Please do not make this a slinging match, I put this up for those that wanted to pay their respects to MJ and not to bring up what he was accused of, this is not what his family would  have wanted please all I ask is that you leave the family to greave.

This thread is fooked. 

This is NOT the day, time or place to be discussing such things.  His family and children have suffered an enormous loss, and to bring this up at this time (the day of his death, while his family is in shock and mourning) is inappropriate.

If you only want to muck-rake/have nothing nice to say, please refrain from commenting here.

Well said Karen, No one is going to tell me how and when to express my opinion on something. Ive said I'm sad he died and I am, I actually have been playing MJ songs most of the afternoon,  but I'll also say anything else that's on my mind also, as there will, more than likely not be a "now, let's say what we didn't like about him" thread... later on.

That's the point entirely! MJ's family and children were/are guilty of nothing, and to be smearing their memories of him at this time with distasteful/unpleasant comments shows a total lack of respect to them in what is obviously a difficult time for any family... and in many cases, fans of his music.

To be honest, I was never a fan of MJ or his music, and yeah, I had an opinion regarding his lifestyle/the accusations against him, but that is irrelevant here.  Right now my thoughts go out to his family... a family that right now is grieving, and as such deserves some consideration.

And what good/purpose does it serve to be raking up this up now he's dead?  It isn't going to change what did or did not happen, nor does it serve to help the alleged victims to heal by bringing it up now.  Not only that, if one of our loved ones passed, we wouldn't want their past indiscretions/crimes being discussed publicly on the day/days surrounding their death, so how about we afford the Jackson family the same respect/consideration we'd all want in our time of mourning.

Um, John, it was a polite request... "please refrain"

I too have an opinion, but here is not the time or place to air it, hence the request to refrain and consider the Jackson family... not to mention his close friends and devoted fans.

Well, I take back what I said and look forward to the lets crack on MJ thread in a few days... when you post it.

I somehow doubt his family and friends are reading this.

As far as I know Forums are a place to speak your mind. He was a Giant in the entertainment world but as karen said that wasn't his entirity and for us to just discuss his passing, or to be even asked to is in a small way leaning towards being censored imo. C'mon, speak your mind.

Am I going to go into graphic detail on it?, no, but good lord, the guy wasn't Mother Theresa.

I hardly think the Jackson family is reading the WinCustomize forum for moral support at this dark time in their lives. 

He lived a public life, and he lived longer than a lot of people who have lived less controversial lives.  I'm the same age Michael Jackson is/was, and although I don't want to die tomorrow, if I did, it wouldn't be as big of a tragedy as if I'd have died when I was 21!  I can think of a lot worse ways to go than unexpected coma/heart attack.  It's quick, and although it isn't painless, it does carry a lot less fear than oh...say...having your face blown off in combat.

I'm not going to say that what he did was anywhere near as bad as the crimes committed by Ted Bundy, but when Ted was executed by the State of Florida, nobody went around telling people to hush their mouth out of consideration for the family.  I am positive there are at least a few people on the planet who will sleep a little easier tonight now that Michael's time is up.

It's just a fact of life--people are both good and bad, and when they die, it's both sad and on some plane, a relief.  I just think there are much bigger things in this world to mourn right now than the passing of a bizarre, middle-aged, has-been pop star. Now I'll shut up and go on my way.

There is good and bad..... in all of us... but we learn to live, we learn to give each other... what we need to survive... together.......

NT... I have Darkside on every format on which it was released....

I even have the bootleg called 'Nordstar' [on vinyl] .... which I believe also made it into the top 10 in the UK way back when....

Yep, i have an original copy of Fleetwood Mac's Cerulean on vinyl... a live double album ( a bootleg which became an official Mac release) that totally rocks.... that's the original Fleetwood Mac of Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.

Apparently, these days, it's as rare as rockinghorse sh!t because only 10,000 originals were ever made... to have one in mint condition (which mine is) is considered valuable, in terms of old LP's.

I have no idea if Michael did or did not do what he was charged of. I know he was 'different', but being different is not a crime yet, as far as I know. Let God be the judge.

Also, if I was the father of a child molested by someone, I would NEVER REST until I saw that person in prison, regardless of how rich they were or how much money they offered me to settle the case out of court.

Anyway, what I do know is that MJ was a terrific artist, so much so that his name is known in all corners of the globle. His unexpected death at 50, right when he was about to make a come back, is shocking millions of people everywhere - me included.

On a totally unrelated note, I can't PM you, Excalpius, WC returns a 404 error every time I go to your profile and click on 'email user'. Can you send me an email to Winstep support please?  

Oh, that's not always true! Alice Cooper is in his 60's and his shows are as great as ever! And, he pretty much looks the same, too!

As for MJ, I was just shocked! He was an interesting guy, no matter what else. I always loved to dance to "Billie Jean". 

i wasnt a fan. but still its really sad news...at least now he can rip.......

Ain't that the truth!  Alice Cooper has been a staunch performer throughout his career... saw him years ago on the "Billion Dollar Babies" tour, one of the best concerts I'd ever seen. the Strolling Bones are another example of aging rockers who can still put on a good show.. they mightn't look so pretty these days, but the music is still up there.

As for my fave MJ song, it'd have to be "Ben", used in the "Willard" movie about a man and his relationship with a rat.

*my bold type to emphasize

You bring up a good point...digressing from the OP a bit, I find that the old tech (vacuum tubes) on an old Fisher system and vinyl from friends (who still have them) give a more pleasing sound...true, things seem 'crisper' in digital, but I miss the gradations between 0 and 1.... the tones fade more naturally, I think.

The Grateful Dead only played one concert for a reason.

JcRabbit, you have email.  8)

Can't find it right now, but one responder wrote TRAGIC... I agree.

He told a Rabbi once (just saw it on CNN) that the reason he taught himself to sing, and his feet to move so quickly was to have people like and love him.

Tragic...because he felt he had to seek love for what he 'did' and received it...but everyone should be loved for what he/she is: A human being. One should seek admiration/respect for what he/she does.

Humans come with great strengths and weaknesses which come in part from how they are raised (with or without uncompromising, and unconditional love) and in part from their own innate personalities.

His death is also tragic because with it he lost the opportunities to better himself and others.

Let's not just enjoy his talent...let's learn from his life and death. Not to do so would also be tragic.