It’s been said by many, including the editors of SMITH, that a six-word memoir can be a lot like an epitaph, the ultimate summation of one’s life. We’ve always been fascinated by obits of the famous and obscure alike. Now, by popular demand, we’re starting a new reader challenge category: Six-Word Obits. There’s only way way to kick this reader challenge off, and that’s by respectively asking you for your Jackson 6: a six-word obituary for the King of Pop. Leave your entry in the comments section below. Since we set this one loose on Twitter—with six-word maven Mary Elizabeth Williams immediately replying wit “From ABC to PYT to RIP.”—yesterday, we’ve had some great responses.
“King silenced by insulation and prescriptions.”
– Eva
“Force did stop. He got enough.”
– Erin Fitzpatrick
“Survived by family, friends, widespread ambivalence.”
– Christiann
Keep ’em coming. Our three favorite entries win the six-word memoir book of their choice. The contest ends on Monday, June 29 at 5pm EST. Update! Contest extended to June 30, 5pm EST.
Creative Commons image from Flickr user bernissimo.
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deborah J
black to white. Guilty or innocent?
Elisa Shevitz
the thriller will never be gone
Yvonne
Born artist and hierarch of stage.
Robin Slick
Say Hi to Elvis for me!
Adam C
Unique music, moves, lifestyle and face.
Robin Slick
He’s moon walking for real now.
Bethe
No one can mimic MJ’s moonwalk.
Bethe
Imagine heaven with Elvis, now Michael.
Bethe
Michael gone too soon. Remembered forever.
Bethe
Michael, hope you realized the love.
Bethe
Michael Jackson was our generation’s Elvis.
Bethe
Loved Michael’s gloved hand, white socks.
Bethe
Michael’s dance moves impressed Fred Astaire.
Bethe
Grown but child-like. Beaten down. Sadly.
Bethe
Michael, keep singing, dancing. We’ll remember.
Steve Silberman
Ebony to ivory, strutting in zero-g.
Stephen Seidel
Performer. Artist. Hero. Legend. Icon. King!
Stephen Seidel
Moonwalking Heaven Free. Forever Fixed. NeverLand!
bethe
Michael, whole world is shocked, grieving.
bethe
You definitely thrilled us, Michael Jackson!
Jeanette Cheezum
Dazzled many but never grew up.
Shari_Berkowitz
My first schoolgirl crush…is gone.
Scott Webb
Never can say goodbye to Michael.
Mona C
No more Man in the Mirror.
Mona C
A music legend gone too soon.
Mona C
He’s teaching angels how to moonwalk.
Coco
Got enough. We can rock forever.
Bethe
We are the world. Shocked, grieving.
Bethe
Michael, you beat it too soon.
Bethe
Our greatest stars always die young.
Bethe
Hope Michael’s kids inherited his talent.
Jude
King of Pop. Died too young.
Jude
Today Michael Jackson was forever silenced
Jude
Lost childhood, meteoric stardom, tragic end
Jude
Talented, shy, misunderstood. Michael Jackson RIP
Jude
Greatest contribution: We Are The World
Jude
Forever changed the “look” of music
Jude
Pop music never the same again.
Jude
6/25/09 the day pop music died
Jude
His contribution to music, simply unheralded.
Jude
“Thriller” introduced the entertaining music video.
Jude
From Ed Sullivan to world stage
Jude
Thriller, epilets, sequined glove, moon walk.
Jude
A comeback we won’t ever know
Jude
so much left undone, terrible loss.
Jude
Appreciate Michael Jackson – composer, singer, entertainer.
Jude
Appreciating the genius behind the music.
Jude
Mourning Jackson travels around the globe.
Jude
Mourning Jackson’s death, celebrating his career.
Jude
King of Pop touched my life
Jude
“The Love You Save” couldn’t be
Jude
The Man in the Mirror silenced.
Jude
Never had a chance at normalcy.
Jude
Jackson leaves legacy of incredible music
Dude
From lovely child to child lover
lisa Kay
musical genius. cultivated. overexposed. freaky. dead.
Mary Elizabeth Williams
Was born a poor black child.
Jeanette Cheezum
What really happened behind the scenes?
Jeanette Cheezum
His last song and dance routine.
Bill from Las Vegas
Pedophile who got away with it
Pamela
Another king has has left the building.
Pamela
*Another king has left the building.
Dominick
More music than we ever imagined
Lori S NY
Amazingly talented artist…sadly troubled person.
Ashley
The Man. The Myth. Finally Untouchable.
Rifa
Groove’s dead/gone, legacy lives on!!
DR
He never accepted restrictions. Why should we?
Chris R
In Memoriam: Thrilling, tragic, dancing machine.
Kegger
Black man. White man. Dead now.
shane
Ding Dong, the freak is dead.
jav
amazing singer dancer fragile man boy.
