EARLY LIFE AND CAREER WITH JACKSON 5
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. He was the eighth of Katherine and Joe Jackson's ten children. Jackson's father was a steel mill worker.
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| Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana. Ianmacm at en.wikipedia - |
In 1965, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers—a band formed by their father and which included brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine—as backup musicians playing congas and tambourine.
When Jackson was 8 he started being the band's main singer with Jermaine. The group's name then changed to The Jackson 5.
In 1968 The Jackson 5 were signed to Motown Records. Their first Motown single "I Want You Back" went to #1 in the US. When it topped the chart, the 11-year-old Michael Jackson became the youngest person to feature in an American #1.
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| Jackson (center) as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1972. |
In 1971 Jackson released his first solo song, "Got to Be There". It reached #4 in the Billboard 100.
SOLO CAREER
In December 1978 Michael Jackson started making his first solo album with Quincy Jones on Epic Records, Off the Wall was released on August 10, 1979. The album earned Jackson a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
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| Off The Wall cover Wikipedia Commons |
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" was the first video by a black artist to air on MTV.
Jackson picked up his iconic moonwalk moves, which he debuted at the Motown 25th Anniversary show in 1983, from street dancers he spotted performing outside a hotel. After he saw Jeffrey Daniel do the moonwalk dance on Soul Train he had his manager call Soul Train to introduce him to the dancer and show him the moves.
Michael Jackson got $2 for every Thriller album sold, which was one of the highest royalty rates of that time.
On January 27, 1984, Michael Jackson filmed a Pepsi Cola commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. In front of a full house of fans during a simulated concert, pyrotechnics accidentally set Jackson's hair on fire, causing second-degree burns to his scalp. Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars on his scalp, and had his third rhinoplasty shortly thereafter. Jackson donated his $1.5 million settlement to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California. Its Michael Jackson Burn Center is named in his honor,
Michael Jackson's Pepsi accident occurred exactly on the middle day of his life.
Michael Jackson set a record for most wins at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 28, 1984 by taking home eight of the gramophone statuette honors. He broke the previous record of six awards set by Roger Miller in 1965.
Michael Jackson's Pepsi accident occurred exactly on the middle day of his life.
Michael Jackson set a record for most wins at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 28, 1984 by taking home eight of the gramophone statuette honors. He broke the previous record of six awards set by Roger Miller in 1965.
Three years after their duet “The Girl Is Mine,” Paul McCartney advised Michael Jackson to invest in publishing. Jackson made a winning bid of $47.5 million for the rights to over 250 Lennon-McCartney Beatles songs owned by ATV publishing, which turned out to be a great investment, but killed their friendship.
Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moon Walk was edited by former first lady Jackie Onassis.
Michael Jackson owned the patent for a stage shoe device that allowed him to lean forward and appear to defy gravity, as demonstrated in the video for "Smooth Criminal.” The shoes, patented in 1992, were connected to a raised hook that popped up from the stage.
The "Scream" music video Jackson made with sister Janet is the most expensive promo ever made, costing more than $7 million.
Jackson's double album HIStory is the biggest selling double album ever released in the US.
His Blood on the Dance Floor is the biggest selling re-mix album of all time.
Jackson's performance during the 1993 Super Bowl half-time show was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures increased during the half-time show to more than the game itself.
The costumes Michael Jackson wore at the end of his shows had to be smaller than the outfit he wore at the beginning, since he sweated so much during each concert that he physically shrunk.
Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moon Walk was edited by former first lady Jackie Onassis.
Michael Jackson owned the patent for a stage shoe device that allowed him to lean forward and appear to defy gravity, as demonstrated in the video for "Smooth Criminal.” The shoes, patented in 1992, were connected to a raised hook that popped up from the stage.
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| Jackson performing in 1988.Photo by Drew H. Cohen |
The "Scream" music video Jackson made with sister Janet is the most expensive promo ever made, costing more than $7 million.
Jackson's double album HIStory is the biggest selling double album ever released in the US.
His Blood on the Dance Floor is the biggest selling re-mix album of all time.
Jackson's performance during the 1993 Super Bowl half-time show was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures increased during the half-time show to more than the game itself.
The costumes Michael Jackson wore at the end of his shows had to be smaller than the outfit he wore at the beginning, since he sweated so much during each concert that he physically shrunk.
Michael Jackson wore white tape on his fingers so that audience members further away could see the digits and follow the moves he made with his hands while dancing. He wore white socks so they could similarly follow his feet.
