A Supernova is Born

On the month of July, was the one month anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Like many people in show business, his body continues to languish in the San Fernando Valley. Today we found out that his nose fell off. The story went on to say that he kept his extra noses in a jar. Why can’t a dead superstar rest in peace in his own town?

Given the million dollar send-off we staged for him a month ago, Michael Jackson may be the most famous person, in his own lifetime, in the History of Man. I’m sure when they were alive, Michelangelo, Shakespeare and Mozart weren’t exactly household names in… say…Tibet.

Michael Jackson was an extraordinary star. He was more than a bunch of hydrogen and helium – although excess helium might explain why he sang like a girl. He thought he was Peter Pan and he was — a Sergeant Pepper-Kabuki Peter Pan.

The ancient Greeks built temples to their gods, staged lavish festivals, then wrote scathing myths about the gods’ foibles and immorality. In almost 3,000 years, nothing has changed. Michael Jackson built Neverland Ranch, staged extravagant concerts and myths have been written about his foibles and immorality.

When the Greeks put their gods out to pasture, they whisked them away to the skies where they became constellations. We idolize, satirize and cannibalize our heroes, treat them like gods, then sell their image on an oven mitt.

In 1995, the movie, FARINELLI, won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. “Farinelli” was the stage name of 18th century castrato superstar, Carlo Broschi. In his day, Carlo Broschi was bigger than Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson put together. Farinelli looked and dressed like Elvis — in drag — and sounded exactly like…. Michael Jackson. While you watch the movie, you have to remind yourself that it’s Dresden in the 1700s, not Vegas in the 80s.

Michael Jackson had a lot in common with Prince – “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry” Prince. They were both born in 1958 in the Midwest: Gary, Indiana and Minneapolis. They were known as The King of Pop and The High Priest of Pop.

Michael Jackson won awards, the adoration of his fans and the respect of his colleagues. Prince has won awards, the adoration of his fans and the respect of his colleagues. But only Michael Jackson named both of his sons “Prince.”

We haven’t inducted a supernova since Princess Diana died – and that was way back in the last century. Let’s bury the man, so he can shine on, brightly — and get out of the Valley.