So, was MJ the "Greatest Pop Star of All Time?"

[MrShotShot]

There has been a poll up on CNN since yesterday and this is the question. Currently it's running 58% yes, 42% no.

I had Thriller and pretty much wore out the tape (granted I was 14 at the time), but moved beyond MJ's style of pop music before I was out of high school. I certaily wouldn't call myself a fan of his music, but I have to admit that as far as I'm concerned, he is the "greatest pop star of all time."

I'm actually quite surprised at the percentages in the poll, but then I guess it all depends on how you define "pop" music and whether or not you can set aside your own personal biases.

So what do YOU think?

[johnrocks]

I'm a hard rock fan,hence my username, but yeah, I think he is. In 30 years,his music will still be listened to,just like Elvis,the King of Rock.

[EnchantedFrog]

No. "Greatest" is not a word I could associate with Jackson.

[super cool ski instructor]

One just needs to look at the numbers and accomplishments to know that yes he absolutely he is.

Anyone who says he isn't is letting their personal feelings about the man get in the way.

[BillBrown]

No.

[JimGP20]

No, although he's in the top five. Number one is and always will be the Beatles.

[MrShotShot]

No, although he's in the top five. Number one is and always will be the Beatles.

Well, again, I guess it's how you define "pop" music.

Personally I don't classify the Beatles as pop.

[JimGP20]

Well, again, I guess it's how you define "pop" music.

Personally I don't classify the Beatles as pop.

Well, "pop" is short for popular, and nobody was ever more popular than the Beatles.

[super cool ski instructor]

Well, again, I guess it's how you define "pop" music.

Personally I don't classify the Beatles as pop.

Yeah...I don't see them as pop either.

[super cool ski instructor]

Well, "pop" is short for popular, and nobody was ever more popular than the Beatles.

I'm not sure I would label Zeppelin as "pop" and they were quite popular :cool:

[JimGP20]

I'm not sure I would label Zeppelin as "pop" and they were quite popular :cool:


I said the Beatles, and dad gummit I'm stickin' with 'em. :snooty:

[notluzn]

Who ever sold the most records in this section of music is the winner.

[jeepers]

I'm voting for the Beatles.

MJ was absolutely wildly popular and still is, but he doesn't have the staying power at the level of the Beatles. People will listen to him in the future, for sure. But over time, I think that the Beatles will beat him.

My question is, why has this been on CNN for two days? I can see asking the question, I don't see why he's still the main headline or the poll of the day. Not when things like the Hondurian coup hit the headlines. Hard news should trump this. JMO

[jeepers]

I'm not sure I would label Zeppelin as "pop" and they were quite popular :cool:

Beatles = Pop

Led Zeppelin = Rock

Michael Jackson or John Lennon?

Lennon.

[JimGP20]

Beatles = Pop

Led Zeppelin = Rock

Michael Jackson or John Lennon?

Lennon.


Agreed

[MrShotShot]

Well we all know the real answer:

Slim Whitman

[Poisonshady313]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

[BillBrown]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

You're in trouble, Poison.
You'll be accused of personal bias.
How dare you post the truth. ;)

[JimGP20]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

When you're right, you're right..... and I was right. :razz:

[King Cantona]

No......

Well we all know that musical appreciation is very subjective and I was never a Michael Jackson fan so his death never affected me on anything like the scale that John Lennon's death did.....

Joe Strummer's death a few years ago affected me much more as well, I guess it depends on what genre of music you are an afficianado of....

I had some Elvis records when he died but I had no Michael Jackson CDs when he died......

[MrShotShot]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

I'm not sure how they are coming up with this list as some sources state that Thriller alone sold more than 100 million copies.

According to Wiki: The album is cited as having sold between 47 and 109 million copies worldwide; the Guinness Book of World Records lists Thriller as having sold 65 million copies as of 2007.

Even if you take the low numbers, the above seems a bit undercounted given all of his other albums.