Michael Jackson became the first artist in history to score Top 10 hits in five consecutive decades on the Hot 100 when "Love Never Felt So Good" landed at #9 on the chart dated May 31, 2014. "Love Never Felt So Good" was originally written and recorded by Michael Jackson in 1983, but it was not released as a single at that time. After his passing in 2009, the song was rediscovered and revamped for release. The 2014 version of the song featured vocals by Michael Jackson along with additional contributions from Justin Timberlake.
Michael Jackson composed songs despite not playing any instruments and not being able to read sheet music. He would build each element of a track with his voice, so pitch perfect that studio musicians could match chords to his singing.
PERSONAL LIFE
Michael Jackson's pre-concert ritual included drinking Ricola candy dissolved in hot water. He claimed the beverage helped to keep his throat and his singing voice clear.
He requested his wine be served in Diet Coke cans during flights, because Jacko didn't want his kids to see him drinking alcohol.
Photo below shows Michael Jackson at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival for the "Ghosts" music video premiere
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| Photo by Georges Biard, |
Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in a private ceremony in the Dominican Republic on May 26, 1994. Their marriage lasted for approximately two years, but they officially divorced on August 20, 1996. The couple cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation. Despite the dissolution of their marriage, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley maintained a cordial relationship in the following years.
Jackson married his former housekeeper Debbie Rowe in November 1996. The couple divorced on October 8, 1999.
He had two children from his marriage to Debbie Rowe: Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. His third son, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson II (nicknamed "Blanket), was born to a surrogate mother.
Former child movie star Macauley Culkin is godfather to Jackson's two eldest children, Paris and Prince Michael.
Culkin helped Jackson design the amusement park at his Neverland Valley Ranch home in California.
In 1984, a US library accused Michael Jackson of owing it over $1 million in overdue book fines. Officials said they would scrap the fines if he returned the books autographed.
It was Michael Jackson's dream to go grocery shopping like a regular person. In 2003, after mentioning this desire in an interview, a friend of his who owns a mall with a supermarket closed it all down for a day so that the King of Pop could fulfill his dream to go to shop like everybody else and experience what it was like to "put things in a basket." It was populated with his friends and family pretending to be fellow shoppers and employees.
An arrest warrant for Michael Jackson was issued on November 19, 2003 on charges of child molestation. He was acquitted two years later.
One of Michael Jackson’s crystal-covered gloves set the record for the most expensive such item sold at an auction in November 2009, when it fetched $425,000 (£267,000). The buyer was Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma
Michael Jackson's diamanté glove was actually just a modified golf glove.
Bubbles the chimp was Michael Jackson's most famous pet, but he also befriended a ram called Mr. Tibbs, a python called Crusher and Louie the llama.
Michael Jackson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and was active in meeting attendance and preaching until his disassociation in 1987. By 1984, despite his tremendous fame and great fortune, the Thriller star was still door-to-door proselytizing for the Jehovah's Witness faith, twice a week. He also attended meetings at Kingdom Hall with his mother four time a week, when he was in town.
During flights, Michael Jackson had his wine served to him in Diet Coke cans because he didn’t want children to see him drinking alcohol.
Michael Jackson was cited in 2000 by the The Guinness Book of World Records as the most philanthropic pop star in history. He gave over $300 million to charity in his life, and visited hospitals and orphanages at every stop of his tours handing out gifts and making donations.
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson collapsed at his rented mansion at Holmby Hills a district of Los Angeles. Attempts at resuscitating him by his personal physician Conrad Murray were unsuccessful. He was proclaimed dead the same day at 2:25pm at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Michael Jackson's last words were for 'milk', his alleged nickname for propofol, the powerful hospital anesthetic that he overdosed on.
When Michael Jackson passed away, there were more than 456 tweets per second from the public. The entire internet slowed down due to up to 20% more traffic than usual.
Michael Jackson's autopsy revealed that his lips were tattooed pink, while his eyebrows were tattooed a dark hue.
His memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009 was covered by most TV networks and many celebrities spoke at the service. 17,500 tickets were made available to the public, and more than 1.2 million people signed up for a lottery to get them.
Jackson died only weeks after hiring Murray; his death was ruled a homicide, due to an overdose of propofol.
Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years behind bars for involuntary manslaughter on November 29, 2011. He served less than two years due to California prison overcrowding, plus good behavior.
