That last post about MJ’s September 26 tribute concert made a bit nostalgic. So I pulled out one of my favorite books on a musician and browsed through it.

Jacko, His Rise and Fall: The Social and Sexual History of Michael Jackson is just what the title says it would be: a no holds barred, entertaining, but sympathetic look at the life of Michael Jackson.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I don’t think we will ever have a star greater than Michael Jackson in this century. The internet and our changing distribution mediums have made sure that there are no real stars anymore, only musicians. MJ was at the peak of his musical prowess when the musician celebrity culture was at its highest point too (MTV had just launched, pop music was all the rage, etc.).

Of course, that takes nothing away from MJ, whose singular talent would have made him a superstar in any century.

If you’re interested in the life of Michael Jackson and want to understand, chronicle, and look at it through eyes that are not entirely unsympathetic, this is a must read book:

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2. Michael Jackson Tribute Concert to Take Place with Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown
3. The Source Has a Special Feature on Michael Jackson This Month
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The long awaited Michael Jackson tribute – hopefully the first of many – is set to finally take place with the help of Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown, Sister Sledge and Natalie Cole in Vienna on the 26th of September outside the Schoenbrunn Castle in the city.

The concert will officially (and aptly) be called the ‘Vienna Michael Jackson Tribute‘. 13 artists have signed on currently to perform at the concert (including the 5 names listed above). The artists will render (and perhaps murder) some of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, and performing duets with Michael Jackson’s image on screen.

It is expected that more than 20 artists might eventually turn up at the concert. Also, a few washed up, out of work artists will stumble n mumble on the stage in the hope of reigniting their career by basking in the limelight of a great artist.

My take on this? No one can come even close to doing what MJ did. I would hate to even imagine Akon doing his rendition of Thriller or Billie Jean. So here’s a suggestion: instead of performing MJ’s greatest hits, why not sing your own songs, but work Michael Jackson references and tributes into the lyrics? It would be way better for the fans than seeing Chris Brown in sequined gloves…

1. Michael Jackson To Be Honored Publicly in Brooklyn, Courtesy of Spike Lee
2. The Source Has a Special Feature on Michael Jackson This Month
3. Jacko, His Rise and Fall: One of My Favorite MJ Books
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One of my favorite filmmakers, Spike Lee, will be honoring Michael Jackson – “celebrating his life”, as he put it in an interview with The Root – publicly in Brooklyn.

Lee, who’s previously directed a video for Michael Jackson on his 1997 album ‘History’ (see IMDB) said that it would be a “joyous, celebratory” occassion, which will be organized “Brooklyn” style.

I’ve admired Lee’s work over the years – “Inside Man” remains one of my favorite movies from 2006 – and I can’t think of anybody better to celebrate Michael Jackson’s life (who would be 51 soon) than Spike Lee.

All those of you in NYC should definitely catch this. It ought to be a treat.

Find your celebrity soul mate

1. Michael Jackson Tribute Concert to Take Place with Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown
2. The Source Has a Special Feature on Michael Jackson This Month
3. Three Days of Partying at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
4. Jacko, His Rise and Fall: One of My Favorite MJ Books
5. Spike's Top 10 Ugliest Rappers: Flavor Flav is NOT No.1!

Michael Jackson has been rightfully honored in a special feature by The Source in their upcoming issue.

You can see a special preview of the issue here.

They also have a nice wallpaper of Michael:

1. Michael Jackson Tribute Concert to Take Place with Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown
2. Michael Jackson To Be Honored Publicly in Brooklyn, Courtesy of Spike Lee
3. Back to the Feature Mixtape
4. Jacko, His Rise and Fall: One of My Favorite MJ Books