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KSU assistant professor, with singer in his heyday, sees odd behavior that would come to define star
By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Jul 04, 2009
Gene Shelton didn't pay much attention when he saw Michael Jackson on a TV at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport last week. He assumed the star was promoting his upcoming concerts in London.
Shelton was stunned to learn of Jackson's death when he landed in Los Angeles to attend the BET Awards.
While Shelton is now an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University, he once was near — or even at — Jackson's side when big news would unfold.
For more than 20 years he was a publicist for such music luminaries as Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder. He worked for major companies, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Roberta Flack and Diana Ross.
''I was lucky,'' he said this week. ''I
was privileged to have worked with these great icons of music while they were doing great things.''
After earning a bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Kent State in 1972, Shelton worked as a reporter for the Cleveland Press.
Through good luck, good writing and connections, he landed a job with Motown Records and then Epic Records, where he met the ''innocent little man'' on the cusp of mega stardom.
As a publicist for Epic, Shelton helped churn out publicity for Jackson that included the biography for the 1979 multi-platinum Off the Wall, his fifth studio album.
Shelton also set up interviews that he found to be a challenge.
Jackson wouldn't look reporters in the eye and refused to answer their questions directly. Instead, he directed his answers to his sister Janet, even though he, the reporter and Janet were all in the same room and the reporter could hear what Michael was saying to his sister.
''I think it goes back to his deliberate attempt to be unique and create attention,'' said Shelton, 59. ''Reporters weren't very happy.''
Although Shelton found Jackson courteous and easy to work with, ''behavior like that was an open window to what would come in the future.''
Shelton doesn't pretend that his relationship with Jackson was anything more than professional. While he visited the Jackson family home in Encino, Calif., where fans are converging now to pay homage, his role was to lay plans to market Off the Wall.
The atmosphere was ''warm and welcoming'' and peacocks graced the lawn, he recalled.
Around 1982, Shelton left Epic records to go back to Motown. He returned to the Michael Jackson fold as a consultant to market the 14-minute music video for Thriller.
He was shocked to see Jackson at the unveiling of the video at an A-list event at a West-wood theater in 1983.
''I saw the new Michael Jackson,'' he said.
He doesn't recall how long it had been since he last had seen the singer. Jackson had undergone a ''shocking'' transformation, he said.
''He looked different,'' Shelton said. ''He didn't look like the same person. His skin color, that was the first thing I noticed. That was the most dramatic change.''
Changing careers
He didn't see Jackson again for about 25 years. He left the business in 1996 as a vice president of media relations for Warner Bros. Records to turn to teaching.
He teaches in mass communication and African-American media at Kent State, and found a way to insert his love of music into the curriculum: a course in record promotions.
Students work for a nonprofit label and promotional agency called GTB Entertainment — that stands for Got to Believe — with the goal of jump-starting the careers of unsigned Ohio artists.
Shelton allows that it is a formidable career track to pursue, that it will be extraordinarily difficult for students to work with the kind of artists that he has.
But there's a ''great opportunity'' to work with independent labels, finding, exposing, promoting and marketing talent in nontraditional ways.
His own days in music promotion were a dream job, he said from an office decorated with photos of himself and musical luminaries, including the King of Pop.
''Teaching is a passion,'' he says on the KSU Web site. ''There is a real value and importance to what I am doing now. As far as the music, I lived out a dream.''
Carol Biliczky can be reached at 330-996-3729 or cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 05:56 AM, 07/04/2009
Why does the ABJ continue to run articles about this PEDOPHILE? Michael Jackson isn't worth the newsprint. The ?MAN? died as he lived - ain't it the truth.
akron, oh
Posted 07:04 AM, 07/04/2009
got to agree with old man grump , why are we so taken with the weird, i am also tired of all the news of this situation, what a world we have, crack heads killers thieves and those who have to pretend to care about music stars boo hoo what about real life and every day life in the norm , i need a moutain top to get away from it all
Posted 07:55 AM, 07/04/2009
Enough is enough! I'm sick of all the media hype over a has-been rock star. The guy was whacked out. Sure he made a couple of hit records, but he's not worthy of all the attention he's getting. I think all the Jacksons are screwed up!
