http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-4qxz08So

This the Goof Hair channel on YourTube. More content to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNd77nFmfAo

Sitting with singer, painter, MC and blogger Amanda Diva a couple of months ago.

http://vimeo.com/5704968

The latest in the series of 'Tales' I've posted this year. Five remarkable women actresses perform the same monologue about lost love, weal words and the power of music to convey emotion.

Tel. 212/228-6951
Email: nicole@nelsondgeorge.net

MICHAEL JACKSON (1958-2009) BY NELSON GEORGE

Orson Wells' rich, brilliant & ultimately doomed character Charles Foster Kane died, alone and unloved, in his California mansion. At the time of his passing he was a deformed, corrupt and far removed from the genius displayed in creating his mass media empire. In the aftermath of Michael Jackson's I couldn't help but think of 'Kane..' Michael's Zanadu had been stripped from him a few years back, leaving him wandering from rental to rental home, such as the one he died in in Los Angeles yesterday.

Michael was prepping to try to recapture his once elevated status with 50 sold out shows at London's massive O2 arena. But that was not to be. In fact I believe that the stress of preparing for that show, after his long performing layoff, played a role in his demise. With the music, videos and event tour that supported 'Thriller' Michael re-invented the art of the blockbuster album, creating an international stardom that endures. And, sadly, for the last twenty five years of his life Michael was in a losing battle with himself, trying to match that magical year even as the culture changed, the record industry imploded, and his personal demons ruined his reputation.

At several points in his life Michael revolutionized pop culture. He lead the first black teen group to cross racial lines. With Quincy Jones, he produced a trio of albums (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad) that reinvented the rules for black artists musically and in terms of international appeal. The videos, grandiose, elaborate and full of wonderful dancing are still the gold standard for the merging of music & image. Along with Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, and so many other media legends, Michael made the '80s a golden age for black pop culture.

I, like so many of you, grew up with Michael Jackson. With my mother, sister and family friends I attended the Jackson Five's first Madison Square Garden show. Over the years I attended eight Jacksons/Michael Jackson shows and spend countless hours over the last forty years thinking about and, often writing about that man. In fact a book I did about him, The Michael Jackson Story, in 1984 jump started my career. It was first book and first exposure to the media machine that both celebrated, reported about and, ultimately, ripped him apart.

It's hilarious how one sided much of the immediate commentary about the man has been. Sinner or saint? More apt is artist and sinner. People want to simplify a truly complex life. We have to be sophisticated enough to acknowledge that greatness and a touch of evil dwelled in the man. I've always believed that transcendent art emanates from the purest, most evolved parts of our soul. But that highly spiritual achievement doesn't absolve us of our daily misdeeds. To simply brand him a smooth criminal, as some have, or to overlook his tragic nature, as have others, is to deny his humanity. The meaning of Michael Jackson's life -- as a black man, a sexual being, a abused and abusing adult -- will be interpreted to fit the prejudices of the speaker. His music -- it speaks volumes.

The City Kid is starting a east/midwest/southern trip to promote his memoir.

Wednesday, June 17th I'm in Philadelphia at the Barnes & Noble at Rittenhouse Square 1805 Walnut Street to talk and read at 6pm. (http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2850)

Tuesday, June 23rd I'm up in the Boston area at the Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard Street, at 7pm. (http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/events/mainevent.html)

Thursday, July 16th I travel to Chicago to the Borders at 2210 West 95th Street. (http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_284)

Friday, July 31 I'm doing a talk at the Atlanta Black Arts Festival from 5 to 7pm. (http://www.nbaf.org/)

I'll likely end my City Kid related events in September when I appear at the Brooklyn Book Festival the weekend of September 12 and 13. (http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/)

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I have a couple of other projects up my sleeve, which I'll talk about later in the year. Until the next blast -- catch ya down the road.

In non-City Kid news I'll be on a panel at Long Island University Thursday, June 25 about Spike Lee's impact as part of the "Where's Mars?" celebration of the Brooklyn home boy's landmark 'Do the Right Thing' which is 20 years old this summer. Roger G. Smith aka Smiley will be among the Spike collaborators on the panel. (http://wheresmars.com/)

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In the fall GOOD HAIR, the documentary I produced with Chris Rock, will be theaters in October. Keep your eye out for more info as the release date gets closer. (http://www.indiewire.com/article/a_home_for_chris_rocks_hair/)

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City Kid: A Writer's Memoir of Ghetto Life and Post-Soul Success 

 

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Nelson George's Brooklyn: readings about Brownsville & Ft. Greene with Nelson George and Samson Styles of BET.  City Kid books will be available via Mobile Libris. @ The Brooklyn Historical Society 128 Pierrepont Street BKLYN 630pm-8pm.  Afterparty at Brooklyn Moon Cafe 745 Fulton St. BKLYN.

 

 

If you are in Brooklyn this Wednesday please stop by for this unique presentation. I'll read sections from City Kid and then talk about the two Brooklyn hoods that shaped me -- Brownsville and Fort Greene -- with folks who came up there as well. This isn't about sociology or politics but memories of native daughters and sons. Come share yours about black BK of the past and to talk about its future.

 

Because of interest from readers in several cities I've added readings up and down the east coast and one midwestern stop. I may also hit a couple more cities this summer, so keep your eye out for the City Kid.

 

City Kid: Events

 

 

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Nelson George's Brooklyn: readings about Brownsville & Ft. Greene with Nelson George and Samson Styles of BET.  City Kid books will be available via Mobile Libris. @ The Brooklyn Historical Society 128 Pierrepont Street BKLYN 630pm-8pm.  Afterparty at Brooklyn Moon Cafe 745 Fulton St. BKLYN.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Philadelphia: Barnes & Noble Rittenhouse Square 1805 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 6pm.

 

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Boston: Brookline Booksmith 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 - 7pm.

 

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Chicago: Borders 2210 W 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60643 - 7pm.

 

 

If you cannot make it to any of the book readings you can Order Online:

 

For complete event info, excerpts and more add Nelson George: City Kid on  .

 

City Kid Adventures

by Nelson George & Nicole Nelch

 

Using Flip video footage and some digital camera shots Nicole Nelch and myself have put together a short travel film that covers readings, dinners and hanging out in Harlem, the West Village, Soho, Oakland, San Francisco, West Hollywood, Silverlake, Lemiert Park & Hollywood in six fun filled minutes. Books, drugs & frequent flyer miles in effect.

 

© 2009 URBAN ROMANCES

 

What Would Richard Wright Think?

by Nelson George

 

This video was shot primarily in Paris around New Year's Eve 2000. It is a homage to one of my Fort Greene literary heroes, Richard Wright, who lived the last part of his life in the City of Light. Images from Paris streets and French tv suggest the racial tensions of a city that would explode later in the decade. The model Zofia and I narrate.

 

 

© 2002 URBAN ROMANCES

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/books-root/creating-s...

A wide ranging Q&A about City Kid, and much more, that I did with The Root web site.