Watching TV last night, this commercial came on and I immediately thought about the inappropriateness of State Farm resurrecting this ad. The description of the video says:
Since this ad first aired May 20, the songs lyrics have helped make a strong emotional connection with people. This Jackson Five song is just one example of Michael Jacksons impact and legacy as a pop culture icon. Our condolences to the Michael Jackson family and fans.
That’s convenient, but I don’t recall seeing this ad more that once or twice in the last month or so, so I don’t think it was as compelling as State Farm likes to make out. Nothing had made them look good in recent months where they have increased the hurricane deductibles to 5% of total coverage and have flat out stopped coverage for some areas.
But I digress…
I could be totally off base, but I think that this is using the hype of this superstar’s death to hawk your product. The commercial did not have a “tribute” to MJ attached or a condolence, it simply was a commercial using a highly identifiable Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 song to get the viewers attention. All about taking advantage of the moment, ignoring the respect and dignity of the person. Unfortunately, it’s the dark side of legacy.
They shared more than a close connection to Lisa Marie. Parallels in life and death abound between Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. One was the King of Rock, the other the King of Pop. Both had a profound, deep and lasting affect on the music scene. Both struggled with self image, relationships and health. Both were talented on a level that few can comprehend, yet hid a flipside of “mad” genius. Both died tragically young.
Just as Elvis stormed the music scene in the ’50s, Michael ruled the ’80s. Elvis shocked with the “hip thrust”, Michael wowed with the Moonwalk. When Elvis died tragically in 1977, Michael Jackson began his ascent. He used MTV, revoluntionary dance videos and ground-breaking R&B that changed the genre forever.
I was 13 when Elvis died. It was shocking and profoundly sad. Such a waste of a talent whose star was quenched much too soon. I was aptly affected. While I loved Elvis in the movies and all of his old music, I was also deeply entrenched in The Jackson 5 and knew every word to Rockin’ Robin, I’ll Be There, One Bad Apple, Easy as ABC, Ben and countless others.
I Want You Back
When he went solo in ’79, I wore out Off the Wall.
Workin’ Day & Night
Then came the pivotal Thriller, that catapulted Michael to unfathomable fame…
Billie Jean
Beat It
Then, things started to get really weird. Dozens of plastic surgeries, skin lightening, dalliances with young boys, a sham marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, Neverland Ranch, children with another sham wife, veils and balcony dangling…it never seemed to end.
After losing everything and a brief exile to Bahrain, Michael was reportedly rehearsing heavily for his greatest comeback tour in Europe. While many will refuse to recognize his genius because of his controversial private life — and maybe justifiably — his musical imprint is wide and long. There is no denying that.
At 44, the familar feeling of loss of such a large cultural figure that was so integral to my generation is painfully reminiscient of that awful summer 32 years ago when another king departed much too soon.
Perhaps Michael will finally accept The Man in the Mirror.
Mucho Congrats to the 2009 National Baseball Champion — the LSU Tigers!
The Freshman from Lafayette, Mikie Mahtook, turned the tide with a run-scoring double in the 6th and the Tigers never looked back, beating powerhouse Texas 11-4. Mahtook’s father, Mike, and his uncle, Robbie, both played football for LSU, creating a great legacy for the young Mahtook….particularly since Mike Mahtook died from a heart attack at 32, when Mikie was four and his twin sisters were only 2. No doubt, Big Mike was an angel in the outfield last night.
Jon and Kate Gosselin are divorcing. Quelle surpris!?!
Having intimate experience with divorce, I try not to be judgmental about anyone who finds that they simply cannot make their relationship work any longer. However, in this case, I must make an exception.
These two are the most self-absorbed, neurotic pair I have ever seen and it’s incredulous to me that they continually whine about the intrusive paparazzi who are causing them so much stress. Have they not welcomed cameras into their homes and lives to “share” their wonderful, fairytale lives? It’s a slippery slope, peeps, and you guys let Pandora out of the box when you signed on for all those episodes and all that denero. And, isn’t this really what it’s all about? Money?
Sorry, but I have a real problem with the fact that these two have made a fortune off of the cuteness of their kids via TV, books, motivational speaking tours and “freebies”. While I can understand accepting help from people wanting to help when you are overwhelmed with such a large brood, these people took it to the extreme and now, they are paying the piper.