Valdosta, Ga
Posted 08:56 AM, 07/04/2009
I AGREE
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 09:18 AM, 07/04/2009
I agree also.His heyday was 20 years ago.their making him out to be a God.something he is far from!!Its no where near over either.the circus isnt far from over either,its just begun
Mogadore, Oh
Posted 10:07 AM, 07/04/2009
It's news because society (The World) wants to hear it.
It's the same sensationalism that went on when Michael's daddy in-law, Elvis died.
It is what it is, News!
It is certainly worth the newsprint as proven by the comments to the articles. If it wasn't then once Michael Jackson name is mentioned, the reader, listener or viewer would bypass the article, turn off the radio and TV or switch to another station or channel for a moment.
Now when the public (society) shows no further interest, then it is no longer news or newsworthy.
The stove fire in Mogadore just a little while ago did not make the print or the airwaves because the owner or the house is not very well known and other than his family, no one really care to hear about it since no one died from it or nothing sensational became of it.
Posted 10:17 AM, 07/04/2009
Switch to another channel? Are you kidding? It's on every channel ... tour thru Neverland, conversations with lawyers, conversations with doctors, talking to Jermain, showing his Dad, talking about who's going to get custody, playing that stupid last video over and over. Makes me want to regurgitate! Wasting taxpayer money on additional security! There are more important things happening in the world today!
Mogadore, Oh
Posted 10:38 AM, 07/04/2009
Retired
Posted 10:17 AM, 07/04/2009
Switch to another channel? Are you kidding? It's on every channel ...
OK, your point is well taken. You'll just have to let it run it's course.
I utterly detest the American Idol show and cannot get away from it when it's in season (Regualr or Preseason).
It's like tax season, you hate it, you know it's coming and there's not a dog gone thing you can do about it.
As far as wasting taxpayers money, you might as well get over that; there will ALWAYS be a waste of taxpayers money.
The politicians will find a way to waste it and if they don't waste it, then they will pocket it.
Lorain, oh
Posted 11:13 AM, 07/04/2009
The key comment on this post is "Now when the public (society) shows no further interest, then it is no longer news or newsworthy"
BINGO..even you guys yapping about it is still showing interest.
wadsworth, oh
Posted 11:53 AM, 07/04/2009
If he was so innocent, why did he pay millions to the families of those children??
Akron, oh
Posted 01:41 PM, 07/04/2009
The reason everyone keeps talking about it is because everyone keeps watching, listening and reading about it. Even those of you who just clicked on here to comment about too much Michael in the media right now contributed to why there is so much. Whether you read the article or not, the beacon journal still shows a hit on it, and thinks you are interested. If you are not, just ignore it and don't read them. It will fade in time.
barberton, oh
Posted 02:03 PM, 07/04/2009
yeah.lets make the freak a hero,lets forget what he did to kids.This is the dumbest thing to make him out to be so much.What he had money,big deal,he's still a nothing. I sure wouldnt have paid all that money if I did nothing
barberton, oh
Posted 02:11 PM, 07/04/2009
I watched CNN news,of course it was about the freak,but I couldnt turn it,because i had to see for my own eyes that these idots were taking a poll to see if everyone should chip in for his funeral,ARE YOU SERIOUS???? and there was this stupid twit that called in from cleveland and said she thought everyone should send in $5,00. OMG its on real how stupid some people are
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:18 PM, 07/04/2009
Debbie, I don't believe they were asking for donations for his funeral.. They were asking for money for the non police cost as the state is already bankrupt. If everyone stayed home, they would not have the expense.
barberton, oh
Posted 02:22 PM, 07/04/2009
the actual question was, Do you think we should donate to the funeral
Akron, OH
Posted 02:53 PM, 07/04/2009
Interesting article about Gene Shelton's life and work. Didn't know about his class at KSU -- good that it is hands on and to benefit unsigned Ohio talent.
