Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dead at 50
June 25th, 2009 by Regina Rainwater
As the stunning news of Michael Jackson’s sudden death made its twittering way through the intertubes like lightning, I thought of how much the kid from Gary, Indiana was a part of my life. Throughout my childhood, Jackson 5 music was as ever present as Otter Pops in summer. I watched the weekly Saturday morning cartoon series and variety show religiously and, when Post Super Sugar Crisp put one of their records for free on the back of the cereal box, I cut it out with meticulous care (probably with the “illegal” Big Girl scissors) and played the wavy cardboard and plastic disc on my cheesy avo-gold record player. The stuffed animals were gathered as stand-ins for the other Jacksons as I “sang lead” and “danced,” presumably as Michael. I watched in stunned amazement when he and his brothers introduced popping, locking, and the robot into the mainstream. I coveted his little sister Janet’s pom-pom ponytails and was inconsolable when, to my elementary school horror, I couldn’t duplicate the look because I didn’t have the right hair type. Occasionally, if I reflect upon this gross injustice long enough, I still am…but I digress.
When I was able to attend the Jackson’s Victory Tour at Dodger Stadium in December 1984 with floor seats (first base sounded great, until I arrived and realized the Jacksons were in the outfield with a sea of people in between), one of the biggest concerts to that date with 60,000 or more in attendance, to say I was thrilled would be an understatement. Not too long after, I was fortunate to be a production assistant on Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” featurette. I remember it was some time before Jackson arrived on the Culver Studio lot. I was a sound assistant for the dancers during rehearsals as we waited to find out the music. Finally, stripped-down tracks arrived. Then, without warning or our notice, Jackson quietly arrived, walking the perimeter of the cavernous sound stage while checking everything and everybody out. He wore his then ubiquitous surgical mask and loafers with white socks.
As we realized his presence, a hush came over everyone, and just that quickly–he was gone. After this and a few other appearances, unless you were an actor, dancer, or choreographer, no one saw Jackson or his creative process until shooting began. Even then, it was a tightly closed set, whether you worked on the on the production or not. Sadly, until the wrap party, much of the rest my time was spent in the production office. Jackson was a perfectionist, and there were many, many late nights. A couple month gig turned into several. I never officially met Michael, hardly anyone did; however, I did get to meet Sean Lennon, hold Michael’s chimpanzee Bubbles for two seconds, and I received a swell picture of the entire production crew, talent, and money men on the set. Somewhere, behind the dancers, you can see my head peak out.
Endlessly afterward, and especially today, when I think of him, my brain is wired to hear the synclavier opening and refrain “Annie are you okay, are you okay Annie?” from “Smooth Criminal.” I recall the choreographer beginning warm-ups, daily without fail, with “The Payback” by James Brown, and the dancers working through seemingly odd choreography sequences. And the entourage. Oh, and the smell of various colognes and perfume in his trailer. Michael Jackson forever altered the recording industry and touched the universe with his music and performance. Now is the time to remember all the joy he spread with his talent, not the unsavory tabloid headlines of pop’s lost boy. The love you save may be your own.
Want to reminisce or learn more about the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking work?
Share your memories in the comments below or read the following entries on Pop Culture Universe:
- “The Modern Dance, 1977–1985″ from 100 Albums that Changed the World (2007)
- “Early Video Stars” from The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History, Volume 5: The Video Generation, 1981-1990 (2006)
- “Concerts for Humanitarian Causes” from The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History, Volume 5: The Video Generation, 1981-1990 (2006)
- “The Jackson 5″ from The Unofficial Encyclopedia of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame (1998)
- “MTV and Reaganomics” from The Story Behind the Song: 150 Songs that Chronicle the 20th Century (2004)
- “The 1980s: Music” The 1980s (2007)
- “Motown Recording Company” Historical Dictionary of the 1960s (1999)
- “The Jackson Five” from Historical Dictionary of the 1970s (1999)
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