Another King is Dead…

The King of Pop, 1958 - 2009

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. 

 

If I Can Dream? Holy Carp….

I haven’t been watching American Idol, I swear. But, because of the charity deal I figured I’d give it a go this week. I tuned in on Tuesday for the performances and again tonight for the Extravaganza. It was pretty entertaining until about the hour and a half mark when Ryan announces Celine Dion and the original American Idol.

I about peed my pants when Celine comes out along side the 1968 freakin’ Elvis from the ’68 Comeback Special singing If I Can Dream.

Now folks, I’ve been pimping this song and this performance since May 8th, 2006 at Graycharles.com….Here is my di-RECK quote:

Double D # 22 May 8th, 2006 at 3:11 pm

I just FEEL that Taylor will sing If I Can Dream. It is right up his alley…calm start, building to crescendo and it’s Elvis at his grittiest.

“There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can’t my dream come true

There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away
All the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won’t that sun appear

We’re lost in a cloud
With too much rain
We’re trapped in a world
That’s troubled with pain
But as long as a man
Has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly

Deep in my heart there’s a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there’s a beckoning candle
And while I can think, while I can talk
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream
Come true, right now
Let it come true right now
Oh yeah”

Of course, Taylor opted for In the Ghetto and Jailhouse Rock, leaving If I Can Dream to Elliott.

This Elvis performance is my FAVORITE, and I’m a HUGE Elvis fan. In 1968, Elvis was BACK, baby! Newly married with a new baby girl, he’d lost weight and was in “fighting shape”. The sex appeal oozed out of him, as did his talent. This turned out to be the last real hurrah for Elvis and he was magnificient in the finale, donned in the white suite with the red lighted Elvis behind him…..simply, UGNHH! Talk about the kun-NECK-shun…Elvis defined it.

So, tonight I throw these up for your perusal and commentary.

The One and Only….E

Wannabe E

Sorry, no comparison. None.