Michael Jackson
Ranked #26,534 in Entertainment, #326,232 overall
Greatest Entertainer of All Time
Say what you will about the King of Pop but having grown up in the MJ era, and being only a couple of years younger, I miss him. I never met Mike personally but did have the pleasure of attending one live concert back in 1984, the "Victory Tour" with Mike and his brothers at Texas Stadium, in Arlington, TX.
Some labeled him a freak, called him a child molester, called him this and that, but the reason the epithets never bothered me then or now is for 3 reasons:
Most certainly, child abuse and molestation is not condoned but the judicial system spoke and that is all we have to go on (specifically for those who didn't know the man personally). Quite frankly, Mike didn't help his cause with some of the decisions he made regarding his association with children but one can only attribute his naivety to an individual with a gigantic heart, and tremendous, agape love, for children.
In spite of his human short comings, Mike was a gift. Here's how you can tell. Watch any of the videos on this page and see if it doesn't uplift your spirit. Tell me it doesn't give you goose bumps. This is because his music and talent resonates with our soul. That is the gift that Michael Jackson was to us. His soul's mission was to bring joy into our lives through his music, and for that my spiritual brother, I say, "job well done."
After Mike's passing there was lots of love and support, but there were also lots of haters. One thing the haters fail to realize (nor do they care to realize) is that it doesn't matter what you say about Michael Jackson, we love him just the same, just like we would a family member.
One of my many favorite songs is "Never Can Say Goodbye" and that's fitting because MJ fans will never say goodbye. Mike's spirit is alive and well through his music.
This lens is a tribute to the King of Pop, enjoy your rest!
"His brilliance as a performer was paired with a tragic, and in many ways, sad personal life. I am glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.
President Obama
Some labeled him a freak, called him a child molester, called him this and that, but the reason the epithets never bothered me then or now is for 3 reasons:
- Innocent until proven guilty. Mike had accusations galore, but from a loving parents perspective, if you believe that the man you are going to allow your children to be around is a pedophile you are not going to allow your child anywhere near the alleged perpetrator. Therefore, the logical conclusion is that these were ruthless vultures, pimping their children to extort money from a very naive Michael Jackson.
- Calling Mike a freak because of his many plastic surgeries is simply immoral, crude, rude, un-Christian (or whatever religion you adhere to), and produces bad karma for those who habitually put him down, and that applies to anyone else that you might verbally bash.
- Lots of people, including myself, saw Mike as family. We grew up listening to his music, mimicking his dance, and at one point in time, fantasizing that we were Mike. We followed his career therefore when he, like all people, encountered the vicissitudes of life, we stood behind him. And like a loving family member with a loving heart, if that person is in trouble, what do you do? Do you abandon him/her when they need you most? Of course not, you stand by his/her side, and that's how it was with MJ.
Most certainly, child abuse and molestation is not condoned but the judicial system spoke and that is all we have to go on (specifically for those who didn't know the man personally). Quite frankly, Mike didn't help his cause with some of the decisions he made regarding his association with children but one can only attribute his naivety to an individual with a gigantic heart, and tremendous, agape love, for children.
In spite of his human short comings, Mike was a gift. Here's how you can tell. Watch any of the videos on this page and see if it doesn't uplift your spirit. Tell me it doesn't give you goose bumps. This is because his music and talent resonates with our soul. That is the gift that Michael Jackson was to us. His soul's mission was to bring joy into our lives through his music, and for that my spiritual brother, I say, "job well done."
After Mike's passing there was lots of love and support, but there were also lots of haters. One thing the haters fail to realize (nor do they care to realize) is that it doesn't matter what you say about Michael Jackson, we love him just the same, just like we would a family member.
One of my many favorite songs is "Never Can Say Goodbye" and that's fitting because MJ fans will never say goodbye. Mike's spirit is alive and well through his music.
This lens is a tribute to the King of Pop, enjoy your rest!
"His brilliance as a performer was paired with a tragic, and in many ways, sad personal life. I am glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.
