Comparing Michael Jackson with Gary Glitter
Why Jackson's Career Continued after Abuse Claims & Glitter's Didn't
Jul 8, 2009
Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, was a successful glam rock artist in the 70s and 80s who had over 26 hit singles between 1972 and 1995, including I'm the Leader of the Gang, and was known for his silver glitter suits and platform boots.
But in 1999, he became a registered sex offender after child pornography was found on his computer; was permanently deported from Cambodia in 2002 following suspected child abuse and in 2008 was imprisoned for molesting two girls aged 10 and 11 in Vietnam.
Glitter's career never recovered from these charges. His songs faced a blanket ban in the media and though he continued to release music, they received no airplay.
"Nowadays, because of what Gary has done, [his songs] are pop's pariahs, songs you never hear on the radio, which have been airbrushed from pop history in the same way as Glitter - who had one of the longest chart runs of any singer in the 70s - has been excluded from rock biographies..." ("Christmas Without Glitter?" The Guardian, December 14, 2006)
Child Abuse Allegations Against Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, began his musical career with his brothers in The Jackson Five in the 70s, but became world famous as a solo artist during the 80s and 90s when Thriller, his sixth album in 1982, sold 109 million copies worldwide making it the best selling record of all time.
Known for his moonwalk, white studded glove and colour change from brown to white, Jackson was acclaimed for setting music and video trends. In 1993, he was accused of sexually abusing a 13 year old boy but the case was settled out of court, and in 2003 he was accused of similar crimes but was acquitted.
Jackson's public profile suffered as a result of the allegations but his music continued to sell and in 2009 he sold out 50 dates at London's o2 Arena in minutes.
He died on June 25 2009, less than three weeks before the concerts were due to start and was universally mourned and celebrated, thousands turned up for his funeral and the televised memorial was watched by millions globally.
The Difference Between Glitter and Jackson
So although both entertainers were accused of similar crimes against children, here are 7 reasons why Glitter could be blacklisted and ignored whilst Jackson couldn't:
- Ground-breaking Music: Jackson was a pioneer. His music, videos, dancing and style were so captivating at a time when music was in the doldrums that he single-handedly revitalised the industry. He set records, broke racial barriers and became a global brand. Glitter, on the other hand, made a considerably smaller dent in music history and thus was easier to sideline.
- Loyal Fan Base: Jackson's legions of devotees are extremely loyal, vocal and visible. Coming from all nations and ages, they would have continued to request Jackson's music even if the media had tried to ban them on radio, and many disc jockeys were also fans. Conversely, Glitter's demise was easy to orchestrate as he didn't elicit as much devotion from his fans.
- Fascinating Figure:Jackson was an interesting figure to say the least. His looks, lifestyle and family issues filled many column inches, as did the various developments in his life; his high profile marriage to Elvis Priestley's daughter, mystery sorrounding the birth of his children and controversial behaviour. Glitter's personal life doesn't demand such interest or commentary.
- Sympathy: Jackson's early life was well documented; his strained childhood due to performing from an early age and his dislike of his looks which led to plastic surgery. Many witnessed his child-like tendencies and believed he surrounded himself with children in an attempt at reclaiming his lost youth. The public viewed him as vulnerable and damaged as a result of his successful career and pitied him. However, Glitter's past didn't necessarily come into play in the judgement of his crimes.
- Acquittal: Jackson was never found guilty of any of the charges, and reports that the accusers were motivated by money stuck in light of numerous lawsuits against Jackson in the past, but there was enough evidence and witnesses to charge and imprison Glitter.
- Jackson's Asexuality: Glitter had a history of sexual liaisons with minors and his sexual deviance was viewed as a habit, so whilst he could be cast aside as a 'dirty old man' and relegated to the ranks of other paedophiles, Jackson wasn't so easily categorised. His asexual persona, seeming sexual innocence and timidity gave rise to doubts about the predatory nature of the claims made against him.
- Established Perception of Peculiarity: Jackson's life had already been grabbing headlines for years because of his various eccentricities: friendships with Chimps, fairground in his home etc; so the allegations of abuse, though reprehensible was another revelation in a long line of bizarre Jackson stories, especially in light of reported slumber parties with children. Glitter's crimes were not synonymous with his persona or behaviour so were easier to denounce with finality.
Although Jackson was found innocent of the abuse claims, such accusations would have killed off any pop star's career, but Jackson occupies a unique space in history that allows for the admiration of his music to reign supreme over any questionable decisions he took during his lifetime.
Sources:
- BBC News Profile: Gary Glitter: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4766890.stm
- Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness; J. Randy Taraborelli; 1991; Citadel
 |
