that every day, too.
Tofan: “It brought home to me the worldwide love for his songs and the power of music to connect us all” My own favorite MJ moment was when I was on a ferry boat traveling between two small Greek islands sometime in the 80′s. Somebody had a boom box blasting We Are the World, and everyone, of different nationalities and ages, was dancing to it. The power of music to connect us all indeed!
I have the day off on this sad rainy morning and just saw that the Thriller music video is on MTV. For those interested…
refnaf -- I also attended the Victory concert at Dodger Stadium…I took my younger brother and daughter… I didn’t and don’t attend concerts, his and now going on my third David concert.
Here’s David paying his respects yesterday….
I wish I had seen MJ live more than once… I won’t miss any opportunities within reason…lol…. to see David live… he has what it takes to fill MJ’s shoes…
I used to run home from work at lunchtime to watch and re-watch the Thriller video. I was so jealous of the girl that played his girlfriend and how lucky she was to have Michael Jackson dancing and singing to her like that.
The “Making of Thriller” was fascinating too. He was a completely different person when he wasn’t performing. He was sort of goofy and shy. The stage transformed him. Remind you of anybody?
Interesting (old?) interview at:
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/fame-fortune/fame-fortune-david-archuleta-2.aspx
(Hope it’s not posted already)
djafan…thanks for posting David paying his respects to Michael during his concert, I was looking it. What a day, what a time…
YJ #31 -- Thanks for posting that link. I missed that interview even though it looks like it may be an older one.
It’s great to see that David is so tuned into the business side of the music industry. He’s obviously a very smart cookie and nobody’s puppet.
Recently we brought back memories of Elvis and talked about him and missed him all over again. Now just days later, Michael Jackson another worldwide music icon has come to the forefront by his untimely passing. Life has to change around our great musicians,we must be more caring. It seems that we want everything from them, more concerts in more places, more songs sung, just more and more…I hope that we can give more back.
Last night was the second time I saw David Archuleta live in concert, Sayreville being the first. David was upbeat last night, but mellow, having found out about the death of one his idols only moments before going onstage. Nevertheless, his performance was nothing short of that of a professional. “The play’s the thing.” “The show must go on.” Once again he blew the roof off another venue. Before he sang “You Can” he spoke about Michael Jackson and how he was an inspiration to his career and how we should give the Jackson family respect at this time. I wouldn’t be surprised if on this tour, David paid tribute to Michael Jackson and sang one of his songs.
For those who like details…..David did the new vibe on Barriers, a little differently this time but really enjoyable. He mentioned that Barriers is a reggae-ish kind of song. Hmmm. I didn’t realize. During TMH he went out of his way to touch as many hands as he could, and sometimes it looked like he was going to fall into the audience because he stretched so far! In fact during all of the songs, as soon as he came close to the audience, they screamed and put up their hands to reach out to him. While I enjoy all of David’s music, (even the phonebook ha!), “Apologize” stands out for me this tour. His vocals are amazing. The song shows the range of his voice, from his falsetto to his lower register. On “Zero Gravity” and “Crush”, David literally flew across the stage. Those two songs got a lot of applause, and are definitely fan favorites.
David’s connection with the audience is still one of his strongest assets. If you watch the songs on the jumbotron, many times you can see David looking directly into the camera and you feel as if he’s looking right at you, while you’re singing along with him. It’s quite a connection! He filled up my senses last night in a way that no other performer ever has. He cleared out any sadness, replacing it with goodness. How can one not adore him?
Another highlight of the evening for me was getting to meet some fellow fans, including happy, Dawn65, djxox and astrid. What struck me last night after meeting them is that David attracts good people. After all, like attracts like. We all embraced as if we were old friends! To all of you whom I met, you very much contributed to the glorious evening. Bliss I’m just upset that I didn’t get to meet you!
Marlie thank you for the tribute page for Michael Jackson. I, too grew up with The King of Pop and was very saddened to learn of his passing last night, right before the show.
For those of us who are wishing for great stardom for David, the lives of Elvis and MJ should serve as cautionary tales. Both Elvis and MJ came from humble backgrounds and gained unexpected and unheard of fame and fortune. However they paid an enormous price for their fame and fortune. Their lived isolated, lonely lives, and were literally prisoners of their fame. You can add Judy Garland to a disturbing list of “American Royalty” whose lives were not their own, and were not allowed to have anything close to a “normal” life.
