The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jackson’s musical legacy survives latest scandal
Initial backlash after documentary has diminished.
LOS ANGELES — The documentary “Leaving Neverland” presented a disturbing depiction of Michael Jackson as a child molester, but the initial wave of negative publicity hasn’t greatly diminished the King of Pop’s image or the enduring popularity of his music.
Many believe Jackson’s musical legacy is still going strong on today’s 10th anniversary of his death. Backlash to the documentary that aired in March on HBO and Britain’s Channel 4 prompted radio stations in Canada to stop playing his music and the producers of “The Simpsons” to remove an episode that featured Jackson’s voice. But that’s been the most visible extent of the backlash.
There’s been no rescinding honors like has happened to Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, or mass movements to stop playing Jackson’s music, as R&B singer R. Kelly has faced. Jackson’s massively popular “Thriller” album and the theatrical version of its music video still reside in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. His music is still featured in commercials and is a part of a Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas. Museums in Detroit and Tennessee keep images and artifacts of Jackson on display, and his memorabilia continues to sell.
“He still commands prices compared to most any other celebrity,” said Darren Julien, president and CEO of the Culver City, California-based Julien’s Auctions. He said his auction house has sold around $15 million of the superstar singer’s property including his white glove that went for $480,000 in 2009 and a jacket, which was recently bought for $75,000. “He’s the only celebrity where we would have lines of people to get in whenever we had stuff of his to auction,” Julien said.
Billboard senior editor Gail Mitchell isn’t surprised by support for Jackson, who she has met before. For a recent story, the veteran music journalist said she and a colleague interviewed about 30 music executives who believe the singer’s legacy could withstand the “Leaving Neverland” controversy. “Many said that ( Jackson) is not here to defend himself the way R. Kelly is here . ... The jury is always probably going to be out. But all of the execs said his legacy will be fine.”
“He had an energy in terms of his talent and the dancing, and I still think that aura still exists to a point,” Mitchell said of Jackson. “I know it’s been tarnished, but I think overall that there is no denying what he brought to the table.”
Jackson died at the age of 50 from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009. In an instant, his popularity surged after years of being tarnished by sexual abuse allegations and a 2005 child molestation trial, which ended with his acquittal. After Jackson’s death, the criminal case nearly became an afterthought until “Leaving Neverland” was released.
The documentary focused on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who denied Jackson abused them while the singer was still alive. Both said having their own children forced them to face the truth.
Jackson acknowledged befriending numerous children, including some he invited into his bed, but denied he molested any of them. His estate also vigorously denied Robson and Safechuck’s allegations, and a lawsuit was filed against HBO.