Asia-Pacific News
Australians recall Jackson; he married in Sydney (Extra)
Jun 26, 2009, 2:08 GMT
Sydney - A musicologist lauded Michael Jackson for a talent he said was the equal of Elvis Presley, fellow performers spoke of how inspirational he was while Australian fans simply sobbed at his untimely passing.
'He was a musician, not a tabloid freak show,' insisted eminent rock historian Glenn A Baker. 'Just as Elvis had forged white country and black rhythm music, Jackson had white guitar rock and blended it with black funk and black soul and created a musical form that had the most incredible appeal,' Baker said.
Nikki Webster, the tot who charmed the world at the opening ceremony of Sydney's 2000 Olympics, said her fellow child star had changed the face of popular music. 'You are a true inspiration and genius,' she said.
Fan Wes Carr said it was 'pretty unsettling to wake up to that news' in Sydney, where in November 1996 a 38-year-old Jackson shocked the globe by marrying his pregnant 37-year-old nurse, Debbie Rowe.
They married in the Sheraton Hotel, taking advantage of laws that allow anyone to marry anywhere, at any time.
It was the second celebrity wedding in Sydney that surprised because of the presumed sexuality of the groom.
In February 1984, at a lavish exchange of vows overlooking the harbour, piano man Elton John married German studio engineer Renate Blauel.
John, when told in 1996 that Jackson had married in the harbour city, is reported to have made a joke at his own expense. 'All the loonies get married in Sydney,' he quipped.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Elvis didnt sell over 750million records! didnt have masterpiece videos. and at age 5/6/7 when he started his career, he couldnt have been shadowing elvis presley. YES elvis was a legend in his own right - and so was michael , he did surpass him, the guiness book of records says the same. i think millions will disagree about his voice, coz some of us got excited about michael before even watching a single video... so yep some of us would say michael was the whole package considering every single song he made was a hit to MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of pple. you can go to some remote rural area and i bet you they know who michael jackson is...talking from what i know for sure.... RIP Michael. You were and always will be - the best.
page: 1
Brian QuinnJun 26th, 2009 - 12:02:57
Michael Jackson cannot be compared to Elvis Presley. Elvis was totally unique and more than just a singer/entertainer. Elvis was an historical figure. He was the one who broke down racial and cultural barriers in 1950's U.S.A. making it easier for all pop stars who followed in his footsteps and paving the way for Dr.Martin Luther King. Elvis was the whole package - he had the talent, good looks, charisma, stage act and could act when given the chance. He also had the humility to go with it and gave away millions of dollars to charitable causes without any publicity.
Without Elvis, Michael Jackson would not have been a star.
As far as Jackson is concerned he was an excellent dancer but, in my opinion, did not have much of a voice and was extremely limited in the musical genres he cared to sing in, like so many other entertainers of the today e.g. Madonna.
His 'controversial' lifestyle and 'paedophile' accusations did not help matters but I feel that his proposed 'comeback' shows in London were the 'straw that broke the camel's back'. To do 50 shows in such close proximity would be extremely taxing for anyone aged 50 let alone someone in bad health.
He will be missed by his family and fans.
R.I.P Michael Jackson.
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