Michael Jackson's legacy

June 25, 9:18 PMMethodist ExaminerJames-Michael Smith

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Michael Jackson died today.  The big story this morning was Farrah Fawcett's death.  But that unfortunate event will forever be overshadowed by the death of the King of Pop.

Say what you will about Michael's post-90s persona, but the fact remains that he was the epitome of entertainment in the 80s. No matter where you lived, you turned the radio up when "Beat It" came on.  No matter what color you were, you knew the words to Billie Jean.  You may not have known anything about world politics, but you knew that you were helping starving people in Ethiopia when you bought that "We are the world" record (with the weird little yellow thing you had to try to jam in the middle to make it play on your parents' stereo turntable).

"Thriller" is, without a doubt, one of the greatest albums ever recorded.  Nothing since then has even come close to equaling it in terms of crossover appeal between R&B, Rock and Pop audiences.  But it wasn't just the music.  The title song's video directed by John Carpenter (who also directed one of the greatest cult classics of all time in "Big Trouble in Little China"!!) has dominated top 100 video lists on MTV and VH1 and inspired videos from Meatloaf to Guns 'n Roses to P-Diddy in terms of feature film quality directing.  Even fashion was forever changed by MJ's star power.  From 1983 - 1985 kids from inner-city neighborhoods in Savannah to suburbs in Chicago to beaches in Malibu could be seen sporting high-waters, red leather jackets full of pointless zippers and occasionally even the single sequined white glove--regardless of their skin color. 

Michael's family life was both surreal and tragic.  Anyone watching his life during his final years was in fact watching someone who had never had a childhood trying to live a middle-aged life.  His personal life was a paparazzi and tabloid bonanza which we as a culture couldn't get enough of.  He was the fodder for late night comedians for 2 decades.  And because it never went to trial, questions will always remain regarding his relationship with children.  His life was a meteoric rise to fame, wealth and success as the King of Pop, followed by years of slow decline into irrelevance, ridicule and tragedy.

In the pages of Scripture we see similar figures, most notably Israel's 3rd King, Solomon.  At the height of his success, Solomon's empire was the largest Israel would ever see.  People came from all over the world to be in his presence and experience his God-given abilities.  Yet just when things were at their brightest for Solomon, his life took a nosedive and his final years were nothing like the glory he had once enjoyed ever since he was a famous child of a dysfunctional family. 

However, in the end, most people still remember Solomon at his best.  I have a feeling that is how Michael Jackson will be remembered as well.  His talents and abilities will live on in the minds and hearts of those of us who grew up listening to The Gloved One (and occasionally dressing up as him for Halloween when we were 5 years old...). 

Rest in Peace, MJ.