rssJohn Roberts vs. Michael Jackson
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 3:09 pm
- 13 Comments
Charlie Savage digs into the history of a well-remembered visit that Michael Jackson paid to the White House in 1984, and how a 29-year-old associate White House counsel named John Roberts — yes, that John Roberts — tried to stop the president from signing a letter congratulating the pop star. The whole thing’s a scream, but I lost it at this part:
In today’s Post there were already reports that some youngsters were turning away from Mr. Jackson in favor of a newcomer who goes by the name “Prince,” and is apparently planning a Washington concert. Will he receive a Presidential letter? How will we decide which performers do and which do not?
This was 1984, when that “newcomer” was releasing his sixth album, “Purple Rain.” It’s safe to say John Roberts never partied like it was 1999.
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13 Comments
Pingback posted June 26, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
[...] Roberts urged Ronald Reagan not to send a letter to Michael Jackson. Roberts probably wanted Reagan to congratulate that wholesome singer who was lighting up the [...]
Pingback posted June 26, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
[...] Roberts urged Ronald Reagan not to send a letter to Michael Jackson. Roberts probably wanted Reagan to congratulate that wholesome singer who was lighting up the [...]
Comment posted June 26, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Your takeaway is that Roberts didn't know Prince? (and btw, I didn't know Prince until Purple Rain, though I was somewhat younger)
My takeaway is that someone in the WH counsel shop had some sense – those cringe-worthy Presidential-Jackson photo-ops (Reagan, Bush, Clinton) and obsequious attempts to ride populist coattails haven't aged well … Go Roberts.
Pingback posted June 27, 2009 @ 2:45 am
[...] Original post: John Roberts vs. Michael Jackson | The Washington Independent [...]
Comment posted June 27, 2009 @ 3:53 am
The only way this would have been better is if he had referred to the newcomer as “the Prince”.
Pingback posted June 27, 2009 @ 9:30 am
[...] Roberts urged Ronald Reagan not to send a letter to Michael Jackson. Roberts probably wanted Reagan to congratulate that wholesome singer who was lighting up the [...]
Pingback posted June 27, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
[...] Dave Weigel in the Washington Independent, noting John Robert’s opinion of Prince: The whole thing’s a scream, but I lost it at this part: [...]
Comment posted June 27, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Now, I don't wish to cheapen or mock the friendship Taylor and Jackson experienced. It's not my place to judge that whatsoever. But how many other people, fans, and gawkers who didn't share anything close to their relationship are claiming they feel the same way? Read more: http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-l…
Pingback posted June 29, 2009 @ 12:48 am
[...] Weigel at The Washington Independent got a laugh out of this part of Robert’s rejection: In today’s Post there were already reports that some youngsters were [...]
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