Roy Sekoff On MSNBC: "Is Michael Jackson The Last American Entertainment Icon?"

Huffington Post Editor Roy Sekoff appeared on MSNBC Wednesday to speak with anchor Carlos Watson about his reaction to the Michael Jackson memorial, which he said ranged from the "sublime to the ridiculous." Sekoff said one of the most touching moments was when Jackson's daughter spoke about her dad: "As a father, how could you not be moved by that."

Roy later spoke with Rolling Stone's Will Dana about Jackson's legacy, arguing that he may be the "last American entertainment icon."

Comments

[JustMeLe]

No, not the last.

But never one like him.

[CSull2005]

Oh PLEASE! Barbra Streisand is head over heels a far more major icon than Michael Jackson. Not just in music, where she remains America's all time best selling female vocalist, but her film career as actress, director, producer - her work on stage, songwriting, her extensive philanthropy in mnay various areas, her unparalleled accomplishments as a live performing artist (heck, her latest DVD concert is the best selling of the year). She has avoided the scandal and the bizarre aspects of many of the "A" list stars and conducts herself with such class that she is in a league of her own.

If Michael Jackson hadn't hit the scene the same time MTV did and have "Thriller" - he'd be a pretty minor footnote in American entertainment history.

Streisand was a star before and after him.

[sexyrexy]

yes! in MJ level?? NO ONE!!

as icons like him are borne.. NOT MADE NOR INVENTED.. it's an alchemy of so many different ingredients-- it happened with Elvis, the BEATLES. MONROE.. BRUCE LEE..

why, doubtful, we'll see the likes of him again in our lifetime.

[spankies space]

Every artist that has been named are truly wonderful artists, I enjoy them all. One of my favorite over the years has been Sarah Vaughn, one of the 3 s's -- Steinway, Stradivarius and Sarah (a true American treasure). However, Michael Jackson had the "it" factor (I am really a straight up jazz person). However, I really believe that on last Tuesday, the last real America icon was buried, the very last performer with the "it" factor. Michael transcended generations, cultures, genders, etc. I enjoyed all the greats, grew up around music geniuses, and watched some of the funkiest musicians work. I watched hip-hop take off, listened to rock, etc. -- but, Michael Jackson was just different, he had it and we all loved it, loved watching him work, loved watching him perform.

REST IN PEACE MICHAEL. I WILL REALLY MISS YOUR GENIUS.

[RobinLandseadel]

If you're really unique---Captain Beefheart unique, Ornette Coleman unique, Harry Partch unique---no one will hear of you. Don van Vliet is an Icon hardly anyone knows of. His passing will hardly leave a ripple on the American consciousness. And so it goes.

[RobinLandseadel]

As long as the hype machine is in place, they'll find somebody to fill that role. Without getting into another stupid argument about relative degrees of talent, I'll point out that Michael Jackson could not have possibly sold as many units and capture as many eyeballs as he did without the massive publicity machine that pushed the product.

[rlk42]

Not to mention Barbra Streisand is a major mistake. She's been in the business almost fifty years. Continues to sell records and DVDs (her current set was number 1 for a few weeks). Although she hasn't done any concerts in Asia and Africa - her records do well there and the concerts she has done (In the USA and Europe) have sold out and become major money makers and critical successes. Furthermore, she has conquered all fields (stage, screen, television, recordings) with more success than any of the aforementioned. She is the biggest selling female artist in the USA and has more gold albums than anyone in recording history with the exception of Elvis. Her sheer versatility and longevity speaks for itself. The attention given such talents as Presley, Michael Jackson etc, is not only because of their obvious talent and their years of recording/­performing­, but because they died so suddenly at such a relatively young age. This receives and probably deserves more attention. Those who were also regarded as icons in their own right (e.g. Sinatra) received attention but not as much because they died at an age that wasn't such a shock. We heard they were ill before they died so the shock factor wasn't part of it. This is not meant to demean Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley. It means there are icons out there worthy of Jackson-type media coverage upon their deaths - but won't receive it. Streisand is one of them.

[Rolfe Norman]

Britney Spears is certainly an American entertainment icon. There are many entertainment icons out there. I do not know what he is talking about. Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Usher, Lady Gaga. Do I need to name more? I can! Michael Jackson may have been one of the greatest, but he was no the only American entertainment icon.

[UNR]

Yes you do need to name more, because you haven't named a single one yet. Possibly Madonna, but she generated nowhere near the mass global hysteria that MJ did in his prime. The rest of your list is a joke.

[OverIt]

Hello. . . MADONNA! Heard of her?

[crayola 08b]

what is this Madonna you speak of?

[RobinLandseadel]

Yeah, isn't she the one with the virgin birth?

[Phxflyer]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/opinion/04herbert.html

[Democrab]

Garth Brooks is the biggest selling solo artist of the 20th century passing Elvis in 2000 by selling 100,000,000 albums (RIAA). He's an American, he's still alive, he's still performing and has sold more albums than Sinatra, Michael Jackson and The King. Shouldn't he be given some consideration as an "American entertainment icon?"

[cyguy]

Probably so. Though globally, his sales pale in comparison to MJ, Elvis, Madonna or the Beatles.

[buddhistMonkey]

I've got nothing against Garth Brooks, but there's a difference between an "American entertainment" icon and an American "entertainment icon." Garth Brooks is the former, while Michael Jackson was the latter. Pick any random spot on the globe, find some random people there, and ask them if they've ever heard of Michael Jackson. They'll either start singing Billy Jean, or trying to do the Moonwalk... or both. It doesn't matter if it's Borneo or Berlin.

[dalegood]

Bob Dylan's first album was released in 1962. His latest (Together Through Life) was released in 2009 and hit the charts at #1, as did his previous album in 2006. That's longevity. He wrote Blowin' in the Wind and The Times They are a'changing, both of which were anthems for the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war movement. He still does approx. 100 concerts a year all over the world. He is now appearing at minor-league baseball stadiums throughout the United States. He most recent works are as passionate and soul-stirring as his oldest works. As the lyrics of one of his newest songs state, "Some people say I have the blood of the land in my voice." He has won grammies, an Oscar, and a Pulitzer Prize, and his recent memoir was nominated for a National Book Award and was a world-wide best-seller and received rave reviews throughout the world. He is a true American and World Icon.

[crayola 08b]

forgot about dylan. i'm sure his death will be a pretty big event when it comes.

[RobinLandseadel]

What, that washed-up has-been?

I keed, I keed. Just as so many of MJ's fans remember the first time they heard "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" I'll always remember the first time I heard Dylan's "Lonesome Day Blues":

I see your lover-man comin' - comin' 'cross the barren field
I see your lover-man comin' - comin' 'cross the barren field
He's not a gentleman at all - he's rotten to the core
He's a coward and he steals. . .

. . . growling out the line like he's reaching for his Glock 19. Of course, that was on the date of issue for "Love & Theft", September 11, 2001 . . .

[RobinLandseadel]

Might as well say it's going to be Hanson.

[crayola 08b]

well, we still have Madonna. she probably won't receive the fanfare that michael got when she departs us but she's still one of the last great icons we have left.

[timmcveighjr]

there will always be more ...........

[TeenaGreena]

I have one word: Madonna

[PatA]

Willie Nelson first, Springsteen second, Buddy Holly third and on and on and on.