Dark Gods — Pop Culture and the Occult Deification of Michael Jackson
The Effect of Global Celebrity in the Golden Age of Video
Pop Culture Gods: The Age of Video
Michael Jackson’s video for his hit song and album title track, “Thriller”, was the breakthrough moment that 1980s Pop Culture needed. This moment in music history spearheaded the widespread acceptance and globalization of the American Pop Star as a god.
Prior to this moment, there were pop stars. The Beatles were pop stars. The Rolling Stones were pop stars, and they were huge, but what occurred when the (then) new music medium MTV merged with the artistic vision of Michael Jackson, was different. It was legendary. It was fated. Their partnership changed the face and expectations of pop art forever.
Fame as a global “virus”, fame as an opportunity to receive intercontinental exaltation, was new. It was an unexplored realm, and for an artist, a deeper and darker psychological plateau.
This new realm of exaltation brought with it absolute glory, adoration, greed, and a seemingly endless earning potential.
Celebrity is Not Enough
Celebrities have always been acknowledge, adored, praised, and rewarded. As a career, celebrity brings with it certain…