President Obama
Elizabeth Taylor
Support for Mike
"He is absolutely innocent.""Their whole reaction is that he is guilty. I thought the law was 'innocent until proven guilty.' I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow."
Elizabeth Taylor's comments of support for Michael Jackson to Reuters in Los Angeles.
Ye Shall Know Them by Their Fruits
Matthew 7:16
New International Version: By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?New Living Translation: You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
English Standard Version: You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
New American Standard Bible: You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
International Standard Version: You will know them by their fruit. Grapes aren't gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles, are they?
GOD'S WORD® Translation: You will know them by what they produce. "People don't pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they?
King James Bible: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
So what are we talking about here? Why Matthew 7:16? All of us will leave some sort of legacy. The most important legacy that you will leave will be your Spiritual Legacy. Since we are more spiritual than physical, as we are "made in the image of God," this maxim pertains to the "spiritual" image of God, not an actual physical image. Therefore what we leave behind will be intangible evidence of the type of life we lived; the lives we touched in a positive way, and those lives that we may have somehow diminished.
The inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, a maximum security prison in the Cebu Province of the Philippines, imitated the dance moves featured in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. Inmate Crisanto Nierre played the lead role and had been a fan of Jackson since high school. We're talking about a maximum security prison and 1500 inmates were dancing to the sounds of MJ.
There were people from all over the world, from all walks of life, and from all different age groups that cried and celebrated the life of Mike. Evil Spirits, or Deleterious Spirits do not engender that type of cross-over Love; it just won't happen.
Mike's spirit came to this earth to entertain and to touch lives; once this was complete, the spirit pushed the physical to find a way out, because it was time to go home, Mission Accomplished.
Michael Memorabilia I
The Jackson 5
$33 Million Each For Jackson's Kids
According to reports, Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, will each receive $33-million dollars. But don't think MJ's kids will have access to all that loot when they turn 18.According to News Of The World, Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, will each receive $33-million dollars. Knowing well that his children would have to endure vultures and skeptical characters out to befriend them for their fortune, the kids can't get full access to control their father's estate and money until around 40.
Jackson's kids own 40% of his estate, while his mother Katherine has another 40% and the remaining 20% was left to charity.
The will also shows that his father Joseph and his brothers were not named to inherit anything. Now that's what you call having your kids set for life and if they do squander it, they will be old enough to know what they're doing and can blame no one but themselves.
"Childhood"
Lyrics and Video
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...
People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood, I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates and adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
For the Childhood I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had
Have you seen my Childhood....
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...
People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood, I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates and adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
For the Childhood I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had
Have you seen my Childhood....
This is It DVD
My first thought about watching "This is It" was that I'd be a little sad knowing that Mike was no longer with us. Saddened by the fact that I'd never see Mike on MTV or BET Awards. But of course, as a lifelong fan, there was no other choice but to watch it. "This is It" is now part of my DVD collection because instead of evoking sorrow, it brought forth joy, happiness, and the need to get up and dance.
I was amazed at how well Mike moved and the clarity of his voice. The only disappointment is that when I think of the potential success of his planned tour, I believe it would have been his greatest of all-time. The fact that we will never know does leave somewhat of a bitter taste, but Mike's genius and stage presence is clearly displayed in the video. His moves are as effortless as they were 20 years before. I love you and miss you my brother .. See you on the other side.
I was amazed at how well Mike moved and the clarity of his voice. The only disappointment is that when I think of the potential success of his planned tour, I believe it would have been his greatest of all-time. The fact that we will never know does leave somewhat of a bitter taste, but Mike's genius and stage presence is clearly displayed in the video. His moves are as effortless as they were 20 years before. I love you and miss you my brother .. See you on the other side.
