RIP: Michael Jackson, King of Pop
By Kamla Bhatt • Jun 25th, 2009Category: Books, Movies, Music, Televison, People, YouTube Videos
The legendary musician Michael Jackson, King of Pop, passed away today apparently of a massive cardiac arrest. Earlier in the day a 911 call was placed from Jackson’s home and he was taken to UCLA Medical hospital, where he died according to various reports.
He was only 50 years old.
There was barely any hint in the news of any prior illness. The news therefore came as a shock to millions of people.Michael Jackson was such a central part in so many of our lives all around the world because of his music.
As one news commentator on CNN said before Barrack Obama, before Oprah there was Michael Jackson. He was a huge cross-over star, who is the first African-American entertainer to play on MTV. It is hard to underestimate the influence that Jackson had around the world, even in the remotest part of the world.
His album “The Thriller” is still the number one selling album in the world and that should underscore the power of his music. It was not just the music, but the way he dressed, his break dance, that famous moon walk and those white gloves that he wore were imitated by so many people around the world.
Trying to do the moon dance was the “in-thing” and Michael made it seem so effortless and easy. At one point wearing a white glove became some kind of a fashion symbol and I remember how that white glove made it to Bollywood movies.
In the days before YouTube and instant access to content, it was TV and specifically MTV was our main conduit to watching the latest musical videos. And I cannot remember how many times I would wait just to watch “The Thriller” video clip and like millions of people marvel at this musical genius, who gave us literally hours and hours of happiness.Jackson made his debut as a singer as a young child.
He was part of the Jackson Five that consisted of his siblings and managed by their father Joe Jackson. According to many reports Jackson’s childhood was not a happy one. It was as a teenager and a young adult that he made a big dent with his various albums including The Thriller.
But in the last 10 years Jackson had been going through a lean phasea and in recent months had been working on his comeback.
Michael Jackson thank you so much for your music and the countless happy hours of music and memories that you gave so many people.
[...] Michael Jackson, King of Pop, who passed away at the age of 50 exerted a huge influence on Bollywood and Indian film industry. It is not surprising when you think about Jackson’s influence on Indian film industry since there was and is such a natural fit: the sequined clothes, those black shoes coupled with his white socks and that famous white glove. And of course there was Jackson’s music. Bollywood and Indian films repackaged and redistributed Jackson’s brand of music and fashion to India.Whether they admit it or not, Indian film makers were heavily influenced by Jackson. Whether it was the dance steps, the music, fashion or the way the sets were created to reflect that look and feel of Jackson’s music videos. It was in the use of light, the camera angle. Basically, the whole nine yards. Some people that were clearly influenced by Michael Jackson’s music, fashion and dancing style were: Govinda, Hrithik Roshan, Bappi Lahri, Mithun Chakraborthy (the original Disco Dancer) and Chiranjeevi. I think in in recent time if there was one person in Bollywood that re-introduced Michael Jackson’s style of dancing to young movie goers it was Hrithik Roshan. Take a look at this Bollywood song with Hrithik Roshan and don’t tell me that you are not reminded of Michael Jackson? Still not satisfied? Then take a look at this video clip of Hrithik dancing and let me know if you see any Michael Jackson inspired moves here?Perhaps the person who identified closely with Jackson’s style of dancing and fashion was the Bollywood actor Govinda, who popularized break dancing through his movies. In the early part of his career you can clearly see Jackson’s stamp on Govinda in the various song and dance sequences. The Govinda that you saw in the late 1990s was a very different one when compared to his earlier avatar. Here is a video clip of Govinda and Neelam in Street Dancer.Before Hrithik and Govinda there was Mithun Chakraborty, also known as Mithun da, who popularized Jackson’s style of dancing. In this video clip of Disco Dancer, you will clearly see how Jackson influenced the dance steps. Besides Bollywood there were Telugu films that were heavily influenced by this cultural and pop icon. A hallmark of Telugu movies are their lavish song and dance sequences. An important ingredient for the success of Telugu films was the song and dance routine. It was Chiranjeevi, a young successful star in the 1980s who popularized Michael Jackson’s style of dancing through his films. Here is the Indian Thriller version.Finally, as if did not have enough exhibits to support Michael Jackson’s influence on India and the expat population that lives around the world…here is a final piece of evidence: Remember Madhu Singh and Suleimain Mirza from Britain’s Got Talent? Don’t remember? Watch this video clip, which is a great piece that captures everything that I have been trying to paint with words. Enjoy. I wonder if Michael Jackson had any idea at all about the extent of his influence in India and the Indian film industry, especially Bollywood. Perhaps, he did have some inkling. But, we will never know. Rest in peace Michael Jackson. [...]
[...] Bhatt pays tribute to MJ: Michael Jackson thank you so much for your music and the countless happy hours of music and [...]