Joe Jackson’s death spawns mixed reactions on social media
Joe Jackson leaves a complicated legacy.
As the patriarch of a family that produced The Jackson 5 - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - as well as Randy, La Toya, Rebbie and Janet - he is being celebrated as the architect of a musical dynasty.
But considering the rampant reports of abuse and Jackson’s uncompromising need to be praised as the driving force behind one of the most musically fertile families in pop history also leaves us thinking, success, yes. But at what cost?
Jackson died Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, a couple of days after it was reported he was in the final stages of terminal cancer. He was 89.
One tweet from the account of Michael Jackson, who died nine years ago on June 25, provided a quote from Jackson about the intentions of his father:
"My father did always protect us and that’s no small feat... He looked after our interests in the best ways. He might have made a few mistakes along the way, but he always thought he was doing what was right for his family,” Jackson said in an excerpt from his 1988 “Moonwalk” book.
Michael Jackson’s son, Prince, also offered compliments to his late grandfather in an Instagram post:
Social media tendered a mixed reaction, with artists including R. Kelly and rapper Juicy J praising Joe Jackson’s legacy, and others, such as media personality Piers Morgan noting that Jackson never wavered in his belief that he did what he had to do to give his family “a better life.”
Here is what some others had to say:
#JoeJackson passed at 89 as the patriarch of a family that has mainstreamed our culture. He was never given the credit he deserved. He influenced the world of music with the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and others. May history correct his legacy.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) June 27, 2018
📷: @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/NAlceUJaqv
Joe Jackson took his 6 sons and 3 daughters from Gary, IN to the world. He made icons that are still impacting the world, today. Sad to hear about his passing. Rest in power, #JoeJackson#LegendsHonorLegends pic.twitter.com/FE0o6EkTo7
— R. Kelly (@rkelly) June 27, 2018
IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH JACKSON: "My father did always protect us and that’s no small feat... He looked after our interests in the best ways. He might have made a few mistakes along the way, but he always thought he was doing what was right for his family" –Michael Jackson (Moonwalk) pic.twitter.com/zNMKTfIcEm
— Michael Jackson (@michaeljackson) June 27, 2018
Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him. Please don't just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness.#ripthehawk
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
RIP Joe Jackson.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 27, 2018
A tough, uncompromising, charming & complex man who drove his children from the mean, poor streets of Gary, Indiana to global stardom. But at what cost? He made no apologies when I interviewed him in 2013: ‘I did what I had to do to give them a better life.’ pic.twitter.com/WCz4mXHjYM
Joe Jackson, brother beloved, patriarch & creator of one of the most talented American musical dynasties. We will remember him as long as his family’s music plays. Offering prayers and condolences to the Jackson family. #RIP #NeverCanSayGoodbye #JoeJackson pic.twitter.com/ws7vFmeRxi
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) June 27, 2018
R.I.P. joe Jackson the legend we will never forget
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 27, 2018
THE MAN...THE FAMILY ...THE LEGEND! RIP JOE JACKSON and thank you for giving us the many gifts of talent from your family, not just to our community on a whole...but to the ENTIRE WORLD!!! #RIP pic.twitter.com/uOfKXQV4mP
— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) June 27, 2018
About the Author
Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.
