Michael & Me

Let me clarify something before I dive into the meat of this post.

I killed Michael Jackson.

Yes, you heard me.

I'll say it again.

I killed Michael Jackson.

Well, not literally, of course.

But, I was talking to a friend on her drive home from work yesterday, and she commented on the death of Farrah Fawcett.

I off-handedly said something along the lines of, "Well, that wasn't too shocking, since Farrah launched an entire media campaign surrounding her illness. But, what would be surprising is someone relatively young and unexpected passing away."

Before the conversation was over, Twitter was abuzz with the news that the King of Pop had suffered a cardiac arrest and "wasn't doing well."

So, to the Jackson family ... I'm sorry. I promised to use my superpowers for good and not evil, and apparently failed.

Seriously, the only online comment I made about Michael was this: "Yes, I owned Thriller. Yes, it was on vinyl. Yes, I'm old."

Here's the weird thing, I don't really consider myself much of a Michael Jackson fan.

I acknowledge his creative genius, and his place of inspiration for other artists, but I just wasn't a huge fan.

So, it kind of surprised me when I realized that Thriller was not just one of the few, actual, you-know, RECORDS, I owned ... it may have been the first one I EVER bought.

See, that's where those of you too young to remember America in 1982, probably don't truly understand how 0ff-the-charts (and on), unbelievably, impossibly huge this guy was.

He was so gigantic, that an 11-year-old white kid from a cow town in Ohio bought Thriller as his first foray into music.

Why? Well, first of all, at 11, you're always trying to be cool.

And you couldn't be cool if you didn't have Thriller. That's how big of a record it was, literally everyone had it.

Secondly, why a record? Well, believe it or not, boom boxes were just starting to come into vogue, and I would have one soon enough, but not before buying an actual album or 2 (the other was Def Leppard's "Pyromania".

And the third reason consisted of 3 little letters ... MTV. Yes, it was a network that, back then, actually played music videos.

Michael Jackson and MTV grew up in the early-80's together, and you could argue that Michael was the artist who pushed the network into super stardom.

The Thriller video wasn't some cheap, throwaway promotional ad shot in front of a white wall, like so many others.

Michael sunk big time money into it. Making a mini-movie, and hiring a big name director to shoot it. It was 14 minutes long, and MTV ran it twice an hour to meet demand.

(Oddly enough, I didn't realize until Jackson passed away yesterday that MTV initially refused to play his videos, and he really opened the door for African-Americans on the network.)

And the last reason for owning Thriller ... well, it was good. I mean, really, really, really good.

Jackson could have likely released almost every song on the record, and had a hit. As it was, he did release 7 of the 9 tracks.

It was laced with guest stars, from legendary producer Quincy Jones, to a duet with Paul McCartney, to the signature guitar lick of Beat It, courtesy one Eddie Van Halen.

Oddly enough, I never bought another Michael Jackson record (or tape, or CD, or digital download for that matter.)

Why? I don't really know.

Thriller was probably too perfect ... a combination of time, and place, and age, and tastes.

Jackson's death yesterday was certainly sad, but it probably didn't hit me as hard as the passing of founding E Street Band member Danny Federici last year.

For me, Springsteen's music was much more of a soundtrack to my life than Jackson's.

But, Jackson's influence is undeniable. His reach was long, despite his erratic behavior over the last 15 years or so.

And somewhere, deep down, that 11-year-old kid from Ohio, will miss him.

Musical Memories

Music is a big part of my life.

You see, like a good film, I think living requires a soundtrack. Certain songs will always take me to certain places.

For instance, I'll never forget buying Peter Gabriel's "So" album while I was in high school. It was dark out, and pouring down rain. I unwrapped the cassette (yes, I'm old) in my car, popped it in and started driving home.

As the rain beat down on my windshield, the first words from that album were these:

"Red rain is coming down
Red rain
Red rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me"

It may sound strange, but I'll always associate that song with that moment.

Much like I'll always associate Pearl Jam's "Alive" as my dorm wake-up call, after a long night on the town in college.

