Is Michael Jackson's Death A Hoax?

The influence of P.T. Barnum.

In the 1980s, Michael Jackson lays hands on a biography that will forever change his life: that of Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810–1891).

Barnum, a genius promoter and circus owner, is said to have been the first show-business millionaire, and a master hoaxer. For example, he promoted Joice Heth, a wrinkled woman said to be 161 years old. Michael devours this biography, and distributes copies among his inner circle, declaring, “I want my career to be the greatest show on earth.” (“Greatest show on earth,” is a gimmick that was used to promote the Barnum and Bailey circus.)

One hundred years after Barnum’s death, his face is featured on the Dangerous (1991) album cover, (Barnum is the man in black).

Launching rumors, using the media as a megaphone, increasing pressure, issuing denials… Michael Jackson, thrilled by this role of great hoaxer, appropriates these techniques, for example with the oxygen chamber hoax.

But what could be the ultimate hoax? What about…. coming back from the grave? Somebody did that before.

Monsieur Mangin, The French Humbug

Around 1850, Monsieur Mangin was a French maker of blacklead pencils. He lived in poverty above his small shop in the rue de Rivoli.

Then one day he had an idea. He would drive for a while around central Paris in an ornate carriage. He would stop in a crowded street, dressed in unusal royal garb, and a servant would hand him four portraits of himself which he hung on the side of the coach. He would also deliver a flamboyant speech, where he would introduce himself as «The great charlatan of France. »

This was only a start...

P.T. Barnum met Mangin in Paris and was delighted by his methods. At the end of their meeting, Mangin told Barnum that he was planning « a grand humbug, » which shall double the sale of his pencils.

A few weeks afterwards, Barnum read in the Paris newspapers that Mangin had died, and assumed that the secret plan had died with him.

Six month later, Mangin surfaced in Paris, performing exactly the same ritual drive. His « death » had quadrupled the sale of his pencil.

Mangin had spent six months in the country.

So, is Michael Jackson’s death a hoax?

There is a huge difference between Paris in the 1850’s and Los Angeles in the present days. How could a larger than life figure like Michael Jackson just vanish? A body was autopsied. Police officials were there.

Let’s face it, the King of Pop is dead.

As an artist, Michael Jackson had nothing more to prove, but he wanted to give more. His sudden death is like a broken promise, like Elvis Presley’s death was.

And Elvis too, is said to be alive…