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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson: Ten magic moments
It’s been a long time since the focus on Michael Jackson’s life has been on the great entertainer he was and not the human freakshow they called Wacko Jacko. There is great power in death to emphasize the good and so as the self-proclaimed “King of Pop” is remembered, we go back to the time when the weirdest thing about Jackson was that he wore a lone sequined glove.
Wearing a Michael Jackson t-shirt today isn’t ironic.
Ten sensational moments in Michael Jackson’s career:
“I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 (1969). Here’s where it all started, when an 11-year-old Michael and four brothers from Gary, Ind., rejuvenated a stale Motown with a piano-driven single that still thrills today.
“Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” (1979). Jackson was having a clunky transition into adulthood until he met Quincy Jones while making the flop “The Wiz.” Jones gave Jackson a contemporary adult sound that matched the tuxedo MJ wore on the cover.
Michael performing “Billie Jean” on the “Motown 25” anniversary special (1983). The Beatles had Ed Sullivan and a post-J5 Michael Jackson had this show, when he unveiled his famous moonwalk to an incredulous audience. Nobody complained when Jackson lip-synced; he’s one of the few performers who sold millions of records because of the way he danced.
The video for “Smooth Criminal” (1988). Before the Neverland compound, Jackson’s playground was MTV and this was perhaps his greatest video, though some would select the more famous “Thriller” and “Beat It.”
The Jackson 5 performing “Dancing Machine” on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” (1974). The nation got its first true look at what the teen singer was capable of as a dancer. Many of his robotic moves had never been seen before.
“Wanna Be Startin’ Something” (1982). The best, most musically adventurous song on “Thriller,” the album that made Jackson the most famous person in the world. The African chant at the end (taken from “Soul Makossa”) takes the song to a funkily exotic place.
“Ben” (1972). A love song to a rat got Michael his first No. 1 single as a solo performer, although he was still a member of the Jackson 5.
“We Are the World” (1984). Co-written with Lionel Richie, this song raised millions for the poor in Africa and established Jackson as a star above the 39 others, who sang as a choir while MJ did his part solo.
“Never Can Say Goodbye” by the Jackson 5 (1971). A gorgeous ballad, with Michael’s most passionate vocals, this record never grows old. Although “I’ll Be There” was the biggest J5 hit, this one hits deeper.
“Man In the Mirror” (1988). A call for open hearts, this recording best exemplified the caring side of a man whose fame had put up walls. Don’t joke that the lyrics “If you wanna make the world a better place/ Take a look at yourself and then make a change,” are about plastic surgery. Not today.
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Austin tributes to Michael Jackson
There are sure to be more. Here are the ones we know about so far:
The Alamo Drafthouse, which helped organize a “Thrill the World” dance record earlier this year, is having a special edition of its Michael Jackson sing-along around midnight tonight (Thursday, June 25). UPDATE: this event is technically sold out.
Michael Jackson songs, “the jams that got us through the ‘80’s,” will play tonight (Thursday, June 25) at Red 7 Wreck room (the free lounge side of Red 7). DJ Mark Twistworthy will spin the tunes from 10 p.m. to 2a.m. No cover, some drink specials.
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Michael Jackson dies
Update: LA Times reported at 5:15 p.m. CST that Michael Jackson has died.
Earlier: TMZ, Los Angeles television station KTLA and other news outlets are reporting Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital this afternoon in cardiac arrest.
KTLA says the singer was not breathing when Los Angeles EMS crews arrived, and that paramedics performed CPR en route to UCLA’s hospital.
Joe Jackson told TMZ his son “is not doing well,” while another, unnamed family member said the world-famous performer is in “really bad shape” and that relatives are rushing to his bedside.
Additional updates as more information becomes available.
The Alamo Drafthouse, which helped organize a “Thrill the World” dance record earlier this year, is having a special edition of its Michael Jackson sing-along around midnight tonight.
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Trouble & Bass, tonight
Definitely looking forward to tonight’s show at Beauty Bar by NYC DJ crew Trouble & Bass. Wanna hear what I’m so excited about? Download this thumping free promo mix: http://www.sendspace.com/file/x37edr.
