Is it acceptable to listen to Michael Jackson

[FarTooSkinny]

Just watching late night TV and a Michael Jackson song came on. Is it acceptable to listen him and enjoy the music given the disgusting crimes he committed?

Voting YABU = it is acceptable,
YANBU = he is terrible

He was never actually found guilty.

Whilst I'm not saying I think he's innocent, you are stating his 'crimes' as fact.

I'd say yes. I'm not an MJ devotee, but surely you can like the music without liking the person? He had some amazing songs in the 80s.

There is a bit of a leap from , it’s ok to listen to his music and he is terrible. I think his crimes were terrible but his music great

@OhYeahYouSuck

He was never actually found guilty.

Whilst I'm not saying I think he's innocent, you are stating his 'crimes' as fact.

this, and im not a massive MJ fan, if its a song i like i listen, if i dont like it i skip it

I wonder if they play them on the radio anymore?
I know they didn't with Gary Glitter

I won't now

I just can't enjoy the music now

I dunno, I've not watched the documentaries, but I know he was very messed up, but am I wrong to thing there's a considerable part of that due to his upbringing?? I don't have answers, he was a very strange and sad character in the end. But he made some incredible music.

Its fine if you like his music, you can like it without thinking he was a great person.

*think

Interesting comparison with Gary Glitter. His songs never get played. But similar crimes.

Had this conversation with my husband last night!! One of his songs came on the radio and it was so good to hear it, I then commented I had deleted his songs from my iTunes as it felt wrong to listen to him anymore!

Husband asks why, as no matter what he may (or may not have done), it doesn't change how good his music was. But my response was "would you listen to Gary Glitter songs, knowing what he did?"

I know he was never proven guilty but I believe he did do what he's been accused of, and although I love his music, I feel it's wrong to listen...unfortunately!

Innocent unless proven guilty is the way criminal justice works. I don't see his songs and his alleged behaviour as linked.

I think his music and videos were brilliant but It believe he sexually abused a lot of children which has made me not want to play it anymore.

Gary glitter was found guilty and tried to make a mockery of the justice system.
As MJ wasn't convicted of any crimes maybe that's why they might play huu oh a music still.

Don’t want to listen anyway. Makes me so sad. He was a big part of my childhood, in the Jackson 5 days and I remember a sweet, talented little boy.
He allegedly did awful things and allegedly had awful things done to him. Just can’t
listen.

Voting YABU = it is acceptable,
YANBU = he is terrible
That sounds rather extreme. You're one of those 'all or nothing' people aren't you?

YABU do you really think fair to turn against someone who has accusations after his death that he can no longer defend?

I actually think he was maybe guilty but it's wrong to create all this backlash when someone cannot defend themselves

I'll always listen to his music

Interesting those that say he wasn’t found guilty. Do you think he didn’t do it, or was it his money that ensured he was never convicted? The evidence for his behaviour being criminal is very strong.

He recorded some great songs. But also sexually abused young boys. When his music comes on the TV or radio I find it difficult to disconnect those two facts.

Really hard question - I think he was a prolific paedophile and died before the full weight of what his grooming meant was exposed

But I like some of his music- especially the early stuff - It’s tinged by this but I can still enjoy it.

I am more uncomfortable with people still idolising him and making money off this (those who deny he did anything wrong so they will profit - a bit like Whitney’s legacy - though accept not the same thing)

I think money is the key here - there are many one hit wonders who have behaved abhorrently and been rightly ostracised- money talks and you can’t do that with MJ

I was amazed when the big scene in The Joker on the steps was accompanied by a Gary Glitter track. Still getting played in the US, I think it's an NHL regular theme as well or at least was until very recently.

MJ is a tricky one, I grew up buying his albums but struggle with all the allegations so definitely don't listen to him as much as I used to. I feel weird about it too OP.

We don't know that he committed any 'disgusting crimes'. Plenty of people think he didn't, about three say he did. He was never convicted. He is not R Kelly or Gary Glitter.

Of course you can listen to his music, he was a unique talent, a star.

I'm not a fan of his music and do think he was guilty BUT I don't think anyone needs to run to turn the radio off if one of his songs comes on!

I would be surprised if there was ever a MJ celebration on TV or a major public outpouring of grief from many celebs in the light of Leaving Neverland but I doubt he'll ever be removed from playlists entirely. His contribution to the industry was enormous.

I watched the finding neverland documentary and I just can't listen to his music without thinking of those accusations (which I personally believe are most likely true) so it's spoilt any previous enjoyment I may have got from his music.

Difficult one, isn’t it?

Jackson was a serial predatory paedophile who exploited his wealth, fame and connections to rape innocent children and escape justice. He cynically created a bullshit narrative about his own ‘lost childhood’ to claim victimhood and attempt to justify the amount of time & money he spent grooming children.

He was also a musical genius whose fusion of pop, soul & rock produced some of the greatest songs ever recorded, with a universal appeal which transcended established genres.

It’s a cop-out to say ‘hate the artist, love the art’, but that’s probably the best we can do.