來源：mjjcn.com 2005-06-08
For several years, Michael Jackson has been in the news more for his activities outside of the studio than he has for his artistry. Whether or not the King of Pop goes to jail, one thing remains certain: Michael Jackson is one of the greatest performers of all time, with a musical legacy of timeless records and historic moments.
The Beatles had already set the standard for boy bands, but the Jackson 5 were like no other. They played instruments, had synchronized dance moves, wore puffy afros and snazzy threads, and their trump card — Michael — would propel them to legendary status over the next decade.
The Jacksons ' blitzkrieg left no stone unturned: They had hit albums, sold-out concerts, a Saturday-morning cartoon and more merchandising than your average summer blockbuster film. Still, the public needed to hear more from the collective's breakout star. Michael had been dropping solo albums between Jackson 5 records, but it wasn't until Michael hooked up with producer Quincy Jones for 1979's Off the Wall that the masses would see his full potential.
That album, arguably Jackson 's best, highlighted his angelic vocal stylings with Jones' blend of funk, disco and R&B. More than 25 years later, songs like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" can crush anything on today's charts. Little did the world know Jackson was just warming up, because three years later, with the release of Thriller, the singer took his career where no other solo artist, before or after, has been.
Thriller wasn't just an album; it was a phenomenon that has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. As much as the fans were into Jackson 's music, many were more infatuated with him as a person. Coming into adulthood in the '80s, M.J. had a whole different swagger from anything we had ever seen or will see. Everything he did was an event. When he put on the white glove or a jacket like the ones he wore in the videos for "Beat It" and "Thriller" ?every kid had to have one. Jackson truly was the epitome of a universal superstar because no matter what age, sex or race you were, he had a special place in your heart.
Then there was his performance. You think Usher or Justin Timberlake or Omarion have some steps? The three of them combined couldn't begin to compare with Jackson 's genius on the stage. His choreography became iconic: The high leg kick, the crotch-grabbing and, of course, the moonwalk became synonymous with greatness. Michael didn't need 18 background singers and dancers or a baseball team's worth of hypemen ?all he needed to connect with his fans was a mic, his dazzling white socks and the black penny loafers.
Not only did Jackson dominate radio and the charts in the '80s, he was a trailblazer on television as well. "Thriller" is still regarded by many as the greatest music video ever made, and in the years that followed, his mini-movies such as "Remember the Time" and "Jam" would solidify his status as the music-video standard bearer.
How much of an impact has Michael Jackson's legacy had? Just ask artists like Usher, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Beyonc? All of them cite M.J. as a major influence on their careers and continue to pay homage to him in their videos and music.
Regardless of whether the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is convicted, there's still no erasing the memories we have of staying up late to watch him take home an armful of trophies at the 1984 Grammy Awards, or seeing him ease on down the road in "The Wiz." Of course, some critics will argue that, over the last 13 years, Jackson 's musical output hasn't been what it once was ?but after almost 40 years of making music, he has nothing left to prove.
