[setanta]

[rquote=2594091&tid=147768&author=MassiveTruck][rquote=2593973&tid=147768&author=setanta]You're backtracking Tom. You disagreed about his legacy and the influence he's had on this generation, calling his music s"it and unoriginal too. [/rquote]

But it's not his legacy is it. It's Quincy Jones I think but since Thriller he hasn't done anything as great and Bad was a very good album but not as great. I don't think he transformed anything to be sure.

I find a lot of what he did a natural progression from what was happening in New York at the time - but in this case Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones had the backing of record companies and with it, lots and lots of money as well.

Overall, you have to question Michael's input on the album too because he worked more as a performer at the time and Quincy Jones was so frustrated with him he (allegedly) beat him up to get him back in the studio.

Overall, apart from Billie Jean - the rest of the album are very good pop songs at best. The only classic on the whole album is Billie Jean which doesn't really make it a great album or iconic.

I think he had hit heights like he has by becoming a form of idol for a lot of people.

With the help of creating one of the most expensive videos of all time... he became iconic but I don't think a lot of it has to do with the music. It was hugely financed publicity campaign built on the back of the boom on Wall Street and all the money that was available at the time.

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I think you're allowing your own feelings towards his music overshadow the reality of his huge contribution to music and popular culture. Sure, Quincy Jones was an incredible producer but should you discount the Beatles because of the huge impact George Martin had on them, or Elton John because of his working relationship with Bernie Taupin?

Was Quincy Jones there when Michael Jackson was first introduced to us on tv with the Jackson 5, as he strutted around with a natural magnetism and gift for performing? Watch those clips back- he was already in possession of the kinda star quality that can't be bottled up and sold off to the highest bidder. He had a God given talent that anyone who saw him perform live will testify to. Seriously, he was the next Elvis in how he captured the imaginations of the public and crossed racial barriers with his music.