The Royal Triumph of Michael Jackson
In the end, it really doesn’t matter who dubbed Michael Jackson the “King of Pop.” Was it the media? Elizabeth Taylor? Jackson himself?
It isn’t relevant. What is relevant is that Jackson ran with it. He embraced the title as his own (heck, who among us wouldn’t like to be crowned as royalty in their chosen profession?) and used it as a branding tool. And that’s why Michael Jackson was one of our own, a marketer.
As the last few weeks and the relentless media coverage has wore on, I’m surprised to find myself more affected by Jackson’s passing. In my misspent youth, I wasn’t exactly a big fan of his music. Growing up in the 1980s, I was more of a fan of British pop. I’d impatiently sit through his videos on MTV, hoping the next clip would be of David Bowie, Madness, Duran Duran or something of that ilk. And yes, watching the coverage of Jackson’s trials—figurative and literal—still gives one pause as to how strong his grip on reality may have been at times
But as I watched the footage of his career, particularly from the “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” era, I’ve been struck by his talent, something that was easy to forget in all the…let’s be kind and say unpleasantness of later years. I realize much of this is nostalgia on my part, but there’s no denying that he did have something special.
And now, what is left? For his family and particularly his children, I hope peace. For his legacy? A brand that as many skeptics (including myself) have noted is only stronger in death. As of this writing, while his mammoth memorial service in Los Angeles is ongoing, he has the number one album, and 13 of the top 15 music videos on iTunes. And on Amazon, he has 10 of the top 10 albums.
Rest in peace, MJ.
