MICHAEL JACKSON

[Anton Phibes]

Apparently, though not everyone that worked with him thought he was the greatest. Victoria Price's book about her late father (Vincent Price--who never spoke badly about anyone publicly)has a rather odd comment regarding Jackson that was attributed to Vince regarding his collaboration with him.  I don't know if I believe what she wrote or not (because it doesn't sound like VP to me), but give it a read.

[Wich2]

Anton, I believe I know the quote.

And I heard it from a source who claimed to have heard it from a guy who was there when it happened in Tower Records between Landis & Price.

[Wich2]

And Mike C., very well said indeed.

A TRULY tragic story; so very, very talented and with so much promise - but a broken human being. Pedophilia, in all its forms, is one of the very darkest threads running through our fallen race.

With you, I (in the words of Abraham Lincoln), "commend him to the care of the Almighty."

-Craig

[Scatter]

Not to seem nit-picky, but if the quote in question has already been published somewhere why not simply state what it is??

[Anton Phibes]

Well, the main reason is because I didn't want to turn the thread into an "opinionated/Ed McMahon" type of controversy, ultimately upset some people, and get it locked.  Also, Vincent Price is someone I hold in high regard, as some still do for Michael Jackson (I am not among them, but will respect the dead, and sympathize with his family in their time of grief.) So, I will simply say "read the book."

[Dr.Teufel Geist]

The only thing I will say is, I liked his Thriller album, actually still have the lp somewhere on my shelf.

[Crazy1van]

Michael was a showman and entertainer extraordinaire, in his day.  I saw him in concert back in '88, and even from the crappy seats it was a performance I'll never forget.  As the so-called King of Pop he helped tear down a few boundaries and racist views.  THRILLER is as much an anthem to our army as MONSTER MASH is.  I'm not in mourning, but I am sorry to hear of his passing, and my heart still goes out to those who do mourn him.  

[Anton Phibes]

The thing that really unnerves me is this: when he died, there were tons of negative commenters (on the website I linked this article to) saying really horrible things.  I like Thriller (Vincent Price! John Landis! Monsters!), but I am not a fan otherwise....although Weird Al certainly wouldn't have had such a well to draw from if not for Jackson's hits.  But I am digressing.  Back to point.

The media is hypocritical at best.  They spent the last few years utterly tearing this man down...now he's a suddenly a beloved star again (instead of "that weirdo") just because he died.  Then you have the other extreme (the people I spoke about in the first sentence) who have no respect for the dead or his family's grief.  The only person I can think of that deserves such contempt even after death would be Adolph Hitler or someone of that caliber of  infamy. I suppose when OJ Simpson dies, the media will rally around him, even after all of the negative publicity. Media=hypocrites. Negative people posting vulgarities=shame on you.   

[Scatter]

Well, the main reason is because I didn't want to turn the thread into an "opinionated/Ed McMahon" type of controversy, ultimately upset some people, and get it locked.  Also, Vincent Price is someone I hold in high regard, as some still do for Michael Jackson (I am not among them, but will respect the dead, and sympathize with his family in their time of grief.) So, I will simply say "read the book."

Understood and appreciated.

[Wich2]

Anton, you make some good points.

But what about balanced people, saying honest things - which as with all human beings, will include both good and bad?

To me, Truth can never be an insult; God knows, there's little enough of it in the world.

-Craig

[Scatter]

Anton, you make some good points.

But what about balanced people, saying honest things - which as with all human beings, will include both good and bad?

To me, Truth can never be an insult; God knows, there's little enough of it in the world.

-Craig

Agreed Craig. There should be a balance. I hate a whitewash of facts in biographies as much as I hate an intentional smearing based upon personal animus. And fortunately, I don't think with the group of people we have here that anything negative stated about anyone would ever grow into the sort of vulgar and abusive screed which so characterizes some corners of the internet.

Anton was also kind enough to write me privately and answer my question, which shows you the sort of person he is. He was just concerned about the integrity of the thread and the website. Thanks Anton!

[CreepyJeff]

 I hadn't seen the full "Thriller" video in forever.  Searched for it on youtube and found an excellent quality version of it.  I forgot how well done it was and was delighted to share it with my daughter (her first time seeing it).  Rick Baker on special effects, John Landis direction and what the?  Our beloved Forry Ackerman sitting behind Michael and his girl friend in the movie theater scene.  That was special to see and I had no idea he appeared in this.  Vincent Price was never creepier in his narration.  RIP Michael - you made some great music and will always be remembered as one of the greatest performers ever. 

[Scatter]

I hadn't seen the full "Thriller" video in forever.  Searched for it on youtube and found an excellent quality version of it.  I forgot how well done it was and was delighted to share it with my daughter (her first time seeing it).  Rick Baker on special effects, John Landis direction and what the?  Our beloved Forry Ackerman sitting behind Michael and his girl friend in the movie theater scene.  That was special to see and I had no idea he appeared in this.  Vincent Price was never creepier in his narration.  RIP Michael - you made some great music and will always be remembered as one of the greatest performers ever. 

OK, I JUST WATCHED IT and didn't see Forry. ONE MORE TIME MICHAEL!

[Crazy1van]

This is a wax figure from the Guiness Book Museum in Gatlingburg TN

Seemed appropriate, given the nature of this board.

[CreepyJeff]

OK, I JUST WATCHED IT and didn't see Forry. ONE MORE TIME MICHAEL!

Hi - here's the link from the version I watched on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8
Forry's in the row immediately behind where Michael and his girlfriend were sitting and you see him in his trademark black glasses wearing a leisure suit eating popcorn at the 4:10 mark of the video.