[jeepers]

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTopArt

Beatles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists

Beatles/Elvis

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I'm not sure I would label Zeppelin as "pop" and they were quite popular :cool:
I believe classifyng Zeppelin as "pop" is an at-your-own-risk deal around here.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I'm not sure how they are coming up with this list as some sources state that Thriller alone sold more than 100 million copies.

According to Wiki: The album is cited as having sold between 47 and 109 million copies worldwide; the Guinness Book of World Records lists Thriller as having sold 65 million copies as of 2007.

Even if you take the low numbers, the above seems a bit undercounted given all of his other albums.
the list you quoted would appear to be US sales

[roger teekell]

No. "Greatest" is not a word I could associate with Jackson.

I would imagine that has very little to do with his music....And more to do with opinions shaped by other events...

When looking simply at his talent??

There is no doubt.

[EnchantedFrog]

I would imagine that has very little to do with his music....And more to do with opinions shaped by other events...

When looking simply at his talent??

There is no doubt.
Sammy Davis, Jr., had more talent in his left arm than Michael Jackson ever did.

[BillBrown]

Sammy Davis, Jr., had more talent in his left arm than Michael Jackson ever did.

I think the message is clear.
Jackson's "greatness" is like the Emperor's new suit.
If you can't see it, you are somehow deficient. Get it?

[poorblackman]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

The top album sales of all time:


29 EAGLES/THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971 - 1975 EAGLES ELEKTRA
28 THRILLER JACKSON, MICHAEL EPIC
23 LED ZEPPELIN IV LED ZEPPELIN ATLANTIC
23 THE WALL PINK FLOYD COLUMBIA
22 BACK IN BLACK AC/DC EPIC
21 DOUBLE LIVE BROOKS, GARTH CAPITOL NASHVILLE
21 GREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II JOEL, BILLY COLUMBIA
20 COME ON OVER TWAIN, SHANIA MERCURY NASHVILLE
19 RUMOURS FLEETWOOD MAC WARNER BROS.
19 THE BEATLES BEATLES, THE APPLE


http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTop100


The best selling albums of all time. Jackson comes in number 2 at 28 X platinum. I suspect that will change now that he is dead and interest renews. I suspected that the Eagles would be number 1 and I was correct. The Eagles is a bit of a cheat, its a compilation of various songs over the years as opposed to a single released album.

[Mojotiger]

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

1. The Beatles: 170 million
2. Garth Brooks: 128 million
3. Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
4. Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
5. The Eagles: 100 million
6. Billy Joel: 79.5 million
7. Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
8. Barbra Streisand: 71 million
9. Elton John: 69.5 million
10. AC/DC: 69 million
11. George Strait: 67.5 million
12. Aerosmith: 66.5 million
13. The Rolling Stones: 66 million
14. Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
15. Madonna: 63.5 million
16. Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
17. Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
18. Metallica: 57 million
19. Van Halen: 56.5 million
20. Whitney Houston: 54 million

http://www.getlisty.com/preview/top-selling-recording-artists-of-all-time/

July 21, 2008

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that Garth Brooks has outsold Elvis? We're doomed...

[VCaddy05]

If you put anybody else in the history of music next to michael Jackson you would see nothing but Jackson. He would steal the stage from Jesus, in short, yes he was amongst many many other greats imho the greatest.

[VCaddy05]

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that Garth Brooks has outsold Elvis? We're doomed...

+1 I have never understood this. I have heard pleanty of his songs, and there ok i guess, but I would never say that he was so great.

[BillBrown]

If you put anybody else in the history of music next to michael Jackson you would see nothing but Jackson. He would steal the stage from Jesus, in short, yes he was amongst many many other greats imho the greatest.

That's interesting. Greater than Jesus.
It's possible Jackson has found out if that's true.

[roger teekell]

Sammy Davis, Jr., had more talent in his left arm than Michael Jackson ever did.

Living in Las Vegas I have a lot of respect for Sammy...

But Common'...

Aplles and oranges.

[roger teekell]

+1 I have never understood this. I have heard pleanty of his songs, and there ok i guess, but I would never say that he was so great.

You've obviously never been to one of his concerts..

The man is a SHOWMAN!!

Seriously.

