The death of Michael Jackson at such a relatively early age is truly tragic.  He had so much more to do and so much still to prove.

But the impossible sadness of his death is that he wasted too many opportunities.  Just look again at his Earth Song on YouTube.  The power, the poignancy, the drama the shock of this story.  Yet it was just a song.  He may have felt those emotions but he did precious little about the awful state of the world.  He was much like John Lennon, encapsulated in his equally pointless anthem Imagine.

Jackson with his following could have become an icon for a better world, an ambassador who, with his massive support, could have rallied millions to support social initiatives to take action in improving this world.  But all he did, like Lennon, was to make money and look after himself.  Of course, Jackson's childhood was appalling and explains much of his later behaviour.  Yet, he made sure he enjoyed an adult childhood that few others who missed their real childhood were able to - and wasted millions on the effort.  Tragically, he mostly felt sad about himself and not about others in far worse situations.

He could also have been a black icon and an inspiration to the black peoples of the world.  But then he was not black and he made that change in rejecting his heritage, himself.  And achieved the shameful transition though his money.  Perhaps that is why President Obama was so half-hearted in his comments about Jackson's death.

But if you look again at Earth Song it is clear he understand the issues.  But is singing about them and rolling in the millions enough?

Rest in peace Michael.  We will miss you.  But we would like to have been able to remember you for the great things that you did for others, not just for yourself.

Roger Haywood is the only person to have chaired both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.  He also helped form and chaired the world's largest network of independent business communications consultancies.

He comments on public relations issues and has set up a new website to help young people get that vital first job in public relations: for more information click on www.getstartedinpr.com

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