MICHAEL JACKSON

[Cinemacabre]

He gave us Thriller - an homage to what we hold dear. I wasn't a fan of his but I'm certainly a fan of that song and, even more so, that video. I thank him for that.

[Scatter]

Don't know how to post YouTube on here, but one of the most beautiful songs I remember from youth was the theme from "BEN" by Michael.

For my friend Creepy.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w

[ChattyLMS]

This is going to be Elvis-like in proportions.

I think you are right.  I feel bad about his death.  I'm not sure if he ever really found himself.  I find it odd though that just a couple of years people wanted to put him in jail and there was a lot in the media saying that he was weird.  In any case, a sad life.  I hope he has a safe trip up to heaven

[mike c]

A genius performer, a shy kid, and in the last 15 years, an amateur human being. That's no insult to the man who's passed on... if I'D been raised by Joseph and Katherine, I'd be pretty messed up too.
I had the chance to meet him a few times in the late 80's/early 90's. Shy, wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor, and something rarely mentioned even by his own publicists and biographers (unless they're discussing Thriller) but very much appreciated by those of us in the UMA: a serious serious MONSTER FAN he was. His collections of monster goodies was incredible. His love of horror movies, especially Universal Monsters and Romero's zombies, was something to behold (it's why he came up with the song and video for Thriller!).
I was (still am) repulsed by what he'd become in the last decade or so; no amount of love of his music will rid me of that. But the memories of a healthier, seemingly saner and decidedly more lovable Michael will last just as long.
Let the canonization begin. In death he will become the same as John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, ELVIS... and rightfully so.
One thing he always wanted was to be known and remembered throughout the world even after his death.
He certainly achieved that.
As sorry as I am that the trip was so crazy, Michael, I am sorrier, but not terribly surprised, that it was so short. I hope you're at peace, and that whatever your human failings and sins were, you have left them in contrition in the hands of God.

The stars that burn brightest die soonest.


Mike C.

[Paul L]

I'd too heard somewhere that he was a big monster fan, that he used to attend conventions in disguise.

[Scatter]

Nicely said Mike C.

[ChrisW]

Agree, a fitting memorial Mike.

[Bogey]

Well done, Mike.

[Dr.Terror]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36sKMwbwfWc

[avenger]

This has been a sad week all round.So many talented people gone too soon.

[Monster Bob]

Another Famous Monsters Convention 1995 story.

The one night (Saturday?), there was a big celebrity dinner and costume contest at the Universal Sheraton, on the Universal lot. Al Lewis was the MC for the contest, and because it was Hollywood, there were some of the best monster costumes I had ever seen. There were celebrities galore wandering the room (Adam West, Vampira, FJA, Angus Scrim, Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, and dozens more notables that just 'showed up', and not part of the convention formal). 

Sometime during the costume festivities, from a side door, came in the most fabulous Nosferatu costume i had ever seen. He was very tall (like 7 feet), a fantastic likeness, and built like a Disney Park costume, quality-wise. Superior, bar none. There was a screen in the neck so the wearer could function. Of course, a 4 year old little girl, dressed as the Bride of Frankenstein (I think) won the contest, the 15 or so contestants standing on a riser/stage with Al.  Afterwards, they all came down and mingled with the crowd. I went over and checked out the Nosferatu close up, and I was amazed. A 5-10 thousand dollar costume I was thinking, and I think he came in 3rd or 4th! I did go up to him and congratulate him on the great costume, and I got a little knod, but no speech. He then disapeared for the night, literally sneeking out the same way he appeared.

There was an article in the LA Times the next day, all about the convention (which received a lot of press), and even brought up the celebrity-studded costume contest and even Nosferatu. As it turned out, the guy in the Nosferatu costume was a celebrity, too- it was Michael Jackson! 

[poseablemonster]

Great story, Bob.  That one made me smile on this sad day.

[Illoman]

My two Michael encounters were these: I recall shamefully hiding a copy of his Thriller lp that I was buying for my girlfriend as a gift (hey, I was a *rocker*!!) lest anyone I knew should see me, and when the Thriller album came out we were forced at work to play the video over and over to promote it. One day I couldn't stand it any more, and took a knife to that videotape!!

Mike

RIP Michael!

[Scatter]

 Michael Jackson............the last picture.

http://www.etonline.com/

[FACTO2]

A lot of tallent.  A lot of personal pain.  R.I.P., Michael.