LIFE AND TIMES OF POP KING MICHAEL JACKSON
This incisive article is to answer your top Michael Jackson questions, which include:
- Who was Michael Jackson?
- Where was Michael Jackson born?
- How did Michael Jackson become famous?
- What were Michael Jackson’s accomplishments?
- How did Michael Jackson die?
TOP 85 MICHAEL JACKSON SONGS PLAYLIST [VIDEO]
Born in Gary, Indiana on August, 29, 1958 - American singer, producer, dancer and songwriter, Michael Jackson also known as the King of Pop, Wacko Jacko, or Michael Joe Jackson sits as a legend among music legends. Without a doubt, Michael Jackson rose to inarguably become the 80s most popular entertainer - worldwide.
Born into a musical family in Indiana's Gary, Michael who was the youngest of five musically talented brothers - rose to become its most influential and outstanding.
Groomed into musical shape by their father - Joseph Jackson - the 'child-star' brothers, called the Jackson 5 in no time rose to become one of the most acclaimed during the then 'Rock Era.'
Including Michael, members of the Jackson 5 consisted of
(by order of seniority):
- Sigmund Jackson - May 4, 1951
- Tito Jackson - October 15, 1953
- Jermaine Jackson - December 11, 1954
- Marlon Jackson - March 12, 1957
The Jackson 5 (As a group)
Being impressed with the talented child stars, the Jackson stars and also coupled with the fact that he was already on the lookout for music talents as young as the Jacksons 5 - Berry Gordy (Motown Records President) hastily signed the Jackson 5 onto the record label in 1969.
An investment which was worth every cent - from the right branding moves large afros, loud fashion statements, youthful drive and energy including a huge talent-bank to back all of the above up, the Jackson 5, hit fame and success rather very quickly.
Releasing hits songs like:
- I'll Be There
- I Want You Back
- The Love You Save
- ABC
The Jackson 5 did hit it big to top the pop charts in 1970, and Michael hitting number two on same pop charts with his solo hit ' Rockin' Robin'. Relationships with Motown Records went sour in 1975 and the Jacksons headed to Epic Records, where Michael's full solo career kicked off.
As earlier stated Epic records was where, The King of Pop's full solo career did kick off with a 1979 effort called - Off the Wall - which turned out to become the best-selling music album of the year raking in more than 20 million copies in sales. Worthy of note is the fact that this solo album was produced by veteran music producer, Quincy Jones and it marked their very first business venture. Still under discuss, the - Off the Wall - album, showcased Michael's energetic dance and performance to the world - acts for which he was know for even until his passing.
Another massive collaboration with, Quincy, three years later skyrocketed him to worldwide fame. This collaboration came to be the one album that earned The King of Pop eight Grammy awards. The album - Thriller - toppled the charts and remained there for another two years while selling more than 40million copies with it holding the world record of the bestselling music album in history. At the time, the - Thriller - album also set the world standard for music videos worldwide.
The Jackson Brothers 1984 reunion concert was nothing less than awesome as it turned out to be one of the most popular music concert shows of the year. Same year, Michael was officially recognized globally as - King of Pop.
1985 saw Michael once again take the world by the storm, as he and Lionel Richie together, wrote the popular signature single for the USA for Africa project - We Are the World - which was aimed at famine relief in Africa and at recording, turned out to become an all-star affair.
Subsequently The Jackson 5 got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, while Michael was inducted later in 2001. He released two more powerful and globally accepted studio albums - Bad in 1987, and Dangerous in 1991.
In 1994, Michael Jackson, in a secret ceremony married daughter of later Rock and Roll star, Elvis Presley - Lisa Marie. The union lasted less than two years and again Michael head to the aisle to be tied in a wedlock which also crashed.
Michael was arrested in November of 2003 for child molestation which metamorphosed into a 14week trial which the media turned into a circus of sorts, to the disappointment of many, Michael was acquitted of all charges in 2005.
Quite unfortunately, things took a rather downward turn for the megastar after his court plight which saw him sell of many of his very valuable assets. Including his cherished ranch - Neverland. Michael, in a comeback bid strategized a series of high profile concerts but didn't live long enough to play these, as he passed on suddenly due to cardiac arrest on 25th, June, 2009.
A lavishly elaborate memorial service was put up for him at the Staples center in Los Angeles on July 7th, and a heartfelt outpouring of grief from both fans, family and industry colleagues was recorded at the event and tributes came flooding in from the likes of his former Record label boss, Berry Gordy, Al Sharpton, Stevie Wonder etc. An enquiry was opened into the cause of Michael Jackson's death and a possible homicide was discovered which saw the indictment and trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, for overdosing the music legend with a highly lethal mixture of Propofol (an anesthetic) and other sedatives. In November 2011 Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison, of which he was released after serving half of his sentence.
