Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson - Still Relevant?
Three of the most famous musicians of their generation turn 50-years-old this year (2008).
Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince all reach their half century during the year. So, is this a time to celebrate or commiserate? Are these aging pop icons now just old and in the way, or do they have something more to offer?
In my opinion, Prince and Madonna should be celebrating. As for Michael Jackson, even taking into account the influence he has had on popular music, I believe he doesn't have much more relevant to say musically and may continue to find it difficult to recover from the lurid media headlines.
Am I right or wrong here - are these three icons still relevant?
Remember The Who singing "Hope I die before I get old"? Not that anyone should die, but does this idea (or rebel yell) still hold true in pop music?
Michael Jackson at 50 - A Thriller or Off the Wall?
Michael Jackson blew out the candles on his birthday cake on August 29, and appears to not have had a mishap as he neared the heat!
Michael's chart career started, along with his brothers, as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 when they scored four straight Number One singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with their first four singles during 1970 and 1971.
Greater success was to follow with his solo career, which was to begin at an early age with Motown. After several hits with the label, Michael and his brothers left for Epic Records and this was the era of his greatest successes. As a soloist, he released the album "Off the Wall" in 1979, which garnered four US Top Ten hits and sold seven times Platinum in the US.
His most successful album followed towards the end of 1982 - "Thriller". Selling 65 million copies worldwide as of 2007, the disc produced seven US Top 10 singles, while the home video of the song "Thriller" became the best-seller ever in this genre.
The albums "Bad", "Dangerous" and "Invincible" were to follow over the next twenty years, with varying degrees of success, but by this time it was Jackson's appearance, personal life and behavior that was grabbing the headlines and earning him the epithet "Wacko Jacko".
2001's "Invincible" was to be his last album of fresh material, and he has yet to recover from the allegations of child molestation, financial problems and his visibly strange behavior.
In some quarters, Jackson is now regarded as a joke, but a comeback should not be entirely ruled out. If he were to "behave like a normal person" and go on tour on the back of new recordings, he could still do the business.
The Ever Changing Face of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Face Transformation
(Michael Jackson's 51st Birthday is August 29, 2009)
What Michael Jackson Says...
Michael Jackson Sings Billie Jean
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Live, Bad tour 1987)
Your View of Michael Jackson
Is Michael Jackson still relevant at 50?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, definitely
ChampionsNeverQuit says:
Michael Jackson is a Great Champion. He is the King of it all. No one else comes close to his musical and dancing genius. Most importantly Michael has inspired and given true hope to coutless people all around the world through his art.
Once you become KING or a Champion, you are a KING and a Champion forever.
Michael is the KING!
Posted September 30, 2008
Margaret_Schaut says:
He sure could be. Talent like that is a true gift. He's taking himself down, though- he doesn't learn from his mistakes, won't try to undo the damage he's done to himself. Won't re-think things. If he COULD get a grip, he could have some fabulous contributions to make. At this point he's a walking tragedy and it really is painful to see.
Posted June 17, 2008
chefkeem says:
This is show business. No matter what Jacko does - as long as it makes the front pages - it makes him relevant. He has a tremendous history of creating great music and he has the potential of many more hits in him. I think it's irrelevant what we might wish him to be, in terms of character and personality. He is an icon. Whatever he will do to keep the memories alive - be it scandals or more great music - will keep him "relevant" for decades to come.
Posted June 11, 2008
No, not at all
lakeerieartists says:
I liked him before he tried to start changing his face. He creeps me out totally.
Posted September 24, 2008
AndiEnns says:
Now that he is planning a Vegas act, he ceases to be relevant.
Check out the news story: http://tinyurl.com/45vwkg
Posted June 18, 2008
Gimmesome says:
Outside the U.S., perhaps, although that is a stretch. He hasn't been relevant here in twenty years. He's been radioactive ever since that lawsuit in the early 90s.
Posted June 12, 2008
victoria_neely says:
He started becoming irrelevant when he went a little too far with the makeovers...
Posted June 11, 2008
Michael Jackson Bargains
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Michael Jackson At 50: What's the Future?
- Pop icons Prince, Madonna and Jackson turn 50 | Seattle Times Newspaper
- Rock is aging fast: A commentary.
- Michael Jackson Gives Rare Print Interview : NPR
- Michael Jackson's record-breaking album Thriller was released 25 years ago. Since then, he has endured numerous scandals and financial problems. So, what's ahead for the pop music icon?
- The whole world in his hands | Pop | guardian.co.uk Music
- With plans for a new album and tour, could the former King of Pop be on the verge of a comeback?
Madonna at 50 - Like A Virgin or True Blue?
Madonna celebrated her 50th birthday on August 16 around the time she was due to kick off a new world tour.
Born Madonna Louise Ciccone, she began her chart career in 1982/83. Her first truly successful single was "Holiday" which charted in many international Top 20s during this period. Since this first song, she has gone on to sell a staggering 120 million singles worldwide to date.
As Wikipedia states: "Madonna is ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America as the "Best Selling Female Rock Artist of the Twentieth Century" and the second top-selling female artist in the United States with 63 million certified albums. Guinness World Records lists her as the "World's most successful female recording artist of all time" and the top earning female singer in the world with an estimated net worth of over $400 million, having sold over 200 million albums worldwide. On March 10, 2008, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
She has recently released her latest album "Hard Candy", which has spawned yet another best-selling single "Four Minutes" (in collaboration with Justin Timberlake). Some feel this latest effort is a cop-out, as Madonna is now seen as reliant upon younger hitmakers for her success, whereas in the past she was the one discovering the new talents. However, she remains a huge superstar who continues to dwell in the spotlight, and taking into account her latest success, should remain a major player in the pop world.