For those weary of MJ news and fixations, I suggest you get up from your computer and take a nice stroll in the park.
Posted 02:58 PM, 07/04/2009
I kept trying to find stuff about Farrah, it was very difficult. On Larry King they did a thing about Michael and then they devoted 22 seconds to Karl Malden.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:40 PM, 07/04/2009
Granted, they keep this tabloid junk on the screen because people keep tuning in . . but if we didn't state our disgust with it there would be even more of it fed to our kids.
This nation is so increasingly indoctrinated by Hollywood that it would run Michael Jackson for the Presidency and he could probably win--alive or dead!
Akron, Oh
Posted 05:01 PM, 07/04/2009
For you Michael Jackson critics, shut up and deal with it. He was the greatest entertainer in the world, he brought all races together with his music. As far as he being a pedphile, he did nothing more than your Catholic priest. MJ was my idol and I loved his work. Farrah Fawcett and Karl Madden was no match for MJ who was a mega star. I don't care to hear about Palin resigning, probably most of you voted for the cuckoo, but I listen and learn.
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 05:15 PM, 07/04/2009
@MsBlackfantastic,I'll quote you here"He was the greatest entertainer in the world"...yes for that generation.not in the world.Sounds like you hate everyone who dont agree with you.Just because he was your idol dont mean he was ours..
Green, Oh
Posted 05:51 PM, 07/04/2009
Actually, I would like to hear more on the life of Gene Shelton.
Hudson, OH
Posted 12:22 AM, 07/05/2009
I am not necessarily a Michael Jackson fan. But I am a music junkie, especially from an historic perspective. You cannot deny him his place in history. Thriller is the best selling album of all time, and when you listen to it, and understand the time it was created universally and in Jackson's life you can see why it's that big. He was a great talent as a musician an entertainer.
The man obviously had "issues" to put it mildly. But the more I watch on him, the more I feel he might have had an emotional disorder that manifested with his father's abuse. That's not an excuse for his actions as an adult, but the man needed help from an early (adult) age, which he never received. And it turned into what we now know. The freak. Who it going to tell the biggest music star in the world that he needs to go see somebody. When your that big, and 100's of people are dependent upon you for their livelihoods. They are gonna put you in a bubble. Michael Jackson was in the biggest bubble of them all.
Posted 07:43 AM, 07/05/2009
innocent? ha.... why don't you cover cap and trade. the largest tax increase ever passed? but you are still in obama the socialists pocket right.
Posted 07:45 AM, 07/05/2009
hey ms black.. YOUR BOY IS PASSING CAP AND TRADE THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE EVER. HOW DO YOU LIKE HIM NOW. BET HE IS OK BECAUSE OF COLOR RIGHT?
Posted 08:08 AM, 07/05/2009
I never said Karl or Farrah were better then Michael, I just think they deserved more credit then 22 seconds.
Some peoples opinion would be that Elvis was a better entertainer since he opened the door for the major spread of rock n roll (just my opinion) I'm old enough to remember, I was a teen in the 50s. I still have all those 45 rpm records. Adults hated us for it but we broke the ice as listeners to Alan Freed and the onset up to the British invasion of the Beatles in feb. 1964 (Ed Sullivan Show) etc. etc.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:42 PM, 07/05/2009
Wilma, get real. We did not vote for Obama because he is black. We are registered democratic voters. We typically vote for our party. I have voted in every presidential election since I was 18. I have voted democrat every time. And if I am not mistaken, they were all white.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:46 PM, 07/05/2009
While we are talking, I bet there were more white people who did NOT vote for Obama because he is black, then people voted for him because he is black.