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Weekend picks: Killer punk, Latin funk and a tribute to a fallen friend
FRIDAY
Sweatbox 16th Year Anniversary at Emo’s. For 16 years now, Sweatbox has been the punk rock studio in Austin. Hundreds of killer bands have recorded there. Friday night’s show features with Tia Carrera, Cause for Applause, Insect Sex Act and more. Saturday’s show features Sugarshack, Gospel Truth, Hex Dispensers and more. 9 p.m. Each night is $8 advance, $10 door. — Joe Gross
Also recommended
- John Vanderslice at the Parish
- Leftover Crack, Trash Talk at Red 7
- Seela at the Hole In the Wall
- The Orb at the Mohawk
- Car Stereo (Wars) Last Show/Going Away Show at the Beauty Bar
- Guitar Shorty at the Continental Club
- Hollywood Gossip at the Scoot Inn
- Split Hoof, Amplified Heat at Room 710
- The Distant Seconds at the Creekside Lounge
- Chant at Elysium
- Grimy Styles at Flamingo Cantina
SATURDAY
Grupo Fantasma at Threadgill’s South. They’re one of the best live dance bands in Austin and possibly one of the great Texas bands. A chance to see Grupo’s poly-rhythmic, 11-piece Latin funk is always cause for celebration. Or at least heavy, sweaty dancing. 9 p.m. $15. — J.G.
Also recommended
- Ben Kweller, Jones Street Station, Murdocks at Emo’s
- Reivers reunion at Nutty Brown Cafe
- Eliza Gilkyson at Cactus Cafe
- Belaire, Cryptacize at the Mohawk
- The Upper Crust, Gentlemens Social Club at Red 7
- The Lemurs at Club DeVille
- DJ Mel at the Beauty Bar
- Red Leaves at Back Alley Social
- Stone Dakota, We Were Wolves at Trophy’s
SUNDAY
Poodie’s Picnic at the Backyard. Willie Nelson’s longtime stage manager Poodie Locke died unexpectedly of a heart attack last month. This is a show of how much he was loved and how badly he is missed. Joe Ely, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Billy Joe Shaver, Carolyn Wonderland, Reckless Kelly, Billy Bob Thornton and many more will be on hand. Willie has not been announced, but you never know. $20. Music is 2 -11 p.m. — Michael Corcoran
Also recommended
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R.I.P. Sky Saxon
Sky Saxon, founder of the brilliant ’60s garage band the Seeds, died Thursday morning at St. David’s Hospital.
The newly minted Austinite, born Richard Marsh, was hospitalized Monday with what doctors suspected was an infection of the internal organs, but cause of death has not yet been released.
Saxon fell ill last Thursday, but performed at Saturday at Antone’s with recent Austin collaborators Shapes Have Fangs.
Sky’s wife Sabrina Saxon posted news of his passing on Facebook this morning: “Sky has passed over and YaHoWha is waiting for him at the gate. He will soon be home with his Father. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep him here with us. More later. I’m sorry.”
We are sorry as well.
Saxon was the founder of the Seeds, one of the all-time great first-wave garage rock bands. If the Rolling Stones was the sound of five British guys trying to imitate Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf and failing in new and strange ways, ’60s garage rock was the sound of American kids trying to imitate the Stones and (similarly, brilliantly) missing the mark.
The Seeds fell together in 1965 around a core of Saxon and guitarist Jan Savage with keyboardist Daryl Hooper and drummer Rick Andridge. The bands’s first couple of singles — ‘Can’t Seem To Make You Mine’ and ‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ — are ’60s punk classics, snotty and fuzzy and brief. Check out their first two albums — ‘The Seeds’ and ‘A Web of Sound,’ both from that magic rock year 1966 — for perfect examples of proto-psychedelic roar.
After a few more records, Saxon broke up the Seeds in 1970, joined the spiritual commune the Source Family, adopted the name Sunlight and played with the Source Family band YaHoWha 13 now and then.
He continuted to make albums since with various lineups, distributing his music via the Internet at www.skysaxon.com. He came to Austin in March for the second annual Psych Fest and never really left, according to his publicist, keeping a very low profile until recently.
We profiled him here in March.
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Guest list giveaway: Austin360 presents Built By Snow at Stubb’s
We’re giving away tickets to see keyboard wizards Built By Snow and ambient indie rockers The Soldier Thread performing as part of the Austin360 concert series tonight.
Email us at events@statesman.com before 5 p.m. to enter. You MUST include your full name, email address and daytime phone number in the email to win. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified tomorrow. For complete contest rules email events@statesman.com.
