The last two days, the news of the passing on of Michael Jackson seems to have dominated TV, radio and even the blogosphere. Indeed, everywhere you look, there is a tribute to the King of Pop and rightly so. I am not a fan of MJ's but it is indisputable that he was an extremely talented individual and his impact on the music scene, on culture and on millions of people is quite indisputable.
It is regrettable that towards the latter years, the focus had been more about his idiosyncrasies and problems in his private life. Yet, his positive legacy is what I believe will take central stage again with his passing.
A few of us was at a coffeeshop in Kuala Lumpur and we were wondering who else would have such a global impact and response upon his death besides MJ and we had trouble coming up with a name. MJ's influence really seems to have crossed many divides. He reached out to both blacks and whites and other cultural boundaries. He was huge even behind the previous Communist block nations including Russia and even China.
In Malaysia, one cultural legacy of MJ's is a drink that is named after him. The drink consists of soya bean milk and cincau (a black colored grass jelly that is made from boiling grasses from the mint family; specifically Mesona chinensis). The result is a black and white concoction which in honor of MJ's hit song "Black and White" was named the Michael Jackson.
And so, my small circle of friends raised our glasses of Michael Jackson and toasted the King of Pop, wherever he is.....may he be at peace.
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20 comments:
thats great, i wasn't the biggest fan, but his music reminds me of my youth, and his passing reminds us that life is short and precious.
I have to say.. that drink doesn't look particularly appealing... but then, I live in the land of boiled bacon and cabbage, so what would I know! It would be interesting to find out what other food/drink/things, are named in honour of the micheal fella... Hope he's finally at peace..
I agree about MJ. Eccentric as heck, but he did indeed have a great effect on the world.
I can't believe you were up in Dorset! That is so cool! It is a lovely little town. When I was a teenage, out on my own for the first time, I lived there, right on the channel going trough town for a while. It was across the street from Robinson's general store.Our cottage is about 5 miles from there on Kawagama Lake.
I hope he is at peace too. When they announced his "50 sold out concerts" in London, I wondered how on earth he was going to perform them, he had become so frail. In the last 15 years, all we have heard of him is the negative stuff, but his "Thriller" album was one of the most amazing albums ever produced, and that is how I would like to remember him, even though it was almost 30 (!!!) years ago. Like other icons, (Elvis, Marilyn ... ) perhaps it is best that we don't see people slowly burn out and become caricatures of their former selves. That would be even more heartbreaking.
I do hope he is at peace.
His entire life seems sad to me despite his enormous talent. I think he was rare in that most people are either gifted or eccentric; few are both to the degree MJ was. His influence was huge and widespread and his musical legacy is boundless, plus every dancer who came after him is in his debt to some degree.
The man had talent and I wonder how he will be remembered? He wasn't happy and was not in the best of health. I feel for his children. They will have to deal with alot. I hope it doesn't turn into a circus around them. We can't help MJ now. But I hope his children are watched over by God. It is sad.
That drink is really interesting.
And thank you for one of the more appropriate sentiments I've heard regarding this: may the poor man be now at peace indeed.
John Lennon, Janis Joplin, Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, all left an impressive legacy of work still in rotation all over the worlds airwaves today. Especially Lennon.
But as I have said elsewhere I am of the mind to let the dead remain asleep in the house of their ancestors and am now again waiting for the TV stations to quit trying to pump the last pennies out of the cash machine named MJ.
Sally,
Many of us grew up with his music and dance moves. Though I am not a fan either, he will be remember as an icon of this generation. And yes, we do need to be reminded that life is precious and short.
watercats,
I thought yours was the land of the potato and Guinness! :)
But you are right about the drink, it's not for everyone. Some people don't like either of the ingredients and even less the resultant combination.
lorac,
I stayed for a couple of days at someones cottage near Dorset. All I remember was it was somewhere north and west of Dorset. Can't remember the name of the lake. Didn't remember the name of Dorset until you described the channel and the firetower. I certainly remember those two things!
Jo,
You make a good point. No matter what greatness we achieve at the peak of life, it is also important to know how to exit gracefully.
hearts,
In the end, it can be said he has made a distinct and significant difference and music and dance will never be the same again.
Joyce,
It is good of you to remember the welfare of his three children. I too hope that they will be protected from all those wolves that surround celebrities.
Jocelyn,
Thank you for your kind words. MJ was a special individual who made a huge and positive impact on the world but he was also a man with many faults and problems. In the end, we all hope to be at peace.
Mark,
While I too tire of having MJ occupy 90% of the news for the last three days now, I surrender to the fact that the world needs to have this time of reflection.
That was nice. Too many bloggers are jumping on the "let's trash MJ" bandwagon. Ya, he lived a very bizarre life and did a lot of strange things, but he was also a very tortured individual who, I think, never really had a chance at a normal life. I hope he's found peace at last
That drink looks cool and refreshing, almost like a milkshake... could go for one of those... can you beam one over to France ? Or do I have to come fetch it ?
Otherwise, I appreciate your balanced treatment here on what is obviously a controversial subject... I agree, anyone who could mesmerize so many millions of people certainly had a huge talent.
The drink sounds very good. And you're right. I hope MJ is in peace, finally.
xup,
Unfortunately, there will be a lot of dissecting, discussing and speculating of MJ's life. We need not add to it. Let the man have peace at last.
Owen,
I hope you will get your chance to try the drink one day.
Cheryl,
It is a good drink. A favorite of mine.
Thank you for this post. I feel the same way about MJ and am glad to see a well balanced post. I enjoyed most of his music and hated to see his social and self destruction. Thanks for sharing again.
Smiles
LGS, what a nice bit of info to know about MJ's influence overseas (overseas to us in the U.S., not overseas to you guys in Malaysia). I must say, I am a fan of soy milk (that's all I drink) and the glass looks downright refreshing.
Thanks, LGS, for keeping OUR glass always "half full" here in the blogosophere!
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