Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29th, 1958 in the town of Gary, Indiana. Michael was the seventh of nine children born to Joe and Katherine Jackson. He had five brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy; as well as three sisters, Maureen, LaToya, and Janet. At a young age, the Jackson parents encouraged music to their children. Katherine is given credit for teaching her children folk music, while Joe oversaw the children’s musical diligence. As a young boy, Michael was part of a Motown group known as ‘The Jackson 5’.
This group originally included Michael along with four of his older brothers until Jermaine left and Randy joined. This group was chart topping in the 1970’s and was the beginning of Michael’s lifelong career in the music industry during the modern era. The Jackson 5 excelled with their music and “they were among the first black teen idols to appeal to a white audience” (The Jackson 5). The group was initially stumbled upon by Gladys Knight and Diana Ross, popular Motown singers, and pianist Billy Taylor. The three had attended the group’s performance at Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
When there was potential to signing with Motown Records, Berry Gordy had an issue with that fact that lead singer, Michael, was not yet even ten years old. Motown “already had another young prodigy, Stevie Wonder” at this point in time as well. Although Gordy did have slight hesitation, his investment did pay off. The group had four songs released consecutively that resulted in their nation wide fame in 1969. With the advantage of beginning his singing career as a young boy, Michael was destined to have a solo career. In 1984, Michael left his brothers and dove deep into his solo career (Jackson 5).
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Although still a member of ‘The Jackson 5’, a group that included him and four of his brothers, Jackson released his first solo album Got to Be There. In 1979, Jackson released Off the Wall, which was an album he had worked on with producer Quincy Jones. Although Off the Wall sold about ten million copies, it was not until Thriller that “fully established Jackson as a solo performer”. His album Thriller included hit songs “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, and also “Thriller”. The music videos for these songs, as well as others from this album, “helped Jackson break the color barrier imposed by radio stations and the powerful music video channel MTV” (Michael Jackson Biography).
It was due to the success of these songs that gave him a name in the music industry as a solo artist in the 1980’s. Thriller named Jackson an international phenomenon and was where the unique “moonwalk” dance originated. Also, Thriller was the first ever album to be a certified multi-platinum album and the second-greatest selling album of all time. Jackson had single-handedly become the number one most popular American entertainer by 1983.
Along with the “moonwalk” dance, another trademark of Michael’s was his white glove. Although the whole outfit included a white socks and loafers, a black fedora, and a red leather jacket, it was the white glove that stood out above the rest. It gave him an iconic image, but it was also an action taken to disguise the skin condition he struggled with throughout his life, vitiligo. The glove first appeared in the “Billie Jean” music video, and he was sometimes referred to as “The Gloved One” by the media outlets. “Michael was black. He was very proud of his black heritage” (Gross, D.). There were many rumors that Jackson had desired to be white and had cosmetic surgery to help, but it appears as if that was not truly the case.
Many people know Michael Jackson as being “The King of Pop”, however, this is just a shortened version of his nickname. The nickname in its entirety was “The King of Pop, Rock, and Soul”, and was given to Michael by lifelong friend, Elizabeth Taylor. Although it was started by his friend, Michael often referred to himself as “The King of Pop”. In 1991, Jackson sent a memo to MTV seeking to have their VJ’s refer to him as this nickname rather than just Michael Jackson. Due to his insane popularity at this time, the network felt as if the needed to show their appreciation. Jackson was being egotistical, he was just very fond of the idea that his fans enjoyed his pop music. Pop was the style of music he was passionate about and excelled at, although we do know that he dabbled into rock and soul music at certain points. With his high tenor voice type and four range octaves, he was a force to be reckoned with. Jackson influenced many other artists during his time, as well as those pop stars that came after him.
