Jun 26 2009
Lenny Kravitz reflects on Michael Jackson

Lenny Kravitz Speaks On Michael Jackson: A Beautiful Human Being

The wave of reflections about Michael Jackson’s passing is likely to shut down the internet: Google news stories in the upper thousands; Twitter admins on server alert. Lenny Kravitz broke Twitter’s 140 character limit to reflect on Michael Jackson’s legacy in this very thoughtful multi-part Tweet I recombine for your reading pleasure..

There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson. Many people are saying what a performer, what an icon. How many Grammy’s he won. How Thriller was the biggest selling album in history. They speak about the controversy and countless other things. But the truth of the matter is he was a boy that God blessed with the most angelic voice. Just listen to an early Jackson Five album and listen to that voice. The purity, the feeling, the interpretation of the lyrics.

At the age of ten, he was on par with James Brown and Aretha Franklin. But the thing he had that they could not match was the fact that he was a child. But at the same time he sang as an adult. That line between child and experienced adult took his expression to an unmatched level.

I heard somebody on the BBC news tonight say that he was a great singer but didn’t have feeling like James Brown. That somebody is not listening carefully. As a child he did it all. Even if he had not done Off the Wall or Thriller, he would still be a genius in my eyes.

I got to work with Michael on a track that has not been released and it was the most amazing experience I’ve had in the studio. He was funny. Very funny and we laughed the whole time. I also saw what a beautiful father he was. He was a beautiful human being.

I am deeply saddened this evening. He was the first live performer I ever saw. I got to see him at Madison Square Garden when I was eight. If not for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. He gave me joy as a child and showed me the way to go. He was music. Period. His hugeness as a star was great but before he was the King of Pop, he’d said it all.

May you rest in peace sweet Michael. You gave us all you had to give.

~ Lenny


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 chris Sat, Aug 08, 2009 - 11:04 pm

that was a very beautiful statement about michael jackson by lkravitz.  those who were young when mj started understand the majestic influence the jackson five had in the black community.  motown meant the 4 tops, temptations, the supremes and the jackson 5 and when they played the jackson five on the radio.  we all fell in love with the group.  we knew all of the names. they were our age singing about love and dancing up a storm.  our young people needed icons to love and understand.  that is just like l kravitz mother being iconic in her own right during the seventies.  people need to just stop hating and start loving.  michael jackson sang about love and we listened.  rip michael jackson

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