[MrShotShot]

the list you quoted would appear to be US sales

Then that makes the numbers add up even less.

If the RIAA says he has sold 60.5 million albums worldwide over the course of his career and the numbers for Thriller alone are 47-100 million with Guiness claiming 65 million copies, then something isn't adding up.

Doing some quick Googling, I'm finding references to well over 500-750 million albums sold worldwide putting him neck and neck with the Beatles, with Elvis right behind them.

[BillBrown]

Then that makes the numbers add up even less.

If the RIAA says he has sold 60.5 million albums worldwide over the course of his career and the numbers for Thriller alone are 47-100 million with Guiness claiming 65 million copies, then something isn't adding up.

Doing some quick Googling, I'm finding references to well over 500-750 million albums sold worldwide putting him neck and neck with the Beatles, with Elvis right behind them.

The riaa list is US sales.

The worldwide numbers are shaky for everyone. There is a lot of guessing mixed in.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Then that makes the numbers add up even less.

If the RIAA says he has sold 60.5 million albums worldwide over the course of his career and the numbers for Thriller alone are 47-100 million with Guiness claiming 65 million copies, then something isn't adding up.

Doing some quick Googling, I'm finding references to well over 500-750 million albums sold worldwide putting him neck and neck with the Beatles, with Elvis right behind them.

They're not...they're saying he's sold 60.5 million albums HERE. Which does seem a bit dubious to me as well, but I wonder if the sources we're seeing that say 500-750 million also include his sales with the Jackson Five/Jacksons.

[JimGP20]

I would imagine that has very little to do with his music....And more to do with opinions shaped by other events...

When looking simply at his talent??

There is no doubt.


There's tons of doubt. Let's look at just number one hits on the U.S. Charts:

1. The Beatles - 20
2. Mariah Carey - 18
3. Elvis Presley - 17
4. Michael Jackson - 13
5. Diana Ross & The Supremes - 12
5. Madonna - 12
7. Whitney Houston - 11
8. Stevie Wonder - 10
8. Janet Jackson - 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artists_who_reached_number_one_in_the_Unit ed_States

It's all subjective anyway. MJ was one of the best ever, but in my opinion, not THE best ever.

[jeepers]

Michael Jackson and Jesus? Okay, that is where credibilty goes out the window.

MJ aint' going to be doing record sales for 2000+ years. LOL But it would be interesting to know how many copies of the New Testament have sold versus Thriller. :lol:

He was crowned King by Elizabeth Taylor. He certainly is in the running for the title, but I still think that the Beatles will outshine him in history for impact and staying power in music. And people will still talk about Elvis, even when the young folks in the future are asking "Michael who?"

[roger teekell]

There's tons of doubt. Let's look at just number one hits on the U.S. Charts:

1. The Beatles - 20
2. Mariah Carey - 18
3. Elvis Presley - 17
4. Michael Jackson - 13
5. Diana Ross & The Supremes - 12
5. Madonna - 12
7. Whitney Houston - 11
8. Stevie Wonder - 10
8. Janet Jackson - 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artists_who_reached_number_one_in_the_Unit ed_States

It's all subjective anyway. MJ was one of the best ever, but in my opinion, not THE best ever.


Well the TRUE #1 when it comes to #1 hits is George Strait with 50...

So I guess he's the Greatest Ever...:angel:

[super cool ski instructor]

George Strait :wall:

:))

Look...MJ is the greatest pop artist.
The Beatles were the greatest rock band.

Okay? :D

[roger teekell]

George Strait :wall:

:))

Look...MJ is the greatest pop artist.
The Beatles were the greatest rock band.

Okay? :D
OH....Forgot...<Sarcasm off>

Hehehehe..

[MrShotShot]

The riaa list is US sales.

The worldwide numbers are shaky for everyone. There is a lot of guessing mixed in.

Ah, well then it makes more sense.

The original RIAA list didn't say "US Sales" only. I had no idea that the Gold/Platinum honors were US sales only.

