It often does seem like the famous check out in threes. In the case of last week, it was Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.
Michael Jackson’s death triggered the most news. I’d say his passing is comparable to the death of Elvis. Both were such massive pop icons whose later years were packed with oddities.
I wonder if Jackson’s musical legacy will ever transcend the cloud of his bizarre evolution: his strange physical appearance, his odd behaviors (remember the dangling of his kid over a balcony) and the accusations of pedophilia.
It speaks to the incredible insulation that can settle around mega stars. With so much money and fame, who in the inner circle can question them? And, yet, they need rational voices to bring them back to a place of health and sanity.
I was one of the 50 million who purchased "Thriller," the largest selling album ever. The guiding hand of producer Quincy Jones was largely responsible for the record’s success. But Jackson did write four of the nine songs on it, including the hits "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
Yesterday, I was thinking about Micheal Jackson (someone everyone knows) and the late Chris Gaffney (someone who very few people know). After Thursday’s Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women show, I purchased the new Gaffney tribute album, produced by Alvin.
There are 15 songs written by a guy who will never approach a sliver of Jackson’s fame, but I consider Gaffney’s tunes to be so much more soulful, honest and mature than anything the King of Pop ever wrote. I’ll forever listen to Gaffney’s music, but I’ll probably only listen to Michael Jackson if it’s on in the background somewhere.
Perhaps that’s the nature of pop music for the masses verses something that gets filed away in a genre, in this case, roots Americana.
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I’m in the Shasta County Public Library right now sweating my brains out. It feels like a dry sauna in here because a large portion of the air conditioning system is out.
I’m going to have to go outside into the 105 degree day to cool off.
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For those who enjoy classical and jazz fingerpicking guitar, the exceptional Gordon Rowland and Doug Wendt will perform a concert at 6:30 p.m. July 11 at Music Max (9472 Cedro Lane next to the Red Rock bar) in Palo Cedro. Tickets are $10 and there will be a guitar clinic from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
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It’s hot outside and tonight at Bubba Thrashers (2704 Hartnell Ave.), it’s gonna get hotter. Destiny Rose and Fusion Bellydance will kick off a show at 7 p.m., followed by the Traveling Bohemians theater group, and the Redding Firedolls. The Firedolls will perform outside once it’s dark. The all-ages show is $5.
