Jacko Blackout?

[The Rut]

will radio stations still play micheal Jackson songs if he is found guilty? You dont hear any Gary Glitter songs on the radio any more

[Lindylou]

Well typed Andy!  I totally agree with you.  I still like his music......

[littleoldme]

It's a tricky one. It's a bit different to Gary Glitter who (let's be brutally honest) had not been particularly relevant or having hit records for some time before his disgrace. Jacko is of course still very much relevant, still a big influence on music and adored worldwide by a huge fanbase. The radio stations would be in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation if MJ is found guilty - they'd get loads of complaints if they played his stuff, and just as many if they didn't.

Irrespective of your musical tastes (and I'm not particularly a Jackson fan), as andy hughes says, where do you draw the line?

[MargeB]

I can't separate artist from art (not on an intellectual level, but for something like music to make any 'sense'). If I listen to Moby, I want to know that someone had just died before he wrote that outpouring, if I listen to Radiohead, I want to know that they have personal angst issues. Music is more than a catchy melody, it's artistic expression, and as such it has to be honest. If he is found guilty, I don't want to listen to his music (which I don't rate anyway) and have to quell thoughts of what he was thinking when he wrote 'You belong to me' etc.

Unlike many people it seems, I already have huge issues with this weirdo sharing his bed with children and holding youngsters hands 'like lovers would'. Euch. At least Glitter took it on the chin. Jackson seems to want to justify it. Euuch.

[kick3m0n]

allegedly, Radio 2 DJs have been advised not to play MJ tunes if he's convicted.  Some memo went out to this affect recently.

[brachiopod]

andy h, do I detect a little wry humour when you wrote "he has a back catalogue few can match"?

Isn't that because he owns most of The Beatles' back catalogue?

[honkytonkman]

Gary Glitter isn't played anymore as his music is largely irrelevant in today's music programming. Jerry Lee Lewis married a 13 year old cousin (whilst he was still married).. and his although he was blacklisted for a few years, Capital Gold would be lost without his back catalogue. MJ's music was a massively popular so without a doubt his air play will only be dimmed for a short while.