Like so many people all over the world, I bought some of Michael’s music after he passed.  It was a great tribute to him when his decades old music dominated the charts.  I hope he had some idea of how much he was loved. 

It’s been 3 weeks now.  Michael is still in the news as we try to understand just what happened to him.  Surely, his sales must be slowing down after the initial surge.  His music is still better than anything else I’ve heard out there.  I went to a site called Hits Daily Double to see what was happening with album sales this week.  I was taken aback by what I read there. 

DAUGHTRY’S NEW KING OF POP

Huh?  I beg your pardon.  Has Hell frozen over?

Daughtry?  Daughtry? At least give us Justin Timberlake, even though he’s not worthy either.  I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.  I’m not that familiar with Daughtry’s music.  All I know is that when it comes on the radio (and it’s always on the radio) I usually change the station.  Just not my thing. 

I guess the common thread is Sony, or I should say Sony’s greed.  I suppose they see that they’ve about squeezed all the album $ale$ they can out of Michael’s death.  How can they keep the cash rolling in?  Anoint one of their other people as the new King of Pop. Michael’s gone.  Let’s give away his title to keep the cash flowing.  Who do they decide to crown the new King?  Daughtry.  Daughtry!  WTF?

Elvis is still the King of Rock and Roll, and Michael Jackson is still the King of Pop.  No one on this planet has even come close to them.  Well, maybe the Beatles, but that’s a different blog.

OK, I’ll settle down and look at this with a cool head.  Maybe I’m overreacting. 

Michael Jackson

• First #1 hit – I Want You Back (1969) –With The Jackson 5  He was 11 years old.
• First solo #1 hit – Ben (1972) He was 14.
• Off the Wall (1979) – Michael emerges as a grown up star. His first album with Quincy Jones.
• Thriller (1982) – Best selling album of all time.  Michael Jackson’s masterpiece, again with Quincy Jones.
• First black artist played on MTV. Michael ruled the music video.
• Motown 25 TV special (1983) – The King was crowned.  The legend was born.  Moonwalk!
• Won 8 Grammy Awards and 8 American Music Awards in 1984.
• ”We Are the World” (1985) – Michael’s work for and gifts to charity were unmatched.
• Named  Artist Of The Century at the American Music Awards ceremony in 2002.
• First artist to sell 1 million downloads in a week
• Was as admired and respected as a dancer as he was a singer. 

There are many, many more, but I think I’ve hit most of the biggies.  Now let’s see how Daughtry stacks up if they’re going to crown him the new King of Pop.

Daughtry

• Finished 3^rd on American Idol
• Sold 5 million albums

He’s off to a good start, but King of Pop he is not!

I was going to compare Michael and Daughtry with videos, but I really don’t know enough about Daughtry to choose one for them.  I’m sure nothing they or anyone else has done could top this performance anyway.

There’s only one Michael Jackson.  There’s only one King of Pop.  Long live the King!