So why was Michael Jackson so popular?

[Andy Mann]

Let's not forget the major part Quincy Jones played in creating some of Jacksons best music, some of his later stuff was terrible!

[one eyed jack]

Idoldroog came the closest to my answer.

His emotion and sensitivity and the fact he was a humanitarian.

Michaels music and personality transcended a lot of barriers for the mere fact his music conveyed so much emotion and not necessarily the typical over done lust after a woman way.

He was cool enough to appeal to the young and reached to the old and everywhere in between. You didnt have to be any colour, race or gender to admire the mans music and this is why a lot of people forgave the odd ball moments.

I read something by Mary J Blige recently that said many musicians are afraid to share real emotion but Michael didnt.

Some of his songs if not done right would have been downright soppy (and some might agree with it) but it offered hope and love and this is the sort of thing that is priceless in a cold heartless and unforgiving world.

That was the key to his ultimate success, not forgetting the other stuff being a talented musician, great performer and the rest.

Bundled up, you could see why the guys every move was just monitored and most times misunderstood.

His last couple albums found him cracking under the pressure and a bit of anger came through..(Im sure I heard the F word in Scream) and this is why those albums didnt do as well as his younger carefree days before the allegations of child abuse.

I dont know the guy but I honestly dont think he was guilty of it. I think we live in a world where bad minded people just couldnt understand how a man with money could like kids so much.

I'm surprised with all the stuff on telly that no one has even said this.

[Jonone]

Nobody seems to hold it against Bill Wyman. He was on the One show the other week.

[awgazzm69]

lets face it he was nothing flash entertainer? yes? good singer? argueable? the boy would have been nothing if it wasnt for the magic of quincy jones

[Dave Wells]

I've been trying to work this question out for years because his music isn't that good and as a musician he doesn't compare to someone like Prince for example who is a complete genius musically.

So it must all come down to one thing :-

Because of his early success (which actually wasn't bad stuff) and then the weirdness of his life and the horrid changes he made to himself (which were to be his downfall in the end) - it was all hype basically.

[awgazzm69]

well i think ya spot on there dave,the jacjson five tracks were classic pop music at its best but, his "fame stuff" was only average and as i and a few others have commented where would he have been without the input and genius of quincy jones? his tracks were very "samey" all the ohhs and ahhs and the crotch grabbing got a boring after the first time we saw it and he kept on at it thinking it was untouchable!.
he was no musical talent thats for sure ,ok he could dance and hold a tune and yeah maybe as a sort of all round entertainer he was fine but there is no way he can be held in such esteemed company as genuine musical talent as dave mentioned prince etc

[beutelwolf]

I never 'got' Michael. His music was not my taste, and I found his (sadly) influential pop videos rather pointless, all these dance routines with large groups of dancers - fine for the stage, but on video?