Michael Jackson作為表演藝術家留下的遺產地位不可動搖
MTV新聞的嘻哈樂編輯Shaheem Reid對Michael Jackson的音樂事業做出一番發自內心的評論
近年來，人們在報道中看到有關Michael Jackson的消息大多都跟他的個人生活而非其藝術成就有關。無論流行樂之王會不會進監獄，有一件事是始終不變的：Michael Jackson是有史以來最偉大的藝人之一，為世界留下了偉大的音樂遺產並為樂壇帶來過不少歷史性時刻。
在'NSYNC、後街男孩、B2K、New Kids這些男孩團體登上排行榜前，甚至在Ronnie、Bobby、Ricky、Mike、Ralph和Johnny組成新團體New Edition之前，Michael就已經和他的哥哥（Tito, Jackie, Marlon 及 Jermaine）憑借1969年專輯《Diana Ross獻上Jackson 5》聲名大噪。
雖然之前披頭士樂隊已經確立了男孩樂隊的模式，不過The Jackson 5卻跟一般的男孩團體不一樣。他們會演奏樂器、跳著相同的舞步、留著膨散的非洲式發型、身穿花哨服飾，而且在整個70年代他們的王牌人物──Michael──更是把這個組合擁有了傳奇地位。
雖然跟其長兄們相比，當時才10來歲的Michael害羞而天真，但這個小孩已經成為巨星也是不爭事實。他的舞步比James Brown更受觀眾喜愛，他的歌聲清澈而充滿激情讓人難以想像如此年輕一個孩子能飽含激情地唱出“ABC”、“The Love You Save”、“Dancing Machine”、“Blame It on the Boogie”以及“Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”之類的歌曲。
The Jackson 5的突然竄紅創造了所有能創造的奇跡：他們擁有排行榜冠軍專輯，門票被搶購一空的演唱會，每週六早上播出根據他們的經歷改編的卡通片，還有比一般的暑假票房冠軍電影更多的相關商品。盡管如此，公眾依然想看到組合中的某個成員單獨發展。在Jackson 5期間，Michael一直都在發行個人唱片，不過大眾充分看到他的音樂潛能還是在他1979年與Quincy Jones合作了《Off the Wall》之後。
有人稱這張唱片是Jackson最好的作品，他在其中通過Jones的放克、迪斯可和R&B等音樂元素突出了自己天使般的嗓音。就算25年後的今天，“Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough”和“Rock With You”這些歌曲仍然可以登上排行榜冠軍寶座。但是人們當時沒有料到的是那張專輯不過是Jackson用來熱身的，因為在那三年之後，他發行了《Thriller》，並將自己的事業推上沒有任何獨唱歌手能及的高峰。
《Thriller》不僅是張專輯，它還是一個現象；它在全球銷量超過5000萬張。盡管歌迷們都十分欣賞他的音樂，許多人更對他本人極為著迷。進入80年代後，Michael Jackson更成為人們之前無法想像也不敢想像的巨星。他的一言一行都是大事。當出現在“Beat It”和“Thriller”音樂錄影帶中的他穿上紅色甲克待上白色手套時，每個孩子都得有那麼一套行頭。Jackson確實成為了全球超級巨星的代表，因為不論你的年齡、性別和種族，他都會在你心中佔有一席之地。
還有就是他的表演。你覺得Usher或Justin Timberlake或是Omarion會跳舞嗎？就算他們三個人加起來也比不上Jackson的表演天賦。他的舞蹈帶領了所有歌手的舞蹈風尚：踢腿、觸摸胯部，當然還有本身就代表偉大的太空步。Michael用不著18個伴唱或伴舞，也不用成群的宣傳人員──他與歌迷們交流時需要的不過是一隻麥克風、耀眼的白色襪子和一頂黑色軟呢帽。
80年代的Jackson不僅霸佔了電臺節目和歌曲排行榜，他還是主宰電視的先驅者。至今“Thriller”依然被看作是有史以來最偉大的音樂錄影帶，在隨後數年裏，他的音樂錄影（如“Remember the Time”和“Jam”）更鞏固了他作為這個領域帶頭人的地位。
Michael Jackson所留下的音樂遺產究竟帶來了多大影響？問問像Usher, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg和Beyonce這些藝人就知道了。他們都把Michael Jackson看成自己事業上最有影響的人物並且持續在他們的音樂及其錄影帶中表示對他的敬意。
不管這位兩次入選搖滾名人堂的巨星是否有罪，我們都無法忘卻1984年看著他抱著8項葛萊美大獎滿載而歸的景象，也不會忘記他在《綠野仙蹤》當中的輕松表演。當然也有批評家爭論道，在過去13年中Jackson在音樂上的創作已經不如從前那般──但是，做了近40年音樂的他已經沒有什麼不能證明的了。
