A life's soundtrack

Thomas Rankin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:37:07 GMT

Brian Williams, About your coverage of Michael Jackson. Your news coverage of the above,you should change the name from NBC News to NBC News & Entertainment Tonight. You have too much about the entertainment news than about real news.

A life's soundtrack

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:03:01 GMT

Hi Lester,

Welcome back! I hope you had a nice week.

I was able to watch all two hrs. of the "Today Show" with Erin and you. It was a great special edition based on Michael Jackson. The videos, photos, music, and interviews of his freinds had a very poignant feel to it. As Toure of Rolling Stone magazine has been saying all throughout,for us to focus on the brilliance of Michael's music and let the other stuff go by the wayside.

Even though I may "sound" six or sixteen sometimes, I'm a yr. older than you and Brian (also Michael),
so I can relate to both of you, like most people can. I just think of the two of you as older brothers and/or friends.

I'll be watching you tonight if the thunderstorm allows, and then tomorrow night. Then it's off to Cherokee. The big pow wow is just around the bend. This is what the Cherokee said in a commercial last yr. " We hope you'll join us. Don't make us come after the rest of you." Of course they were kidding and I kid when I adopt that mentality.(most of the time)

I need to write Brian about this. I'm going to begin collecting neckties, men's of course. I'm assuming there won't be any psychological ramifications,(kidding). I want to bring back the Annie Hall look.
Hillary wasn't able to or wouldn't care to pull it off. I digress.

See you later, and have a good evening.

Vicki

A life's soundtrack

Norm, Corvallis, Montana — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:41:57 GMT

Lester: I hear what you are saying about Michael Jackson, but I surely hope that this weekend Nightly News will see fit to report on other critically important news.

A life's soundtrack

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:18:17 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Holt, Nice to see you this evening for the broadcast! First of all the report by Mr.Cowan concerning the investigation into Michael Jackson's death which hopefully will give more answers to so many questions. One can understand why the family would want a second autopsy to determine the cause of death. If the personal physician was giving him many different types of medications and that led to Mr.Jackson's death there should be accountability. So very tragic and heartbreaking for his children whe have endured so much in their lives.
One hopes things will work out for the children.

On another note regarding world news the statements by President Ahmadinejad about interference by the United States is very disturbing, It is such a volatile situation and these are harsh accusations.
Also, the violence in Iraq is horrible with around 250 people killed this week. An extremely tense situation and only a few days before US troops begin withdrawing from the region. One really hopes the Iraqi security forces will be able to handle the situation after the US troops leave, but only time will tell. I hope all the innocent civilians can someday live in peace.

The tributes to Mr.Jackson are incredible and show how he impacted people all over the world with his music. His songs will always be remembered as one heard in the piece by people singing the lyrics. He enjoyed huge success and endured tough times. A successful life ending tragically.
May he be at peace.

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt. Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra Safe and Well Richard!
XOXO

A life's soundtrack

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:21:26 GMT

Hi again Lester,

Mark Potter got the general info about the latest from Gov. Sanford. The local news was able to go more indepth. From what I understand, and that's always debatable, the State General Assembly can go ahead with impeachment hearings on the basis of misconduct. Because of the way they have it set up, there won't be a long wait. Proceedings could begin throughout the summer. The sad thing is that his wife Jenny doesn't really know if the affair has ended. We don't need this going on in our state. It isn't enough to smack his hand as if he's been a bad boy.

I don't blame the Jackson family for wanting another independent autopsy. Michael's dr. should never have left the scene. We as drivers aren't even suppose to leave the scene of an accident. And because of Michael's problems with needing prescription drugs...
I feel sorry for his children. Maybe with the sales of his music now, aside from us being able to enjoy it again, the money will go towards paying his debts and to the kids, eventually.

The "president" of Iran needs to sit down and shut up. (please don't take my comment away moderators), but the very first thing he needs is to be bitch slapped. And I would be willing to be called that, if I could slap him. I hear that. Moving on and speaking of moving on and out, I'm so glad that Ms. Madoff has to ride the subway, is that correct(?) and is having to move out of the penthouse. Her husband brought this on and she should have known he wasn't that damned smart, just crafty.

Lester, your purple, striped tie was excellent as was your lavender tie this morning. My first tie will be purple paisley. I'm still waiting for you to get one.

Anyway...Have a great evening and we'll see you tomorrow night.

Vicki

A life's soundtrack

Cary Skelton 19, Roanoke, Virginia. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:15:32 GMT

Lester, you wrote a wonderful post to the blog this evening. Thank you for sharing your memories of Michael Jackson. I'm only 19, nearing 20 in less than a month, and while during my lifetime most of the memories Michael made for me were during the mid-90s and 2000s, I guess since I was born right after the 80s the music and memories of the 80s were still fresh. I remember the Thriller album clearly, including the photo of Michael with a baby tiger inside the album (since as a kid I loved tigers). I even remember the music videos from a young age. But more clearly I remember listening to his 2001 album "invincible" as a young teen and just being in awe over his voice and talent. Hard to believe that was his last recorded album.

