It is interesting how what many people think and say about a person changes when that person is no longer with us.
When Michael Jackson was alive, he has trashed and joked about relentlessly by the media and a lot of other people. (Although, of course, he supplied plenty of ammunition for attacks and jokes.)
This is in addition to facing child molestation charges and even paying off an accuser rather than fight the charges.
But now there are glowing accolades, touching tributes (such as the Grammy salute) and the only talk about the man who was slammed so frequently as “Wacko Jacko” are the good things. At times he is almost portrayed as a saint.
And, as we all know, a lot of people are still making massive amounts of money off Michael Jackson.
Granted, the plus sides of the megastar should always be acknowledged, and Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. But there is something disturbing about the hypocrisy. Many of the same people who slammed him constantly, even tormented him, and laughed at every joke before are now among his biggest supporters.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”
COUNT ME in among those who were dismayed when superstar actor Mel Gibson launched a public verbal attack against President Barack Obama, who is doing as good a job as possible as he and the nation face a barrage of problems, none of which are of his doing.
Some issues have “Republican” and the previous administration written all over them.
Taking into consideration his racist diatribe against Jewish people as he was being arrested not long ago, Gibson should, as they say, “go someplace and sit down.”
Speaking of bad behavior, Kanye West’s grossly oversized ego was on display again recently. He made a scene when he was seated in the business class of an airplane rather than first class.
Like that is the worst thing in the world. Among other things, West needs to grow up.
Raunchy comedian Eddie Griffin is mistaken if he thinks many people are going to feel much compassion for him as he faces his financial challenges.
Griffin has two ex-wives, eight kids from those marriages, plus four additional ones from other women he refers to as “baby mamas.” Also, he admits that he has many family members and “freeloaders” on his payroll.
How irresponsible is all that?
WE RECEIVED an e-mail from Shirley Jones, the former Detroiter who was lead singer of the Jones Girls, known for, among others, “I Just Love the Man” and “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else.” She also had a No. 1 hit as a solo artist with “Do You Get Enough Love?”
Jones has a new album coming out this year titled “This Is Heaven.”
Two other popular songstresses who have been off the charts lately also have new music coming soon. The first is Monica, whose album, “Still Standing,” is slated for March 23 release. And then there is Toni Braxton. Her album, “Pulse,” should be available in early May.
On the local gospel front, Marvin Winans Jr. is working on his second album. (We understand he now lives in Florida.) His first, “Image of a Man,” was successful.
The nickname of the son of Vickie Winans and Marvin Winans Sr. is “Coconut.” That’s kind of amusing, but so is the fact that his father is known in casual family circles as “Uncle Peanut.” (Now that he is a minister, it could be that the nickname isn’t used as often!)
Teen country singer Taylor Swift is talented and seems sweet, but I just can’t see what it is that makes her so special, and the winner of yet another major award every time you turn around.
A singer by the name of Pam Darden used to sing with original Marvelettes lead singer Gladys Horton. For that reason she feels it is okay for her to hire two ladies and perform as “the Marvelettes Revue.” Some would call this exploitation of someone else’s legacy.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that in 1974 Tina Turner had a country album titled “Tina Turns the Country On.”
MEMORIES: “I’ve Got Love on My Mind” (Natalie Cole), “Just Got Paid” (Johnny Kemp), “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” (Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams), “Angel” (Angela Winbush), “My Prayer” (the Platters), “Just the Two of Us” (Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers), “How ’Bout Us” (Champaign), “Square Biz” (Teena Marie), “Encore” (Cheryl Lynn), “How Could I Let You Get Away?” (the Spinners).
BLESSINGS to Henry White, Bess White, Freda Johnson, Maceo Hampton, Phoebe Hampton, Dennis Mills, Karen Thomas, McArthur Mickens, Fay Mickens, Avril Carter, Morcie McNair, Frankie McNair, Geraldine Myhand, Fred Williams, Wanda Myhand, Elbert McDonald, Ola Stringer and Ron Washington.
WORDS OF THE WEEK: “While you’re getting all bent out of shape, the person who upset you is going on with their life, not thinking about you. There is a lesson in that.”
Let the music play!
(Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)