[Grendel IV]

He's pretty far up there.
Never got into the Beatles. I had to listen to Jay Z's album to even stomach their songs. But then again I was born in 76'. I think there stuff is boring.
I pretty much listen to lots of stuff, from Japan rock/pop, to Punk, to rap. After playing rock band I can add southern rock to that list. Dave mathtews band is probably my fav. group.

Once my 7yr old daughter saw thriller, she started listening to MJ. So I do believe he has a bit of staying power.

[VCaddy05]

Michael Jackson and Jesus? Okay, that is where credibilty goes out the window.

MJ aint' going to be doing record sales for 2000+ years. LOL But it would be interesting to know how many copies of the New Testament have sold versus Thriller. :lol:

He was crowned King by Elizabeth Taylor. He certainly is in the running for the title, but I still think that the Beatles will outshine him in history for impact and staying power in music. And people will still talk about Elvis, even when the young folks in the future are asking "Michael who?"

yea i was using quite abit of sarcasm there, lol just to make my point. Noone would be able to steal the stage from MJ!!!

[VinMI]

So, was MJ the "Greatest Pop Star of All Time?"


I would have to say yes and even more so since his death.

[JimGP20]

George Strait :wall:

:))

Look...MJ is the greatest pop artist.
The Beatles were the greatest rock band.

Okay? :D

No. Not OK. :snooty:...:razz:

[angelicmadrigal]

well he's certainly better than anything out now in the pop world.

[super cool ski instructor]

No. Not OK. :snooty:...:razz:

Deal with it Jim...it is what it is :snooty:


:))

[super cool ski instructor]

well he's certainly better than anything out now in the pop world.

Lets weigh our options....Michael Jackson or Lady Ga Ga?

Michael Jackson or Fall Out Boy?

Michael Jackson or...aww hell I can't even name anyone else....:))

[johnrocks]

Looks like people are mixing country,rock and pop all in the same mix here.

wordnet defines pop music as "music of general appeal to teenagers; a bland watered-down version of rock'n'roll with more rhythm and harmony and an emphasis on romantic love" so that sorta leaves Elvis,Garth and the Beatles out of the loop,imho.

[JimGP20]

Deal with it Jim...it is what it is :snooty:


:))


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/stuckinliberalhell/headley.gif

"It is what it is ???.... I HATE that cliche !"

:cool:

[JimGP20]

Looks like people are mixing country,rock and pop all in the same mix here.

wordnet defines pop music as "music of general appeal to teenagers; a bland watered-down version of rock'n'roll with more rhythm and harmony and an emphasis on romantic love" so that sorta leaves Elvis,Garth and the Beatles out of the loop,imho.


Really??

"She Loves You" - The Beatles

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

You think you lost your love,
Well, I saw her yesterday.
It's you she's thinking of
And she told me what to say.

She says she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad.

She said you hurt her so
She almost lost her mind.
But now she said she knows
You're not the hurting kind.

She says she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad. Ooh!

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
And with a love like that
You know you should be glad.

YOU KNOW it's up to you,
I think it's only fair,
Pride can hurt you, too,
Apologize to her

Because she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad. Ooh!

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

with a love like that
You know you should
Be Glad!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[johnrocks]

Really??

"She Loves You" - The Beatles

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

You think you lost your love,
Well, I saw her yesterday.
It's you she's thinking of
And she told me what to say.

She says she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad.

She said you hurt her so
She almost lost her mind.
But now she said she knows
You're not the hurting kind.

She says she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad. Ooh!

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
And with a love like that
You know you should be glad.

YOU KNOW it's up to you,
I think it's only fair,
Pride can hurt you, too,
Apologize to her

Because she loves you
And you know that can't be bad.
Yes, she loves you
And you know you should be glad. Ooh!

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

with a love like that
You know you should
Be Glad!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

:))

[EnchantedFrog]

Looks like people are mixing country,rock and pop all in the same mix here.

wordnet defines pop music as "music of general appeal to teenagers; a bland watered-down version of rock'n'roll with more rhythm and harmony and an emphasis on romantic love" so that sorta leaves Elvis,Garth and the Beatles out of the loop,imho.
At one time, there were fairly well-defined genres. Now, the lines of division are quite blurred. For example, many of the songs you might hear nowdays on country stations would have been called pop or rock not too many years ago.

