Sex Scandals Involving Children Mean Different Things for Different Artists

The new documentaries focusing on the accusations levied against both Michael Jackson and R. Kelly over the years have raised questions once again about how the music of an artist who has allegedly committed sexual abuse against children should be handled. Some radio stations have stopped playing songs by both, but streams and music sales are telling something very different about the public’s perception. When one hit wonder Gary Glitter was facing similar charges several years ago, the reaction on both sides was much different – is that because he didn’t have a catalog of material as beloved as Jackson and Kelly?

I did a piece for The Daily Times which touched on the subject.