Iconology
I was born in 1981, but the musical influences in my life span all the way back to the Medieval period with Josquin des Prez to the modern era with Britney Spears and 3 Doors Down. Most people claim the decade they were born as their decade - I suppose I could be considered an 80s child. However, I don't feel like the 80s were really my era.
I am a music fanatic. In two short years I will be a music director at a high school here in Montana, USA. Over the past nine years I have composed numerous pieces, as well as produced several techno and rap-beat songs.
Because of this, I am very closely tied to the modern music 'scene', for lack of a better name. I have had influence from people like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline, Roy Rogers, Neil Diamond, the Bee Gees, Jan & Dean, Captain & Tennile, The Boss (yes, yes...), The King, the list goes on and on...
So is it any wonder that when one of these music icons dies, I feel the sting a little bit differently than the average fan or listener?
When I heard the news yesterday, I shrugged it off. Just another pop sensation down the dark place, their sales will go up for a few weeks, then they will fade into obscurity, right? I even made a rather crude joke about plastic and legos and children, but we'll ignore that for now.
This morning, I woke up and realized, I now live in a world where another symbolic King has passed on. I now live in a world without another one of the greatest entertainers that ever graced this blue marble.
I now live in a world without Michael Jackson.
It's hit me kinda rough, to be honest. I'm not a die-hard fan, and I even thought he was more than likely guilty of the crimes accused him, but he was and forever will be an influence on my music career, and on the music world in general.
It bothers me on some fundamental level that now when I have kids, I have to point out pictures of the Great Entertainer and explain to them about what he did, how he lived, and what he tried to do, and then explain how he died and what was happening in his life at the time. I can only hope the stigma surrounding his personal life and his financial troubles can fade away eventually and let the truth stand tall in the world:
He was an existential musician, writer, and performer, and the world is lesser for his passing.
Rest in Peace, Michael.
-J
...and I told you 'bout equality, and it's true either you're wrong or you're right...
I am a music fanatic. In two short years I will be a music director at a high school here in Montana, USA. Over the past nine years I have composed numerous pieces, as well as produced several techno and rap-beat songs.
Because of this, I am very closely tied to the modern music 'scene', for lack of a better name. I have had influence from people like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline, Roy Rogers, Neil Diamond, the Bee Gees, Jan & Dean, Captain & Tennile, The Boss (yes, yes...), The King, the list goes on and on...
So is it any wonder that when one of these music icons dies, I feel the sting a little bit differently than the average fan or listener?
When I heard the news yesterday, I shrugged it off. Just another pop sensation down the dark place, their sales will go up for a few weeks, then they will fade into obscurity, right? I even made a rather crude joke about plastic and legos and children, but we'll ignore that for now.
This morning, I woke up and realized, I now live in a world where another symbolic King has passed on. I now live in a world without another one of the greatest entertainers that ever graced this blue marble.
I now live in a world without Michael Jackson.
It's hit me kinda rough, to be honest. I'm not a die-hard fan, and I even thought he was more than likely guilty of the crimes accused him, but he was and forever will be an influence on my music career, and on the music world in general.
It bothers me on some fundamental level that now when I have kids, I have to point out pictures of the Great Entertainer and explain to them about what he did, how he lived, and what he tried to do, and then explain how he died and what was happening in his life at the time. I can only hope the stigma surrounding his personal life and his financial troubles can fade away eventually and let the truth stand tall in the world:
He was an existential musician, writer, and performer, and the world is lesser for his passing.
Rest in Peace, Michael.
-J
...and I told you 'bout equality, and it's true either you're wrong or you're right...