Michael Jackson

What a sad state of affairs for Michael Jackson.

One of the truly amazing performers of our generation, a singer, dancer and composer of virtually unparalleled combined excellence has been reduced to a mere caricature of himself.

Although I watch little television, I remember a scene a few years ago on an MTV special that seems to sum up the challenge facing the gloved one. He was featured on an awards show where many young artists shared how much he influenced their careers. They effused about his great 1980's albums--Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad--about his dancing, about his breakthrough videos, about the young Michael fronting the Jackson 5. And, here was Michael in the background, furiously executing his signature popping moves.

While the young performers were acknowledging him as a legacy artist, he was actively trying to say with his increasingly, passionate dancing that he is here, now, current, hip.

Unfortunately, as an artist, he is not. Party guests never request songs beyond the three aforementioned albums or the J5 megahits in the early 1970's. As an artist, he has not recorded anything relevant for at least 15 years. And, his legal problems, grotesque surgeries, fading skin color and bizarre public behavior are quickly pushing aside his artistic achievements.

Admittedly, his popularity at such a young age and ability to surround himself with an entourage devoted to his every wish seriously skewed his view of life. Reality checks are few and far between for Jackson. Whatever advise he is receiving appears to fall on deaf ears.

Sad. One of the most incredible, scintillating performers in pop music history will likely be remembered more for this off-the-field antics than the achievements in entertainment. Sad.

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