Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist, widely recognized as the 'King of Pop.' Regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century, he left an indelible mark on the realms of music, dance, and fashion throughout his four-decade career. His influence extended beyond borders, making him a global icon in popular culture.


Jackson's impact on artists spanned various music genres. His stage and video performances played a pivotal role in popularizing intricate street dance moves, including the moonwalk, a dance he not only mastered but also named, along with the robot. Beyond his artistic contributions, Jackson's publicized personal life added to his status as a larger-than-life figure in the eyes of the world.


As the eighth child of the Jackson family, Michael made his public debut in 1964 alongside his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons. In 1971, Michael embarked on his solo career while signed with Motown Records, achieving solo stardom with his 1979 album, "Off the Wall."

Notably, his music videos, including those for "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller" from his 1982 album "Thriller," are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into both an art form and a powerful promotional tool. Michael played a key role in propelling the success of MTV and continued to innovate with videos for subsequent albums such as "Bad" (1987), "Dangerous" (1991), "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I" (1995), and "Invincible" (2001). "Thriller" went on to become the best-selling album of all time, and "Bad" made history as the first album to produce five US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.


From the late 1980s onward, Michael Jackson became a subject of controversy and speculation, largely due to changes in his appearance, relationships, behavior, and lifestyle. In 1993, he faced accusations of sexually abusing the child of a family friend. The lawsuit was settled out of civil court, and Jackson was not indicted due to a lack of evidence. In 2005, he underwent trial and was acquitted of additional child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. The FBI found no evidence of criminal conduct by Jackson in either case.


Tragically, in 2009, while preparing for a series of comeback concerts titled "This Is It," Jackson passed away from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. Murray was later convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter for his role in Jackson's death. The news of Jackson's death triggered widespread reactions globally, leading to unprecedented surges in internet traffic and a significant increase in the sales of his music. Jackson's televised memorial service, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was estimated to have been viewed by more than 2.5 billion people.


The Jackson 5 initially recorded several songs for the Gary-based record label Steeltown Records, and their debut single, "Big Boy," was released in 1968. Their breakthrough came when Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers brought them to the attention of Motown after they opened for Taylor at Chicago's Regal Theater in 1968. Taylor played a key role in producing 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 television career, marking what was perceived as Motown's final product from its renowned "production line."

In 1969, the Jackson 5 made their inaugural television appearance during the Miss Black America pageant, where they performed a cover of "It's Your Thing." Michael Jackson, even at a young age, was recognized by Rolling Stone as "a prodigy" possessing "overwhelming musical gifts" and quickly emerged as the main attraction and lead singer for the group.


On June 25, 2009, less than three weeks before his scheduled concert residency in London, where all tickets had been sold, Michael Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest. The cause of death was determined to be a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, had administered various medications to help Jackson sleep at his rented mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.


At 12:22 pm Pacific time (19:22 UTC), paramedics received a 911 call and arrived three minutes later. Jackson was found not breathing, and CPR was initiated. Despite resuscitation efforts both on the way to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and for over an hour after Jackson's arrival, they proved unsuccessful. Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm Pacific time (21:26 UTC). His untimely death shocked the world, and it occurred just before he was set to embark on his highly anticipated comeback series of concerts titled "This Is It" in London.


In the "Bad" album, Michael Jackson explores various themes and musical styles. The concept of the predatory lover is exemplified in the rock song "Dirty Diana." The lead single, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," is a traditional love ballad, while "Man in the Mirror" is a ballad centered around confession and resolution. However, "Smooth Criminal" takes a darker turn, evoking themes of a violent assault, potentially including rape and murder.


Moving on to the "Dangerous" album, Michael Jackson is presented as a paradoxical figure. The first half of the record delves into the new jack swing genre, featuring songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time." This album marks a shift as it incorporates social issues as a primary theme, with tracks like "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" addressing world hunger, AIDS, homelessness, and drug-related problems. "In the Closet" is an example of a sexually charged song in the album, while the title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire.

The second half of "Dangerous" introduces introspective pop-gospel anthems such as "Will You Be There," "Heal the World," and "Keep the Faith." In the ballad "Gone Too Soon," Jackson pays tribute to Ryan White and addresses the plight of those affected by AIDS. Overall, these albums showcase the versatility of Michael Jackson's musical and thematic range.



Michael Jackson stands among the best-selling music artists in history, with estimated sales ranging from 400 million to 1 billion, according to various sources. His solo career includes an impressive 13 number-one singles in the United States, a record that surpasses any other male artist in the Hot 100 era.

1. The Wiz (1978): Michael Jackson played the Scarecrow in this musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.
2. Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983): This iconic music video, directed by John Landis, accompanies the title track of Jackson's album "Thriller."
3. Captain EO (1986): A 3D science fiction film produced by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, featuring Michael Jackson as Captain EO.
4. Moonwalker (1988): A musical anthology film that includes a loose storyline connecting Michael Jackson's music videos from the "Bad" album.
5. Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1997): A short film and music video directed by Stan Winston, in which Jackson plays multiple characters.
6. Men in Black II (2002): Michael Jackson makes a cameo appearance in this science fiction comedy film.
7. Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls (2004): A comedy film in which Michael Jackson makes a brief appearance.
8. Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009): A documentary film that captures behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson's rehearsals for the planned "This Is It" concerts.
9. Bad 25 (2012): A documentary film celebrating the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Bad" album.
10. Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016): A documentary directed by Spike Lee, exploring Jackson's journey from his Motown days to the release of the "Off the Wall" album.
11. Thriller 40 (2023): Potentially a project related to the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson's iconic album "Thriller," though specific details may vary.

It appears you're referring to the soundtrack of "Michael Jackson's Ghosts," a short film and music video directed by Stan Winston. Here are the Michael Jackson songs included in the soundtrack:

1. "2 Bad" (film version):
   • Taken from the album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I."
2. "Is It Scary" (film version):*
   • Taken from the album "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix."
3. "Ghosts":
   • Taken from the album "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix."

These songs were featured in the film, and it's interesting to note the collaboration of Michael Jackson with various composers and producers to create the soundtrack for "Ghosts."

References

1.  1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
2. ^ "Stan Winston School of Character Arts". www.stanwinstonschool.com. Retrieved 2022-05-12.:
3. a b c Rob Galluzzo (2016-05-09). "Check Out The Long-Lost Michael Jackson Video Directed By Mick Garris & Written By Stephen King!". blumhouse.com. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
4. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (November 16, 1993). "Jackson Being Treated Abroad For Addiction, Lawyer Says". The New York Times.
5. ^ S, M. "How Hocus Pocus writer Mick Garris went from 'Thriller' extra to Michael Jackson collaborator". EW. Retrieved Oct 16, 2017.
6. ^ "GHOSTS".
7. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Ghosts". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
8. ^ "Longest music video". Guinness World Records. November 21, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
9. a b c Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. pp. 243–244. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6.
10. a b Rabin, Nathan (27 October 2010). "Spooktastic Case File #174: Michael Jackson's Ghosts". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2019-10-10.