Abstract: This month, MJ Studies Today looks at some of the events surrounding last month’s 15th anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson – how he was commemorated by fans, friends, family and media and how these are indicative of his enduring appeal as a global icon.
Column by Kerry Hennigan, editor of the free monthly newsletter A Candle for Michael, administrator of the fan group “Michael Jackson’s Short Film Ghosts” on Facebook, and an MJ blogger on WordPress. Kerry is a life-long student, has Certificates in the Archaeology of the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Ancient Britain from Cambridge University in the UK and is currently focused on the Viking Age.
REFERENCE AS:
Hennigan, Kerry. “MJ Studies Today CIII: ‘The Country’s Child.’ Fans, friends, family and media on the 15th anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.” (14-07-2024). The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies Vol 11, No. 1 (2024). https://michaeljacksonstudies.org/mj-studies-today-ciii/
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“The Country’s Child.” Fans, friends, family and media on the 15th anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.
By Kerry Hennigan
Photo montage © Kerry Hennigan
June 25, 2024 marked the fifteenth anniversary of the death of entertainer and pop music icon Michael Jackson. Around the world, fans gathered in solidarity at places significant to Jackson’s career, or simply places he is visibly celebrated – such as the street memorial in Munich, the sculpture park in Guangzhou, China, and on the Ivory Coast of Africa, where Jackson was once crowned an actual “king.”
Jackson’s physical resting place, Holly Terrace Chapel at Forest Lawn in Glendale, was once again visited by crowds of Jackson pilgrims who were joined this year by the Mayor of Glendale, Elen Asatryan, who acknowledged the occasion with a Mayoral Commendation, marking June 25, 2024 as “Michael Jackson Memorial Day.” The official certificate reads:
In commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of Michael Joe Jackson’s celebration of life and legacy, June 25th is a day of remembrance for the body of work, the gift of his music and philanthropic work he left behind. On behalf of the City of Glendale, thank you to all attendees, supporters, and fans also known as moonwalkers and MJ soldiers of love, who travel near and far for annually gathering to honour Michael Joe Jackson’s legacy. Your unwavering loyalty, support and beautification of our city and Forest Lawn has not gone unnoticed and we look forward to you coming back each year.
Elen Asatryan, Mayor
June 25, 2024. [1]
An official acknowledgement of Jackson’s impact on popular culture, and in particular his humanitarian activities [2] is vindication of the faith his countless fans, friends and family have in the benevolent nature of the artist popularly known as the King of Pop – an inadequate title if there ever was one for such a creative polymath. [3]
The occasion also rated mentions in the media and prompted some online articles, some of which were commendable for their positive content. [4][5] However, even when reporting positive comments from Jackson’s creative collaborators, mainstream media invariably shows its preference for a sensational headline, warranted or not.
In an interview published in the British press, Jackson’s long-time touring guitarist, Jennifer Batten, spoke of the isolation that Jackson’s fame imposed on him. Batten is an entertaining raconteur of stories about Michael and her adventures touring the world as a member of his band. She continues to perform with other Jackson touring alumni with various tribute artists, despite having plenty of other career credentials as a guitar virtuoso.
In the interview published by The Sun, Jennifer admitted that when she first heard the news that Jackson had died she initially suspected that it was merely a rumour. “But obviously, I found out it was true,” she said. “My first thought was extreme sadness for his children, because that’s devastating, especially when you’re that young.” Despite the high price Jackson paid for his fame, and the impact the unwelcome media scrutiny had on him, Batten described him as “very radiant” and “super friendly” away from the public eye. [6]
Many reading her summation of his nature might find this contradictory to the expected behaviour of a show business luminary of Jackson’s stature. However, people who knew Michael well, including fans who never met him personally, have always been able to see through the negative media smoke screen to the real human being beyond. They have “read” his character – in his music, his spoken and written words, his actions, particularly those involving his many charitable acts, hospital visits, love for animals and concern for the health of the natural world.
Looking at places on a map of the world where Jackson was honoured on June 25th reveals just how widespread his international community is – Russia, Rumania, Japan, China, Australia, and the African continent, to name a few. The Sanwi people of Africa’s Cote d’ Ivoire, where the artist was “crowned” King Sanwi on a visit in 1992, welcomed a Michael Jackson tribute artist from China, named Wang Jackson (real name Wang Yonghua). Wang was given an official welcome ahead of a visit to the place Jackson had himself been in 1992.
The Sanwi acknowledge the King of Pop as one of their own, due to ancestral blood ties he had with them through his mother Katherine’s family tree. As proclaimed in the media report of this year’s tribute, the Sanwi still consider Michael Jackson “the country’s child.” [7]
Considering the international tributes, and the range of nationalities of those who visited Forest Lawn this year (as some do every year), it could be claimed that Jackson is a child of every country in which his music is heard, his concert footage watched, his generosity celebrated (and emulated) and where he continues to be commemorated.
For some who remember Jackson quietly in their own homes, June 25th is a time of sadness and reflection. But mostly it is a time of focusing on the love that Michael frequently and freely expressed for his fans, and his love for the planet and everyone in it. He was an advocate for peace and inclusivity. This year his eldest son Prince said it simply and beautifully when he posted:
Miss you pops
The world felt better with you in it. [8]
Kerry Hennigan
14 July 2024
Sources:
[1] Mayor’s statement. 25 June 2024. https://www.facebook.com/groups/181162534899/
[2] Michael Jackson’s Legacy. “Michael Jackson’s Humanitarian Work.” (Undated) Retrieved from https://www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org/michael/michael-jacksons-humanitarian-work/ on 8 July 2024.
[3] Robson, David. “Why some people are impossibly talented.” BBC published electronically 19 Nov 2019. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191118-what-shapes-a-polymath—and-do-we-need-them-more-than-ever on 8 July 2024.
[4] Jack, Fisher. “Remembering Michael Jackson: 15 Years Later, The King of Pop’s Legacy Still Reigns Supreme.” Lee Bailey’s EurWeb.com. Published electronically 25 June 2024. Retrieved from https://eurweb.com/2024/michael-jacksons-music-still-resonates-15-years-after-his-passing/ on 8 July 2024.
[5] STAXXSSSS. “Remembering Michael Jackson: Celebrating the ‘King of Pop’ Fifteen Years After His Passing.” Baller Alert. Published electronically 22 June 2024.
[6] The Sun interview with Jennifer Batten. Published electronically 25 June 2024. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28611484/michael-jackson-guitarist-allegations-death/ on 8 July 2024.
[7] Jeannin, Marine. “Michael Jackson, ‘the country’s child’ celebrated in a Côte d’Ivoire village.” La Monde (English) Published electronically 3 July 2024. Retrieved from https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2024/07/03/michael-jackson-the-country-s-child-celebrated-in-a-cote-d-ivoire-village_6676501_124.html on 8 July 2024.
[8] Sanwari, Ahad. “Michael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson pays moving tribute to late dad on 15th anniversary of his death.” Hello! Published electronically 26 June 2024. Retrieved https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/701711/michael-jackson-son-prince-jackson-pays-tribute-late-dad-death-anniversary/ on 8 July 2024.
Illustration: “a better place for you and for me” compiled by Kerry Hennigan using PhotoScape X Pro software. No infringement of original photographic copyright is intended in this not-for-profit, educational exercise.