As we wonder why David’s management team isn’t doing enough to maximize his stardom, let us now take a second look at what we are hoping for. David wants to be a singer, not a star. Right now, David is already the best singer and performer on the music scene today and a couple of moves away from being the “next” MJ. Let’s hope that the similarity ends there, and David’s personal life remains “of this earth”. MJ was also the cutest kid of the planet at one time, and Elvis was just a hometown boy from Mississippi.
David’s happiness with his singing and performing is more important than being more popular than the Jonas Brothers. The singer and performer I saw last night in Newark was more than enough for me.
Bebereader, sorry i didn’t get to meet you too. Maybe we should all wear name tags, so we can “find” each other in the crowd. I’m glad you were there to enjoy David, though. His stature on stage is unequalled, and must be experienced live to fully appreciate its power.
Ah bliss…you wrote what I wanted to in #34, but couldn’t find the words this morning. Sometimes you pick up just a hint on what I am awkwardly trying to write and you go with it and I was sending out a hint…(you may not know that). Thank you…
SB, you’ve very welcome. There was nothing “awkward” about what you wrote or how you wrote it, and it was, in light of this event, quite relevant. Thanks for raising a much needed issue.
A very appropriate video of MJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59kFCmOyZOo&feature=related
Gone Too Soon, also available in live performance. The King is dead, long live the King.
Morning..
There may be more similarities between Elvis’ death and MJ’s. There are reports that Michael was typically given a shot of Demerol daily, and this time the dose was lethal. The worst part is that his physician was there with Michael. WTH??
Shades of Elvis…with “caring” people all around them, at their beck & call. Again, WTH is wrong with this picture.
We are seeing many similarities between the ARTISTRY of David and these Icons, Elvis & Michael. MY GOD! Let there be NO other similarities ever! I cringe when I think about David’s future and the people he will have around him. His entourage will grow as his star rises. He is only 18 years old. Wise beyond his years artistically, but still so young in the experiences of life. I worry when he is flying from one end of the country to the other, when he is flying around the world with little sleep, trying to honor his contractual obligations…knowing he has so many dependent on him. We know David is intelligent, sees the dark side of the entertainment business, knows what’s right & good for him…but it only takes one slip, when some good “friend” suggests a “pick-me-up” if David is exhausted from his grueling schedule. Only takes that one “miracle” pill that will keep him going for hours. We all think because of David’s upbringing and his Faith, that he is infallible. WRONG! We can say No, David will never fall victim to drugs, prescription or street, EVER! Well he won’t if he surrounds himself with the right people, (not the “Yes David, Whatever you need David, What else can I get you David…whether it’s in his best interests or not).
When Elvis was at his peak..I never would have imagined he would end up the way he did. He was brilliant. He had a deep faith in God. He loved his mom. He loved his fans. He was living a double life, surrounded always by “caring & loving friends”. The way he died was tragic. He died much like Michael. A heart attack brought on by the long term use of drugs..prescribed by his doctor who wouldn’t say NO and in front of “friends” who looked the other way. Tragic ending, to die on the toilet after a brilliant career. Leaving behind a young daughter to carry on his legacy of his brilliant career and also the dark, lonely life surrounded by people at the end that did not have to be. Tragic.
Now Michael..another tragedy. Another example of a life wasting away slowly. Brilliant from an early age, like David. Surrounded by a loving family who became dependent on Michael and his success. Michael, who loved what he was doing, but missed out on a normal childhood. Who had faith in God. Who seemed to have it all from the beginning..looks and talent. As he grew older and away from his siblings, his life took a turn. He was always brilliant but personal troubles followed. Strange lifestyle..but always the brilliance was there…and also the “good & caring friends” who were too weak to intervene when it counted. So now we have another Icon lost too soon and in the same way. Drugs. WTH! And the very real tragedy is that Michael leaves 3 children to carry not only the legacy of Michael’s brilliant career, but also the sad, dark and lonely life surrounded by people that was Michael’s life for so long and didn’t have to be. Tragic.
David has a different kind of fanbase. We are not typical fans. We will not falter in our love for David. We will intervene if we see something that is not quite right. We will speak up. David knows we have his back. We will be there for him. I pray he will heed our warnings if ever there is a need for us to speak up. He is our friend, our brother, our son, our grandson…we are his family. Hopefully he knows and feels it every day.