E.B. Berman
He came, he saw, he moonwalked.
Samuel
Peter Pan Walking on the moon.
CTI
Musical genius. Personal life – giant asterisk.
Mammasan
Loved for years and remembered forever
Jeffrey Bryan
Touched us all in different ways.
kay
his life was never his own
skybar
Poor kid never had a chance.
PNK
Wall
Thriller
Bad
Dangerous
HIStory
Invincible
Skenner
He wrote ditties and touched kiddies
Mohammad
Touched My Soul,Who Is It?
Kellie
As a child, I respected him.
Kellie
He made dancing zombies super cool.
Kellie
My first concert, MJ “Bad” tour.
Kellie
Who doesn’t like the “Thriller” album?
Kellie
Wish he would’ve stayed a King…
Kellie
Looks like Prince won this battle.
Kellie
He died as a smooth criminal.
Ramon
An unstoppable Thriller and an enigma
Jo Ann Daniels
He is now in his neverland.
Jo Ann Daniels
When he’s on stage, he’s bad!
Sherry
Relatively short and really fucked up.
Missy
My youth died along with Michael.
Kirsten
Peter Pan or King of Pop?
David
Made great music. Slept with boys.
Gary T
Great artist with family issues, dead.
Rachel
Moonwalked His Way Into My Heart.
Melissa
Catchy dance pop. Sad pathetic life.
Stephen
He lived how he died. Infamously..
rob
THE ELVIS PRESLEY OF OUR ERA
Mary
The loneliest man we ever loved.
D.I.G.
Michael: Thriller!
Bad? Invincible? Dangerous?
History.
jenny
so sad was this child king.
Surfingnoreen
Dancing supernova explodes into the void.
lynn
cute black boy strange white man
dana in the 904
My Story: a ‘Bad’ ‘PYT’ ‘Heartbreaker’
Bethe
R.I.P., Michael. Sing, dance in heaven.
Bethe
Amazing performer. Tormented life. Musical legend.
Bethe
Michael’s gone. Just rememer the good.
Bethe
Must replace my MJ cassettes–CD’s.
Bethe
Worldwide phenomenon. Musical genius. Died young.
Bethe
Michael beat it much too soon.
Bethe
Black, white. Man in mirror thrilled.
Bethe
Never can say goodbye. Michael, R.I.P.
Bethe
Never can say goodbye, Michael. R.I.P.
Bethe
Michael owned the stage. Unbelievably talented.
Bethe
Middle-aged white woman devastated about Michael.
Bethe
Would Michael still be alive if?
kimbly
What if he’d had a childhood?
kimbly
What doomed Elvis, claimed Michael too.
Jo Ann Daniels
This tour would have surpassed all.
kimbly
We somehow forgot the genius there.
Jo Ann Daniels
No one can duplicate his work.
Jo Ann Daniels
It was never about his appearance.
dreamer211
Young, talented, controversial, exploited, now dead.
Jules
bizarre music icon and loving dad.
DEBAZ2CA
Now MJ can live his childhood.
Bethe
Hope you play in heaven, Michael.
Bethe
World was your stage. Tragic life.
Bethe
If childhood were different, just imagine.
Bethe
Preferred Michael’s cute 80’s black face.
eil
genius man naive child in one
Jeff A
Embattled individual. Majestic Performer. Legend forever.
JandPDS
So who actualy fathered his children?
KVL
Thrilled, healed, and rocked our world.
AP
He lived an awfully big adventure.
janel
Heal The World. Honour The Man.
Jinxy
Young black old white three kids.
Jinxy
Afro, Jheri Curl, Pepsi Fire, Wig
tomtom
Black superstar turned white. Tragic life.
tomtom
Lost childhood doomed superstar’s life forever.
bfree
Michael: Currently teaching Elvis to Moonwalk
bfree
Tip of Hat. Sparkle of Glove.
bfree
Seemed to float above the stage.
kvs
The Thriller has left the building.
The LAMP
He finally did say goodbye, girl.
The LAMP
Gonna be startin somethin in Heaven
Curt
Wore white glove. Had some moves.
The Aldin
Father. Performer. Spotlight. Pain. Legend.
The Aldin
Moon walking on the clouds now.
Carlos
Tragic death leads to musical rebirth.
Andrew Shaffer
“Thought he would die young. Did.”
Don Willmott
Up, up, Culkin, down, down, down.
Eliza Lear
Cash-cow baby never grew up.
Cas Marino
Died too soon. Dyed too white.
Kayla Smith
Micheal Jackson was not a martyr.
Jo Ann Daniels
He commanded all moves and steps.
KatNat
King of Pop arose, never landed.
Jo Ann Daniels
Michael, danced,dreamed, delivered, and died.
KatNat
The man in the mirror, reflected.
KatNat
Michael moved the earth and moon.
