Was Michael Jackson the Hank Williams of Our Generation?

As you've watched the continual coverage on the death of Michael Jackson, you may believe that the media has gone on overload. To focus so much time and talk on Jackson's life and death, putting the spotlight on the outpouring of emotion from fans, it may be hard to believe one entertainer could command this much attention. But if you look back in history at another superstar's life, you'll see a lot of parallels between then and now.

People woke up the morning of January 1st, 1953, to the completely unexpected news that the biggest recording star of the day had died. At that time, Hank Williams Sr was that generation’s Michael Jackson. Of course, back then they did not have the internet, satellites, and the other technologies we use now to share news and information in an instant. But the media covered Williams' life much in the same way it's now covering Jackson's. And ironically there are a number of striking similarities.

Like Jackson, Hank Williams Sr. was dominated by his parents. In Michael's case, he was often physically and emotionally abused by his father, Joe. Hank Sr was emotionally controlled by his mother, Lillie.

Both Michael and Hank had an innate gift for music that was apparent at an early age, yet both were totally unprepared for the dark side of fame. Both sold millions of records and were pop icons. Michael gave us the "moonwalk," while Hank Sr. gave us the saying "Hey good lookin, whatcha got cookin’."

Both entertainers dealt with very public scandals. Hank Williams Sr. was arrested for falling asleep drunk with a lit cigarette in his hand, causing his hotel room to catch fire. His divorce from first wife Audrey was highly publicized, along with being fired by the Grand Ole Opry for not fulfilling his performance obligations. Claims of sexual abuse with a child vaulted Michael Jackson into the national spotlight daily as his court case was covered.

Both Hank Sr and Michael had money woes that forced them each to find the spotlight again. When Hank remarried, he held public wedding ceremonies from town to town to raise money. Ironically, Hank's second wife was Johnny Horton’s widow… a woman named Billie Jean. Before he died, Michael was working on his comeback tour. Right before Hank Sr died, he was just kicking off a comeback tour.

Unfortunately, both superstars had substance abuse problem that more than likely contributed to their deaths. Hank's original problem was with alcohol, but that led to morphine and other painkillers that he used to ease his severe back pain caused by spina bifida. In fact, it's believed that before Hank Sr got into the car that he would later die in, he was given a shot of B-12 mixed with morphine.

During his court trial, Michael was given painkillers, Valium, and other drugs to deaden the pain of the accusations made against him. Now news is coming out that Michael may have been given a shot of Demerol at home before his death. Demerol is a synthetic narcotic - very similar to morphine.

The media and fans have reacted to each superstar's death in much the same way. Of course in Hank Williams Sr's day, news travelled slower than it does now. But in 1953, 250,000 people stood in the streets of Montgomery, AL, the day after Hank Sr's funeral. Right now, people are gathering in Los Angeles to remember Michael Jackson.

Both performers are members of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame - Hank Williams Sr was inducted in 1987 as an Early Influence, Michael Jackson was inducted in 2001 as a Performer. Michael Jackson was 50 when he died - Hank Sr was only 29.

As news spread about Hank Williams Sr's death in 1953, people wept. One service man who got the news while overseas couldn't believe that his hero had died, and he broke down. That service man was George Jones. It's too early to tell how much of an impact Michael Jackson's death will have on a possible future entertainer, but it is easy to see how much of an impact both superstars have had on the world of music.

Thanks to ACC