You can tell, today is not a good day for me. We should be happily watching the videos from David’s awesome performance from last night, revelling and joining in on the excitement of the fans who were there. Loving David more & more for all he gives. In awe of the splendor of his beauty and grace on the stage!
Instead, we are mourning the loss of one of David’s idols. Tragic.
River I looked at the live performance and thought that I would post it…
Gone Too Soon
Heard that MJ idolized Fred Astaire and was inspired by Astaire’s dancing.
# 34 thought provoking
Carried from last post.
blisskasdan . June 25, 2009 at 11:39 pm .
Channeling my thoughts again dear one! I have not read anything here for a day and I come to see you have written what I had thought about this morning. On my walk I was thinking about Mj and how David grew up under his musical influence. Then I had a “vision” of angel MJ descending down to David’s heart to soothe his sorrow. I am sure that the torch has been passed. I shall keep an eye out for some subtle moves and stepped up vocal runs!
Abrra
Silverfox -- you are right about the tragic nature of the deaths of both Elvis and MJ. And you are right that no one is perfect, or free from temptation, and bad circumstances despite their faith or family. I hope and pray everyday that David will be protected from the insanity that can interfere with stardom. I hate that he’s flying all around. I try to picture the hand of God picking up his plane and carrying it to its destination. I pray for all good things for him. I worry too much about him. I have a terrible case of ODD. He knows we love him but we are not physically with him…how can we protect him? I think he knows the difference between good and bad choices, but he is young, and has a lot yet to experience. I pray he stays grounded, protected, loved and healthy, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I just love him so much.
Just driving by to pay homage to MJ. Groundbreaking in so many ways ~ a musical revolutionary ~ rare talent and intelligence to foresee the need to change the face of music ~ and never struggled with adapting to the changing of times.
SF ~ feeling every word you said ~ to my core. We will talk.
Michael was the ultimate performer ~ I loved his music ~ and still do ~ but I was always MOST impressed with his dancing. He seemed to DEFY gravity ~ not even Fred Astaire was as light on his feet as Michael was ~ every movement choregraphed ~ light ~ free ~ but with conviction…and purpose. Storytelling ~ with every hand gesture.
I would have liked to see him make his comeback. I’m certain the music industry was once again going to be redefined.
Now we’ll just have to wait for David to make his way. And he will ~ very very confident in that.
R.I.P Michael Jackson ~ I hope from your vantage point ~ you can see how much you were loved by the entire world.
Silverfox…Together with blisskasdan, you have covered all of the bases that we need to consider, all that we need to remember and all that we need to stand for. Although history is known to repeat itself, it must not happen again.
I am guessing that there may be an addition to David’s prayer.
SB
#41 SF,
Your comments are certainly thought-provoking and, I think, on target. As much as David and his music have enriched my life, I cannot help being concerned about the unrelenting pressures he will continue to have to deal with if he achieves the level of success he deserves.
I am certainly impressed with the way he has handled things to this point, but the world can turn upside down on you in an instant, and all of us have our breaking point, even David. I don’t really know what my point is, other than that I am concerned.
I want him and his music to help see me through my life, but not if he has to pay too high a price.
Blisskaden, I understand what you are saying. The wish for superstardom has never been something I’ve heard David articulate, just the fans. That is supposed to be the proof that he is all we think he is. Maybe that isn’t what he desires. Elvis/Jackson type success comes with too much baggage. I don’t wish that upon anyone.
Silverfox, I think that Michael had those people in his life who were trying to get through to him, but he didn’t listen. At least that is my opinion….I have more on that subject, but don’t want to delve into that darkness yet. I just want to listen to the music, watch the videos in thankfulness, and appreciation.
All around Brooklyn today as I go about my daily activities the music is everywhere….walking my little boy to his last day of school was Don’t Stop till you Get Enough….always loved that wooooo during the breakdown….remember dancing my ass off at a house party, good times….picking him up just a little while ago, PYT….with his sisters singing in the background, repeat after me say na na na…..my thoughts are with his siblings and especially his children at this difficult time. By all reports, he was a good, devoted father. They are too young to have to lose their dad, he might have been the King to some, but to them he was Daddy. I know how losing your Dad far too young feels like…
SF, I agree with you on this one. In looking at pics of MJ as a “kid” one could not fathom that he would morph into the caricature that he would become. There is a theory in Economics called “the law of diminishing returns” in which, and I quote” the tendency for a continued application of effort or skill toward a particular project or goal to decline in effectiveness after a certain level of success is achieved.” I think that theory can apply to success in the entertainment business. As one becomes more famous and successful, the rate of return diminishes, until, at some point, it becomes a net negative. That is when you become MJ, Elvis, Judy Garland, etc. As fame increases, so do the demands on your time and you can easily become “lost” in that world.
