THE KING OF ROCK…THE KING OF POP
by eddie on Jun.26, 2009, under E
Eddie O'Rourke rules as "The King of Rock", June 25th, 2009 "Elvis Summer Festival"
THE BURDEN OF CREATIVE GENIUS
When I heard the news of Michael Jackson’s passing, I was about to begin a concert. In the moments as I waited to start my show, I was reminded of the high price some performers have paid for their creative genius. I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with some very gifted entertainers and musicians. ‘The greats” and “the near-greats”. Some well known personalities and some the world will never know. A common trait for all these people was their pursuit of an elusive sound. The wonderful by-product was simply great music. True genius often takes a toll on personal relationships and the contentment with life that we all seek. It was certainly the case for Elvis and Michael Jackson.
The obvious connection between Elvis and Michael was Michael’s marriage to Lisa Marie, but there are other factors. Both rose to iconic status at an early age and became isolated because of their celebrity. Both had commanding stage presence and left an indelible imprint on contemporary music. Each was a major influence on the musical styles of other entertainers. And in the end both died before their time, leaving their fans to ponder what might have been. Life is a trade-off…you don’t get without giving. We envy talent, but how many would be willing to bear the burden that true musical genius brings. Elvis and Michael Jackson knew, too well, the demands of extreme talent.