Way on Down

One of many stories doing the rounds about Michael Jackson's debts in the The Guardian today.

The geezer is 270 million dorrar in debt. What were they thinking? As usual, the banks have only themselves to blame. And, as usual, they'll offload the penalty onto their customers to recoup any losses.

But how reminiscent is this of the Elvis story? Surrounded by bloodsucking hangers-on, spending money he didn't actually have, badly managed, Elvis had to keep playing Vegas to pay his debts. Between Vegas residencies, depressed and out of touch, he bloated up and then crash dieted for the next set of shows. Finally, he couldn't be arsed to go on a diet, and went on stage fat, as seen in the video for his last single proper (i.e. released when he was still alive), "Way Down."

Way down like a tidal wave. What does that mean?

Jacko will have to do Vegas. Elton is getting 60 million dorrar for a year's residency. Jacko will have to do that, and sell his house, and sell his stake in the Sony/ABC songbook.

Come on down!