For me, the definition of contemporary pop music is still best described in two words: Michael Jackson.

Although June 25 commemorates the third anniversary of the performer’s demise, the artiste known as the “Prince Of Pop”, as against Elvis Presley who was known as the “King Of Pop”, there still remain ongoing sightings that the artiste remains alive. Nevertheless, without indulging in speculation here, one thing that remains a certainty is that Jackson’s record label [Sony Music] and his estate, have decided that at least the artiste’s legacy continues to remain alive. It was jointly announced that Bad, the album that followed the largest selling album in the world [Thriller], is being re-launched to celebrate 25 years of the landmark release.
Not particularly innovative in its title, Bad25, much like its predecessor in 2008, Thriller25, will be re-release on September 17. The album contains a DVD of the first-ever authorised version of Jackson’s July 16, 2008 concert at London’s Wembley Stadium, two collectible booklets, and three CDs [an audio soundtrack of the concert, a re-mastered Bad album, and a CD of previously unreleased material recorded during the album sessions]. To cater to the grown market for vinyl, on June 25 — the precise day of Jackson’s death anniversary — a replica of the original seven-inch single of I Just Can’t Stop Loving You will be released. The song, written by Jackson, was sung as a duet with Siedah Garrett, who co-wrote Man In The Mirror. Garrett apparently got the slot after the original Jackson choices — in no particular order — Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Abba’s Agnetha Fältskog were unable to sing with Jackson due to other commitments.
The call from my from brother-in-law from Vermont in the US, in the early hours of that June 26, 2009, announcing Jackson’s demise appeared surreal, and the most obvious thing to do was send text messages to like-minded music buffs that the Thriller had passed away. Memories immediately reappeared of my first listen to the artiste in the late ’70s with Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough from the Off The Wall album and, with it, the catchy beat, the tight production, and above all, that distinctive voice.
Just when you thought pop songs could not get any better, it was almost a three year wait for the release for the follow up album, Thriller. Much credit to its North American success, and its global success was the concept of what was then known as “rock videos” that supported — and were supported by — Music Television, more commonly known as MTV. It may have taken another decade for the channel to finally arrive in India, but that did not prevent one of the country’s largest textile companies then [since massively diversified into other industries] to sponsor the Pre-Grammy show on Doordarshan during the early 80s, when viewers — including me — received our first opportunity to view Jackson’s video of Billie Jean; the unprecedented bass lines subsequently repeated by other artistes, but none more obvious than on Billy Ocean’s Caribbean Queen.
As I listened to Thriller’s follow up, Bad, it was also time for me to commence a closer association with the record industry. I visited the then releasing record label’s Nariman Point office in Mumbai, CBS Records And Tapes [now known as Sony Music], and heard the music with the head of international, an industry veteran now. Of course, our opinions hardly mattered as Bad scored an incredible and unprecedented five US no.1 hits.
While I began to lose touch with Jackson’s music thereafter, more to do with joining corporate life rather than any lack of effort on my part to be disinterested in Jackson’s career and music, but the lack of attention became history when it was rumoured that Jackson was going to be performing live in Mumbai. November 1996 was a reality check as I attended the show at Andheri Sports Complex, undoubtedly the concert of the decade.
Cut to the new millennium. The year 2009 was dedicated to be the year of Michael Jackson’s comeback with his first solo performance in 12 years. Fifty shows commencing July 13 were scheduled at London’s O2 Arena with 7.5 lakh tickets having already been sold. But, alas, it was not to be. While critics still continue to speculate whether Jackson’s demise was his ultimate marketing ploy, for me, his death was certainly the end of a musical era.
The writer has been part of the media and entertainment business for over 23 years, still continues to pursue his hobby, and earns an income out of it!