Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 July 2009 — Page 6

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continued from page 3 Gaye. The Jackson 5 also absorbed a considerable measure of influence from another “family” act: the ... soul/funk crossover band, Sly and the Famly Stone.” From 1970 and for the next 14 years, The Jackson 5 continued their string of top hits and morphed into The Jacksons in 1972, when Jermaine left for a solo career and brother Randy filled in. Just one year earlier, in 1971, Motown began a spin-off solo career for Michael, whose first single, “Got to Be There,” was a Top 5 hit. Michael also sang the title track for the 1972 motion picture, Ben. The Jackson 5 appeared regularly on The Ed Sullivan Show in the early 70s and on their own CBS summer variety show in 1976. An animated Saturday-morning cartoon show was also one way the group appealed to younger fans. Their highly-publicized 1984 Victory tour turned out to be the last Jackson's project to include brother Michael, who had by then achieved solo superstardom. Father Joe Jackson and boxing promoter Don King were among the copromoters of the tour. Controversy arose when ticket prices were fixed at a then-astronomical $30. Michael Jackson announced that he would donate this share of the proceeds to charity. The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, at their 12th induction ceremony

May 6, 1997, with performer Diana Ross as their presenter. Former WERK radio personality Bruce Munson, who is now a local attorney, recalls “spinning the records” of The Jackson 5 when he

his fascination with all things from childhood, notably his purchase and creation of the Neverland Ranch, complete with rides, cotton candy and other amusements, and his close friendships with children - and his numer-

ing to Michael often during breaks in the filming of the series,” Munson said. In an online news account from mtv.com on July 13, LaToya, 53, had her own theories about what killed her 50-year-

was a DJ, 1971-1973, a time when their first songs hit the top of the charts. “I always liked their music because it was well performed and well produced music,” Munson said. “However, Michael Jackson will be remembered for two things: his music and his weirdness. But his weirdness never impacted his music, and his music was so good that it is what he will be remembered for, first and foremost.” Michael Jackson was well aware of the magnifying glass and criticism under which he lived. From his love of animals (remember the chimpanzee, Bubbles) to the pure oxygen glassenclosed sleep chamber,

ous face altering operations, Michael Jackson lived a life that was stranger than what is made up in books. “I feel compelled to give people some sense of escapism...! think it's the reason I'm here,” Jackson said in 1984, as reported in a special tribute of People magazine devoted to the superstar. More recently, Munson recalled LaToya Jackson phoning her brother, Michael, regularly during the filming of “Armed and Famous”, a police reality show that was shot in Muncie in 2007, when Munson served as the location consultant. “I knew that Michael's death had to be really tough on LaToya. I remember seeing her talk-

old brother. “I believe Michael was murdered. I felt that from the start... They got him hooked on drugs," LaToya said, vowing to file a civil lawsuit against anyone the family believes could be responsible for Michael's death. "He was pure and clean, and then drugs came back into his system. I think it shocked his system so much it killed him." She said he had needle marks on his neck and on his arms, which could be signs of intravenous drug delivery, and that he was strong-armed into doing the grueling 50-date string of shows and kept away from his family during the long rehearsals for that tour. In perhaps a more com-

forting thought, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper reflects in his July 8 story about the superstar's memorial service. “For all the madness that engulfed Michael Jackson in life, and all the craziness that has ensued since his death, perhaps the biggest surprise about his memorial service was that it was so normal, at least as normal as can be when there's a golden casket onstage and the eulogists include Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson and Queen Latifah.” Despite Usher's rousing performance of “Gone Too Soon,” among other standout performances that included Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson and Lionel Ritchie, it was the words of a solemn 11-year-old that brought the crowd, in the arena and at home, to tears. “I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much,” an emotional Paris Jackson said at the memorial service When it was all said and done, a childlike 50-year-old Michael Jackson left this world before his time and before fans around the globe were tired of his music and magical performances. And, most assuredly, before his family was ready. Aug. 29, 1958-June 25, 2009. Rest In Peace, Michael. Only the Good Die Young.