Or, how Hootie and the Blowfish's "Hold My Hand" and Blues Traveler's "Runaround" will always take me back to the Ohio State-Notre Dame game at the Horseshoe.

And, of course, no St. Patrick's Day memory is complete without my friend Dave playing "Fat Bottomed Girls" on the jukebox of every bar we visit. Or, how the same Dave convinced us to lead a Savannah bar in an a cappella version of "Tainted Love" when the power to that jukebox temporarily cut out during the song.

So, I have to admit, I was a little sad last night when I learned that Steven Page was leaving the Barenaked Ladies after 20 years.

I'll admit, I got into BNL a little late, but just before they went crazy big. A friend turned me on to the "Rock Spectacle" CD, and the band's live versions of "Brian Wilson" and "If I Had $1000000."

Then, "Stunt" was released, and the first single "One Week" ushered me in to full fandom.

Afterward, I went to every tour stop in NE Ohio, joined their fan club for a chance at better seats, bought their children's album (even though I don't have kids), and basically did everything but throw Mac & Cheese at the stage.

Next thing you know, 13 years had gone by.

The Ladies helped fill a period where some of my other favorite artists (Genesis, Bruce Springsteen, etc.) were somewhat dormant ... or no longer around in the forms I first fell in love with.

Now, ironically, Springsteen is back in full force with the E Street Band, and BNL is changing forever.

I know Steven Page had some legal troubles, as well as family issues, and as a fan, I hope this change helps him become healthy and happy.

He's going to keep making music, and so will BNL, with the 4 remaining members.

I'll keep supporting both ... but can't help but feel that another magical, musical time in my life is gone for good.

Anyone else have those certain songs ... that take you to specific places?

I Couldn't Resist!

I said I wouldn't do it.

I vowed I wouldn't cave.

I promised myself I'd wait.

I was wrong.

If kids are present, they may want to look away, as I'm about to admit some illegal activity.

You see, I'm a big Bruce Springsteen fan ... and we're about 2 weeks away from his new album coming out.

But, in this day and age, music rarely waits for the record companies. It often sneaks out early in the form of internet leaks.

And it happened with "Working On a Dream."

I knew it would happen, and vowed I would wait until it became "officially" available.

Then, Bruce had to go and start releasing singles from it ... four in all, including a pair that could be downloaded free.

Then, he had to go and win the Golden Globe for what many are calling the most moving song on the album (it's a bonus track), called "The Wrestler" ... from the Mickey Rourke comeback movie of the same name.

Then, of course, he's performing at the pre-inaugural event Sunday. And the Super Bowl right after the album comes out.

So, I gave in to my urges. I found the leak. I downloaded the album. I'm listening to it now.

I'll spare you a review, and beg for the forgiveness of all involved.

I also promise that I WILL still buy this thing when it comes out, if for no other reason, to get the DVD with behind-the-scenes, making-of-the-album goodness.

I'll even provide a link so you can buy the album too! Here. Go get it if you're so inclined. And I promise not to send anyone else to those dirty, dirty illegal download links.

OK, my confession is complete.

Please don't arrest me.

Now, back to "Outlaw Pete."

:)

U2 Oops

Well, in this day and age of internet leaks ... has anyone heard the latest?

Apparently, 4 tracks off U2's upcoming album were leaked onto YouTube ... they've since been taken down.

How did they get there?

Well, apparently some fans were walking past Bono's French villa ... and the lead singer was playing the new tracks ... loudly.

So loudly, that the fans recorded them ... and posted them online!

Look, I'm against piracy ... the musicians should be able to get their cash for their efforts.

But, if you're gonna be stupid enough to blast the music for all to hear ... don't complain when they hit a website!

That being said, I am a U2 fan ... and am excited for their latest effort ... rumored to be titled "No Line On The Horizon."

And, it also kind of takes me back to the old days, when radio stations used to get leaked copies of songs and play them ... until a "cease and desist" order came from the label.

The last song I remembering this happening for in those days was a track off of Guns 'N Roses "Use Your Illusion" ... which I think WMMS played and played ... until they were told to stop.