Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, History Repeating

It’s now 32 years since Elvis Presley shocked the World for what we all thought was one last time, and fast approaching 32 weeks since Michael Jackson did the same. But of course as we all know, death in the music world is far from the end of a career, some say it’s a whole new beginning.

 Music is all about charts and top 10’s, so its time to compile the top 10 reasons why the king of pop, will live on in the same ever growing legendary, iconic, publicity drenched way, just as the king of rock n roll has done for so long.

 Here are my reasons, and why in many ways the two tragic tales are such similar, and intertwined stories.

 Let the Top 10 countdown begin

 10. Early, Untimely and Contentious Death

 Legend has it that when RCA heard of Presley’s death in 77, the reaction from one of the top executives was “great career move”.

Who can argue that early death is good for business, many of the pop worlds largest icons have suffered this fate, Presley, Jackson, Lennon, Marley & Mercury to name but a few. In fact it is harder to name long lived huge icons, than those that died early.

McCartney and Dylan are two that spring to mind, but even Orbison and Cash it could be argued died before their time.

 Death is death, but death shrouded in mystery and intrigue, is guaranteed publicity and ongoing debate, publicity and ongoing debate leads to ongoing and increasing iconic status with the cash generation this brings. This applies not just in the music industry but all walks of celebrity life. Anyone remember JFK, Marylyn Munroe and Princess Diana, lets not pretend anybody has forgotten them, or will be allowed to.

 9. Breathtaking Talent and Looks

 Elvis Presley has outsold any other artist living or dead, now you don’t get to do that unless a very large group of people actually like your output, your image, what they know of you, what you stand for, in short what we now in these modern, corporate times call your brand.

 One only has only to listen to the sublime Suspicious Minds or In The Ghetto, or see the images of Presley moving in his early pomp to Jailhouse Rock or any footage of him strutting around the stage like a caged karate cat, to be awestruck by his talent, and we haven’t even mentioned how good when slim he looked in those jump suites, nobody looks good in jump suites for heavens sake! Except Presley.

Image via Wikipedia

 In much the same way, as Presley defined the 50’s, and early 60’s, then went astray in the later film years. Only to return to full glory after the 68 Comeback Special to rule the music world supreme in the very early Vegas years, with an updated brand for the now older, more hip core fans. Jackson as part of the 5, was a superstar in the early 70s, I want you back, ABC, and Who’s Lovin You, surely cannot have been vocalised by a ten year old, could they ?: But they were. After this initial burst of pre pubescent magic, stardom was assured but like Presley the brightness of the glow waxed and waned until the comeback, not really a comeback as such but a return to form never to be surpassed. If Off the Wall was a taster of Michael grown up and performing solo, Thriller was the main course, and boy did it satisfy, the best selling album of all time. Packed with chart topping singles, with hit after smash, all a million miles away from his early Motown success, in sound and image. It defined popular music in the 80’s just as Presley had done in the 50’s. Not only could Jackson, sing and dance every bit as well if not better than Presley, but his stage shows were the same mix of raw energy, sophisticated, successful music and adoring fans.

Image via Wikipedia

 To be continued….