In the modern world, it’s even harder to remain “who you are” what with Twitter, websites, and text messages, etc. David has more than 100,000 people following him on Twitter already. That number will only go up because David never loses fans, he only gains them. David is very special, but he is still a human being. Our love and support for him should, imo, always be based on his humanity, and not his celebrity. MJ and Elvis were treated as celebrities, not as people who happens to be famous. Look what it got them.
I think, especially today, it’s scary for all of us to think about the pressures that David will face throughout his career and the effect those pressures may have on him.
I would love for David to become wildly popular around the world but not at the expense of his own well-being. I want whatever makes him happy. My personal wish for him is not superstardom, it is only that he remains popular enough so that he can continue to record albums and have concerts and that he remains healthy and happy while doing so.
David is extremely self-disciplined and internally very strong. I don’t worry about him at all.
RIP Michael Jackson.
Although I dont listen to English pop much but MJ is so iconic that everybody will be familiar with his music.
I had the opportunity to watch him LIVE in Singapore on Aug 1993. It was a sell-out concert and held at an outdoor stadium. On the night that he was scheduled to perform and when everybody was already seated and after waiting for him for over an hour, it was announced that he had to postphone the concert due to a headache. I think he was the only STAR that could do that!!! We had to come back the next day to watch his concert again but he was FANTASTIC !!! I went with my husband which that time was my boyfriend and up to today, we could still remember how GREAT he was !
I recalled another time when I saw him was when I went to the US for holiday in 1991.We were staying in a hotel in Vegas and there were some games booth in the hotel.He was there, well past midnight. Not sure why he was there but I managed to snap some pictures of him then.
My children are also familar with some of his big hits and I always have these stories to share with them, telling them how talented he was !
Praepos, your right. However, David will be facing challenges and pressures that he has yet to confront. We all have different levels of “reserves” in our coping tank. David’s is greater than most, but it is not limitless. As long as he has people who treat him as :”David’ and not “Elvis” he’ll be fine. He need friends, not a “posse”. I’ll start to worry when they introduce the “Archu-Mafia.”
“David is extremely self-disciplined and internally very strong. I don’t worry about him at all.”
Funny thing is, I am sure folk were saying that about Michael Jackson, at the same point in his life. I do worry about David, not because I doubt his strength, or discipline, but because of the industry he is in, and the way he is already being thought of. On both sides the fan and the detractors, that’s like being between a rock and a hard place.
As for diminishing returns….I think that Michael knew after Thriller, Dangerous, and Bad that there was no topping that. Being the perfectionist that he was, how do you deal with that?
As for his changing looks, that is another subject for which I have some stuff to say, but not now.
Bliss,#50..on the money as Simon (ugh) would say..
“David is very special, but he is still a human being. Our love and support for him should, imo, always be based on his humanity, and not his celebrity. MJ and Elvis were treated as celebrities, not as people who happens to be famous. Look what it got them.”
David is already bigger than life to us. We all have this fantasy of just being able to sit down and have a conversation with David, like a friend. Not as a fan & celebrity. But it’s an unrealistic fantasy. David IS a celebrity. As his fame grows, so will his isolation. His good & close friends are leading their own lives, some on to college, some to jobs, some to their missions. David is alone now. I see only his band and Ray as his constant companions. That is so sad, it almost makes me cry. The point though, is that the ONLY way we can support David IS as a celebrity. We can attend his concerts and buy his music & merchandise. That is the best way at this time to support him. He is doing what he’s doing now in order to reach the ultimate goal of doing what he wants to do artistically with his music. It takes money, as he well knows and he can’t make the money it takes unless he does what he’s doing now..working his butt off for us and our support. I, personally would love to see David relaxed and happy, in his own home, in his own studio by a serene setting..the ocean or mountains..writing and making the kind of music he is capable of. Still keeping in contact with us, his forever, unconditional fans, by blog, vlog, text, mobile messages, and twitter. Letting us know what he wants us to know. Then giving us a live performance tour once a year in small intimate venues with just a piano, a mic, a guitar and himself. That is my pipe dream. Won’t happen. He is destined to be a Superstar. And we are making it happen, whether we want to or not. It’s inevitable. And in all honesty, how do we know what David really dreams of becoming. He loves the audience reaction to him as a superstar on stage. It can be intoxicating. Will he ever be satisfied with a more subdued (as if) audience in a venue like Carnegie Hall some of us dream of seeing him in
someday? Right now, at this time I would say no. He is human as Bliss says, and like any other 18 yo human, he is loving his life on stage as it is now. His private life, maybe not so much.
dawn65..yes we will talk some more, definitely!
