The Bittersweet Taste of BAD 25

As we get closer and closer to the date of BAD 25's release, I have become aware of yet another issue that has divided the Michael Jackson fan community.

I feel like every time a new album or song or item comes out, there is controversy over whether purchasing these items is showing support for the estate. Some fans still have issues with what the release of posthumous material means. Obviously Michael is not here it. Obviously Michael did not cut any new tracks for it. But obviously (to me anyway) it is still Michael's work.


Now running a Michael Jackson fan club here in New York City, I am totally aware that all fans will have different opinions on different subjects. That is why, at  Legacy of Love, we choose to remain neutral on these types of topics. Yes, my co-organizer and I have our own thoughts and desires, relating to what we'd like to see happen with unreleased material and the anniversaries of previously released material. But so what!!!! Legacy of Love was created to celebrate Michael's legacy and all of what he's accomplished. It also was created to help preserve the camaraderie of the Michael Jackson community on the East Coast. So when a fan logged onto meetup last weekend, and began to accuse me and my co-organizer of NOT being REAL FANS, I was too THROUGH.

He proceeded to urge us to celebrate the "OLD BAD"...

You serious? .....  o_O

I mean I have the old BAD album...

On vinyl.

On cassette tape.

On CD (original album and 2001 remaster).

On iTunes in mp3 form.

 Isn't that enough damn support?      

Was Michael resurrected and forced to like re-record this album for the 25th Anniversary? 'Cause that just went WAY over MY head. All of the material on BAD 25, including the tour footage... Is OLD!

A word for those who don't know how we get down at Legacy of Love...

We will celebrate what we want, when we want at Legacy of Love and if you want to get into the politics of posthumous Michael Jackson, find someone else to entertain that. Its not that serious for me because my goal is to promote and preserve the togetherness of the Michael Jackson community, through celebrating his artistic career. Not everyone is going to agree on everything but, I'm assummmmmming that everyone who calls themselves a Michael Jackson fan, DOES like his music...           I mean... Ya'll do right?

We are not a charity for a reason. (We do have a charity that we love and support, which is Heal The World for Children- check them out here!)

We are not a protest group for a reason.
We remain neutral for a reason.
We celebrate the fans and Michael as an artist-- PERIOD.

I REFUSE to be peer pressured into not recognizing the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest pop albums of all time. Yes, of all time. If you don't want to dance to a song that he recorded, worked his ass off on promoting and perfecting in 1987, that's on you. No seriously. I totally respect that. But, that's not my style.

We work hard on our Meetup.

We pour lots of energy, money, time and LOVE into this group and refuse to have anyone else tear our groups spirit and mission down. We do this out of pure love and dedication to the man. We do not get paid to do this. Its seriously out of love (and some of my passion for event planning).

If you want to debate about what you THINK happened to Michael and what you THINK the fans should be doing, write a letter to the Estate. Log onto a forum. Rant and rave on your Facebook. Subtweet ALL you want. Tweet AT me (I'm MJFanGirl_blog btw.)

Just please.  Don't bring it to Legacy of Love.

We have many other events talking about the "OLD" material. You are free to attend any or all of those, if you aren't into being a part of anything related to new releases. I support everyone's right to have a voice and an opinion but, I have too much going on in my offline life and I can't be but so bothered to debate for hours on this. (But, I DO love comments, so feel free to leave one!) I know what he means to me and I know what part I've personally done in this community.

*Cue Janet Jackson break -- What have YOU done for [the MJ community] lately?*

So in closing I ask...

Are we wrong to to be celebrating BAD 25  ????

Do you prefer being a part of clubs that peer pressure you into leaning one way or do you like being a part of an MJ club that is neutral?  


PS: Don't forget to Pre-Order BAD 25  if you haven't already done so! 8 days and counting...