Hello, everybody.On Thursday, June 25, 2009, the world said goodbye to not one, but two entertainment and pop culture icons within hours of each other: Farrah Fawcett and later Michael Jackson. Fawcett was the first to go, but the news of her death would be suddenly overshadowed by Jackson's, and his made much more news worldwide than Farrah's.
Jackson suffered cardiac arrest early Thursday afternoon; paramedics performed CPR at his Encino estate and later rushed him to UCLA Medical Center. We all held their breath on whether or not he would survive, but then came the first news that the King of Pop slipped into a coma. That would be followed minutes later by the news nobody wanted to hear: Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm Pacific Time (1:26 pm Alaska Time) at 50 years old.
An ever-increasing number of fans were outside the hospital to help say goodbye to Jackson by belting out his songs, and tributes from the entire entertainment universe began to filter in. Here are some of them:
- Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news…He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
- Mariah Carey: "No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever. millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times & to call him my friend."
- Britney Spears, who performed a duet with Michael at his 30th anniversay concert in 2001: "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!"
- Liza Minnelli: "He was a kind, genuine, and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."
- Lisa Marie Presley, one of Michael's two ex-wives: "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."
- Brooke Shields, who once dated Michael: "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."
- Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie's daughter: "I’m in shock, as I know everyone must be. What a tragic loss. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."
- Beyonce: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. … I love you Michael."
- Justin Timberlake: "I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."
Of course there are a million things to be said about Michael, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, Michael started performing with his brothers at the age of five; Motown Records signed them in 1968 and the Jackson Five was born. Almost immediately, they were the Jonas Brothers of their day, with songs like "A-B-C", "I Want You Back", and "I'll Be There" dominating the charts.
They continued to churn out hits well into the disco era and by 1979, Michael decided to make a name for himself. His first solo album, "Off The Wall", earned him his first Grammy nominations, but that was just the beginning. It wouldn't be until 1983 with the help of producer Quincy Jones that "Thriller" would make him a household name. The album sold a staggering 100 million copies worldwide, a record that still stands to this day. And his music videos, including the 13 1/2 minute masterpiece "Thriller", was must-see TV for a fledging cable channel called MTV. Also, his performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown's 25th anniversary special not only introduced the "moonwalk" to the world, but would become one of the greatest televised music moments of all-time.
That would be followed up by "Bad" (1988), "Dangerous" (1991), and "HIStory" (1995); they all sold big but couldn't equal the success of "Thriller."
After the boring "Winter Magic" halftime show had viewers flipping their remotes in droves to Fox and their live "In Living Color" opposite it, the NFL in 1993 faced reality and decided to go for big-name acts to headline Super Bowl halftime, starting with Michael. But 1993 would also mark the darkest chapter in his life, as he would be accused of child molestation at his Neverland ranch. The case would be settled out of court, and in attempt to revive his tarnished image, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The couple made their only public appearance together at the MTV Video Music Awards, but the marriage wasn't sealed with a kiss and by 1996, it was over.
Jackson later married Debbie Rowe; that too didn't last long. Michael was still going strong at the turn of century with "Invincible", but it didn't sell well unlike his previous efforts. However, he did redeem himself with an all-star 30th Anniversary concert in New York which included a reunion with all five Jackson brothers.
And then came what was the whistleblower: A 2003 British TV documentary going deeper into Jackson's life with the man himself. That year, charges against child molestation were filed and Michael would be sucked in to the biggest trial of his life with celebrity friends like Jay Leno, Larry King, and Macaulay Culkin taking the stand. In the end, Jackson would be acquitted on all counts, but the damage was far from done.
In the final months of his life, and with over a reported $400 million in debt, Michael was all set to do a series of shows in London in July. It won't happen now even if they were all sold out, and those tickets will be refunded.
Over the years, Michael has went into a transformation like no other, although he was still recognizable. It started in 1984 when while filming a Pepsi commercial, Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp. He was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus, which led to cosmetic surgery and undergoing ten procedures.
On Friday, an autopsy on Jackson was performed, and it would be about a month or so till we find out the real cause of death. But while we wait, there are many questions to be answered; one of them: Were drugs to blame?
Jackson admitted that he used a series of painkillers before including Xanax, and now there's word that Demerol may have been the key to his sudden death. This is not new, as Marilyn Monroe, John Belushi, and Anna Nicole Smith all succumbed to fatal drug overdoses.
But love him or hate him, he will leave behind generations of songs that had us jamming to every beat, and he was the person who became the backbone to today's artists. Elvis may be the King of Rock 'n Roll; James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, but even in death, Michael Jackson will forever be known as the King of Pop.
Like I said before, Jackson's untimely demise came just a short few hours after Farrah Fawcett's at age 62 from anal cancer. With the help of "Charlie's Angels" (and that poster which ignited many mens' masturbatory fantasies), Farrah was the pre-Jennifer Aniston: bright, bubbly, and full of life and spirit that charmed us every time she graced the screen. In my special commentary on Sarah Michelle Gellar in the early days of "The Allen Report", I said that she is just like Farrah with the same kind of sex appeal.
Fawcett flexed her serious acting chops in the '80s, with her Emmy-nominated role in "The Burning Bed" as well as "Extremities" and "Small Sacrifices." Her only marriage was to Lee Majors, and her companion after that was Ryan O'Neal; they were together till the end. She did two "Playboy" pictorials in the mid-'90s, followed by her infamous "Late Show with David Letterman" appearance.
But in 2006 came the shocking news: Farrah was diagnosed with anal cancer. Her last public appearance would be at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards where she reunited with her "Charlie's Angels" co-stars Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson to pay tribute to show creator Aaron Spelling. But the cancer would come back with a vengenace, and it would be chronicled in the NBC special "Farrah's Story." At 9:28 am Pacific Time (8:28 am Alaska Time) on Thursday morning, the cancer won and Farrah Fawcett would get her wings.
With those two showbiz greats now joining together in heaven, June 25, 2009 will definitely be known as "Black Thursday" in the world of entertainment.
And last but not least (for now, because after this will be my regular blog)...we began the week with our goodbye to the sidekick of all sidekicks, Ed McMahon. He was not only known as Johnny Carson's other half on "The Tonight Show", but his resume also included the game show "Snap Judgement", Jerry Lewis' MDA telethon, the ultimate talent showcase "Star Search" (which introduced the world to Rosie O'Donnell, Sam Harris, Britney Spears, Dennis Miller, and Usher among others), "Bloopers and Practical Jokes" with Dick Clark (the practical jokes part being the precursor to "Punk'd"), and being a one-man Prize Patrol by giving away $10 million. Of course failing health and near foreclosure on his house will take a toll on him in recent years, with his last TV appearance being a Cash 4 Gold commercial with MC Hammer.
He will be missed, so Ed McMahon....HEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEE's to you! So long and stay strong.
No comments:
Post a Comment