Many give credit to Michael Jackson for transforming music. His creativity with his music videos started a trend for music videos to follow. Even in today’s society, many influencers give thanks to Jackson for encouraging and influencing their music. A few of today’s pop stars that were influenced by Jackson include: Justin Timberlake, Usher, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Bruno Mars, just to name a few. Due to his high-range voice, along with his killer dance moves, Justin Timberlake is a big name celebrity who is often compared to Michael Jackson. “I’m lucky enough to have memories — actually, physically — and with him onstage and off”, said Justin in respect to Michael.
Chris Brown says that Michael Jackson is his reason for writing and performing music the way he does. Jackson told him to “being able to sing and dance is rare; keep working hard and dream big”, which is exactly what Chris Brown is doing. Bruno Mars is the most well-known celebrity in this generation that has been influenced by Jackson. Although Jackson had died many years before its release, Mars’ album 24K Magic proves that Jackson continues to influence, even to this day. This album, just as all of Jackson’s did, makes people want to get up and move (Gorman, M.).
Along with his impact on pop artists today, Michael Jackson’s controversial issues also had an impact on his fans. In 1993, his career took a turn for the worst when he was accused of molestation of a thirteen year old boy. Although charges charges were never filed, he was never quite able to escape the backlash of the scandal. Jackson’s last album, Invincible, released in 2001, had around two million copies sold. These were the worst sales and many believe it to be caused by the molestation allegations.
Along with the sexual assault headlines, “in the past decade, he has generated more headlines with his bizarre behavior and alleged cosmetic surgery than with his music as his hair has become completely straight and his skin has morphed into a pasty white”. When “Bad” was released in 1987, Michael seemed to have more female-like features. His once brown-colored skin had become much lighter, although Jackson blames it on a pigment disorder rather than substantial amounts of plastic surgery. There was also indication of a nose job, along with straight-hair that was once an afro.
His fans were not too fond of these controversies and at times many of them did not support Jackson. “Groups of fans flocked toward Jackson’s vehicle as it sat idle in traffic following his return to Nevada after being booked on the child molestation allegations in California” (How Will Case Affect Michael Jackson’s Legacy?). He still remained in the public eye and many adore him to this day, but there is no doubting that he lost a large surplus of his music supporters.
Sadly on June 25th, 2009, Michael Jackson passed away at the young age of fifty. He died in his home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California. The cause of his death was found to be an overdose of the drugs propofol and benzodiazepine. After an autopsy performed at a later date, it was found that along with the drugs listed before, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine were also found. His physician, Conrad Murray, was taken to trial for the death of Michael Jackson. However, the defence claimed Jackson overdosed on his own after he had left. The prosecution later claimed Murray to be incompetent and had used the drugs without proper safeguards.
Ever since I was a young girl, I have always loved Michael Jackson and his music. Growing up my mother would constantly play his albums and her and I would dance around just simply enjoying the sound of his voice. From the production, the groove, and to the way he sang the lyrics are reasons why I love him, along with millions of others. Michael seemed to have a way of bringing a smile to the faces of people who listened to his music.
The music he released seemed very personal, almost as though he was singing right next to you. In my opinion his music will live of forever because of how dedicated and supportive his fans are. The music videos he released are some of my favorite I have ever seen. It is clear how much time and effort went into each and every one of them. I always wanted to be a part of the “Bad” music video, because I always wanted to act tough since I am really not.
I also have a tradition that every Halloween I listen and watch the music video of “Thriller” because it was just so creative and well thought out, and also a perfect Halloween song. Also, I was never alive during the time he was releasing music and I know about him. His dancing is also a reason why I adore Michael. Being a dancer myself, I was always dancing to music, especially his. So to see Michael Jackson dance along to his own music was a pretty amazing concept for me. He created his own signature move “the moonwalk”, one I have yet to be able to accomplish, but I was always attempting while listening to his songs.
Aside from his music, Michael Jackson was always trying to help others. He was constantly spreading love and his money. Michael was named the most charitable celebrity by the Guiness Book of Record, yet another reason his fans love him so much. He had a good heart, unique dance moves, an outstanding voice, and a way of inspiring others. So for generations to come, I have hope that people will know and love Michael Jackson just as much as I do.
