Life Remembers Michael Jackson
Written: Jul 31 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: photography some of which previously unpublished, summary of life
Cons: seems a bit incomplete
The Bottom Line: Many commemorative books have already been published about Michael Jackson but only one will have the LIFE photography.
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| keithpruitt's Full Review: Time, Inc - Life Commemorative Michael 1958-2009 |
When Michael Jackson died suddenly on June 25, 2009 it seemed as though the world collectively grieved that a music icon had been taken way too soon. For me it brought back those vivid memories of another music king who had suddenly died- Elvis. Life very soon thereafter issued the paperback copy of their commemorative Michael 1958-2009. Edited by Robert Sullivan the Life special is filled with dozens of historic images of Jackson and his musical family.
The 80 page special is divided into a brief Introduction: His LIFE, and then five chapters. Michael the Moonwalker is a fourteen page retrospective with accompanying pictures of the life of the King of Pop. From his early days with his brothers to his life as a father, the editors have done a commendable job of accentuating the highlights of his life. Obviously missing from the accounts are details of his difficulties including the accidental fire filming the Pepsi commercial, the trial, and other areas of trouble. While the script throughout eludes to troubles, there are few details.
The Child With a Gift starts a section of mostly pictures with inset captions this one dealing with Jackson as a child star. Many of the pictures included are historically significant LIFE shoots from previous years often pictures having not been previously published. The pictures are touching showing a contemplative child whose talents were of an old soul.
In the section A Thriller Like No Other the editors take us to the solo artist who became an international sensation selling more records than any other artist of the time before or since. Many often forget that the Thriller album stayed on the charts for 2 years and sold some 100 million copies! His feats as singer, dancer, actor, celebrity are chronicled via pictures. In this section you will find more of the performance shots seen widely but also some shots of Michael with his family visiting his parents' home in Encino. There are also shots of the women in his life as well as pictures of Michael at home at Neverland. Some of these have not been published before and they show the royal element that had surrounded the star. The book also contains a photo of Michael and the children and his entourage about one month before his death.
Gone Too Soon shows pictures of the tributes that broke out throughout the world when news of his death hit the streets. The love for the entertainer was widespread and the grief was spontaneous.
Missing from the collection are any pictures from the funeral which makes it seem as though it is missing something. LIFE perhaps rushed this to print wanting to beat the others to press, but it would have been appropriate to have had in the final section some scenes from the massive crowds if not indeed the gold coffin setting in repose in the center where the funeral was held.
While not intended to be anything but a photographic journey of the life of Michael Jackson, Michael 1958-2009 is a fitting LIFE tribute. Here the fan will find exclusive photos from the archives of Time Life. In the fall, LIFE will produce a hard bound copy of the book. But one can purchase the soft cover now until October. It is a wonderful keep-sake of a fascinating person whom the world will not soon forget. And in the words of the editors there will never be another.
Life Commemorative Michael 1958-2009
Ed by Robert Sullivan
7447010213
2009
Recommended:
Yes
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