Vu
Loved, hated, cherished, abhorred: Unique!
Carmelo Valone
Now dancing in real never-never lands.
Benjamin
king of pop. wore one glove?
Ian
Our generation got it’s Elvis finally.
Ian
The Five, The King, Now Popped.
Helen
Precocious child turned juvenile adult, lost.
Abs
He sang, he moonwalked, he conquered.
Yolanda
Michael: Son, brother, father, friend, artist.
MeganC
Gloved King ushered future of music.
MeganC
Music industry and world forever changed.
MeganC
World changed in just one glove.
MeganC
One-gloved wonder awakened every generation.
DONALD0607
Talented, confused, conflicted. But never convicted,
MeganC
Loneliest man loved by whole world.
Andy
It got hard for little boy.
bfree
Broke the internet when he died.
MeganC
Influenced. Impacted. Insulted. Invincible. Iconic. Immortal.
Eileen
Moonwalk straight to hell, child molester.
Merrianne
MJ’s tragedy started many years ago.
tams
kmart special: boys pants half off
chana
to little to late now gone
chana
not my hero alive or dead
Allen
Mama sighed. Mama sued. Mama Kusah.
Robin Slick
John Lennon’s gonna kick your ass
kejia
millions of moms sigh with relief
stephen b
The sound of one glove clapping.
This moonwalk requires
Gallons of Jesus juice.
Anna
Heart stopped when it got enough.
Margo
Genius lost. To megolamania, dysmorphia? Heartbreaking.
Q
T’was ever thus, each of us.
Margo
Music: genius. Life: screwball. Death: adored.
Q
It was ever thus, Mr. Jackson.
Q
This is The Peace you needed.
ndolomar
I wouldn’t exactly call 50 “too young.”
Q
So nice to finally retire, eh?
Q
Honestly? I’m so happy for you.
John Davis
Michael: the soundtrack of my childhood.
muguette
I AM YOU NOW BEAT IT
jqpublic
Boys are now safer from molestation.
jqpublic
Without Quincy Jones MJ is Britney.
Lylanne
Man in the Mirror: ghostly echo.
Bethe
King of Pop led tormented life.
Debbie
Pop thrill now moonwalking in heaven
Ben C
Prodigiousness robbed youth; quintessential American tragedy.
A better word
Virtuosity robbed youth; quintessential American tragedy.
Debbie
Pop thriller now moonwalking in heaven
Debbie
Lost boy finally finds his Neverland
Eddie G.
King of Pop; Moonwalks into Eternity
Kimberley A. Sidaway
There’s one more angel in heaven.
Trish Jacobson
He is now alone, without children.
Trish Jacobson
He was stopped, they had enough.
Dyan Titchnell
Gloved one moon walked to thrill.
Trish Jacobson
Peter Pan dreams, creepy plastic nightmares.
Trish Jacobson
Born Black man, Died White woman.
Trish Jacobson
His ill beats, will beat on.
Trish Jacobson
He danced better than the best!
Lisa R.
When the glove no longer fits.
Trish Jacobson
Didn’t matter, Black or White, he’s gone.
Trish Jacobson
Cardic arrest: Wrong arrest record.
Trish Jacobson
Shiny, glittery one hand covered, Child.
Trish Jacobson
Child that remained in man’s body.
Lisa R.
Bleach job complete: Fade to black.
Trish Jacobson
Saw him climb, watched him crumble.
Trish Jacobson
The Glove goes on other hand.
Trish Jacobson
Most shocking music day ever seen.
Trish Jacobson
As a zombie he can dance!
Trish Jacobson
Thriller: There is life after death!
Trish Jacobson
Neverland, never the same, never visited.
jahfurry
Sorry Michael, but I don’t care.
jahfurry
I rollerskated to Pretty Young Thing
ken krimstein
Holy crap! He was my age.
AMRILUSAGUY
pretty good dancer pretty freaky parent
fern chasida
michael jackson – thrill is long gone
fern chasida
who will parent his children now?
Shawn Lane
Pedophile dead. Rat’s ass not given.
stephanie s
MJ truly lived off the wall.
Pounddog
Too soon sequinned gloves wave bye
DJ
Brilliant child degenerates into tortured man.
DJ
So much love yet so alone.
Vanessa :)
Earned the title: King of Pop
Lora
Needed love but never loved himself.
Lora
A torchured face, a torchured soul.
Lora
Did St. Peter recognize Michael’s face?
MSantiago
Lost boy, genius thrilled, man unknown.
Lora
Imagine King of Pop at eighty!
Lora
Was I only one not surprised?
Lora
My favorite song. Gone too soon.
Lora
Michael entering Heaven. Black or white?
Lora
Debts gone. Wealthier dead than alive.
Lora
Accidental death? Insurance wipes out debts.
Lora
Now the conspiracy rumors run wild.
Gibby
Sad news. Let the circus begin!
