More than a year and a half after Jackson’s untimely passing, interest in the King of Pop continues unabated. And this includes everyone whoever had contact with the performer, such as Sir Elton John.
When John, one of England’s most beloved artists, was asked about one of America’s best-loved artist during the promotion of his latest CD, The Union, the British pop star made observations that were poignant and heartwrenching.
“[He was] charming, sweet, lovely, but damaged,” John said, revealing that Jackson had descended into a level of isolation from which he would never emerge from — and may have ultimately been more responsible for his death than the dangerous drugs he regularly consumed.
“He came down here and we closed all the curtains and had lunch. He said it was the first time he’d sat down and had a meal with people [in] 10 years. He would always eat on his own,” said John.
John, who revealed that Jackson came to his gigs with Elizabeth Taylor, said that he put too much pressure on himself to be successful. Recalling a time Jackson visited his home, John told the Telegraph:
“Fame infantilizes people. You don’t ever grow up. But thank God, I did,” said John. John’s battle with illicit drugs and wayward behavior are common knowledge to old-school pop music fans, particularly in the United Kingdom.
John also wondered why Jackson would try to top the world’s greatest selling album. “I remember talking to Michael once when he did Thriller and I said, ‘How are you going to top that?’ He said, ‘Oh, the next one’s going to do twice as much,’ and I thought, Michael, it’s not. You can’t. You put so much pressure on yourself.”
If social conditions deteriorated in Jackson’s life to where he hadn’t had a meal with other people in a decade, it is easy to see why powerful prescription narcotics became his closest and most constant companion. –terry shropshire