(Madonna's 51st Birthday is August 16, 2009)
Madonna Sings Four Minutes
Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
What Madonna Says...
Your View of Madonna
Is Madonna still relevant at 50?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, definitely
spirituality says:
She manages to keep sounding modern and hip - and looking it too. Great lady.
Posted June 13, 2008
carrieokier says:
Hugely talented, beautiful voice. I'm not a huge Madonna fan, but she definitely has relevance.
Posted June 10, 2008
No, not at all
Margaret_Schaut says:
Only in the worst of ways. I grew up in the same general area, I was in Ann Arbor when she was, and I've not only NEVER found a thing in her to respect, no talent, and a hideous personality, she's left a lot of human wreckage in her wake. I know all too much, I guess. She's plagiarized successful acts to 'steal the show' and done ANYTHING to achieve her goals- barring NOTHING. She's a dominatrix battle-axe now, with her pathetic affectations of British gentility, if her personality is anything for other 50 year old women to imitate, the planet is in a LOT of trouble.
Posted June 17, 2008
Gimmesome says:
I like her earlier material, but her latest sounds a bit desperate. Is she still going to be doing the bump & grind at 70? *Shudder*
Posted June 12, 2008
Madonna For Sale
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySing Along With Madonna
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Madonna: Papa Don't Preach Lyrics
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Papa I know you're going to be upset 'Cause I was always your little girl But you should know by now I'm not a baby You always taught me right from wrong I need your help, daddy please be strong I may be young at heart But I know what I'm saying Th...
Madonna At 50: Discussed
- Julie Burchill on Madonna at 50
- Too much Madge already. 'Pompous, pretentious, humourless'...and that's just for starters.
- Madonna: Turning 50 Is Another Excuse For A Birthday Party
- Madonna isn't scared of turning 50.
- Birthday Girls: Madonna
- Sarah Crompton on Madonna at 50.
Prince at 50 - Delirious or Sign o' the Times?
Prince climbed up on a stool to reach the candles on his 50th birthday cake on June 7, as the time that he also celebrated the continued success of his last album "Planet Earth".
Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson) first hit the US Top 20 in 1978 with the song "I Wanna Be Your Lover", so 2008 also marks his 30th anniversary as a hitmaker.
Over the years, Prince has put his own stamp on the style of the day, by expanding upon the genres of pop, rock, jazz, psychedelia and hip hop. His success is without doubt, having produced two dozen best-selling albums and several popular compilations.
Recently, he headlined at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California - apparently stealing the show. And, who can forget his halftime performance at the 2007 Super Bowl?
So, as Prince reaches 50, he is still able to "pack them in", and he continues to write and produce the same kinds of songs that he has always written. No ballads about middle age or covers of the standards appear to be on his agenda yet. So, will he grow old gracefully or continue to rock until he drops?
My money's on the latter!
(Prince's 51st Birthday is June 7, 2009)
What Prince Says...
Your View of Prince
Is Prince still relevant at 50?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, definitely
Margaret_Schaut says:
The Artist formerly known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince"??? I've had loads of fun at his expense. I hope he's still relevant- maybe he'll come up with something else I can have fun with!
Posted June 17, 2008
carrieokier says:
I'll give him a yes, but I'm iffy. I was a Prince fan at one time, but the whole changing his name to "nothing" (or whatever it was) thing kind of turned me off. He still has what it takes, I think, but I'm skeptical as to whether he'll ever be able to get at it again.
Posted June 10, 2008
No, not at all
Gimmesome says:
Like Madonna, I liked his earlier material. He hasn't been much of an influence on popular music for a while, though. I guess he has a hardcore base of fans that aren't going away, but that hardly makes him relevant to the wider audience of music lovers.
Posted June 12, 2008
Great Prince Deals
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPrince At 50: News and Views
- BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Prince turns 50: Highs and lows
- As Prince celebrates his 50th birthday, we look at the highs and lows of his career to date.
- Prince Turns 50
- Music legend Prince will celebrate his 50th birthday on June 7.
Prince won't be alone when it comes to age -- he'll soon be followed by contemporaries like Madonna and Michael Jackson turning the big 5-0. Prince is scheduled to perform a one-off concert in Ireland on June 16. - Prince 50th birthday gallery | Music | guardian.co.uk
- It's 50 years since Prince arrived on planet earth, so join the birthday celebrations with our fabulous picture gallery.
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CleanerLife
Just reminds me that I'm supposed to be old, too :( Posted September 27, 2008 |
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mulberry
Mick Jagger is the one that drives me nuts...ugh, go away already. Posted September 25, 2008 |
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lakeerieartists
Great lens. I have a problem with the whole icon concept. I like the talent, and what they have accomplished, but if they are so weird that they really are on the so very far fringe of society, then they are NOT relevant. I would say that Madonna is the only one who has really adapted and changed over time. Posted September 24, 2008 |
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WhippetTalk
Prince and Madonna are timeless. But Michael Jackson? I can appreciate his talent, but I just don't care for the artist. Great lens all the same. A walk down memory lane! Posted September 24, 2008 |
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Margaret_Schaut
I found it interesting and fun- of course, living in Detroit area there are lots of artists that come from here or the surrounds. Michael Jackson made his mark in Motown, and I grew up very near to Madonna. So I had a bit of perspective that I don't have on other artists. I have to admit I LOVE getting my say in on Madonna- it doesn't happen often that I have a chance. Posted June 17, 2008 |