Gibby
Hi! Billy Mays here for Oxiclean!
Lora
A tortured face, a tortured soul.
Lora
Daddy Jackson emasculated little Michael.
Lora
Those white kids are NOT his!!!
Lora
Which one molested? Prince One? Two?
bklerner
some folks sad, some kids glad
bklerner
power, fame and money can corrupt
Clarissa
The jokes started way too soon.
Sansego
Smooth criminal is gone too soon.
Katie K.
mama say mama so mamacu sad.
TrueDragon
Changing faces, daring moves. Silence now.
Sara C
Memories while listening to his songs.
virginette
the way you make me feel..
virginette
loved the world, never just himself
virginette
peter pan is gone to neverland
virginette
a child in a man’s body
virginette
the Glove that shook the world
virginette
defying color, defying gravity- not mortality
virginette
healed and rocked my world- thanks
virginette
the tragic artist, the starved soul
virginette
Michael, heaven doesn’t care about looks
virginette
knocked me off of my feet
virginette
Michael, i’ll always remember the time..
Softsagi
“When will I get my refund?”
Softsagi
“Who said that, King of POP”
Softsagi
“Pop, Poppers, Pauper, la-la land”
virginette
moonwalked in and out of reality
Kitten22
Music will never be the same.
Kitten22
His lonely days are now gone.
Kitten22
We weren’t ready to say goodbye.
Shaunyata
Pop Genius or Wacko Jacko? Both.
Kitten22
Michael you are not alone anymore.
Michelle
King of Pop…lives on FOREVER.
Kitten22
Talented Musician and a Legendary Icon.
B.Sloane
“Livin crazy that’s the only way”
B.Sloane
He Lived it Off the Wall
The Douchebag
72 heavenly virgin boys deflowered today
B.Sloane
He Lived LIFE Off the Wall
Kiese Laymon
You worked for us! Thank you.
Jinxy
Born Julius Hibbert. Died Monty Burns.
Taru
Moonwalked off the wall; tragic fall.
Taru
Negro spirituals now Caucasianized cheshire grin
Taru
Negro spirituals now Caucasianized cheshire grimace
Sean G. Means
MOONWALK: dance steps. Steps to heaven.
Mike Nobel, Maine songwriter
FROM STAGE LIGHTS TO ETERNAL LIGHT
Lindsay Champion
Boy prodigy starts young, dies younger.
virginette
at peace – can be a child
NWW
One glove; keeps evidence off children.
Q
Let the dead bury the dead.
virginette
death by press, immortality by love
virginette
famous in life, immortal in death
shaunyata
From pop genius to Wacko Jacko.
Georgia Hubley
Rock star; falling star; bright star
Georgia Hubley
Boy angel; broken wings; gone; forgiven
molly
1.Shook his body into the ground.
Just say
molly
Recycled plastic: Just say “no”.
virginette
a Dangerous Thriller, an Invincible HIStory
LynnM
you gave us butterflies – fly free!
Trish Jacobson
He cried but no one listened.
Trish Jacobson
Celebrity life taken for granted, sad.
Trish Jacobson
Infamously famous for very impure behavior.
Trish Jacobson
Neverland in ruins, Children in hiding.
Trish Jacobson
Babies asked to say goodbye, awkward.
Tina
Farewell fragile ferocious talent. Manchild.
Marcus Eder
enablers killed the king of pop
Marcus Eder
remember how he lived, not died
Marcus Eder
the real mj died years ago
Marcus Eder
man as child, child as man
Yvonne
Survived by a generation of commentary.
Slothrop
Self-mutilating Drug Addicted Pederast Artist
uff da
Loved, gloved; unique freak; cool ghoul.
ReverendJohn
King of Pop – His heart stopped.
DeirdreH
I sang. I danced. I lived.
Marcella
Sang, danced, dazzled.
Self-denied;died.
chana
his handlers should be held responsible
chana
Who killed Michael, the conspiracies begin…
Virginette
mis-taken, mis-colored, misunderstood- just plain missed
Robin Slick
He became a Twitter Trending Topic
Anonymous
Accusations are not, by definition, facts.
Q
Little man to man-child. Blame fame.
Q
Little man to man-child. Blamed fame.
Q
Bouquet of broken parts and genius.
joy316
Brought joy and trills to millions!
joy316
We all need Jesus, John 3:16
Jeanette Cheezum
He said “he never–wanted to die.”
Patricia
Michael. Not ordinary, even in death.
Q
The Curious Case of Michael Jackson
VeeMichal
Where were you when Michael died?
lmattozz
Survived by children, abused and not.
Joyce Mason
Never wanted to grow old; didn’t.
Holy
Thriller or Chiller? Audiophiler or Pedofiler?
David L Tamarin
The circle of vultures claims another.
Kathy B.
The King of Pop has exploded.
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