Why is Michael Jackson Popular?

It's definitely not the man, but what he represents

This is a two-part email; the next one is to be finished tomorrow. Today, I will briefly argue why MJ represents a memory and feeling so strong that they cannot be denied.

And that is unbridled free markets and capitalism and the trickle down of freedom, hope, and a bright future for you, me, and the entire human race.

Michael Jackson doesn’t do half measures. Since he was a kid, he has always been the world's greatest entertainer.

He had the greatest music producer in the business, Quincy Jones, and also owned the most valuable song catalog in history, the Beatles collection.

And during his downfall, it was a story so unbelievable that what should be “black or white” was filled with uncertainty.

Then you have Sony Corporation, which secretly owned everything by loading Michael Jackson with debt and a bad doctor, greedily getting it in the end.

You would think this Grimm's fable would be over, and a new King of Pop would arise, like Justin Bieber, who, after all these years, is still making hit albums (not just songs).

But nope, just when you think another cycle of the same songs will disappear, Michael, through his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, made the big box office blowout

(I myself have a lot of ideas in my head that I need to get out)

Let me ask you a question…

“Do you remember the time…” when he was bigger than life?

How was your life? How were you feeling?

What were your hopes and dreams? What did you set out to accomplish?

Did you feel restricted? Did you feel that anything could be accomplished?

My memory is wanting to buy the $99 red leather Thriller jacket at Elder Beerman's, but was shot down by my mom.

Or when my brother let me put in the cassette of Bad in the car after a ball game.

Or on a school trip overseas, and seeing Black and White for the first time.

Can’t forget “Heal the World” and wanting to make a difference.

For some odd reason (or is there luck involved), Michael Jackson always released music when the stock market was very, very strong.

When he died, it was right after the 39% market crash in 2008.

Michael seems to be an antenna for the way the US feels.

Just like his music.

Even part of the Jackson 5, their music was always on an up year in the 70s, when it was not the greatest decade to invest.

When the market declined, they did so as well.

SO HOW CAN THAT BE?

HOW CAN A PERFORMER BE THAT LUCKY?

DIDN’T YOU READ MY EMAIL YESTERDAY?

“LUCK FAVORS THE PREPARED MIND” (or family)

The movie shows not just his rise, but the troublesome figure in his life who was Spartan-like in doing anything and everything in their power to rise from their lot in life, but in doing so, removing all forms of the human touch.

Like doctors, they are driven in their formative years by the noble desire to serve others.

There is no place for an inner life.

The Critical Drinker got it right again, and the critics were wrong as they always are (even when MJ was alive).

Put frankly, MJ lived for his audience, and that was his lifeblood. The rhythms truly reflect the good times. The energy and the excitement that repeat every time you listen to his songs.

My question is, did he lift the market, or did the market lift him?

Isn’t it interesting that, as it was in the 80s, his songs touch us as financial markets are at all-time highs?

While music also made us forget geopolitics, wars and crises a few minutes at a time.

So, folks, I’m not sure what other signals there are for a bull market.

The issue is that he has passed on; is this an echo of former times? Or a prelude to great times and Justin Bieber taking the reins?

I have some thoughts to share with you tomorrow on this, but I’ll give you a hint, as I asked someone yesterday about my theme.

“But Eric, I don’t understand anything they are saying.”

Make it a great Monday and be thrilled by the opportunities offered to you,

Eric