Michael Jackson: The Last Superstar

The word “superstar” was supposedly coined by Andy Warhol and was a term used for his entourage.  Most of these people were only famous for being associated with Warhol and could be construed as some of the first who were “famous for being famous.” Now, hardly anyone knows who they are.

Superstars were also known for the negative aspects of their lives. Although, so far, Tiger Woods has been squeaky clean, Michael Jackson had an infamous life off the stage. And some, like O.J. Simpson and Pete Rose, were stripped of this mantle because of what went on in their private lives.

Now, because of the internet, the age of the superstar is over. We will still have talented people rise to the top but no one person, or persons, will ever dominate the music  scene again. There’s too much parity and the buying public can choose from thousands of new acts instead of a few dozen.

Michael Jackson grew to be the biggest of the superstars, even bigger than Elvis or The Beatles. Why?

1. Because his real fame was based on solid achievements in his craft that pushed it beyond where it had been before. This could be said for Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods but Jackson performed at a feverish pitch for many more years than any of the others and his fame never waned (Tiger Woods is not included as he is still swinging a great club).

2. Because unlike Elvis, John Lennon and others his fame transcended country boundaries and color. People in Africa (This could be said for Ali too) knew his music and identified with his race as did Philippinos, East Indians and other people of color. Presley had many fans but they were mostly white American or Europeans.

3. Because he honed his music slowly. He stayed with his brothers throughout the 1970′s and had a solid fan base before Thriller. This collaboration with Quincy Jones pushed him into the heavens but he was well known before this album.

4. Because he came along when the recording technology was rising quickly. He entered the business during the era of the 45rpm record, LP, 8-Track and cassette and his music was some  of the first pressed onto Compact Disks and downloaded in Mp3 form. (People in the world that could not afford cassette players in the past are now downloading Jackson Mp3′s at a feverish pace.)

5. Because he defined the music video, taking it from a bunch of people lip-syncing to a recording to an art form that told a story in a visual manner.

6. Because he brought the dance-show extravaganza to the forefront in popular music. Before him most music acts stood at the microphone and sang and only Motown acts really moved.  His stage styles were infectious and some moves were copied by other genre performers like Garth Brooks.

7. Because during most of the 1980′s he defined fashion and style with his many costumes and clothing designs.

I ‘ve gotten many emails saying that Jackson was a freak and a child molester. However, as a a former professional musician I can only go by what I hear and see. I think Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame despite his gambling episodes and O.J. Simpson should be remembered as a great football player as well as his shadowy criminal dealings. And Phil Spector was a nut case (still is) but he is revered for defining the sound of the 1960′s – and he should be, as he should be in jail for being a murderer. Of the allegations toward him regarding children Jackson was never convicted of doing anything wrong.

Just like The Last Samurai, The Last Big Band Leader or the Last Gunfighter Michael Jackson is The Last Superstar.