Jackson’s significance to the Blues world is that he broke several glass ceilings for African American exposure to a mass market. His 1982 “Thriller” video caused a fledgling MTV to increase its playing of “soul” videos. The 13-minute video was literally a musical horror short film featuring Jackson dancing and singing in monster makeup. It was directed by John Landis of Animal House fame with makeup handled by Rick Baker, the most highly regarded horror movie makeup artist of the era.

Jackson put the emphasis on the pop artist as a visual phenomenon. If Elvis defined a distinctly youthful style in the ’50s with his hair, flamboyant dress and sensual dancing, and Jimi Hendrix epitomized a breaking way from the black stereotypes of overalls for rural blues singers and “snazzy” suits for urban blues singers, Michael Jackson created an androgynous, glitzy stage presence, inventing the “moon walk,” where he appeared to be walking forward when he actually was gliding backward. His dancing was inspired by Fred Astaire, James Brown and arguably Jr.Wells. He magnified the excitement of this image with staging and filming techniques.

Jackson’s first break came as lead singer with four of his brothers as the Jackson 5 in 1969 winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Their first four singles all went to number one on Motown Records: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.” By the time The Jacksons as they were then called moved to Epic Records, Michael already had a dual career as a solo artist. His 1979 Off The Wall album sold seven million copies and yielded four number one singles.

The success of Thriller eclipsed succeeding albums including Victory in 1984, Bad in 1987, Dangerous in 1991, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1 in 1995 and his last album Invincible in 2001. Nevertheless, he had a total of eighteen number one hits counting his work with the Jackson 5.

In 1985 tabloid journalists nicknamed him “Wacko Jacko” and exploited a series of seemingly eccentric maneuvers including: sleeping in a hyperbolic oxygen chamber; an untold number of cosmetic surgeries that, along with a skin disorder called vitiligo, made him appear white; purchasing the bones of The Elephant Man; and adopting a chimp he named “Bubbles.” His career was further damaged by two high profile child molestation charges, on both of which he was acquitted.

As a creative artist he consistently tried to maintain a childlike quality making up for a childhood he never had at the stern hand of his father, Joe, who, he said beat him. At the time of his death he owned 50% share in Sony/ATV Music Publishing that included two hundred and fifty-nine John Lennon/Paul McCartney songs. But his business acumen was overpowered by a spending habit that was larger than his income. He was eighteen days away at the time of his death from performing fifty “This Is It’ comeback concerts at London’s O2 Arena.

Check it out at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/arts/music/28roht.html

Nick had not been touring for the last few years, possibly for health reasons. In addition to scores of Magic Slim & The Teardrops records, and various sessions as a sideman, Nick recorded three releases bearing his name: Magic Slim And Nick Holt, You Can't Lose What Never Had (Wolf Records); Nick Holt, You Better Watch Yourself (Wolf Records); Little Boogie Boy Blues Band featuring Nick Holt, We Do It For The Blues.

1. Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry, The Way Of The Blues – It’s A BHMP Thang

2. Louisiana Red, Back To The Black Bayou – Ruf Records

3. Cyril Neville, Brand New Blues – Brand New Blues

4. Nick Moss and The Flip Tops, Combo Platter # 2 – Blue Bella Records

5. Roy Rogers, Split Decision – Blind Pig

6. Shirley Johnson, Blues Attack – Delmark Records

7. Nicole Hart, Treasure – Blues Leaf Records

8. J.C. Smith Band, Defining Cool – Cozmik Records

9. Various Artists, Chicago Blues-A Living History – Raisin Music

10. Omar Kent Dykes, Big Town Playboy – Ruf Records

11. Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, A Stranger Here – Anti Records

12. Alex Dixon, Rising From The Bushes – Dixon Landing Music

13. Danny Kalb, I’m Gonna Live The Life I Sang About – Sojourn Records

14. Charlie Musselwhite, Rough Dried – Henrietta Records

15. Steve James, Short Blue Stories – Hobemian Records

Jason and The Scorchers’ first record Lost and Found made many “best of the ’80s” lists with its fusion of punk rock and country. On the road 200 days a year, Jason decided to create a CD for two preschool daughters to listen to while he was away. A Day at The Farm with Farmer Jason was released in the fall of 2003. Family Fun magazine called it one of the Top 5 kids’ CDs of 2003. He toured on it, followed it up with Rockin’ in The Forest with Farmer Jason, and has just released a new DVD.

Jason’s goal for his alter ego CDs and DVDs? “That a children’s CD could successfully entertain and educate children, without making their parents want to blow up the stereo.”