Michael Jackson

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31 Jan 2024

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson, born on August 29, 1958, and passing away on June 25, 2009, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Renowned as the "King of Pop," he left an indelible mark on 20th-century culture through his music, dance, and fashion choices, becoming a global icon.

Jackson's career began in 1964 when he debuted as a member of the Jackson 5 alongside his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. Transitioning to a solo career in 1971 with Motown Records, he achieved superstar status with his 1979 album "Off the Wall." However, it was his 1982 album "Thriller," featuring iconic tracks like "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and the title track "Thriller," that catapulted him to unparalleled fame. "Thriller" became the best-selling album of all time, and its music videos revolutionized the medium, breaking racial barriers and setting new standards for artistic expression and promotion.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Jackson continued to innovate with albums like "Bad" (1987), "Dangerous" (1991), and "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I" (1995). He reshaped the music industry with his groundbreaking music videos and elaborate stage performances, inspiring generations of artists across genres.

Despite his musical achievements, Jackson faced controversies and legal battles, including allegations of child sexual abuse in 1993 and 2005. While he was acquitted of the charges, the controversies tarnished his reputation and impacted his personal life.

Tragically, Jackson's life was cut short in 2009 when he died from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. His sudden death sent shockwaves around the world, leading to an outpouring of grief from millions of fans. Jackson's legacy endures through his music, with his unparalleled record sales, numerous awards, and inductions into various halls of fame cementing his status as one of the most influential entertainers of all time.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958. He was the eighth child in the Jackson family, which lived in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. His mother, Katherine Esther Jackson, worked part-time at Sears and had aspirations of becoming a country-and-western performer. His father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a former boxer and crane operator at US Steel who supplemented the family's income by playing guitar with a local rhythm and blues band called the Falcons.

Growing up, Michael was surrounded by three sisters (Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet) and five brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy). Sadly, Marlon's twin, Brandon, died shortly after birth.

In 1964, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers, a band formed by their father. Initially, they played as backup musicians, with Michael recalling his father's harsh criticisms during rehearsals, which sometimes included physical punishment. While Michael described feeling lonely and isolated during his youth, his brothers emphasized that the discipline kept them disciplined and out of trouble.

In 1965, the group transitioned into the Jackson 5, with Michael and Jermaine sharing lead vocals. They toured extensively, performing at venues across the Midwest and winning amateur night concerts at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. These experiences laid the groundwork for their future success as one of the most iconic musical groups of all time.

The Jackson 5's journey to stardom began with their recordings for Steeltown Records, a Gary-based record label. Their debut single, "Big Boy," was released in 1968. Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers played a crucial role in bringing the Jackson 5 to Motown after witnessing their talent during a performance at Chicago's Regal Theater. Taylor produced some of their early Motown recordings, including a rendition of "Who's Lovin' You."

Upon signing with Motown, the Jackson family relocated to Los Angeles in 1969. Motown executives decided that Diana Ross should introduce the Jackson 5 to the public, partly to enhance her career in television. Their first television appearance was in 1969 during the Miss Black America pageant, where they covered "It's Your Thing."

In January 1970, "I Want You Back" became the Jackson 5's first song to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, remaining there for four weeks. This was followed by three more number-one singles with Motown: "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." During this period, the Jackson family resided in a large estate in Encino, California, known as Hayvenhurst.

Michael Jackson's transition from a child performer to a teen idol was evident during this time. Between 1972 and 1975, he released four solo studio albums with Motown: "Got to Be There" (1972), "Ben" (1972), "Music & Me" (1973), and "Forever, Michael" (1975). Hits like "Got to Be There," "Ben," and "Rockin' Robin" solidified his success as a solo artist.

While Michael pursued his solo career, he maintained ties with the Jackson 5, whose performances, such as their rendition of "Dancing Machine" on Soul Train, helped popularize the robot dance and established them as a cutting-edge example of black crossover artists. However, they faced frustration with Motown's reluctance to grant them creative control over their music.

In 1975, the Jackson 5 parted ways with Motown and signed with Epic Records, rebranding themselves as the Jacksons. Around this time, their younger brother Randy joined the band, while Jermaine opted to remain with Motown and pursue a solo career. Despite the change in label, the Jacksons continued their international touring and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984. During this period, Michael emerged as the group's primary songwriter, contributing tracks like "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (1978), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).

In 1977, Michael ventured into acting, relocating to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a musical film directed by Sidney Lumet, alongside Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross. Despite the star-studded cast, the film was considered a box-office disappointment. However, its score, arranged by Quincy Jones, marked the beginning of a significant collaboration between Jones and Jackson, who would later produce three of Jackson's solo albums.

During his time in New York, Jackson was exposed to early hip hop at venues like Studio 54, which influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such as "Working Day and Night." In 1978, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine, leading to breathing difficulties that would later impact his career. He underwent rhinoplasty performed by Steven Hoefflin.

Michael's fifth solo album, "Off the Wall" (1979), marked a significant turning point in his career. Departing from the bubblegum pop of his youth, the album showcased more complex sounds and musical maturity. It yielded four top 10 entries in the US, including chart-topping singles like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You." "Off the Wall" reached number three on the US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

In 1980, Jackson received three American Music Awards for his solo work, including Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." He also won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the same song. Jackson was committed to surpassing the success of "Off the Wall," and in 1980, he negotiated the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit.