shanemcdonald.org

Moments after the death of Michael Jackson, the internet began to slow. The internet slowdown was happening as people all over the world rushed to verify news accounts of Michael Jacksons death. This surge of internet traffic had unusual effects including crashes and website server slowdowns.

Googles Slowdown
Google confirmed on Friday that when the breaking news of the death first broke, Google feared they were under some sort of Denial of Service Attack – anyone who Googled for “Michael Jackson” got a Google error page rather than the results they were looking for. The Google Error message warned that “your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application”. This was especially so on Google News. But once confirmed the error message was removed and this only lasted 40 minutes.

The Google’s Trends system showed searches for “Michael Jackson” was so high that the “hotness” gauge the topic was rated as “volcanic”.

Other Sites
Other sites were equally affected with The BBC News website up over 45% in the early hours of the morning.
The Twitter microblogging service actually crashed with the volume of people sending Michael Jackson tweets. At one point 9 out of 10 tweets were only related to Michael Jackson, with over 66,000 Tweets for the late superstar.
Trendrr, (a Web service that tracks activity on social media sites), said that the actual number of Twitter posts on Thursday containing the search term “Michael Jackson” totaled more than 100,000 per hour.

Another site to suffer was the popular chat and celeb site, TMZ; this site actually broke the story following a tip-off, and this site also crashed. This caused a so called domino effect as web users abandoned crashed sites and moved on to second most popular sites…. as a result Perez Hilton’s website then crashed.
The O2 website, where Jackson was to perform on July 13th, also crashed for a short while.
Other stats include more than 20 times the average number of visitors logging onto Sky News Online.

Overview
This moment was one of the busiest moments in Internet history, both in terms of scope or depth.
As a result, sales of his music on iTunes and Amazon are topping the charts, as fans pay tribute to the memory of the pop superstar.

The Top Ten on Amazon at 21:45pm on Friday 26th June is as follows;

1. Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller ~ Michael Jackson

2. Off the Wall ~ Michael Jackson

3. Bad ~ Michael Jackson

4. Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection ~ Michael Jackson

5. Number Ones ~ Michael Jackson

6. Dangerous ~ Michael Jackson

7. The Ultimate Collection ~ Jackson 5

8. The Essential Michael Jackson ~ Michael Jackson

9. Michael Jackson – Vol. 1-Greatest Hits History ~ Michael Jackson

10. Invincible ~ Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has died in hospital following a heart attack aged 50.

Born on August 29th 1958, Michael Jackson grew up with music, and started in the Jackson 5. As a soloist he shot to fame in the 80s with his hit album “Thriller” and songs like ‘Bad’ and ‘Billy Jean’.

Apparently last evening at around 8:20, paramedics were called to Michael Jacksons residence at Holmby Hills, and found him not breathing and unresponsive. They gave CPR to an unconscious Jackson. He was gravely ill at that point (possibly in a coma) but despite efforts to revive him he died shortly after and was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Centre in LA.

An autopsy will be carried out Friday. Fans in London were to have seen Michael Jackson perform at the O2 on 13th July.

Tour and Health Issues
It had been speculated in the media about 3 weeks ago that Michael had many health problems, including heart issues, most notably this was mentioned on Today FMs Breakfast programme, that Jackson could have health problems prior to the July 13th Show at the O2 in London. Some had questioned the number of shows which he had committed to and there were also worries about his medication and state of mind.

Although Michael had problems with allegations in the late 1990s, the Pop world should remember him as a legendary artist who changed music.

Tributes
Tributes are already being made; flowers are now being placed on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Music Producer Quincy Jones said Jackson had “talent, grace and dedication”… going on to say …” I have lost part of my soul, today, I have lost a little brother”.
- Madonna said “I can’t stop crying over the sad news – the world has lost one of the greats but his music will live forever”.
- Queen Guitarist, Brian May, said, “The world is a more colourful place thanks to Michaels work, he was a truly wonderful performer”.

American Idol contestant Adam Lambert may be in line to do a gig or two with Queen. According to rock magazine, Rolling Stone, Queen guitarist Brian May was notably ‘impressed with Lambert’ on this week’s American Idol finale and mentioned that they may work together in the future.

in 2004, Queen reunited with Paul Rodgers, but Lamberts style was in line with ‘doing a Freddie’ which is a tall order for any singer. Earlier this year Queen’s partnership with Rodgers was mutually ended. It could happen that Queen will have a chat with Adam Lambert and possibly, Queen could have a new lead singer.

I saw Queen in Paris in 2005, along with Paul Rodgers and he was very impressive – however, he was not doing a Freddie Mercury style performance, rather singing the songs in a Queen/Free fusion. I’m not sure what Adam Lambert might be like as a leader singer – perhaps the video below might help make your minds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vFYn-JD8II&NR=1 – Note this link may be removed as American Idol videos are never usually left on-line very long !

Just saw Pierre Bensusan in Waterford’s Garter Lane Arts Centre last evening. An amazing guitarist with a very interesting style.  It is hard to nail down the style; folksy with a new age/world music twist is what I would call it.

He is actually self taught since the age of 11 and was recording by the age of 17. One of the most interesting things is that he uses a DADGAD tuning system. Combine that with special delay effects and a few lyrics, and a but of Scat and you have a very interesting concert. He has an amazing reach when playing and some of the chords it looked like his fingers were dislocated. Amazing stuff!

One of the nicest pieces was a piece based loosely around a poem by Victor Hugo.

He is performing all around Ireland on various dates so check out his website for details.

Pierre Ben Susan – http://www.pierrebensusan.com/

Shown as part of the Waterford Film for All, Young@Heart is the true story of the final weeks of rehearsal for the Young @ Heart Chorus in Northampton, MA, USA. Their average age is about 80 and many of the chorus must overcome health adversities to participate in some cases heart attacks and cancer – but they still go on. Their choice of music is not what you would expecte – singing The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and even Sonic Youth.

This group has toured Europe and sang for the King of Norway and this film depicts their preparations for a concert in their home town or Northampton, which still goes ahead with great success, even in the face of adversity and heart breaking events.

The film is very well shot, however in parts the closeups are way too close. But is it very funny in parts but also very sad in others as you follow the real lives of those in the chorus. The highlights are one person struggling with the words of James Browns “I feel Good”, another song which has 71 Can Can Cans and a very poignant Coldplay song, “I will fix you” sung by Fred Knittle who sadly died on 1st Jan 2009.

Their music videos are available on YouTube and the film was done by More4 films so there is a chance it may be shown on UK / Cable TV such as More4, Channel4 or FilmFour. (Look Out for it – well worth a watch)

Official Website of the Young@Heart Chorus is http://www.youngatheartchorus.com/

Overall Score : 9½/10