Was he more influential than good?

Was he not influenced by James Brown & Jackie Wilson though?

>>69442940
I'd say it's about equal.

>>69442960
And I don't think he really directly influenced anybody (how can you when MJ's voice and style was truly one of a kind?) As for pop music culture in general sure.

>>69443039
Dude three of this decade's most acclaimed albums make direct references to Jackson. Have you been living under a fucking rock or something?

>>69443615
references, inspiration etc. isn't the same though

Post-MJ Prince is really the only artist who likened his overall semblance

I mean.. since this is all subjective, no, I think he was good in addition to being iconic and influential.

Anyone feel like his later work is discounted entirely because of his increasingly weird appearance/the allegations?

I mean, I get the significance of Thriller and Bad but Dangerous and History always felt way more artistically mature and underrated in comparison.

>>69443742
Timberlake senpai

he's the only artist to have number one hits in four separate decades. I don't think you can have that sort of impact on music without being both influential and good/talented. Regardless of where his influences came from, and who he influenced (which is pretty much any pop act), MJ's presence is unmatched. He dominated the charts for most of his life, and he had the ability to make hits unlike any other.

I would say the only modern comparison I could make to MJ is Bruno Mars right now. The only difference is Bruno Mars has basically accepted the fact that his albums only sell if he tries to sound like an artist from a different decade.

>>69442940
He was good but Thriller is more influential than good.

Let us not underplay the Quincy Jones effect.

In the long run, I would say Quincy is more influential in fact.