QUOTE (GMR @ Jun 26 2009, 11:05 AM)
He was a very troubled person. A black man who was good looking and decide to morph himself into a white caricature of Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor and who had a monkey as a friend. A really troubled person. He did leave us with some great music though. My favourite was "Ben". Funny enough that was about a rat!!
He was an easy target. The tabloids fell over themselves to lambast him.
He was no more troubled than a lot of other child stars, but the media singled him out for a pasting. Many child stars, deprived of what should be the best years of their lives struggle in later years.
The media loves building up celebrity & then smashing it down. A bit like Gazza, Frank Bruno, etc etc.
I bet there is already a whole slew of saddos on the 'phone to the Max Cliffords of the World wanting 6 figures sums for their made up tales.
Elvis wasn't exactly 100% when he went, Ozzy Osborne is a caricature of himself at the beck & call of his Svengali of a wife, Phil Spector is in jail for murder, It is ironic that you mention Garland & Taylor - both of whom have had a life of personal problems, insecurity & plastic surgery.
ps - I have never bought a Jackson record & don't really like his material. Weird Al did a good cover though.