Michael Jackson Dead At 50 – Paul McCartney Pays Tribute
June 26, 2009 by Dave Parrack
I doubt there’s a man, woman, or child not shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of Michael Jackson at the tender age of 50. Whether you loved him or hated him, thought he was a freak or just an eccentric, believed all the many stories told about him or not, you cannot argue that he wasn’t a musical genius. He entertained and enlightened many people from all walks of life and it’s a sad loss to the world.
Paul McCartney worked with Michael Jackson on a number of different occasions, including duets Say Say Say (embedded below) and The Man. The pair eventually fell out with each other after Jackson outbid both McCartney and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono for the publishing rights to The Beatles back catalog. There’s now a rumor that Jackson left these rights to McCartney in his will.
Paul McCartney was clearly as shocked and upset about Michael Jackson’s premature death from cardiac arrest, and posted a heartfelt tribute to the man on his official Web site.
He said:
“It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.”
“I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world.”
McCartney and Jackson were an unlikely pairing but both knew of the turmoil that enters your life when you become a globally recognized superstar. Maybe McCartney helped Jackson deal with his fame and fortune, although any advice given was clearly not entirely successful.
The songs the pair produced together are classic slices of 1980s pop music, with Say Say Say probably the most fondly remembered. The video is a gem, not because it’s particularly good but because it’s well-made and very cheesy. This was at the time when Michael Jackson had only had a little bit of plastic surgery and didn’t look like he was falling apart.
Paul McCartney is undoubtedly just the first of many British artists who will come out and pay tribute to Michael Jackson. Jacko was, for all his faults, an undisputed legend who had huge success for many years, some of the biggest hits on the face of the planet, and inspired generations of musicians and singers. Even in death, his music will live on.
[Photo Source: Newscom]
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