Judging by the wealth of well wishers and endless talking heads, general consensus is that Michael Jackson, who died aged 50, passed away while still having so much more to give. Granted, in terms of years, Jackson could have continued to work for many more decades. But in sheer exuberance and
creativity, it doesn’t take hours in an oxygen tent to realise that Jackson’s zest for life had extinguished many years ago. His constant reissuing of a limited back catalogue proved that his days as a prolific pop songwriter were dwindling, while his proposed 50-date London residency was billed as his very last. “This is it,” he squeaked through gritted teeth and a clenched white fist, but there was something about that solitary figure that not only eluded to a rapidly degenerating life support, but also to a growing frustration that he evidently wanted to anywhere but here. There were rumours surrounding the preparation of his final tour suggesting that he had argued with his management regarding the preposterous number of live dates that he had been signed up to, not to mention the constant rumours of ill health. This was nothing new with Jacko, of course, who openly encouraged the self styled image of ‘Wacko Jacko’ amongst the press with stories involving chimpanzees, face masks and Uri Gellar, not to mention all that plastic surgery which turned the super cool, moon walking young black man into a white version of Diana Ross. Following two accusations of child abuse, one of which was settled out of court, the other in which he was acquitted following a lengthy and invasive trial in 2005, the gates of Neverland were pillaged and Jackson’s all-powerful world began to crumble. Only his most hardcore fans (the ones who dress like him and faint when he’s on TV) were left to sing their sycophantic praises.
It was around this time when the moral acceptance of Jackson’s credibility was brought into question, and the lines blurred between the young singer of old - the groin-grabbing, sequin suited cha’mone motherfucker - and the creepy whitewashed vision of his later self, the one who believed the hype and lost the plot. The irony is that now, following his passing, it seems that Jackson will forever be remembered as the way that he always wanted us to think: as a complete mystery, an enigma.
And few iconic celebrities can manufacture this kind of status, let only a pop singer. Madonna, Paul McCartney, Elton John, all probably just as famous as Michael Jackson, but for some reason these performers seem more tangible, less isolated, more 'human'. Few people really got to know Michael Jackson, and by avoiding interviews, the singer had the time to cultivate his own media image. The problem for Jackson seems to have been in perpetuating and living up to the myth that he had created, coupled with a destructive strive for perfection which was evident in every nuance of his dance moves to the production of his music and his undeniable need to please. It was this that ultimately drove him to his own demise.
I should point out here that Jackson and I go back a long way. I’m hardly one of those crackpot fans, but I’m certainly a fan nonetheless. Let me share with you a few confessions: yes, I did wake up especially early to buy his long awaited 2001 album ‘Invincible’ at 9am from a HMV store in Swindon. Yes, that’s me performing a Billie Jean routine aged 15 at high school. I own the History: Volume II video cassette, not to mention the book ‘Moonwalker’, his 1988 autobiography. And yes, I even managed to get hold of a ticket for one of his live shows in August 2009 at the 02 in London, finally obtaining the opportunity to see the man in the flesh, and I couldn’t care less if he had mimed.
Because it’s interesting to note that many of the critics who argued that Jackson was long past his prime may be some of the same voices who believe that he did indeed have a lot more to give. 50 is too young to die, but despite the number of years that he was with us, Jackson will forever be remembered as someone way ahead of his time. One look at any clip from his creative and performing best will prove this. For me, and for many nostalgic fans of my generation, Jackson will always be remembered as the archetypal pop star, full of extravagance and intrigue. More importantly, he will be remembered for being solely responsible for bringing unrivalled joy to millions of people across the world. It is this reason why many people have taken the shocking news of his death so personally, and why it will be hard to imagine a world which Michael Jackson will no longer be a part of.