在'NSYNC、後街男孩、B2K、New Kids這些男孩團體登上排行榜前，甚至在Ronnie、Bobby、Ricky、Mike、Ralph和Johnny組成新團體New Edition之前，Michael就已經和他的哥哥（Tito, Jackie, Marlon 及 Jermaine）憑借1969年專輯《Diana Ross獻上Jackson 5》聲名大噪。
雖然之前披頭士樂隊已經確立了男孩樂隊的模式，不過The Jackson 5卻跟一般的男孩團體不一樣。他們會演奏樂器、跳著相同的舞步、留著膨散的非洲式發型、身穿花哨服飾，而且在整個70年代他們的王牌人物──Michael──更是把這個組合擁有了傳奇地位。
雖然跟其長兄們相比，當時才10來歲的Michael害羞而天真，但這個小孩已經成為巨星也是不爭事實。他的舞步比James Brown更受觀眾喜愛，他的歌聲清澈而充滿激情讓人難以想像如此年輕一個孩子能飽含激情地唱出“ABC”、“The Love You Save”、“Dancing Machine”、“Blame It on the Boogie”以及“Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”之類的歌曲。
The Jackson 5的突然竄紅創造了所有能創造的奇跡：他們擁有排行榜冠軍專輯，門票被搶購一空的演唱會，每週六早上播出根據他們的經歷改編的卡通片，還有比一般的暑假票房冠軍電影更多的相關商品。盡管如此，公眾依然想看到組合中的某個成員單獨發展。在Jackson 5期間，Michael一直都在發行個人唱片，不過大眾充分看到他的音樂潛能還是在他1979年與Quincy Jones合作了《Off the Wall》之後。
有人稱這張唱片是Jackson最好的作品，他在其中通過Jones的放克、迪斯可和R&B等音樂元素突出了自己天使般的嗓音。就算25年後的今天，“Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough”和“Rock With You”這些歌曲仍然可以登上排行榜冠軍寶座。但是人們當時沒有料到的是那張專輯不過是Jackson用來熱身的，因為在那三年之後，他發行了《Thriller》，並將自己的事業推上沒有任何獨唱歌手能及的高峰。
《Thriller》不僅是張專輯，它還是一個現象；它在全球銷量超過5000萬張。盡管歌迷們都十分欣賞他的音樂，許多人更對他本人極為著迷。進入80年代後，Michael Jackson更成為人們之前無法想像也不敢想像的巨星。他的一言一行都是大事。當出現在“Beat It”和“Thriller”音樂錄影帶中的他穿上紅色甲克待上白色手套時，每個孩子都得有那麼一套行頭。Jackson確實成為了全球超級巨星的代表，因為不論你的年齡、性別和種族，他都會在你心中佔有一席之地。
還有就是他的表演。你覺得Usher或Justin Timberlake或是Omarion會跳舞嗎？就算他們三個人加起來也比不上Jackson的表演天賦。他的舞蹈帶領了所有歌手的舞蹈風尚：踢腿、觸摸胯部，當然還有本身就代表偉大的太空步。Michael用不著18個伴唱或伴舞，也不用成群的宣傳人員──他與歌迷們交流時需要的不過是一隻麥克風、耀眼的白色襪子和一頂黑色軟呢帽。
80年代的Jackson不僅霸佔了電臺節目和歌曲排行榜，他還是主宰電視的先驅者。至今“Thriller”依然被看作是有史以來最偉大的音樂錄影帶，在隨後數年裏，他的音樂錄影（如“Remember the Time”和“Jam”）更鞏固了他作為這個領域帶頭人的地位。
Michael Jackson所留下的音樂遺產究竟帶來了多大影響？問問像Usher, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg和Beyonce這些藝人就知道了。他們都把Michael Jackson看成自己事業上最有影響的人物並且持續在他們的音樂及其錄影帶中表示對他的敬意。
不管這位兩次入選搖滾名人堂的巨星是否有罪，我們都無法忘卻1984年看著他抱著8項葛萊美大獎滿載而歸的景象，也不會忘記他在《綠野仙蹤》當中的輕松表演。當然也有批評家爭論道，在過去13年中Jackson在音樂上的創作已經不如從前那般──但是，做了近40年音樂的他已經沒有什麼不能證明的了。
MTV News Hip-Hop Editor Shaheem Reid and production manager Renee Jackson,
Forget The Scandals: Michael Jackson's Legacy As A Performer Is Untouchable
A heartfelt testimonial on the man's musical career from MTV News' hip-hop editor.
