Michael Jackson and Merle Haggard
Posted by drblt at 7/5/2009 7:24 PM 
Categories: psychology, personality theories, stars
Tags: Michael Jackson bakersfield sound underground Merle Haggard bakersfield sound
Categories: psychology, personality theories, stars
Tags: Michael Jackson bakersfield sound underground Merle Haggard bakersfield sound
One was an Okie from Muskogee who ended up in Bakersfield with his family after somebody, apparently an African-American male, burned down his family's barn, filled with animals, grain, and much of the family's possessions. The other was an African-American male born in Gary, Indiana, the 7th born of 9 children.
They were as different as Black and White. They came from two different generations, two different eras, two different cultures, and, ostensibly, two different worlds.
Merle's father passed away when Merle was 9 years of age. Michael Jackson's relationship to his father seemed to be dead on arrival, but his dad outlived him. Merle Haggard broke the law. Some would say Michael Jackson Beat it. Merle's youth was wasted away, much of it spent in juvenile facilities in California. Michael's childhood was spent rehearsing, performing, and, apparently being subjected to the cruelty and perfectionistic standards of a father that acted like a merciless tyrant. Michael's father apparently contributed to his professional successes and his personal failures. The absense of Merle father may have also contributed to much of his professional success and his personal failures. Both loved their mothers dearly, and their mothers loved them even more. Both were restless spirits who channeled much of their restless energy through music.
Though they did not manifest themselves in the bizarre manner that they did in Michael, Merle had his own demons. He seems to have faced and conquered many of them. Both seamlessly merged genres, and carved out new creative territory accordingly.
Renowned personality theorist, Karen Horney 1885-1952 was a mover and shaker in the world of psychology. While Aristotle talked about God as an "unmoved mover," Horney believed that adults develop unique ways of moving in the world to address internal, unresolved conflict brought about by childhood anxiety. More specifically, she spoke of those who move toward (compliance); those who move against (aggression) and those who move away (withdrawal).
Based on what you know about Merle and what you know about Michael, how would you conceptualize each of them along these three categories introduced by Horney? Which category best illustrates the behavior of each of these artists. In the comments section below, let's start a debate. Be sure to back up your conclusions with logical explanations based upon plausible evidence, if available.
The worlds of white males and African-American males are so much different, and this is reflected in the music. But there is a certain common humanity that is expressed in all sorts of music. I tried to demonstrate that in my countrified arrangement of this song:
well doc i was talkin about Micheal with my good buddy who happens to be red simpsons nephew..he knows merle and the whole clan that started the bakersfield sound wayyy back when.. he had absolutley nothing good to say about micheal and his child preversions over his lifetime..he commented on him not only doing that unforgiveable act but his habit of grabbing his croch in public was pretty offensive to him as a fellow music fan...he didnt feel it was entertainment as much as he got away with showing even more of a perverted side on stage and never got called on it..(remember Jim Morrison?)
Im feeling like Merle probably thinks along those same lines even if he `knows it might not be right to express that in public at this particular time..ya gotta remember back then they were all cut from the same cloth..and so were their values..
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I guess it all depends on ones taste. Some might say that there is perversion in being overly sensitive to anothers art form, or that it is perverse to want to sensor others art (with the exception of things that exploit humans/animals or harm them in any way). perhaps one could speculate that children are hurt (mentally)just by behaviors such as the crotch grabbing (his own crotch that is). It does not look good in MJ's behalf, but there is a remote possibility he never diddled any of those kids. It is easy to assume though with all his other freaky behavior. just remember that sensorship is a slippery slope and one day somebody might want to sensor something you like. (MORRISON RULES!!!)
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I'm not thrilled with the beginning of this article, but the later psychological comparisons are interesting. The color of the arsonist is speculative and not really relevant. The ice in Bakersfield is thinner than Saskatoon and you're skating on it. I'm pretty sure that Merle wouldn't be thrilled with this article either, but I know that you like to stir things up once in a while. Hopefully, you won't get on the wrong side of the right side of Merle.
Having said that, I really like the sample of Billie Jean. The background vocals are very subtle and remind the song "White Bird" by a Bay area band in the 1960's, called It's a Beautiful Day. Even if the rest of the song excludes these vocals, the song will still be a winner.
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MJ said it doesn’t matter if your black or white and in many circumstances and situations that is absolutely true. Sometimes I feel people put to much emphasis on race and thus miss other more important issues. At the same time it would be absurd to assume that ones race did not factor into the semantics of their lifestyle, beliefs and values. It is my opinion that people of different races and cultural backgrounds can only get past the alienation they may feel from and towards those who are different then themselves if they seek and embrace those people. Learn about them and you may start to find their differences are admirable. I would be a liar though if I were to say that I never felt the ugly specter of racism rear its bigoted face in my own thoughts many times and most times I accepted these thoughts but often times I would realize that these are the thoughts that perpetuate the hate and lack of unity between people of different colors and cultures and like Rodney King proposed, it would be nice if we could all just get along.
Oh, and I like your use of pun in your comment when you say “ I'm not thrilled”. that’s great man, like MJ’s most famous album “Thriller” . And I know the song your talking about “white bird” . I have it on a mix of obscure 60’s music (maybe the same one w/ the Seeds “Pushing to Hard”). it is a very cool, laid back tune with, if I remember correctly a female singer with male back up vocals like Jefferson Airplane or the Mommas and the Pappas.
