[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL "Michael Jackson: One Year After" 06.23.10 BY MIKEY MIGO It's hard to believe that it's been a full year since the death of Michael Jackson. He was "The King of Pop" and sold most records than just about anyone, was celebrated in his time more than just about anyone, and entertained the entire world more than just about anyone. You can argue all day that he wasn't the absolute best of all time, but you simply cannot deny that Jackson left his mark in the world. One year after, the man's legacy still shines bright over the entertainment world and it's not looking to dim any time soon. There have been numerous more news reports, unanswered questions, and overall interest in the happenings of Jackson's world after his death. We as a collective mass try, but apparently we're not letting go just yet. Like Elvis and other music icons, Jackson's death is surrounded by controversy, conspiracy theories, and much uncertainty. Did he overdose? Was he prescribed an overdose? Was he dead before this day? Or was it cardiac arrest from years of past prescription drug use? We still don't know and it's doubtful we'll ever know for sure. Upon word of his passing, the world went bonkers. Major news sites were overloaded and went down, music stations programmed marathons of his body of work, and the outpouring of love and grief overtook the masses. Of course there are always those who will be negative about it. He was accused of horrible things, but in the end was never proven guilty of any of it. That didn't matter to most, looking for a reason to douse us in their "hater-aid." How many molestation-related jokes made it out there? How many faceless internet users downplayed or attempted to disrespect the death right afterwards? The memorial was huge. Tons of celebrities, many who were inspired by Jackson, filled The Staples Center to celebrate the life of Jackson. The part of it that stood out the most was his children speaking publically for the first time. The children spoke of their father, holding back tears as much as humanly possible, in a way that many of us never considered. Jackson was actually a real person and not the mythical figure that's been presented over the years. A real person who left behind real pain for his family. Luckily, the children were given to Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother. So far, she's kept Michael's wishes and has kept them away from the spotlight to live as normal of lives as they can. I'm sure we can all agree that it's all for the best. In time, these children will have to face the media and all that comes with being the heir to his successes. But let them grow up first and have the childhood that Michael himself never seemed to of had. Then there's Joe Jackson. He seems to be doing the same thing he did when Michael was a child and exploiting him as much as humanly possible. Michael Jackson wasn't Joe's son, but more of a business venture. Right now in Gary, Indiana we keep hearing about a new "Jackson Memorial". It's supposed to have a theatre, community center, museum, and word on the street now is that they're going to include a casino. I'm sure like everyone else, when I think of Michael Jackson I think of legal gambling. He's not the only one capitalizing on the death of Michael Jackson. Tabloid news jumped all over the alleged "gay lover" story started by people looking for a quick buck or fifteen. Randy Jackson's wife, Alejandra is throwing a fit over being forced out of Michael's mansion and into a smaller condo. Fake "memorial shows" keep popping up and getting shot down. Katherine Jackson is releasing a coffee table book dedicated to her son. A Michael Jackson karaoke dance game is being made and should be available just in time for Christmas sales. Right after his death, album sales went up. There was a point where the top 10 selling alums on Soundscan were all his. It just proved that either people wanted to get the music they've loved for years or wanted to share in the magic that was Jackson's hits like "Thriller", "Beat It", "Bad", and the dozens of other number one hits. The concert rehearsal/documentary "This Is It" hit the theaters and did very well as a view of Michael's last days. In one of the worst economic declines in recent US history, people still felt the need to spend their money on the art of Michael Jackson. What still stands out to me the most after his passing was the outpouring across the world. In the US, we saw thousands people outside of The Apollo in New York hold it down, thousands outside The Staples Center in LA, and thousands outside his childhood home in Gary, Indiana. That's just three Jackson landmarks. When it came down to it the entire world and a reportedly a figure in the BILLION range watched his funeral and shared the moment. You see a great artist as Michael Jackson definitely was, creates art that people can share. The last days that Michael Jackson was here, even in death, ended up being a beautiful thing. After years of him spreading the word of unity and peace, he brought the world together for one last time. There are moments in history, tragic or celebratory, that the world unites. Ten, twenty, thirty years from now we'll all be able to answer the question, "Where were you when Michael Jackson died?"