By Shaheem Reid
For several years, Michael Jackson has been in the news more for his activities outside of the studio than he has for his artistry. Whether or not the King of Pop goes to jail, one thing remains certain: Michael Jackson is one of the greatest performers of all time, with a musical legacy of timeless records and historic moments.
Before 'NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, B2K, New Kids on the Block or even before Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny formed New Edition, Michael and his brothers Tito, Jackie, Marlon and Jermaine became an instant phenomenon when they debuted in 1969 with Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.
The Beatles had already set the standard for boy bands, but the Jackson 5 were like no other. They played instruments, had synchronized dance moves, wore puffy afros and snazzy threads, and their trump card — Michael — would propel them to legendary status over the next decade.
The pre-teen Mike stood out from his older siblings with his shy persona and innocence, but there was no denying the kid was a superstar. He could serve up a bigger dish of eye candy with his dance moves than James Brown, and his voice was so pure and soulful that it's still hard to believe that someone so young was belting out hit records like "ABC," "The Love You Save," "Dancing Machine," "Blame It on the Boogie" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)."
The Jacksons ' blitzkrieg left no stone unturned: They had hit albums, sold-out concerts, a Saturday-morning cartoon and more merchandising than your average summer blockbuster film. Still, the public needed to hear more from the collective's breakout star. Michael had been dropping solo albums between Jackson 5 records, but it wasn't until Michael hooked up with producer Quincy Jones for 1979's Off the Wall that the masses would see his full potential.
That album, arguably Jackson 's best, highlighted his angelic vocal stylings with Jones' blend of funk, disco and R&B. More than 25 years later, songs like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" can crush anything on today's charts. Little did the world know Jackson was just warming up, because three years later, with the release of Thriller, the singer took his career where no other solo artist, before or after, has been.
Thriller wasn't just an album; it was a phenomenon that has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. As much as the fans were into Jackson 's music, many were more infatuated with him as a person. Coming into adulthood in the '80s, M.J. had a whole different swagger from anything we had ever seen or will see. Everything he did was an event. When he put on the white glove or a jacket like the ones he wore in the videos for "Beat It" and "Thriller" ?every kid had to have one. Jackson truly was the epitome of a universal superstar because no matter what age, sex or race you were, he had a special place in your heart.
Then there was his performance. You think Usher or Justin Timberlake or Omarion have some steps? The three of them combined couldn't begin to compare with Jackson 's genius on the stage. His choreography became iconic: The high leg kick, the crotch-grabbing and, of course, the moonwalk became synonymous with greatness. Michael didn't need 18 background singers and dancers or a baseball team's worth of hypemen ?all he needed to connect with his fans was a mic, his dazzling white socks and the black penny loafers.
Not only did Jackson dominate radio and the charts in the '80s, he was a trailblazer on television as well. "Thriller" is still regarded by many as the greatest music video ever made, and in the years that followed, his mini-movies such as "Remember the Time" and "Jam" would solidify his status as the music-video standard bearer.
How much of an impact has Michael Jackson's legacy had? Just ask artists like Usher, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Beyonc? All of them cite M.J. as a major influence on their careers and continue to pay homage to him in their videos and music.
Regardless of whether the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is convicted, there's still no erasing the memories we have of staying up late to watch him take home an armful of trophies at the 1984 Grammy Awards, or seeing him ease on down the road in "The Wiz." Of course, some critics will argue that, over the last 13 years, Jackson 's musical output hasn't been what it once was ?but after almost 40 years of making music, he has nothing left to prove.
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