Michael Jackson-Loss of a Legend

Anyone who knows me, knows that I think the word "legend" is overused. Today a legitimate legend and icon passed away.
Michael Jackson passed away at the very young age of 50.
I'd be lying if I said I grew up loving Michael Jackson and thought he was the greatest. I never bought any of his albums and never saw him in concert.
To me, Michael Jackson was a cultural phenomenon that got stranger and stranger as the years went on.
The allegations of child molestation and the plastic surgeries and his wearing of surgical masks, to name a few things, just made him seem more and more unreal.

What it is easy to forget are the following things.

Many of his songs are pop masterpiece's: Thriller,Beat It,Off the Wall,Billie Jean,Black or White,Smooth Criminal to name a few.

Whose jaw didn't hit the floor the first time you saw him moonwalk on the Motown Anniversary special.

His music videos were events, when videos meant something.

His appearance with N'Sync on the MTV Music Video Awards was exciting.

And most importantly, intentionally or not, he managed to connect with a wider audience than any other pop star. People from so many different races, religions and cultures connected to him.

I personally think he started to recycle his own dance moves as time went on, he never really changed much musically or performance wise like Madonna or Prince did.
But for those years in the early 80's to the late 80's, no one was more recognized as the king of pop music as Michael Jackson was, rightfully so.
In the late 90's I started to hear his music differently. I thought a lot of the songs were really good. Maybe it was a bit of nostalgia on my part, but I'd like to think it's because I really heard how good his early output was and how talented he truly was.
I don't think anyone can deny that Thriller is one of the greatest records of all time. It may not be your cup of tea, but you can't argue with a work that has been referenced by many artists and one that stands up still as a great album.

Prior to Michael Jackson there had been other artists of color on MTV such as American Garland Jeffreys and Joan Armatrading from the U.K. But Michael Jackson helped to usher in a broader range of music on the channel. It was no longer "rock" only.
In the future, I don't doubt that Mr. Jackson's personal life will once again be discussed and picked apart. But for today I'll remember the artist that blew open the doors on MTV for African American artists, whose Billie Jean video was always a highlight for me while watching MTV after school, whose song "The Way You Make Me Feel" has always been a favorite of mine, and the person who will always be remembered a great entertainer.
My favorite memory of Michael Jackson will always be his tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. years ago on TV. He performed the song "You Were There". No effects, no dance moves. Just Michael singing a beautiful song, with a voice you could easily forget he had. It was a great moment and probably the one I will remember as my favorite.
Rest in Peace.

In Memoriam-Farrah Fawcett

This is a horrible week of losses in the entertainment world.
Farrah Fawcett lost her long battle with cancer today.
Miss Fawcett was about as big a cultural icon as there could be in the late 70's and early 80's. Although she was only on Charlie's Angels for one season, she is the most recognized person and image from that show.
After leaving the show she never quite had the film success she was trying for. She did find success in television movies, and gave a great performance in the feature film The Apostle.
There are maybe one of two figures that come along each decade that seem to be the poster person for that time. Farrah Fawcett was one of those people.
Rest in peace.

In Memoriam-Ed McMahon

One of the true icons of late night television passed away this week.
Ed McMahon was the long time announcer/sidekick to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Mr. McMahon's laugh and opening call of "Heeeeere's Johnny" have often been imitated, but never duplicated. He was part of the era when late night TV talk shows seemed like a world that was hipper and cooler than anywhere else. Johnny was the host at the party we all wish we could go to, but Mr. McMahon was the guy we wanted to hang with.
Rest in peace.

I have a simple idea

Today at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., Mr. Stephen Tyrone Johns, a guard at the museum, was tragically killed by James W. von Brunn. Mr. von Brunn entered the museum and opened fire, and sadly fatally wounded Mr. Johns before being shot himself.
Of course it was later discovered that Mr. von Brunn was anti-Semitic and was not happy with what he was seeing in this country socially. I'd venture to guess there were plenty of personal issues too.
My idea is very simple. For all those like Mr. von Brunn, spend a few weeks secluded with people who have the same beliefs as you and meet your religious and physical requirements. My guess is that within a short period of time you'll start to have a problem with them too.
Do this and spare the young life of an innocent man who's mistake was that he went to work and did his job.
Rest in peace Mr. Johns. My sympathies go to you and your family.