It hasn’t been widely reported in the media but one-time pop sensation and music video trailblazer, Michael Jackson, died last month, aged 50.
Sausages and I were both big fans of his work at an impressionable time in primary and early high school. His death hit us with a wave of nostalgia. The thing was, for me at least, it was almost like MJ had died a long time ago.
His more recent music was annoying and his physicality brought to mind the unholy union of the Minotaur and a Gorgon.
Here are some things you might not have known about the Moonwalker:
- His father had his first hit single with “Is She Really Going Out With Him” in 1979.
- After Pepsi had a successful advertising campaign that ended with him throwing his hat out in the crowd, the Coca-Cola Company tried to institute a worldwide ban on hats.
- His father batted .307 in the 1917 World Series playing for the Chicago White Sox.
- In honour of his father’s baseball achievements, MJ often wore white socks with sparkly bits.
- For the final shot in Thriller, MJ had his own eyes replaced with those of a giant wolf-cat.
- His favourite film was Carry on Cleo, although he believed Sid James’s best work was in “Bless This House”.
- He liked to prank-call the local constabulary shouting down the phone: “You’ll never catch-me. I’ll punch your tongue out.”
- He considered converting to Islam to convince a local Imam to issue a fatwa against Martin Bashir.
- He named his first son Prince Michael after his adopted father, Prince Nelson, and had all his children tattooed with a little red corvette to prove they were his.
Michael Jackson has left this world but we will always have his greatest gift: The remains of Joseph Merrick tastefully made into a hat and coat.
Directors’ Commentary
___________I think we should probably make some comment about MJ. Do you think it’s true that he just couldn’t live in a world without Farrah Fawcett and David Carradine?
From: Beer
Subject: Re: So apparently Michael Jackson is dead
Date: Jun 28, 2009, at 6:40 PM
To: Sausages
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I watched a special on Rage and shocked [Name Withheld] with how much I knew about his music videos. I was once a big fan.
What do you think?
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From: Sausages
Subject: Re: So apparently Michael Jackson is dead
Date: 28 June 2009 11:40:09 PM
To: Beer
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I am so hungry, I had to refrain from eating a lamb chop. Apparently its bad after 11pm?
A great first entry. Watching all his videos this weekend brought back a kejillion mis-spent childhood/pubescent/adult moments. Apart from his [Redacted] fetishes, I think MJ is a legend.
He hit my pop culture nostalgia button this weekend, and left it red, sore and itchy. A life without Charlie's Angels and Ninja Samurais is one not worth living.
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From: Beer
Subject: Re: So apparently Michael Jackson is dead
Date: Jun 29, 2009, at 12:27 AM
To: Sausages
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This is an interesting obituary. It's honest and heartfelt. Considering the comments she wrote after Steve Irwin's death, it's nice to see she still has some sense of compassion.
Of course, her assumption that he had 3 great albums is interesting in itself. Which 3 in particular?
And what of Moonwalker? Why does no one speak of Moonwalker?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-death-in-la
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From: Sausages
Subject: Re: So apparently Michael Jackson is dead
Date: 28 June 2009 11:40:09 PM
To: Beer
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She implies he did more for dance than anything else. I definitely find myself listening to his old stuff more. But she is right- he hadn't done anything groundbreaking in a long time.
If her article felt compassionate and heartfelt to you, I have to find the Steve Irwin article.
It's funny how big celebrities seem bound for premature demises.