That's how Associated Press referred to this rather bizarre memorial service for Michael Jackson today. However, it is not his final act, for like each of us, he will one day stand before the judgement seat of God.
All of this hype and publicity today is not his doing. It is done by those who have used him for years. Be that as it may, it is a phenomenal event with an element of danger. Thousands have come who didn't win a lottery ticket. Many are determined to go anyway. Police have to be quite nervous at this point.
As a man from another age, I cannot bring myself to get caught up in all this. His music never appealed to me. His showmanship and dancing certainly caught one's eye. So did Evel Knievel attempting to soar across a canyon on a motorcycle. I think much of who and what he was reflected where our kids were and are. Does music establish culture or reflect it? I think, perhaps, a bit of both.
To show you just how ancient this writer is I am listing ten of the most popular songs of 1950, the year I graduated from high school. How many do you know? Can you sing them? Why?
Some Enchanted Evening Perry Como
I Can Dream Can't I? Andrews Sisters
There's No Tomorrow Tony Martin
You're Breaking My Heart Vic Damone
That Lucky Old Sun Frankie Laine
Dear Hearts And Gentle People Dinah Shore
Music, Music, Music Teresa Brewer
If I Knew You Were Coming Eileen Barton
Mule Train Frankie Laine
Room Full Of Roses Sammy Kaye
A lawyer and a music mogul won the rights to manage his estate. Someone will get rich out of this. I wonder who?