Michael Jackson, The Best Of the Best Of Pop Singers
Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
I have followed Michael Jackson since he was a child, when he was adorable and had that clear
and concise stage appeal, I remember when he sang "Ben" for the movie Ben, I remember reading articles that would focus that he was an abused child, which in this writers opinion, he was. He as a child never got to be a child, it was all work and no play. There is no doubt in this writers mind that we have not only lost an entertainer, but a gifted man. I'm still not sure about the theory about him abusing children, as he has always loved children, even those he never met. I am not going to speculate about this man when it comes to the child thing, but I will say this, that they never proved it. Just because he paid, still doesn't constitute that he did anything, it tells me that perhaps there are those parents out there that are looking at the money he had, and they wanted it. You can ridicule him all you want, but the simple fact remains that a man is not guilty until proven by a court of law.
There is one thing for sure. He WAS an artist, and he gave back to the people, just what they wanted. He was strange, in allot of his behaviors, but let us not forget that he himself was abused. There is a time that we all have to step back, and say that he was a product of his own environment. No one knows why he wanted to be white, I guess that he figured that we lived in a perfect world, as he was somewhat childlike himself. When asked if he could be what he wanted to be, his reply was, "I would like to forever be a child, you know, like Peter Pan, who never would grow old". Different, yes, but not unusual. I would love to be young again. That is NOT so unusual. People in our society are quick to judge, based on hearsay, and proved by nothing.
This writer would like to pay his condolences to his family, who has suffered a great loss, and I have prayed for Michael over the years to get him through his tough times. God only knows that he needed all the prayers he could get. There is one thing that mankind cannot take away from Michael, not in any court of law, not morally, not physically, and that is the accomplishments to the world as a whole, the gifts that he has given to all, by his ability to entertain, it was his life, and his purpose. God bless you Mr. Jackson, and may you forever rest in peace, and hopefully your last dream was fulfilled, by your last journey to "Never Never Land". May you rest in peace, and thank you for all of the gifts you have given, both vocally, and to the world.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)A very heartfelt tribute, Mr Halsey. Michael Jackson was lost a long time ago and no one close to him was able or willing to save him.I know what he wanted- to feel loved for who he was.Great article, and GOOD TO SEE YA!Ken, that is a fact. No one could help him, his fate was sealed the minute his father knew he could sing, and exploited him for monitary gain never letting Michael be the child he was. In my opinion, his dad is the one who should have faced the courts. You are right though, no on could help him, no one was even willing except his close friends like Diane Warwich, and others that he was close to, but they couldn't change what was. Thanks so much for reading this Ken, I like your article on Michael as well....well done my friend. Your friend and fan ....... Gary
Yes, I have to admit, troubled he may have been. The old addage, "All youths are at risk." At risk of what? Life. Good or bad, some kids do grow up. Reluctantly, many kid stars have fallen in celebrity grips. However, it appears this was the top of the chart because he could draw music lovers to unto himself. It went beyond defining the senses. As a child I would watch him on W. Grand Bivd, in Detroit throwing footballs with other kids. When he and brothers got into children trouble, Daddy would discipline them with the belt around his waist. Now they call that child abuse. However, they did not curse teachers, take weapons to School and break and enter. Michael's Father is the first to tell you, kids know the difference between abuse and discipline with love. The other kids cherish Daddy as Daddy. Michael sold on sympathy on Oprah. Anyone from Motown can tell you, Daddy was like all Daddies in the area that had a work ethic. You have to admit, looking at these reality shows and at the action of some kids being exploited by their parents, you may ask, "Where did they come from?" Michael is a once in a life time talent that the WORLD would not let anyone forget. His Daddy made sure the talent paid off. (Tiger, had a Father with a different ethic, however, it paid off). Some Fathers do lead their children. Thanks to my Father's hard hand, I am prisonless, and still respect my elders. Michael's Moonwalk that was always in any dance hall and bar, was carried to the stage by Michael. (Moon walk created by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters and James Brown and the Famous Flames). We call it, "Old School." Like all, we have flaws, mine may not be the same as others, however, they are flaws. Anyone in this life is prone to failure or success. But, failure is always a natural consequence of success. No one will succeed without first failing. We may add Michael to a list of greats, "the drugs of Hemingway, the drugs of Einstein, the drugs of Emerson, the drugs of Whitman, the drugs of Elvis, the drugs of Charles...etc. Each and all have lived, died, and memorialized within their field of endeavor. They were all like a great song, the beginning-----the ending. Not too many will remember the middle, because we all share in it, life.Dear Dr. Rucker, very well written, very well said. I too was raised with more or less an iron fist, I'm 63, and I definately know what you are saying, and I must admit, you bring a good point to the table. I too was raised with discipline, and most of what I got, I received because I deserved it. I admit, some of the tabloids have delt the dad with some vicious blows, but I do know that fathers are out there that are abusive. I believe in an iron fist, definately not the belt although I have had a razor strap cross my backside, but no one can honestly say if he was abusive or wasn't abusive. I have heard interviews with Janet his sister, and the word abusive came up, but you know, I'm not thinking they are talking about physical abuse as much as they are saying that they never really got to be kids. That is all I am saying. And that is speculation based on what I have heard the two siblings say, I didn't read that out of any tabloid. Michael and Janet were both saying that they never really got to be kids. So I am basing this on what I have heard from those two, not what anyone else is saying. I don't know, because I wasn't there, I can only repeat what I have heard "from the babe's mouth" so to speak. Your comment sounds very informed, and perhaps you knew the family, I am not sure, but my article is only based on what I have heard. I respect and agree with allot of what you say, no argument there. But I does make one wonder after listening to those two, what their life was really like, or were they just sensationalizing it? That is anyone's guess. I really appreciate your reading the article and you very informed and intelligent response to it, thank you for your opinion and input, you have me thinking....Great job....your friend in pen, Gary
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