So, Michael Jackson is dead. Only 2 years older than me, so, ouch that hurts, hugely talented, a real loss to the world of 'pop' but all the harder for me as he was my first heart throb. The first posters of a famous person on my bedroom wall, first time of watching ANYTHING that he appeared on and sighing dreamily.
I watched the memorial service this evening and shed far too many tears, my own recent loss being so keenly felt. Was it over the top? Undoubtedly. Too much evangelical stomping? Definitely for my taste. Musical performances that in many cases were lavished with well groomed pseudo emotion, so a cynic’s feast really. A musical genius and a gossip columnist’s meal ticket, an icon of our age and prime target for the celebrity bounty hunters, role model for two generations of young people and weirdo ‘Wacko’ leading a curious life in Never never land. Well maybe he was all these things.
The music has come back to life; it seems we all forgot, other than the diehard fans. Some never knew anything other than the bizarre stories so have seen the videos and heard the music for the first time. The reality is that we will probably never know the reality. A family closing ranks is completely normal and our saintly media will now respond to his sudden death with endless admiration for his genius. Shame they weren’t doing so when he hit the tough times; let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the first time a person’s wealth and fame has exposed them to false accusations- trial by media should not be a part of any culture, even the crazy world of the pop star.
The culture of celebrity may well be a fact in the modern world but truly we need to find some humanity in all the madness. There is I believe a parallel to be drawn in public life. Opposing Political parties will present entirely their own position, all claiming to have the true solutions, asking us to buy into their beliefs and manifesto. The opposing parties in the media with exposures of the frailties (real or otherwise) of our modern icons countered by support and stout denials from Family, peers and friends. I watch Question time to help form my opinions on politics and current affairs. With the diverse panellists covering areas including but not exclusively politics I am able to find the balance that makes some sense. How to do so in that mad, bad old world of showbiz?
No matter what was said, sung or shown the most revealing, poignant and real moment in tonight’s memorial? When a little girl stood and spoke about her Dad, the best father a person could have ever had, tears of real grief for a real person. Bet the media hounds never thought of that one did they?
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