Reader Comments on the Armond White book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles"

TUESDAY, June 29th 2010

Mr. Armond White,

I am writing to you from California. I recently received and read your book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles".

I wanted to say that I read it in one sitting and just loved it. It was interesting to read your comments as Michael's work and life progressed over the years.
I'm old enough to remember all the landmarks along the way. I recall the release
of Black and White as a single and as a short film. It has always been one of my favorites, but I must say that as many times as I have listened to it, I remained unaware of the important issues he was addressing in the music and film. Once those things are brought to attention, it's an Aha moment. Just brilliant.

His Panther Dance is amazing and I see something different each time I watch it.
Now I have even more to appreciate, knowing the statements he was making in
movement and dance. He really was a genius.

I so appreciate your comments about how Michael Jackson was treated by the media for
so many years. I am going to include a link to a great article, well researched,
about both extortion attempts and media complicity--very powerful.

There is so much in your book that I loved. After Michael Jackson's passing, I found myself feeling very personally connected to him and extremely protective of his person and his legacy. It's great to find such appreciation and insight into the man from someone in the press--thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Lauren Trainor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-thomson/one-of-the-most-shameful_b_610258.html



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FRIDAY, June 25th, 2010

While scanning the internet on Michael Jackson related articles, we came across a posting on another book on Michael Jackson. If you scroll down and read the comments, you will notice a spirited mention (dated April 2010) of Armond White's book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles".



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FRIDAY, June 18, 2010

Came across a comment on the Armond White book, KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles on a Michael Jackson Fan Website earlier today.

Best,
ResistanceWorksWDC



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MONDAY, June 14th, 2010

Dear Mr. White:

I want to say that I love your book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles"...I'm just about to the end of it...I do plan to rent or buy the movie The Band Wagon...I also loved what you said about the movie Nine...I think that would have made a far more interesting and entertaining film...

I've got to disagree about your interpretation of the Scream lyrics though...(What Michael lost in translation, he definitely got across with emotion...)...He's saying "Dammit", not "Daddy". If it weren't for closed-captioning...I don't think I'd have known either. (If someone else has already pointed this out to you, I apologize in advance.) There's an uncensored version of the Scream video on YouTube...not sure if you can somehow get it close captioned...There's a lot of anger there...(and rightly so...) I only wish that he had let it out sooner and not turned it inward on himself...

Thank you again so very much for getting me thinking and writing...


Sincerely,


Ternell Jade McCullough

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TUESDAY, June 8th, 2010

Dear Armond,

I recently ordered your MJ book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles" and I just wanted to say thank you. Your insights have widened my appreciation for the King of Pop exponentially.

As an aspiring filmmaker, I also want to say that I love your work on Steven Spielberg's films. Your admiration for, and analysis of A.I. is what sealed the deal for me. I find it to be so sad that your stance on the film was ridiculed the way it was when the film came out, and now every other film critic in the country has it listed somewhere in their top ten films of the decade...

Thanks Armond. Keep moving.

Best,
Sean Paul Maguire

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SATURDAY, May 29th, 2010

Dear Mr. Armond White,

I’ve received my copy of your book, “Keep Moving: The Michael Jackson Chronicles” today.

Thank you very much for your kindness.

Lots of LOVE and GRATITUDE from Anne Mette Jepsen,
Denmark

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SUNDAY, March 28, 2010

Dear Mr. White:

I’ve just finished your collection of articles, “KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles.” More passages underlined, more words that had to be looked up, and more tears than from any little book I can remember. Thank you.

I’m not sure I can explain the tears. It isn’t just the loss. This may sound crazy, but I feel like I’ve been standing in Jackson’s corner while the court of public opinion condemned him, and your book is the joyous, last minute reprieve. It feels like a vindication—even though a vindication should never have been required. And I’m not talking about the molestation charges he faced, but about the intent and quality of his art.

I believe your sense of Jackson’s legacy will eventually permeate the record. I’m grateful that you maintained such clarity through the years and that you shared it. You provided context for my own feelings—for why “Jam,” “Black or White,” the prison version of “They Don’t Really Care About Us,” “Earth Song” and “Stranger in Moscow” are the videos I return to time and again (the first four because they present a world view that resonates and the last because of the aching sadness, compassion and promise in it). In all the eulogies, these are forgotten. I hope they’re seen anew in the years to come, and that your little book wends its way across the globe!

Sincerely,


Tammy Lacher Scully
Belfast, Maine

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THURSDAY, November 19, 2009

Dear Armond White,

Thank you for your book, "KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles". I have really enjoyed reading it. You introduced many points about his work that I hadn't considered. It was exactly what I was looking for in terms of an academic study of Michael Jackson's work. I live in California, so I am disappointed that I won't be able to see your presentation at the Lincoln Center. Will you be bringing that to San Francisco or selling a video tape of it? I would really like to see it.

To answer your question of how I heard about the book. I was browsing the internet and came across an article about the lecture that you gave at NYU, which was attended by Spike Lee. The article talked about your book and provided information on how to order it.

Again, I have been really enjoying the book - reading the essays a few times so that I can absorb and savor your analysis.

Something that has really struck me about Michael Jackson, when I look back, is how he was able to stage large, national, cultural events. There are several events that I remember watching with my family as I was growing up -the 25th Anniversary of Motown, the first time I saw the Billie Jean video, Black or White, Scream. It's quite amazing how he was able to bring a national audience together. That is something that no one else as ever done, besides presidents and a few presidential candidates. Who else could have orchestrated multi-network, simultaneous broadcasts of a music video? Not only that, but a national broadcast of a video that stunned the world, such as Black or White. The morphing sequence and the solo dance at the end were both groundbreaking, but even more astonishing is that so many people saw it at once. And, like me, they probably remember seeing it for the first time.

Now, in his death he has brought people together again. First with the memorial and then with This is It. I will never forget sitting in a theater with every seat filled, with people laughing, clapping, sighing, and gasping together. He had our full attention.

Thanks & Best Regards,
Stephanie Olagundoye