by Scott Wilson

Created on: June 27, 2009

Michael Jackson was a flawed, tragic genius.

The innovative dance, effortless fusion of pop, R&B and other genres and brilliantly produced music videos will not only survive him, but will rival the immense posthumous popularity of Elvis Presley.

There are many similarities between Elvis and Michael, but it would be incorrect to suggest that they lived identical lives. Both had inate and extraordinary musical talent, an ability to interpret and combine a wide variety of musical styles and genres, spectacular vocals and perfect pitch, and of course, hubris and tragedy as the decades of idolization began to ravage their character.

But Michael's childhood was very different. The childlike frailty of the man stemmed from a childhood lost to the obsessive ambition of his father and the unreasonable responsilibity forced upon an 8 year old boy as lead singer of the Jackson Five, one of the most popular acts in the world in the 1970's. The Peter Pan persona, claimed by Michael and encouraged by the media, is a fair assessment of the effect his childhood had on his later life as he attempted to recapture his youth.

Tragically for Michael, his delusional state manifested itself in some inexcusable behaviour, some public, some private, that will forever mar the memory. In Elvis' case, the behaviour was largely self-destructive and ultimately forgiven. It is likely however that Michael's behaviour will not so easily be forgiven, but rather remembered as part of the man and his legacy.

Several other albums were exceptional, but the Thriller album will remain his masterpiece - the highest selling album in history, the most innovative, the most technically perfect in arrangement and musicianship. The accolades that flowed from his success on this album were richly deserved but in a sense that marked the beginning of the end for Michael. After Thriller there could no longer be any doubt of his genius. The media, his producers, the army of hangers-on, all convinced Michael that he was a little magical, a little super-human. This influence on a man already deeply emotionally injured from his childhood was catastrophic. He became delusional and eventually incapable of performing.

One can only speculate, but it is likely that Michael was killed by stress. Forced back into performance by crippling debts, the pressure of his upcoming return tour may well have proved fatal.

Whatever the lasting memory is, his music will be played and his story retold for decades to come.

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