The Jackson Three?

The Jackson Three to follow the Jackson Five?

Joe Jackson who had a really poor relationship with his own son, the recently departed King of Pop (aka Michael), has been on television suggesting that Michael Jackson's three children: Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II (aka Blanket) are already showbiz material with the potential to carry on their father's legacy.

This is troubling to me. These kids were never going to have normal childhoods anyway, but these kind of ramblings by Joe Jackson on Good Morning America are exactly the reason these kids need to be looked after by someone else. This someone has to be someone that has the childrens' best interests at heart rather than some grand plan of their own to exploit these youngsters for all they are worth.

It seems that Paris, at least according to Joe, is already ready to do something in showbiz. It is said that Blanket can dance. And, that Prince Michael is already lining up a virtual duet with his dad in the Natalie Cole / Nat King Cole way.

This is not the only rumour doing the rounds. It is thought that the children are going to do a special birthday concert to honour their dad on what would have been his 51st birthday.

I just hope that someone sees the light. These kids need to be given every opportunity to have a life that is as normal as can be. I hope that they are not robbed of their childhoods like their father was.

Michael Jackson -- A Music and Cultural Icon

There is little doubt, at least in my mind, that Michael Jackson was a musical genius. His eccentricities must not detract from this genius. There might always be question marks about some of his personal decisions and the manner in which he lived his life, but talent is talent and that deserves to be recognized.

I attach a video of the Michael Jackson singing one of his signature songs, The Man in the Mirror. If there was any need to see why there has been such an outpouring of grief the world over, then this is it. Just sitting back and watching the behaviour and reactions of the fans that attended his concerts sometimes beggars belief.

I liked the music. It was something that I grew up with and something that will be part of me forever. I think we all have songs that we claim ownership over in the sense that this one particular song coincides with a defining or important moment in making us who we are or pushes us in a particular direction, something that touches our innermost soul and being.

The Man in the Mirror is a song that does this for me.

Enjoy.