Jackson married his former housekeeper Debbie Rowe in November 1996. The couple divorced on October 8, 1999.
He had two children from his marriage to Debbie Rowe: Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. His third son, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson II (nicknamed "Blanket), was born to a surrogate mother.
Former child movie star Macauley Culkin is godfather to Jackson's two eldest children, Paris and Prince Michael.
Culkin helped Jackson design the amusement park at his Neverland Valley Ranch home in California.
In 1984, a US library accused Michael Jackson of owing it over $1 million in overdue book fines. Officials said they would scrap the fines if he returned the books autographed.
It was Michael Jackson's dream to go grocery shopping like a regular person. In 2003, after mentioning this desire in an interview, a friend of his who owns a mall with a supermarket closed it all down for a day so that the King of Pop could fulfill his dream to go to shop like everybody else and experience what it was like to "put things in a basket." It was populated with his friends and family pretending to be fellow shoppers and employees.
An arrest warrant for Michael Jackson was issued on November 19, 2003 on charges of child molestation. He was acquitted two years later.
One of Michael Jackson’s crystal-covered gloves set the record for the most expensive such item sold at an auction in November 2009, when it fetched $425,000 (£267,000). The buyer was Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma
Michael Jackson's diamanté glove was actually just a modified golf glove.
Bubbles the chimp was Michael Jackson's most famous pet, but he also befriended a ram called Mr. Tibbs, a python called Crusher and Louie the llama.
Michael Jackson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and was active in meeting attendance and preaching until his disassociation in 1987. By 1984, despite his tremendous fame and great fortune, the Thriller star was still door-to-door proselytizing for the Jehovah's Witness faith, twice a week. He also attended meetings at Kingdom Hall with his mother four time a week, when he was in town.
During flights, Michael Jackson had his wine served to him in Diet Coke cans because he didn’t want children to see him drinking alcohol.
Michael Jackson was cited in 2000 by the The Guinness Book of World Records as the most philanthropic pop star in history. He gave over $300 million to charity in his life, and visited hospitals and orphanages at every stop of his tours handing out gifts and making donations.
DEATH AND LEGACY
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson collapsed at his rented mansion at Holmby Hills a district of Los Angeles. Attempts at resuscitating him by his personal physician Conrad Murray were unsuccessful. He was proclaimed dead the same day at 2:25pm at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Michael Jackson's last words were for 'milk', his alleged nickname for propofol, the powerful hospital anesthetic that he overdosed on.
When Michael Jackson passed away, there were more than 456 tweets per second from the public. The entire internet slowed down due to up to 20% more traffic than usual.
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| Fans flocked to Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the day of his death. By Taty2007 |
Michael Jackson's autopsy revealed that his lips were tattooed pink, while his eyebrows were tattooed a dark hue.
His memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009 was covered by most TV networks and many celebrities spoke at the service. 17,500 tickets were made available to the public, and more than 1.2 million people signed up for a lottery to get them.
Jackson died only weeks after hiring Murray; his death was ruled a homicide, due to an overdose of propofol.
Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years behind bars for involuntary manslaughter on November 29, 2011. He served less than two years due to California prison overcrowding, plus good behavior.
Michael Jackson was $500 million in debt when he died. However since his death he's made a profit, being one of the highest earning dead celebrities in the world.
The contents of the Los Angeles house where Michael Jackson was living with his children just before he died were sold at auction for nearly $1 million.
Michael Jackson was once officially crowned King of Sanwi, a small kingdom at the bottom of the Ivory Coast. When the King of Pop died, the nation mourned for two whole days.
Jackson's waxwork features in five Madame Tussauds museums across the world. Only Elvis Presley and Madonna have more Tussaud figures - they have six each.
Jackson's album, Thriller, remains the biggest-selling LP since records began.
Sources Artistfacts, Daily Mail, World Entertainment News Network
The contents of the Los Angeles house where Michael Jackson was living with his children just before he died were sold at auction for nearly $1 million.
Michael Jackson was once officially crowned King of Sanwi, a small kingdom at the bottom of the Ivory Coast. When the King of Pop died, the nation mourned for two whole days.
Jackson's waxwork features in five Madame Tussauds museums across the world. Only Elvis Presley and Madonna have more Tussaud figures - they have six each.
Jackson's album, Thriller, remains the biggest-selling LP since records began.
Sources Artistfacts, Daily Mail, World Entertainment News Network
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