The problem is that it’s the kids who will pay the cost. While they will remain in their million dollar estate with designer clothes, playhouses and part-time parents, all they really have are each other. Make no mistake, this “decision” will have lasting consequences on these kids. Mady already needed couseling before all of this, now Kate will have to publish another hypocritical book just to cover the therapy bills for the rest of the gang. Or, perhaps she can get a sympathetic psychologist to donate their services a la her tummy tuck and his hair plugs. (You cannot make this crap up.)
The problem with sanctimony and rigidity is that it usually bites you in the butt. Early on, Jon and Kate espoused that their faith was what sustained them and their kids. Each season has brought less thankfulness/faithfulness and more entitlement/riches. For example, trips to Disney, New York, Hawaii, Utah, North Carolina….two new houses in five years, matching designer clothes (even for every day), etc., etc. While these people started out as an inspiration to others facing the challenge of large families, they have now become the object of pity and all at the hand of greed.
My advice to these “parents”. Quit this show. Jon, get a real job and hold on to it. Kate, go back to nursing and support your kids like normal people and not by exploiting their obvious cuteness and unusual situation. Spend time with them instead of traveling on book tours or speaking engagements. All of the “things” are not going to ease the pain of seeing their parents’ relationship dissolve, nor the public fascination associated with it. And really, do you think that people will be interested in seeing eight kids go through puberty?
Today, we honor the Dads and Grand-Dads, alive and gone, who are/were those loving, solid rocks who we adored as children, sparred with as teenagers and honored as adults. If yours is still here, hug his neck tightly today.
Bob Bogle, lead guitarist for the legendary surf-rock band, The Ventures, lost a battle to leukemia at the age of 75.
Considered pioneers of hard guitar laced, instrumental “surfer” rock of the very early 1960’s, The Ventures are the guys responsible for such surf-rock staples as:
Wipeout
Perfidia
Perhaps their most well known “hit” was courtesy of Steve McGarrett:
Hawaii Five-O Theme
However, the genesis of surf-rock actually started with the Tacoma, Washington band’s release and hit of Walk, Don’t Run in 1960.
Typical of musical kun-NECK-shuns, Walk, Don’t Run was actually a cover for The Ventures. The song was originally done by the one and only Chet Atkins.
One of the bandmembers had been listening to the guitar impresario and it was decided to update Walk, Don’t Run to their signature sound. The rest is history. The Ventures (and Bob Bogle) were signficant influencers to many rock legends to come. In 2008, they were indcuted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Bob Bogle was too ill to attend.
John Fogerty induction of The Venture into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2008
So, a tip of the hat to one of the guitar legends of rock. May he rest in peace.
Posts will be spattered in here and there for the next few months, as my schedule is fairly full and something’s gotta give.
We’re busy selling stuff and planning stuff; fishing, crabbing, working, and playing. Frankly, it feels good to be away from the Internets for a while. I still have about 20 posts partially done, so when things simmer down a bit, I’ll be posting regularly again.
As always, if you have anything musical that you’d like to share, please send to me and I’ll post it. For now, I leave you with a wish for you to experience a little Hot Fun in the Summertime, Sly Stone style:
Just when I thought (again) that I knew every intricate corner of Mr. D’s mind, he surprises me again. Reminiscient of my discovery of his penchant for musicals, he made a comment yesterday that the recent “green shoots” in the stock market are a “going Jessie”.
What?!?
I know a lot of useless information, including historical slang, but had NEVER heard this phrase before. While I understand the context, I had no idea of the origin. So, after a good laugh and conversation with Mr. D regarding where he picked up said phrase (that he has NEVER used in our 21 years together), I did what I do best….GOOGLED IT.
What I found surprised me. Seems that She’s a Going Jessie was a Rockabilly tune in 1956, by Andy Starr:
According to Mr. D, a “going Jessie” is something that is consistently moving in a certain di-RECK-shun. Now, I’m not sure what came first, the saying or the song, but it’s safe to say that 8 year old Mr. D. likely picked up the saying from the song. Go figure. Along with playing “Lone Ranger” and “Green Beret”, he picked up “going Jessie” somewhere along the way.
THAT, is what I absolutely adore about the man. After 20 years, he still surprises me.
Today, I took the day off to enjoy the day with my musical loving, golf-playing, totally hot, fisherman extraordinnaire husband.
I can’t think of a better way to spend the day. After all, he’s quite a “going Jessie”….
Music Maven 
