After Michael Jackson: Will Tourists Flock to Neverland Ranch?

Photo of the Apollo Theater by Eva Holland

Over at This Just In, the inevitable question has been asked: Where will Michael Jackson’s Graceland be? After all, the King of Pop’s fans will need a pilgrimage spot just as badly as the King’s do. JD Rinne offers a few possibilities: the Jackson family hometown of Gary, Indiana; Detroit’s Motown Museum; the Apollo Theater in Harlem; and, of course, Neverland Ranch.

I’d bet on the last one, myself—Motown and the Apollo have immense musical legacies of their own, so aren’t likely to be transformed into shrines to MJ, and while Gary might draw a few folks, the “childhood home” angle could be a hard sell given that Jackson spent almost his entire youth on the road or in the studio. Neverland Ranch could be tainted by allegations of abuse occurring there, but then, considering Michael Jackson’s troubled life and controversial legacy, maybe that makes it the most appropriate spot.

What do you think? Would you go out of your way for a Michael Jackson shrine? Could Neverland Ranch be the new Graceland?

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