Also if you’re a Saxman you might dig my Uncles band; “the Ed Palermo Big Band”. He conducts the band and plays a mean sax. They do mostly jazz, jazz fusion, and also a lot of Frank Zappa pieces. I don’t have the link handy but Google knows.
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I understand the sentiment of those who would not even want Merle Haggard's name to be mentioned in the same breath as that of Michael Jackson. In terms of musical genius, I would think it would be a colossal compliment to Merle to be compared with Michael Jackson, as I would think it to be a colossal compliment for Michael if he were to be compared with Merle Haggard in this respect.
If you're talking about comparing the two in terms of the nature of their demons, I believe Merle came much further in terms of facing his demons and ultimately conquering them. In Michael Jackson's case, I believe his demons haunted him until the day he died and that he didn't even come close to conquering them in his lifetime. That's an opinion. I also have an opinion concerning whether or not Michael molested children.
Honestly, I have doubts that the legal system got it right. But my doubts are based on what I have been fed by the media, part fact, part fiction, mostly half-truths. That's why I won't generally offer a diagnosis on someone I haven't sat face-to-face with as that person's psychologist and rigorously examined.
Similarly, while I have my doubts about whether or not the law got it right in Michael Jackson's case, I was not on the jury and I am not a legal expert. What kind of freedom is it to live in a land where a person has to go on trial twice, once in a criminal or civil trial or both, and once in the trial of public opinion? While I believe that Michael Jackson's behavior with children appeared to be creepy at best, and while I do not find some of the public statements he made believable, I try to give anybody who has gone through the legal process the benefit of the doubt. If I do not, then basically I am saying the rule of law in this country is a sham and means nothing when compared to my own personal subjective opinion. Furthermore, while I believe the worst crime in the worst is child molestation, I believe the second worst would be to be falsely accused of child molestation. I agree with Conrad, the possibility that he didn't molest children appears remote, but what if he didn't do it, against the odds of all that may point to the idea that he did? How would it feel to have gone through the legal process and declared not guilty and to know in your heart that you're not guilty, and yet to have to face would-be jurors every day pronouncing you guilty?
Going back to the question of whether or not we should compare Michael Jackson to our own beloved and respected Merle Haggard, who has greatly influenced my own music, I would say that while there may be more points of contrast than comparison, if it yields a fruitful discussion like this one, that it's worthwhile. Would I be introducing a topic in which I made an association between Merle Haggard and a convicted child molester? Absolutely not. I love Merle Haggard, warts and all, and I love his music. I love Michael's music and creativity. The rest of Michael creeps me out.
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Dear Dr. BLT:
My respect for you was reinforced today. Even though you didn't comment directly to my concern about your inclusion of the race of the suspect who may have burned down the barn, you still posted my letter. Because of this, I made another new friend. Conrad Gill sounds like a very good person. He knows his music and he has a balanced view of things. I can't wait to hear his uncle's band and possibly jam with them. Perhaps you could post a sound clip if it is available. Thanks for giving us a voice with your Bakersfield Sound Underground.
Sincerely:
Jerry The Saxman
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I couldn't find the comment about mentioning the race of the individual who burned down the barn, but I don't have any problem with folks disagreeing with me or with one another at BSU.
So far, everyone's been respectful and gracious and there have been no personal attacks. As long as everybody is meaningfully debating the issues introduced here, there's no need to withhold any comments. Jerry, you're a well respected musician whose opinion I highly value. Keep those great comments coming in.
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Like most people Michael and Merle displayed behaviors that indicated the presence of all three of Karen Horney’s neurotic trends; Compliant Personality, Aggressive Personalities and Detached Personalities.
With Jackson one might assume he was predominately a detached personality because of his reclusive lifestyle, yet many of his behaviors displayed characteristics of Horney’s other two neurotic trends. Take Jackson’s stage presence for example (all that crotch grabbin); to me his explosive stage presence displayed an aggressive personality (who’s bad?). Also, Jackson may have seemed detached and reclusive yet it is obvious he was severely co-dependent on a small group of friends, servants (not such a small group), and acquaintances in the various medical fields (not to mention his toy children). Jackson’s father’s tyrannical reign over his chaotic childhood was probably the cause of any overly compliant personality trends he might have displayed in adulthood.
Merle is similar in that he seems to display traces of all three trends (or at least two) as well. Some might say, Merles struggle with the bottle (alcohol) in some of his more sullen times showed signs of a detached personality, but something tells me (all his run ins with the law) that Merle was a bit more outgoing and leads me to believe he was more of an aggressive personality type. I may have lied when I said that I saw all three trends in both musicians. I say I lied because I think Merle’s predominantly aggressive personality squashed down most if not all of the compliant one.
One thing is for sure, both Haggard and Jackson had rough childhoods that led to various psychological dysfunctions (or quirks if you prefer), some more severe than others. At the same time both musicians brought innovative and influential music to the ears of adoring fans the world over, and have certainly made their mark. I only hope I can use my own batch of neurotic trends to do the same or something even half as cool.
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