Jackson’s Musical Legacy Rings Clear Amid Troubled Life Story

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• JEFFREY BROWN:

  When Michael Jackson reached new heights in the 1980s, it wasn't solely because of his best-selling albums. He also helped produce and starred in a series of groundbreaking music videos that showcased his dancing and choreography.

  Not incidentally, they also helped fuel the rise of MTV. Here are clips from two of the videos he made for his "Thriller" album: first, "Billie Jean"; and then, "Beat It."

  And some final thoughts now about Michael Jackson from Anthony DeCurtis, contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine. He's an author and critic who's written widely about contemporary music.

  And Garth Trinidad, a D.J. and event producer who's worked with artists such as Jill Scott and Gnarls Barkley, he also hosts his own show on KCRW Public Radio in Santa Monica, California.

  Anthony DeCurtis, we just saw him in the '80s, but I want to go back further, because I well remember those Jackson 5 days. It was already clear that this was an unusual and precocious talent, right?

• ANTHONY DECURTIS, Rolling Stone Magazine:

  Immediately. You know, there was a very clear sense — I mean, the first time that you saw the Jackson 5, Michael was just electrifying, but also a delightful presence.

  I mean, I always think of him as kind of everybody's younger brother, you know. He had this tremendous command as a performer, at the same time as just an enormous amount of charm. He had all the moves of Jackie Wilson and James Brown, whom he had studied, wonderful singer, and just had a gleam in his eye that was just such a pleasure, I think, that everybody took in seeing Michael at that stage of his career.