People are born knowing Beatles’ lyrics, at least according to Nick Hornby’s book “About A Boy.”

This may be true. But for anyone born after 1967, the quote might as well read, “People are born knowing Michael Jackson.”

Since first breaking onto the national scene after winning an amateur night at The Apollo Theater as a member of The Jackson 5, the Gary, Ind. native has been at the center of the music universe.

Jackson has been so influential over his 37 years in the industry; it almost seems unnecessary to gush out a list of accolades. What can be said that has not already been printed a thousand times over?

Five No.1 albums? Yes
Forty-two No.1 singles? Sure.
Eight Grammy awards? Check.
Universally nicknamed “The King Of Pop?” Yep.
Over 55 million albums sold? (Insert condescending monosyllabic response here).

So, yes, it seems people are born knowing Michael Jackson. But the question remains, how do they know him.

Jackson’s recent legal battles have forever tarnished the singer’s legacy. In fact, the last few years have been so tainted by public speculation, his bizarre behavior seems even more erratic. The controversial interviews, the stunt outside the Sony Music offices with pal Rev. Al Sharpton, the baby-dangling escapade, and his most recent child-molestation charges brought about last December have all further diminished his public image.

In a recent survey, 100 first-fifth graders were asked, “Who is Michael Jackson?” Only 30 had an initial response pertaining to music. Based on this data, less than a third of people born after 1994 will grow up viewing Jackson as a musician first and foremost. Some responses, such as “that crazy looking guy,” or “that guy who talks like a girl” were almost as popular.

It is a travesty that someone who’s spent almost 40 years in the music business will no longer be viewed as a member of that industry. His illustrious career has been overshadowed by the questionable actions in his personal life.

Jackson’s fall from grace is nothing short of tragic. Joe Montana as a Kansas City Chief, Robert De Niro in “Analyze This” (and “Analyze That”) can’t even compare. No other celebrity has faltered near as much in his or her latter years. From one of the most influential and mimicked performers, to a freak show – the punch line to tasteless jokes about pedophilia and gender roles, the moniker “The King Of Pop” has been replaced by “Wacko Jacko.”

Though the verdict of his current lawsuit is ages away, the public and media have already made up their minds. What will be remembered about Jackson is more heartbreaking when considering what will be forgotten.

People no longer debate the validity of his music. Water-cooler discussions which once derived from his groundbreaking videos and persona now veer toward sex-crimes and the man behind the surgical masks.

A psychologist would argue the actions and disfigurations are products of self-loathing; that only someone void of the social comprehension developed during formative years could fail to see the consequences. They’d say an unusual childhood could lead to a dysfunctional adult life; that the media is only showing Jackson how he represents himself, and the public’s morbid fascination with a man in at his wits end is natural.

But there are no psychologists in sight.

Northern Star Online, Feb. 4, 2004