That Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers of all time was already undeniable, but after seeing “This Is It,” he will forever be cemented into the rare group of entertainers who are simply part of another stratosphere.

But that's not the most significant thing viewers are learning from this incredible movie. What is most apparent is that it was Jackson’s commitment to greatness and his acceptance of genius that allowed the singer/songwriter/entertainer/icon to remain famous and beloved for over 40 years.
 
It is a loss beyond human measure that Jackson, who died on June 25, just months before his 51st birthday, was taken from the world before he had the chance to perform the 50 shows in London from which the rehearsals for “This Is It” are drawn. Watching the show in its raw, incomplete form is still far more compelling than many current artists’ fully realized shows. But what remains after the last note had been sung, Jackson fades from the screen and the credits have rolled is the insight into his preparation and craftsmanship, as well as the recognition that so few have that same dedication.

Thin, with his face ruined by multiple plastic surgeries, his color light years away from the chocolate-coated child he once was, Jackson’s authentic spirit still resided within the cosmetically altered man. In “This Is It,” he presents a much stronger, more confident side than the world may have seen before as he directs his dancers, band, choreographer and guitar player with both humility and - as he himself says - “Love, L-O-V-E.” One of the most compelling moments in the movie is the scene where he is working with a live-action and film sequence that requires him to detect a cue while he’s looking away from the person who would signal him. When he’s asked how he will know when the cue comes, he says dismissively, “I’ll feel it. I’ll feel it.” And you can believe that after a lifetime of performing, singing, writing, dancing and interacting with audiences, he’ll do just that.

Despite our invasive, YouTubed, blog-happy world, most of us are not able to see the actual work that goes into crafting a show or creating a musical performance. As someone who has worked in the music business for almost two decades, I have been fortunate enough to have had that opportunity many times. I have been in recording studios, rehearsal studios, behind the scenes and backstage at many an award show and live concert. I’ve always marveled at the way things come together painstakingly, piece by piece. The nuances of a recording or live performance before it is shaped into the finished product are endlessly fascinating. As you see in “This Is It,” when Jackson directs his bandleader on a tempo for one of his hits, telling him to “let it simmer,” it is proof that the most subtle adjustments that can make a huge difference. What those who buy the records, attend the concerts and even read the blogs see is the finished product, with all those adjustments already made.

Even though TV shows, blog posts and magazine articles promise fans a look “behind the scenes,” most of the time, those scenarios are controlled and directed by the artist and the record label. Truthfully, given his attention to detail, if Jackson was still alive, “This Is It” would have probably never been made - or certainly not in the same way. What fans generally see - and what many artists want them to see - is the glamour, not the time spent in grimy rehearsal studios or cold, .....

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Love this article. I saw the movie. It just goes to show how a wonderful kind human being MJ was. Have you notice instead of saying "thank you", he say "God Bless you". He is not one of a kind, he is the only kind. MK thank you for your Gift. It will be treasured always.

by   
Baron
November 3, 2009, 2:57 pm
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What a well written article!!! I loved it!! Thanks!

by   
Allbutthis1
November 3, 2009, 12:26 pm
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Superb article! Mike's documentary is truly a Masterpiece, it depicts his true perfection of his craft.

by   
Barackie
November 3, 2009, 7:09 am
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Slave masters beat us like mules to increase the cotton yield-would that have been OK w/you, too? There's no excuse for how Joe treated those kids & the ends do Not justify such barbaric means! MJ was driven by his own quest for excellence & perfection- if the "discipline" developed by beating them had worked, they'd all still be productive performers. And he didn't beat Janet; so how did she develop her discipline? To suger-coat abuse as "being for your own good"is shameful

by   
Ksun
November 2, 2009, 3:46 pm
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Michael's demise had much to do with his obsessive desire to be accepted by whites.

by   
Jiggy5
November 2, 2009, 1:39 pm
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Great article!!

by   
Lewisjac
November 2, 2009, 10:46 am
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Please stop trying to put Joe Jackson and Matthew Knowles children in the same boat. One had a child born with great talent and the other had one with mediocre talent.

by   
Slockhart
November 2, 2009, 10:03 am
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Excellent commentary! Well written Tonya Pendleton. ...so let it be said, so let it be written ...it is done!

by   
Blaqsoul
November 2, 2009, 9:50 am
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