I was 12 years old when the mind-blowing video for Thriller was released. It's an understatement to say that this 14 minute horror musical, with it's zombies, werewolves, and Vincent Price narration, did more to popularize the horror genre for folks my age than any single film from that period. Michael Jackson and John Landis created lasting horror-pop with this video that influenced and inspired a generation. Monsterama gives props. At the other end of Michael Jacksons' career, we have the mysterious, long-haired, masked weirdo, who lived in a twisted theme park with a mansion full of the world's oddest curiosities (like the skeletal remains of Joseph Merrick, the 'Elephant Man'). No matter how horrible he became, he retained a legion of fans, many of whom actually enjoyed reading about his latest bizarre exploits. It ought to come as no surprise that the character of Argost from my show The Secret Saturdays is partially inspired by this late-period Jackson. From the Jackson 5 songs of my youth, to the eccentric stranger of recent years, I own Michael Jackson a great debt for the inspiration received. 
5 comments:
Michael Jackson shall always be remembered. Thriller and Smooth Criminal are two of my favorite songs of his. The fact that Argost was partly inspired by him makes me appreciate him even more. I was pretty shocked when I heard the guy died yesterday.
I'm still shocked about his death. Rest in peace, Michael.
I can't see any other video ever coming close to being as good as Thriller. It was just creepy enough for to engage a young kid's monster lovin brain but not quite so much as to be really scary.
That will always be my favorite music video.
I enjoyed watching some of his videos on youtube recently.
It was great seeing Van Rook in Food of the Giants. I'm dying to see The Atlas Pin next weekend.
It's a shame SS no longers airs on Friday nights.
I was pretty shocked when my sister told me that yesterday evening. He was like only 50 or so, right?
I must admit to not paying all that much attention to Jackson in the later years but back when I was growing up, I do remember his music fondly. Especially Thriller. I don't think anyone can forget or actually not like that one even if they don't like Jackson at all.
I'm sure people will remember him even more now that he's gone.
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