I know the controversies surrounding Michael's life are hard to forget, but I'm glad to see he's being remembered for his music and his talent. It's all about the music when someone like Michael is taken at such a young age. It's amazing, and very touching to see how the world has been celebrating his life by singing and dancing to his music together. It's living proof that music connects us all in ways no one can explain, or compare. I've said that myself many times. Music is a powerful, and amazing thing.

Thank you for the Saturday night broadcast.

Take Care,
-Cary

A life's soundtrack

vJ , Fairfield, Ca — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:15:50 GMT

I would like to send my condolences to the Jackson Family. I would like the Medical Establishment to find out why people are overdosing on certain medications and / or why some medications are lethal. Also, why are doctor obtaining licenses so quickly, without the know-how or judgement to let a patient know they don't the answer to a problem or that they would have to consult another physician? Michael Jackson had taken medicine all of these years, what made this time different? Why did the 911 caller not mention that it was Michael Jackson to the operator, but just a gentleman. The call in my opinion did not seem desperate enough. He should have been life lifted. Lastly, Promotionally speaking, Janet in her grief, hopefully will step up and with the spirit of her brother perform her heart out, with the performance of a lifetime with his costume attire and fulfill his obligation and dream for his fans.

A life's soundtrack

Phyllis Kunz Louisville Ky. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:22:51 GMT

Lester,
Today, June 27, is my daughter's birthday
She is 12 years younger than Michael Jackson
but was a big fan.
In fact, she had a poster of him on her bedroom wall
She and her friends loved him.
Phyllis

A life's soundtrack

Full Moon — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:50 GMT

Michael Jackson had help in his breakaway from his brothers. "Off the Wall," a good album, led to "Thriller," selling 27 million in the U.S. and, with MTV pushing the video and Quincy Jones behind him with the music, Michael was at the top of his game.

How do you top that album and 15 minute music video?
You don't. "Bad," Jackson's next LP, "ONLY" sold 6 million. Only Jackson would complain about that and when "Dangerous," his next album, only sold 2 million, he went into the face altering and freak show that was to be his trademark as much as "Thriller" was his signature work, along with his unbelievable dance ability and moon walk.

Michael lost conrol of his own life. Whatever went down wasn't pretty. I suspect he got away with much, due to his celebrity status, which was losing gound big time. Shania Twain's first 3 albums sold almost 40 million in the U.S., riveling Jackson's. The Eagles Greatest Hits was approaching "Thriller" status is U.S. sales. What set Jackson apart from everyone else was the performance.

Even the Beach Boys had more hits. Rick Nelson was close. Fats Domino. Pat Boone. Elvis charted 115 hits while Jackson has 4 major albums hits as a solo.

How do you make hundreds of millions of dollars world wide and wind up 500 million in debt at death, a death that will be scrutinized as everything from prescription pill abuse to even pharmaceutical murder. Months of Michael Jackson stories and updates will fill ET's television schedule. We'll get as sick of it as we did Anna Nocole Smith.

But Jackson's big comeback will be in his death, not the London concerts he signed on to do only to try to bail himself out of debt, even though he was frail and never would have gotten through that kind of a performance at 50 years of age. Record sales will soar and televisin will re-run his appearances for big money.

Much like Elvis, who had 7 million in the bank when he died, Presley's estate is worth over $500 hundred million now.

Paul McCartney did a few duets with Michael Jackson and is worth over 1 billion, even after his divorce.
Some people are rational and know how to manage their money. McCartney is only one of the few.

A life's soundtrack

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. / Cherokee, N.C. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:41:02 GMT

Lester,

I just wrote you a long post as to how things were going on here in Cherokee. But for some reason I posted it to last Sat., I think. Can you read it?

I'm just so damned tired wandering around in the mtns. here in Cherokee. And I've been helping out with the pow wow in a very small way. But I have it together now. Please see other post.

Bye for now.

Vicki

P.S. I'm going to get a copy of the best of the Jackson Five. I'm sure it will be coming out again. What I'm not going to get is a copy of the book that Gov. Sanford will probably write. I believe he's thinking that he's in his own reality show. That stuff doesn't matter here. It's sacred here in Cherokee. But then sacredness and true spirituality are a state of mind.

A life's soundtrack

NRoss — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:06:42 GMT

You reported that Michael Jackson contacted his nurse in Florida on June 21, 2009 begging for help. She told him to go to the hospital which he did not do. He died on June 25, 2009. What happened between June 21, 2009 and June 25, 2009?

NRoss