I really think I may just entered another level of ODD…I’m at the Morongo Casino in So. Cali with my husband….couldn’t gamble…not good anyways (David influence)… walked around looking for computer access and I found it…conference business area with small computer room with room key access… but low and behold the door was left open and here I am.
I posted earlier about David filling MJ’s shoes…I’ve changed my mind…he doesn’t fill them and won’t be filling them. I was thinking of how I felt with MJ’s music, who was the only other singer that caught my attention, I grew up listening to him, and as much as I admired him, his musicality, his unbelievable dancing, the fun I had watching perform live, he and his music didn’t do for me what David’s does, David makes my soul sing and dance, if that makes any sense … it’s a feeling that stays with you, takes residence and there is no evicting it. Not that I want to, even as I look around at where I’m at…lol
After reading SF, Bliss, Bebe’s account of last night…David isn’t ever going to fill anyone’s shoes because they’re his and his alone, he’s creating new shoes and footprints for others to follow.
And I do believe David’s fans are unique as I read more and interact with several of you, you know who you are… we are in this for the long haul and will always have David’s back.
Prayers for MJ, children and family…
Everything in life comes with a price. The price of fame and success appears to be isolation and distancing from the life one knew before. That’s what invites the excesses and abuse of drugs, booze, etc. I remember hearing Grace Slick (jefferson Airplane) saying that the only reason she survived her fame was that she never used drugs alone and there were always people around her to save her when she overdosed. Look at Andy Gibb. His death certificate should list “cause of death” as “Fame”.
Eventually, David will do something that will not be “saintly”. He has to, damn it. (LOL) When that happens, let’s all not be shocked and devastated. One of the ways that people become isolated from society is by being seen as immune from the pitfalls and foibles that everyone else experiences. David is flesh and blood. He knows he is, and he’s fine with it. We need to be fine with it too. I will say that “flesh and blood’ never looked as good as it does on David, and I never knew that “flesh and blood” could sing so well.
Bliss, this is why we are David’s UNCONDITIONAL fans. David is human, with human feelings. He is disciplined and strong, but still human. He is so young with a whole lifetime ahead of him to make mistakes and maybe even be tempted to take the wrong path at times. I think he will be disillusioned many times in his life, like recently, and may think what’s the point of “choose the right” as he has resolved to live his life every day. We don’t know what temptations David will face, but we all know there will be many in the profession he has chosen. All I know is, whatever happens in the future, whatever David does or doesn’t do in his personal life, I will stand by him. Whatever path he chooses to follow musically, he will be my pied piper..I will follow for as long as I’m able, since I’m no spring chicken.
As you said, he does not lose fans, he gains fans.
Bliss, #58, “David is flesh and blood. He knows he is, and he’s fine with it. We need to be fine with it too.”
um, who’s not fine with it? No one here, surely? Anyone not fine with it, say Marching Band.
Chill, guys. I’m worried about you worriers. David will have twists and turns in his life, just like anybody else. His internal compass will lead him back to True North … his music, his first love. He’ll follow his heart in career and connections with people. No guarantees there for anyone, but it’s a fine good start.
Delurking to say that I was still on my “Archuhigh” from Del Mar and just came crashing back down at the news of Michael Jackson. I still have no words to express not only the sense of loss of an extremely talented person, but also the feeling of sadness for the man(and his family’s)and his very public troubles. But even with all the controversies, what a legacy he leaves to posterity. There will never be another MJ…
But now there is DA!
BOSTON TOUR PAGE up with a few vids displayed:
http://www.thedavidchronicles.com/2009/05/boston-ma-june-26-2009/
- full APOLOGIZE thanks to fa3rygirl1 in sepia even
- full ALTNOY thanks to JBRoxourWorld:
- & a partial WFY thanks to mattiekris: