Joe Jackson, the “Pop” of the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, has died at 89 after a long battle with cancer.
The end was expected and he was surrounded by loved ones as he bid farewell to a world he changed forever by rearing a family who changed the face and sound of pop music.
How did he do it?
Various inside sources say it was with an iron will, determination, faith and brutal discipline. The rest of the world knows it only as The Jackson 5.
But, Michael Jackson himself summed it up by revealing he’d grown up missing a childhood and retaliating by leaving his father out of his will.
That was no minor insult. MJ’s estate has grown since his own untimely death, at the age of 50, in 2009. Today he’s worth more dead than alive and, judging by Joe Jackson’s public demeanor and published quotes, it was a grievous blow.
The horrific story of Michael Jackson’s upbringing was long a dark rumor until MJ openly discussed the topic on numerous occasions late in his life. Tales of being beaten with a stick because he wanted to play with other kids, instead of rehearsing the act, were disputed. Until they were confirmed by others who, silently, witnessed it all.
Perhaps the crowning confirmation of Joe Jackson’s megalomania and cruelty was at the memorial ceremony held in Hollywood the week after Michael Jackson died at the hands of an incompetent quack doctor more interested in talking with his girlfriend on the phone than tending to his patient.
When asked, “How are you doing?” Joe Jackson replied, “I’m doing great!” to the stunned surprise of the interviewer.
He went on to use the moment to publicize his new production company and unknowingly revealed he couldn’t care less about his world famous dead son.
The family has released words of sorrow online and a private funeral is being planned.
But, Joe Jackson’s legacy will always be that his relentless pursuit of wealth, fame and immortality permanently scarred one of the world’s greatest ever performers.
In the end, was it all worth it?