Death Is Good for Business | 1 of 10
Carl DeSouza/AFP
Michael Jackson, March 5, 2009
Death Is Good for Business
Michael Jackson, 2009
Dying is the best career move an artist can make. It's harsh but true. Just as news agencies keep a filing cabinet of obits on hand in case someone drops, record companies regularly look for ways to breathe new life into dead stars. An artist who was merely popular while alive can go into eternal pop-culture orbit as a deified deceased star. In the two days after Michael Jackson's death, his music accounted for 60% of all sales on Amazon. As of this writing, Jackson holds the Top 10 songs and Top 5 albums spots on iTunes. Death is big business.
Michael will undoubtedly become immortalized now that he's moonwalked away. He'll also become a multi-million dollar industry. Sensing the circling vultures, Jackson's mother, Katherine, has already filed court papers to gain control of her son's estate. Hopefully, she'll manage the money better than he did.
Here are some other artists whose careers benefitted from their deaths. Warning: do not try this at home. Your results may not be the same.
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What People Are Saying about Galleries
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On The Twisted Jackson Family Tree...
Almeida said " Hello, my name is Aline, I am Brazilian, I am 20 years and estudo.Sou f? of Mj, from 8 years of age. I love your m? Sicas, performances, films … When I heard that he had died, was a shock to me and at? n today? the’ve settled. que le and be at peace with God and the angels! I love you too! and all your fam? read!! God bless? you and the fam? read Jackson! I have a dream: to know the Jacksons! And dan? Plowed the steps of the king of pop. "
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On The Twisted Jackson Family Tree...Almeida said "Hello, my name is Aline, I am Brazilian, I am 20 years and estudo.Sou f? of Mj, from 8 years of age. I love your m? Sicas, performances, films … When I heard that he had died, was a shock to me and at? n today? the’ve settled. que le and be at peace with God and the angels! I love you too! and all your fam? read!! God bless? you and the fam? read Jackson! I have a dream: to know the Jacksons! And dan? Plowed the steps of the king of pop. "
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On Worst Talk Shows in History...
pepe said "Honestly, Jimmy Kimmel is the worst to me. What is he exactly? He's not charming, witty, or quick on his feet during his monologue, he's terrible with guests and he always looks half asleep. I will never understand how/why ABC either chose him or why after this long he's still on the air. It's baffling!!!!"
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On Worst Talk Shows in History...
FEEME1 said "Wow...That's foul. "Tempestt" was noticed--and missed--when the show was on and then cancelled. It had a slightly fresher approach than what's being lauded today (Rachel Raye? Please!). I don't think it would've won awards given a longer run, but it certainly didn't reek of 'middle child syndrome', either. "
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On Weird Facts About Nicolas Cage...lifelong said "What people do in their lives its their business..just because he is an actor( so what, that's just a job).. He is human.. let us not forget he too has emotions..shopping spree, love life.. and etc just like the rest of us.. so people that always are interested to know about actors so much.. wanna know what they do and when.. you guys dont have a f***ing life. Get a life.. a job.. a something! See you dont wanna be you!"
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On Worst Talk Shows in History...fed-up said "Chevy Chase was very funny when he was on SNL. That was a very funny show during the 70s, with the first set of comedians but, like Magic Johnson, Chevy Chase was a flop when he got his own show. And Alf was just too strange--he was just awful--a disaster! I really hated Alf, really did not like that character! Wasn't cute or adorable. Didn't like him at all. Still don't!"
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On Weird Facts About Nicolas Cage...Timo said "C'mon folks, the dude just a cool good actor. I don't care what kind of movie it is as long as Nicolas Cage or Denzel (my other obsession) are in it. His spending? I would buy all that shit especially the houses if I could afford it. Octopus and Cobra? NO. I laughed my ribs off from his admission ...."We come from a long lineage of robbers and highwaymen in Italy. Even killers." Go Nic just don't end up broke like Mike Tyson!"
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On Weird Facts About Nicolas Cage...majik said "eBay was made for people like this. Some of the things owned by Nicholas will go for huge money as long as it does not appear to be a firesale. I enjoy all of his movies and do hope that Mr. Cage can continue to provide the entertainment on and off screen for a very long time to come."
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