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Musicians: The "bigger in death" phenomenon


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Old 28-06-2009, 08:21
Flat_Eric
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One thing that I can never understand is the "bigger in death" phenomenon (for want of a better description).

We saw it with John Lennon, we saw it with Elvis and to a lesser extent we saw it with people like Curt Cobain and Freddie Mercury.

And now, pundits are predicting that for the first time ever, by next week the Top 10 slots of the charts will be occupied by a single artist, namely Whacko Jacko.

It's a mystery to me because normally, you don't suddenly become a fan of a singer / musician just because they've died. Do you?

Either you like their music or you don't.

And if you do like their music, then chances are that as a fan, you'll have already bought their albums. So no need to buy them again, surely?

Just one to ponder on a Sunday morning.

- Eric
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Old 28-06-2009, 09:22
Azarel
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I'm suprised that Cliff Richard hasn't jumped on that one yet........
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Old 28-06-2009, 09:41
eugenespeed
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I do agree. Surely the fans already have his music and no one is, well sick enough to be honest, to buy someone's music just because they've died.
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Old 28-06-2009, 09:54
skunkboy69
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Aye. I can't understand why his fans are buying all his music again now.Top 60 songs in the charts at the moment are by the Jacksons.It must be non fans buying the music.
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Old 28-06-2009, 10:42
shackfan
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Over the years people buy cds/records, play them, file them away, forget them, sell them, lose them, lend them out and never see them again, get burgled, lose them in a move/split relationship, chuck them, scratch them etc. Then when something like this happens you are reminded about all the great music, a lot of which you had forgotten about but still like. You then think you would like to play them in your own time, in your car etc so you buy them again. Simple really.
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Old 28-06-2009, 12:55
eugenespeed
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Over the years people buy cds/records, play them, file them away, forget them, sell them, lose them, lend them out and never see them again, get burgled, lose them in a move/split relationship, chuck them, scratch them etc. Then when something like this happens you are reminded about all the great music, a lot of which you had forgotten about but still like. You then think you would like to play them in your own time, in your car etc so you buy them again. Simple really.
It's not as if Jackson was out of the news or the public eye before his death though, there was the recent O2 concert which would have reminded people of him. There was even a Michael Jackson appreciation thread on here.
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Old 28-06-2009, 13:00
Rooftopcowboy
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I don't think this applies to Jackson, I think the focus has been merely restored to his music, and that his music is being respected again like it was before he was accused of molestation in 1993.

people have been quite dismissive about his later career for years, despite him being the biggest selling artist of the 90s and having huge hits like Black or White, Remember the Time, Heal the world, Earth Song, You are not alone etc some would try and claim he did nothing of note for the whole decade.

this has just reminded some people that behind all the craziness was a fantastic entertainer.
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Old 28-06-2009, 14:12
Anika Hanson
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This certainly does not apply to Michael Jackson, do you know how many records he sold when he was alive? Do you know he has the biggest selling album of all time.

His last album released in 2008 sold around 4 million copies. This album was a re-release which had little promotion and had already sold over 100 million copies when it was first released.


This man sold out 50 consecutive dates at the 02 in record time.

Of course his popularity had waned over the last 10 years but he was still hugely popular.
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Old 02-07-2009, 19:31
xmsradx
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I know a lot of people who are suddenly saying "Oh I love Michael Jackson - I'm going to go and buy all his albums!!"

and I'm thinking.... well you didn't last week!

Another friend says "I was so, so gutted when Michael died." (fair enough) and then "I'm going to listen to him all week." (sure) and then confessed "I only know one of his songs though."

Riiiiight.

I know Elvis and John Lennon were pretty much made into saints when they died. I am a HUGE John Lennon fan, but even I could see the worship for him went too far. As far as Michael Jackson goes.... I've heard a lot of sick jokes about his death and am not sure he'll be so respected as those two.
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