It's been days since the the death of Michael Jackson, one of the world's most beloved icons in all of music. By the time you read this, there will surely be a wealth of knowledge discovered on the King of Pop's passing. But in the moment of this column's creation, all I know is he is gone -- and his legacy is currently in question.

Of course, his legacy in music is undeniable. The iconic songs he created as the little brother with the giant charisma and big voice in the Jackson 5. His first classic solo effort “Off The Wall.” And, of course, “Thriller,” an undisputed, groundbreaking musical juggernaut, commercial success and pop culture phenomenon that will be forever studied and probably never duplicated. The dancing. The silver glove. The ambition and scope of his cinematic music videos. You wouldn’t have Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo or any number of musical artists without the work of Michael Jackson. His influence is simply staggering.

But as we all know, his eccentricities and the allegations that would come later in his life may be what an entire generation of people will remember him for. The child molestation charges. His numerous plastic surgery procedures. Financial problems. Dangling his baby over a balcony so the press could get a picture. Even for people who grew up on Jackson’s music and witnessed him in his prime when he could practically do no wrong, all this is a little hard to shake.

There seemed to be an obvious effort made by Jackson in recent years to reclaim his mantle, if only to ensure his legacy wouldn’t be forever tarnished. The “Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition” was released in Feb. 2008, prompting many of today’s most popular artists to provide remixes and, possibly, their blessing to Jackson’s hopeful career resurgence. And Jackson announced earlier this year that he would do a final 50-date run of live performances in London, one for each year of his life, as a final curtain call.

So, what now? Personally, I feel a strange bit of conflicted sadness. I remember watching the music video for “Thriller” repeatedly on my parents’ Betamax as a child. They probably have a cassette tape of me butchering the lyrics to “Beat It” buried in a box somewhere. Even back then, before my musical ear had really “developed,” I was pretty sure I was hearing something amazing. Turns out I was right.

Then again, I also am guilty of using Jackson’s later actions as a punchline with friends and even went as far as dressing up as a kid from Neverland Ranch in college on Halloween to get a few laughs. Sadly, the iconic performer left a lasting impression in both joyful and somewhat disturbing ways.

For the immediate years following Jackson’s death, the child molestation accusations and his strange actions away from music will serve as his legacy’s albatross. For now, I would just tell people to look at Jackson’s entire life and career. Don’t remember him as EITHER a musical legend OR a troubled and strange celebrity accused of a terrible thing. But as time goes on, I believe the music he created and the positive impact he had on our culture will win out. When people listen to The Who, they rarely think of guitarist Pete Townsend’s child pornography charges. When fans think of Elvis Presley or see his likeness on television, he’s usually shown in his vibrant youth before the drugs and the food changed his image and helped lead to his demise. For Michael Jackson, uneasy laid the head that wore the crown as the King of Pop. But eventually, I think that head will truly be able to rest.

– BLAKE HANNON | Stjoelive staff