Hell, when you get Allison Krause and Robert Plant teaming up for a duet album....
I'm not sure what you call it.

[MrShotShot]

At one time, there were fairly well-defined genres. Now, the lines of division are quite blurred. For example, many of the songs you might hear nowdays on country stations would have been called pop or rock not too many years ago.

Hell, when you get Allison Krause and Robert Plant teaming up for a duet album....
I'm not sure what you call it.

altbluegrassrockountry

[super cool ski instructor]

:)) I like that.

[angelicmadrigal]

Lets weigh our options....Michael Jackson or Lady Ga Ga?

Michael Jackson or Fall Out Boy?

Michael Jackson or...aww hell I can't even name anyone else....:))

It's not hard to be the best when you're compared to crap though.

[worldklas]

Well, again, I guess it's how you define "pop" music.

Personally I don't classify the Beatles as pop.

but yeah, they were. they were the commercial equivalent of the backstreet boys or n sync in their day, and their songs are now standards. those weren't uptight critics screaming their lungs out during beatlemania. those were young girls, and without those girls, there'd be no sgt. pepper. by any definition, they were most definitely a pop act, the equivalent of irving berlin, george m cohen, stephen foster and ivor novello.

it just so happened that pop culture got it right that time, which happens rarely. when it does, it takes the world by storm. IMHO, it "got it right" for a host of others, including but certainly not limited to:

elvis presley
buddy holly
chuck berry
little richard
phil spector
ray charles
cole porter
alfred hitchcock
mark twain
walt disney
sinatra
charles schultz
bob dylan
norman rockwell
jim henson
james brown
jk rowling
prince
madonna
spielberg
nirvana
picasso
carol king
louis armstrong
vonnegaut
berry gordy
hendrix
cb demille
stan lee
howard hughes
led zeppelin
charlie chaplin
salvador dali


and most certainly michael jackson.

the artists above have had excellent fortune, the kind afforded these days to artists with half their talent. All the while they have been able to maintain their artistic integrity (for the most part). Even though some of them have lost their luster, they will always be remembered.

One's opinion of acts like these can only be objective. In other words, like them or not, they are examples of the highest of human artistic achievement married to the most profound commercial success.

[sgdp]

MJ is the King of Pop, among other things.
Freddie is the God of Rock
Beatles are The Most Important Band in Rock History


Based on previously-established honorific titles.

[JudasGoat]

I think he was a pedophile.

[BillBrown]

I think he was a pedophile.

I think you're right.

[MrShotShot]

I think he was a pedophile.

Possibly, but I'm not entirely convinced.

He was, however, a very strange and disturbed individual who retreated into a make believe child world as he got older.

Whether he was truly a pedophile or simply naive to the point that he allowed himself to be taken advantage of by people willing to do anything to make a buck, it's impossible to know.

Related to this, I was cruising around the internet over the weekend and found a pretty sketchy looking hollywood gossip site that claimed that the kid at the center of the pedophile allegations was going to be recanting his story now that MJ is gone.

Anyone else heard that?

[BillBrown]

Possibly, but I'm not entirely convinced.

He was, however, a very strange and disturbed individual who retreated into a make believe child world as he got older.

Whether he was truly a pedophile or simply naive to the point that he allowed himself to be taken advantage of by people willing to do anything to make a buck, it's impossible to know.

Related to this, I was cruising around the internet over the weekend and found a pretty sketchy looking hollywood gossip site that claimed that the kid at the center of the pedophile allegations was going to be recanting his story now that MJ is gone.

Anyone else heard that?

I haven't heard that.
I did read an interesting article on Jackson and posted it here a few days ago.

It was not complimentary, at all.
It said that Jackson was a flaming homosexual and picked up partners from such places as restaurants and casinos.

It also said he wasn't a pedophile. Those charges were false and were nothing but money grabs. They way Jackson lived made him an easy mark for that kind of thing.