Introduction

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Introduction and description of the podcast, goals, modus operandi.

Eclecticist is an investigation of everything, one topic at a time. Our discussion is from a British perspective by two brothers who consider themselves to be relatively normal chaps.
We Choose a topic of interest, spend a little time researching it, have a discussion, publish the notes.
We are Benjamin de-Campos (designer, believer), Geoffrey Campos (engineer, godless and therefore wicked).
The main benefits are the fostering of a greater understanding of the world before we die and hopefully, to prompt further thought and discussion from our listeners.

The topic we will be discussing in today’s show is Michael Jackson, the King of Pop

Topic Overview

At one time, in virtually every walk of life, the name Michael Jackson was synonymous with pop, superstar, band-aids. As is so often the way with these mega global icons, it didn't take long for the extravagant not-of-this world facade to slip and make fertile soil for scrutiny every bit as extreme as the strange creature himself. You see what I did there? It's all too easy to forget that Michael Jackson was a human being. What's also seemingly easy to forget is just how talented he was. Just compare the two Kings: Jackson was a songwriter that actually wrote all his biggest hits. Elvis Presley didn't write anything. Jackson also invented the phrase 'sho-mo'. Both men, however, were white, went weird and died prematurely. Michael Jackson: Bad?

Off Topic

(What we’re not talking about.)

shoes for cats

Talking Points

Upbringing Family brought up as Jehovahs, abuse and violence
Professionalism Workaholism
Performance Moves, set pieces, moonwalk, pirouettes, robot, Honed style, in his own world
Music r&b rock fusion, trebly, Live experience
Voice nervous warble, beat boxing
Acting and movies, Moonwalker (1988), Thriller (1982)
Media relationship, celebrity, intrusion
Finances Almost ruined when abroad in Bahrain
Religion Messiah complex?
Philanthropy Good works, deeds
Controversy Alleged kiddie-fiddling
Health alteration, skin lightening, so much plastic surgery, he appeared inorganic
Psychology

Reclusion
“I'm totally at home on the stage. That's where I live. That's where I was born. That's where I'm safe.”
“Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends, and there are some things you can't talk to your parents about. I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home.”
Lack of an actual childhood, subsequent adult childhood
Shyness
Sensitive
“Both mom and dad knew that music was a way of keeping the family together in a neighborhood where gangs recruited kids my brothers' ages.”

Death drug addiction, heart attack, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, anaesthetics
Legacy How do people view him now?

Timeline

1958 Born Aug 29th, Gary, Indiana
1969 First Jackson 5 performance. No 1. with 'I want you back'
1970 Jackson 5 No. 1s: 'ABC', and 'I'll Be There', 'The Love You Save'
1972 First No. 1 solo hit 'Ben'
1974 Introduces 'the robot' on Soul Train.
1978 Played the Scarecrow in the movie musical 'The Wiz'
1979 'Off the Wall'
1982 Beat It, Thriller, Billie Jean
1984 Hair catches fire on set while filming a Pepsi commercial.
1987 Bad
1988 Moonwalker movie
1991 Dangerous
1994 child molestation charges settled. Marries Lisa Marie Presley.
1995 HIStory
1995 MTV Video Music Awards, Radio City Music Hall, New York City
1996 Divorce. Marries Debbie Rowe
1996 Brit Awards, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London
1997 Son Prince Michael
1998 Daughter Paris Michael Katherine
2001 Invincible
2002 Son Prince Michael II
2003 Charged with child molestation
2005 Acquitted
2009 Dies of drug-induced heart attack

Jargon

Gasping, clicks and pops
Whacko Jacko
Shomo, shomone, shomon

Wrap Up

Details about site, contacts, next show: The BBC
Outro music choice - something open source or out of copyright so we don’t get bummed

Claude Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1. Michael Jackson was allegedly planning to release an album of classical music according to American composer David Michael Frank. During a conversation about influences, Jackson cited as firm favourites: Copeland’s Rodeo, Bernstein’s West Side Story and Debussy’s Arabesque among others. This recording is performed by Chris Breemer and has been made available on the Piano Society’s web site.

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From the Show

Notes, corrections and further references

Jackson's autopsy. Grim reading.