quote:
Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
Today I had the Michael Jackson fiasco on fourteen channels, okay 15 if you count BET, and while searching for alternate viewing (Animal Planet), I heard one of the network "talkin heads" say MJ was the first "black entertainer" to be embraced by "white folks"....REALLY...??
Ever heard of Nat King Cole??? His audience support was about 25 to 1 white, plus he is the first black entertainer to have his own network television show (not driven by the black population who scarcely made up 11 to 12% of viewership).
How about Ray Charles?? Actually Ray Charles Robinson, a dominant force in the entertainment business and largely supported (fan base) by white folks.
Brook Benton...Yep, I have every thing he ever recorded.
Louis Armstrong did very well with white audiences...I could go on but hopefully, you get the point.
How about Sammy Davis Jr. ... Although Michael Jackson was a great entertainer and did great things such as the "We are the World" project or was a very giving person and an extremely talented dancer that may never be matched for his range and style however "greatest entertainer"? Sammy Davis Jr. was one who also fought much tribulation and barriers to reach places that others failed to reach. Not only a very talented singer but also a great comedian and actor. There are many talented people in every race and many that overcome person obstacles. Michael Jackson could be said to be, along with many others, also a great tragedy. No doubts, with recent information, at best a severe drug addict (to prescription drugs) and an accidental overdose and at worse a potential suicide by overdose to avoid an upcoming concert that he may have felt he didn't have the capacity to complete. Most answers that went to the grave with Michael. Among those answers also the truth of the allegations of misusing children. Possibly innocent and misunderstood but when you pay off families 20+ million to remain quiet and not testify then there will always be shadows of doubt as to his innocence.
Michael wasn't the first in many categories and sadly wont, most likely, be the last but when someone so talented and popular dies at an early age there are always people who look for answers and comfort when most can't be found.