Tony Klinger

As the whole world knows, Michael Jackson died in Los Angeles last weekend, aged 50. Not old, and no longer young. In fact everything about the King of pop was in between.

Not visibly black any more, he had become extremely white.
Not overtly masculine, his sexuality was ambivalent.

He was never adult but he was no longer a child. He never had a childhood.

He was worth a fortune but had no money.

Jackson although always surrounded by people, was alone.

Michael Jackson was the great in-betweener.

Jackson was a terrific dancer who perfected the spin, the moon walk and the groin clutch. His was a perfect pop voice. On stage no one was more electric. But it was the combination of these gifts that made him a genius. No one else could reach the same levels of performance across this spectrum of ability.

His was a life that reminded me of an old folk saying that my grand parents often repeated, “you can’t have it all!’ Blessed with extraordinary talent to entertain, Michael Jackson was clearly miserable except when he was on stage. His life and memory are soiled by his dangerous addictions and many problems, both physical and mental. He was a prescription drug addict, and he couldn’t leave little boys alone. I am not in a position to know what he did or wanted to do with those boys, and now isn’t the time to further sully his reputation when he isn’t here to defend himself.

Last night there was a black music award ceremony in Los Angeles at which his sister, Janet paid Michael a moving tribute. Prior to the show, which turned into a tribute to the life of Michael, there was a revealing interview with Joe Jackson, Michael’s father. It was more like a gimlet eyed strategic business opportunity review. Although he mentioned his grief and was clearly stunned, he talked more about his son as a huge commercial proposition than how he loved him. For, above all, Michael Jackson was a meal ticket and has been so since he was a tiny boy and remains so now that he’s dead. I will remember him not for his genius, although he was a truly great entertainer, but as a poor lost boy.