Michael Jackson: This Is It
Amazon Price: $1.85 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is It - The Movie
Mike the Dancer
Most Amazing Entertainer
Michael Memorabilia II
Michael vs Michael - Jam
Michael Memorabilia III
Missing Michael
Typically, I'm not a sentimental guy and I realize that death is not the final chapter but simply a transition from one dimension to another. Some people refer to it as "going home", actually traveling back to our natural state. Although the physical seems real and tangible, we much more complete as our Spiritual selves.Be that as it may, and as it is (in this authors humble opinion of course) I find myself from time to time missing the "King of Pop." I not only grew up on his music but in a sense I grew up with Mike. Like millions, I imitated his dance, his style, his flair, and when he fell on tough times, I still rooted for him as one would continue to support a close family member. You don't abandon a close relative or close friend when they need you the most, even if the support is emotional/spiritual, as it was with Michael. Like millions of his adoring fans, I never had the pleasure of meeting him so I had to support him in spirit and via prayer.
The consolation in his untimely demise is the fact that he is at peace now. So when I find myself missing Mike, and wishing he were still here, I think, "you know what, if he had a choice to return to this earthly plane, he would most certainly not want to." It's all good Mr. Jackson, enjoy rest.
Comments/Tributes from Peers
Michael Jackson: In Death
2009: July 7: Beginning with a private service for Family and close friends at Forest Lawn Cemetery, in the Los Angeles community of Glendale at 8AM, Jackson's body is moved to the Staple Center for a public memorial which featured speeches by Rev. Al Sharpton, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson and Queen Latifah and impassioned performances by Shaheen Jafargholi, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Usher and Stevie Wonder.July 30: After weeks of negotiations, Michael Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe reached an out-of-court agreement giving Katherine Jackson full, permanent custody of the Jackson's three children. Rowe is granted, "Meaningful visitation rights."
August 3: Katherine Jackson legally named as the children's permanent guardian.
August 27: The Los Angeles coroner's office ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. The cause of death was "acute propofol intoxication with benzodiazepine effect," according to the coroner's report.
September 3: Michael Jackson's body is finally laid to rest during a private ceremony for family and close friends at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California, inside an enormous structure called the Great Mausoleum. The structure was inspired by Italy's Campo Santo and is decorated with ornate artwork.
October 28: AEG Live releases "This Is It," a documentary-concert film of rehearsals and preparation for the Michael Jackson concert series of the same name scheduled to start on July 13, 2009 in London. In the film's opening weekend it grossed over $23 million - in the United States alone - making the film number one at the box office and the fifth highest-grossing Halloween debut. The film's worldwide revenue gross was in total $260.8 million during its theatrical run making it the highest grossing documentary or concert movie of all time.
December 13: The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty debuts on the A&E Network. The show had initially been filmed as a one-off hour-long special about the The Jacksons (minus Michael), and their intention to release an album and begin a tour in celebration of the band's fortieth year in music. Following Michael's death, more footage of the family was shot and commissioned as series. After one season and six episodes, the series ended on January 27, 2010, with the episode "Now, What?"
2010: February 8: Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter and pleads "not guilty." His trial will begin on August 23.
February: The four remaining Jackson brothers are reported to be in negotiations to film episodes for a second season of The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty.
March 16: Sony Music Entertainment signed a new deal with the Jackson estate to extend their distribution rights to his back catalog until 2017. The label also obtained permission to release ten new albums with previously unreleased material and new collections of released work. The first of these releases is reportedly in November 2010, and the final album before December 2017. The deal was unprecedented in the music industry as it is the most expensive music contract of a single artist in history. Sony Music paid a reported $250 million for the deal. The Jackson estate received the full sum as well as its share of royalties for all works released.
Best Super Bowl Halftime Ever
Was Michael murdered?
Advisor, Leonard Rowe, claims Michael was murdered for his $1 billion interest in the music catalog that he jointly owns with Sony. There is speculation that MJ may have been murdered because of his unwillingness to sell this catalog. If this is the case, it falls under the guise of, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."The enablers around him, and the drugs or pain/sleeping medication, would have led Mr. Jackson to the water, and by taking them (until the fatal dose from Dr. Murray) equates to the analogy of "drinking the water."
A very interesting book by legendary concert promoter, Leonard Rowe, called "What Really Happened to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop" may shed some light on the situation.
