End Of An Epic Era of Pop Music With Michael Jackson’s Death, RIP

Posted @ 4:21 PM on July 2, 2009 by Pam

Michael Jackson’s death marks an end of pop music. He brought a truly global colour to music that transcended narrow categories of race and nation. No wonder five of his solo studio albums were ranked among the world’s best-selling records with Thriller topping the list as the biggest hit of all the time. He popularized a number a physically complicated dance techniques such as the robot and the moonwalk and his unique sound and distinctive vocal style influenced hip hop, pop and contemporary artists.

His colossal celebrity also drew forth ambiguous Dr Jekyll-and-Mr Hyde-sort of response; while one section of the media dutifully put him on a pedestal another loved to tear into him, exploiting his highly controversial past and quirky lifestyle choices.

The king of pop also become embroiled in a series of soul-searing legal wrangles; although the mega-star was acquitted of all charged of pedophilia and drug abuse, the travails seemed to have extracted a heavy toll in terms of mental and physical health.

If he seemed ‘invincible’, destined for yet another comeback. It was due to the sheer magic of his towering talent and enviable fan following. The public reactions to Jackson’s sudden death reminded your columnist of the Greek philosopher Socrates’ to death on trumped up charges of “ corrupting the youth of Athens” and “ failing to revere local gods”

As he faced death by drinking hemlock, the philosopher is said to have ruminated about the possibility of afterlife: death to him was either a termination or continuation.

If it was the former, one could liken it to dreamless sleep, which was rather pleasant. And if it was the latter, death could be passage to another place or dimension call it limbo, Hades, or Yamalaya.

This could be pleasant if one get to hang around with heroes like Archies or poets like Virgil ( not to forget heroines Helene, Beatrice or Houris of Gahanna). Ultimately Socrates went beyond a simple either/ or choice. He concluded by saying that only God the answer to the mystery of death.

Likewise, Jackson’s music paid the strongest tribute to life, energy and movement. It was charecterised by quality, “risk, invention and musicality”, to quote a memorial tribute in “ The Wall Street Journal”. His lasting legacy is his music, the extraordinary body of work he leaves behind”.