Musicians – like every American – have every right to say most anything they want. The 1960’s gave rise to popular music as a powerful means of political expression and action. But in the end, Michael Jackson may have moved the cultural political bar further than any performer. He proved a black kid from the poor streets of Gary, Indiana could rise to become an international superstar. His music enjoyed equal company with Eddie Van Halen or Berry Gordy — black or white didn’t seem to matter. He received invitations, calls and letters from leaders as diverse as Republican Ronald Reagan, Democrat Bill Clinton and the Sultan of Brunei. News of his death sent shock waves around the globe.
He was friends with Al Sharpton and Elizabeth Taylor. He was idolized by Justin Timberlake, Flavor Flav — and Madonna. Even those who had slapped him with lawsuits — like Paul McCartney, Tommy Mottola and John Landis — praised him. Everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Diddy issued public statements of their profound sadness. In short, Michael Jackson transcended most boundaries set on Earth.
Setting aside his many oddities — of which, there are too many to count (the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, Bubbles the Chimp and those creepy sleepovers hit just the tip of the iceberg), Michael Jackson proved that sheer talent can eclipse almost anything else — race, politics, you name it. How does one build such a legacy? In this age where concert audiences are routinely served up politics with their favorite songs, isn’t it refreshing that Jackson never had the urge to preach politics while on stage? His fans never had to endure lectures about the failings of their leaders or rants about abortion or war or political hate-speak. Memo to Springsteen: you were born to run with Wendy, not John Kerry.
When Jackson appeared on MTV in the 80’s, he never lined his videos with secret political messages or code-laden song lyrics. Instead, he served up sequined gloves, moonwalks and dancing monsters. America ate it up — demanding more and more. In the 1990’s, many artists increasingly found that wasn’t enough. Music videos and programs like “Unplugged” often became platforms for music acts to pitch pet issues and politics. The channel formed its own liberal skewing news organization, voter outreach and is now a required stop for presidential candidates. Funny, but Jackson is often credited as the very reason for MTV’s success — just one glove and a moonwalk, folks – that’s all it took.
That is not to say Jackson was apathetic — far from it. When he penned the #1 smash “We Are the World,” he brought together everyone from Bono to Kenny Rogers to Paul Simon to raise money and awareness on African hunger and poverty. It was this brand of activism that ultimately made Jackson a uniter, not a divider.
Jackson’s tours were never sponsored by MoveOn.org and his songs had a catchy way of moving the dial without slamming us over the head with rhetoric. “Man in the Mirror” was cleverly written in the first-person (“I’m starting with the Man in the Mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways” not “You must start with the man in the mirror…”), it’s a little twist but a mighty powerful one.
Today’s artists searching for ways to make a cultural or political difference might learn something from Jackson. He knew the ABC’s and 123’s of never isolating your wider audience. In the end, he always seemed more comfortable on stage than in his own skin. Off the wall, yes he was. But he knew what he was doing on stage. It’s where he connected with people. But, more importantly, it was where he brought the world together.