Rowe, who is not related to Debbie Rowe, is a close friend of Joe Jackson, who also has made a similar claim.
Rowe has authored a tell-all tome titled What Really Happened To Michael Jackson that releases in bookstores on June 25, Jackson's first death anniversary.
In an interview with Radar Online to promote the book, Rowe said:
"Michael always felt he would be killed for his catalogue. When he was speaking about it, I paid him no attention but as the latest events have unfolded, I couldn't help but think about his statement -- and it still haunts me today."
Following Michael Jackson's death, his estate continues to jointly own the catalog with Sony, so it's not clear what the alleged murder has achieved. Rowe claims AG, which organized Jackson's 50 'This Is It concerts' at the O2 Arena, was exploiting the singer. He reiterated a claim made by Joe Jackson to NOTW earlier that Jackson was forced into booking 50 shows, instead of the 15 that he had consented to initially, and would not have been able to complete the 50 shows. "I think they knew Michael's condition, they knew Michael had an addiction, they knew his financial situation was deplorable and they used that against him; they trapped him... they must have known what they were doing," Rowe says.
Rowe explains his motivation for writing the book and speaking on camera saying: "What I hope is that everyone who is responsible for Michael Jackson's death is brought to justice and fully prosecuted in a court of law."
Dancing Machine
Manslaughter Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray
by Al Sharpton
It's hard to believe that it's been over two years since the world first mourned the loss of the King of Pop. While some of his fans expressed remorse on June 25, 2009, many knew that the cost of Michael Jackson's death went far beyond his impeccable music. Although entertainment remains severely devoid of Michael's unmatched talent, perhaps even more profoundly, many charities and innocents around the planet no longer have the ability to benefit from his overwhelming generosity. And for his children and family, Michael's departure was and is felt on the deepest level as the daily battle to carry on without him continues. This week, as the involuntary manslaughter trial for Dr. Conrad Murray (his doctor at the time) gets underway, it's important to keep in mind precisely who the accused criminal is -- and who the victim was.continued
Michael's Links
- Battle Brewing at MJ's Burial Site
- Randy Jackson's plan to let rabid fans flock to Michael Jackson's mausoleum is setting up a nasty battle ... with the family of another celebrity buried in the extremely private section of Forest Lawn Cemetery.
- How Michael Jackson's Pill Addiction Began
- The harrowing, never-before-seen footage of the singer's 1984 Pepsi commercial accident.
- Jackson's children speak at 2010 Grammys
- Michael Jackson's children speak at 2010 Grammy Awards - Sunday evening, January 31, 2010, Michael Jackson's two oldest children, Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, spoke at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on behalf of their father. Mr. Jackson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy for his 45 years of entertaining the world through his music.
- Lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray Describes Life in Media Bubble
- Lawyer.com staff reporter Miriam Rozen has penned a commendable profile of Ed Chernoff (pictured), the Houston lawyer hired within 48 hours of Michael Jackson's death in 2009 to defend the pop superstar's controversial bedside provider Dr. Conrad Murray.
- Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty
- Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, has formally pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the pop star's death.
- Michael's kids remember their father on Oprah
- Michael Jackson's Kids Remember Their Father on 'Oprah'
- Michael Jackson Dancers
- This is It Dancers
- MJ Website
- Michael Jackson is apart of the first class of entertainers to be honored with stars on a new Walk Of Fame site outside of New York's Apollo Theater.
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jseven
Apr 25, 2011 @ 1:23 pm | delete
- He was truly talented and I hope that he is indeed in heaven. Lensrolled it. :)
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taskeinc
Apr 25, 2011 @ 1:47 pm | delete
- Thanks for the comment .. MJ returned to the source from which he came as we will all do .. When/if you have time, check out my Lens about NDEs (Near Death Experiences), from the TOC click the "Journey of Souls" link ..
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This is It
Amazon
by taskeinc
Barry Shaw, founder of Work Home Union, over 25 years in Information Technology, web/graphics design, network marketing. WHU aka taskeinc has written... more »
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