I was watching “Jimmy Kimmel Live” a little more than a week ago when he made a crack at the expense of Michael Jackson. I laughed, people in the audience laughed, this was the norm.

For as long as I can remember, the legendary pop superstar was the butt of many crass jokes and his eccentric behavior has been coffee pot fodder at least since Reagan was in office.

With the abrupt and tragic passing of one of the world’s most recognizable names, how should a man whose private and public life can equally determine the outcome of his legacy be remembered?

In the media right now there is a constant push and tug in coverage surrounding Jackson. On one side, we’re seeing the massive amounts of continued support from fans of the “Beat It” singer from all walks of life, all across the globe. His music is constantly on radio stations and even our president even sent a personal letter of condolence to the Jackson family.

On the other end, it’s the stuff tabloid junkies crave. Questions over his alleged drug use, his children, his estate, his debt; these are issues that is causing everyone to talk. CNN, Fox News and even the Chicagoland news affiliates have been leading with stories on Jackson every night since his death.

Our generation, the later ‘80s babies probably only have lucid memories of “The King Of Pop” when his career began to plateau in the ‘90s. When I think of my actual memories of the singer’s music career growing up, I can remember watching a VHS copy of “The Making of ‘Thriller’” with director John Landis, the song he did for “Free Willy,” the “Scream” music video with sister Janet and then the lackluster 2001 album “Invincible.” All of the other staple Jackson songs have simply been burned into my brain from hearing them consistently over the years.

The more distinct memories I have was typical backseat of the bus humor related to “Wacko Jacko.” The plastic surgery, the allegations, Bubbles the monkey, the Martin Brashir documentary, the satirizing he took on “South Park;” this is the shade of Jackson that you probably have been primarily exposed to.

Jackson, however, may have been the last of an extinct breed of music immortality. No one has been able to put up the same kind of numbers he has or caused such a universal music movement in our lifetime. Maybe no one ever will.

Since his death, I’ve re-examined the connotation the singer will have of my remembrance of him. He has revolutionized music more than once and has phenomenally remained relevant for four decades. Come on, “Rock With You” is hands down one of the coolest songs ever made.
He’s done so much good for music, for charity, for pop culture enthusiasts, I don’t know if I’m comfortable letting that outweigh his reprehensible acts, but I’m not fine with ignoring the obvious character flaws either.

Michael Jackson will forever be remembered, there’s no stopping it. How he will be remembered is up to you.

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