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Village Voice On Its Michael Jackson Cover


By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 3, 2009

Modified Jul 3, 2009


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By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 3, 2009

Modified Jul 3, 2009


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To accompany its Michael Jackson package of articles, the Village Voice put a 1976 photograph of the music legend on its cover. The Voice's Runnin' Scared blog explains that the picture of a dynamic Jackson against the city was "taken on a balcony on the Upper East Side by music photographer Michael Putland. Whatever brought him to town, Jackson was a tough subject, Putland says. He could hardly believe that someone who projected such a giant personality on stage could be so fragile and soft-spoken in person. 'I felt almost sorry for him while taking the photos. I wanted to say, "It's OK, Michael."' Putland also said that it was hard getting Jackson to show his personality, noting that he seemed "very child-like." Also: "It was Jackson's request to wear the deerstalker. Putland remembers thinking that it was a silly hat, but he didn't have the heart to say no." Also check out the Voice's archives of Jackson reviews and articles. In other MJ news, tickets for Jackson's memorial in LA next Tuesday will be randomly drawn (enter here), the powerful sedative Diprivan was found in his home, and he will be buried in a $25K casket.

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cover

King of Pop

media

michael jackson

village voice


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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