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Blogosphere: Michael's many faces
Gulf News Web Editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds.
- By Adam Flinter, Web Editor
- Published: 23:16 June 29, 2009
- The King of Pop's passing was pretty much the topic of conversation in the blogosphere.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
I'll always remember where I was when news broke that Michael Jackson had died. Mainly because I was tucked up in bed fast asleep, then 30 minutes later I was in the office.
The King of Pop's passing was pretty much the topic of conversation with almost everyone I knew this week, and so it was on the blogosphere.
Surprisingly, not many bloggers in the region mentioned his visits to the UAE, but most had personal tributes of memories to share. Some good, some bad, some indifferent...
Globe-spanning entertainer
fakeplasticsouks.blogspot.com wrote: So Michael Jackson's dead. I had to switch off the television to stem the tide of grief. It doesn't seem more than ten minutes ago we were all being entertained by the sight of him dangling children over balconies, facing charges of child molestation and struggling to cope with a mountain of debt from an insane lifestyle that his ailing career could no longer maintain.
The world gasped as his increasingly macabre visage leered out at them, caked in make-up and scarred by surgery after surgery, a grotesque mannequin piping platitudes in a ridiculous, squeaky-soft voice.
He died two weeks before the massive series of 'comeback' concerts, a 50-year-old man rehearsing, no doubt, to push himself through punishing routines that would defeat a 20-year-old as he put everything he had into that all-consuming gamble to try and win over the world that had turned its back on him. We can only wait and see if it's confirmed that he rehearsed himself to death.
Read in-depth report on Michael Jackson
The villagers chanting 'kill the monster' as they marched on the castle with their burning brands are now clamouring to get in front of the cameras and wail about how they missed the monster and how he wasn't a monster really, but a globe-spanning entertainer that brought joy to millions and whose loss will be felt by the whole world.
And I sat there wondering why these people who had so much love for Michael had stood by as he sank into penury, turning away from him and tutting at the freak show. The outpouring of saccharine grief was, indeed, too much for me to bear.
Tribute to a legend
syigimsharif.blogspot.com wrote: I never listed him as my favourite artist, but he's undoubtly one I cannot take my eyes off whenever he performs. One whose songs I can memorise from constant listenings, one whose news and stories never fail to capture my attention.
Like everyone on the planet, I started looking for Michael Jackson's music videos via YouTube, or clicking to MTV or Channel V for their sure-fire tribute to the pop legend.
Just last night we watched CBS' 'The life and death of Michael Jackson' - and we watched the summary of his big break with the Jackson 5, his shot to stardom, his music, his ever-altering face, his bizarre lifestyle and his untimely death.
Moonwalking in the mirror
faisal-abbas wrote: On Facebook, my school colleague Fahad, who now lives in the US, mentioned that he is remembering when he used to practice the Moonwalk in front of the mirror as a kid, while Sami - a friend who left us years ago to go study and work in the US, but now is back in Saudi Arabia, immediately began posting clips of his favourite music videos, such as Smooth Criminal and Bad.
However, just as I was wondering if I could find any negative comments regarding the incident, a friend of mine called me from Dubai complaining about all the hype Jackson's death is getting; he argues that the man wasn't a Princess Diana socially, or even a Bob Marley musically.
Nevertheless, he uses a statement which I immediately recognised as the 'punch line' I was looking for. He said: Despite everything, I have to admit that Michael Jackson's music was the soundtrack of our generation's life.
Jackson's red jacket
rantingsofanarabchick.blogspot.com wrote: Good lord. Michael Jackson died. Though, frankly, he died for me a long time ago... I'm guessing this isn't some sort of weird hoax... Man, he used to be so cool. I wanted that red jacket so badly.
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