Count me in the rock-dwelling group, as well; hearing about the video game has given me a great urge to crawl back under it, though.
MJ's "Thriller" period was a big part of my teenage years, so he's important to me in that sense.
In later years, I had a fascination with him akin to watching a train wreck. I don't know that I necessarily believe he ever molested any children (hence I'm refraining making offensive speculative comments regarding what the 'gameplay' in the video game involved), I just think he didn't really understand appropriate boundaries between adults and children. I don't think he had a real childhood himself, but I don't think he ever really learned what it means to be an adult, either. Speculating about him having sex even with his wives Debby Rowe(sp?) and Lisa Marie strains the limits of my imagination. Which is probably good.
I've got two major issues with the late (and honestly great) Mr. Jackson. The first was watching his interview with Martin Brashir and hearing him deny having ANY plastic surgery, except nosework to correct a deviated septum. I mean, REALLY? You're a celebrity--the public isn't exactly shocked when celebs have cosmetic work done. I could have understood if he said, "Yes, I did, but I would prefer not to discuss my reasons;" but the fact he sat there and repeatedly told and insisted on the truth of what is a completely obvious lie offended me greatly (and that's pretty difficult, trust me).
I truly lost most of my respect for him, however, when he purchased the Beatles' catalog by outbidding the combined resources of Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. That just...repulses me. It's bad enough he and Mr. McCartney were friends; but I'd think--as an iconic songwriter himself--he would appreciate, more than most, the importance of artist's desire to own his or her own creations. That really just disgusted me. Yes, it was a smart business move. But he betrayed a friend, and a fellow artist.
Sorry for the rant, but it's hard to watch the idols of your childhood fall.
