I was utterly shocked at the news of Michael Jackson's death. It is so incredibly sad that a man with so much talent is no longer among us. Now we have speculation about when and where the funeral will be, who will his estate be left to, does he actually have anything to leave or is he in debt. There are so many questions about his personal doctor and then there's the children and ex-wife...will we ever get to know the true story...
My cynical side has real doubts about whether anyone really cared about Michael Jackson. Did anyone care enough about him while he was alive to guide him on a less self destructive route? Was there a single person in his employ or in his family who was close enough to him to take him to one side and say 'Enough already Michael'? Was the vast fortune just too much for one person to handle and remain sane? I don't think so. The music industry took it's pound of flesh and much much more from Michael Jackson and then sat back to watch him implode. Yes, he made millions and was rewarded for his work but is a life worth that?
I am really concerned that the entertainment industry in general just do not do enough for their artists. There are too many incidences of death through drug overdoses where actors or singers have been seen to be successful, become famous and then felt the pressure of living a life in the public eye. They crack. They turn to drugs to help them cope. It seems accepted in those circles. It seems normal. If they are lucky they survive their addiction but are no doubt damaged by the experience. If we are not reading about an inevitable divorce we are told of a new patient in The Priory.
I think it should be compulsory for all record labels to provide a psychologist for 24 hour consultation to all up-and-coming recording artists to help them cope with a) earning vast amounts of cash b) knowing what to do with it and c) convincing them that mind altering substances are NO GOOD!
I could add a further suggestion which would involve not actually giving the artist so much cash in the first place and, therefore, reducing the cost of Cd's, concert tickets and eliminating all tacky merchandising from the planet. I ask the question - Is pop music really worth millions and should individuals such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Robbie Williams or Amy Winehouse be let loose with wads of cash to squander on drugs and fast living when that money could be given to me - whoops - I mean, given to reducing third world debt and promoting world peace.
I can feel a Monty Python sketch coming on. Money doesn't buy you happiness.
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