RADIO HANNIBAL

Putting Michael Jackson In Perspective

With the sudden, unexpected passing of Michael Jackson (one of those "remember where you were when you heard the news" events) there's been heated discussion about celebrating his life and work.  I understand the passion on both sides, but here's my take. 

Certainly his life over the past 10 plus years has been that of a troubled and peculiar person.  He was cleared of the child abuse charges.  Yet, because there was a payout to the victim's family there's a clear majority thinking that he was guilty. 

His desire to change his skin color and entire appearance was looked on my some as an insult to African Americans.  Personally, I think he was transgendered and ideally wanted to look like a woman. 

Sure, there's plenty of fodder for talking about his personal life.  I haven't even gotten into Neverland and his exotic animal fascination. 

I prefer to remember the music.  Granted, Michael Jackson is not even close to the top of favorite artists of mine.  It's rare that I'd play any of his music other than when DJing parties.  But I realize what an impact he had on our culture. 

I am a year older than Michael Jackson.  And I recall vividly two TV appearances that had me riveted. 
Ed Sullivan Show in 1970


The Motown 25th Anniversary Show in 1983
I'm certain a number of you remember with amazement just as I do. I will not call him the "King Of Pop". It doesn't count when you crown yourself with a title. Still, he was an icon and left us with some great music.
Photo by Cleveland rock photographer Janet Macoska, the 1986 Bad tour

Bedazzled, A Cool Retro Blog

So, I just got turned onto yet another cool site.  A blog called Bedazzled.  It features lots of vintage and rare music videos, complete Shindig and Hullabaloo shows and much more cool stuff, including wack photos like this.

I can't seem to find an "about me" section on the site so I'm not quite sure who runs the thing.  If I'm not mistaken the guy's a DJ at WFMU, one the premier public radio stations in the country.
 

Watchinshadows, My Favorite Youtube Channel

Over the weekend I was turned on to, what has now become, my favorite Youtube site.  It's called Watchinshadows and was created by a blues musician from England.   It's really two separate groups of videos. 

First, there's his favorite videos, mostly consisting of rare rock and blues songs.  A real treasure trove at your fingertips. 

But what has me enamored with Watchinshadows is his own video creations.  These consist of obscure early rock and R&B songs in which he puts together collages of all things retro schtick from sci-fi B movie clips to old monster trading cards to 50's era BDSM and pin up photos.  For you Clevelanders, think Ghoulardi of whom I've spoken about in the past.

In fact, I brought him up in a post about the death of Lux Interior.  Not surprisingly, Watchinshadows wallpaper on the site is of Lux's band, The Cramps.  It's a site that Lux would've loved.