Michael Joseph Jackson was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was born to parents Katherine and Joseph and was the 7th of nine children, beginning his music journey within his family itself.
Upon realising the talent his sons had in music, Joseph Jackson encouraged the five brothers to pursue music and hence comes the formation of the 'Jackson 5'. Michael Jackson broke into the business quick and became a household icon for his impeccable talent,gravity-defying dance moves and trend-setting fashions.
Michael Jackson began as a 5-year old R&B vocalist and the rest is history.As we bid goodbye to this musical legend on the 25th June 2009, we hold on to the memory of a man that was truely, the King of Pop.
1. Adam. "All Michael Jackson." 2002.http://www.allmichaeljackson.com (accessed 24th Nov 2010)
2. Jackson, Michael. "Heal the Kids." Oxford Union Speech. Oxford University, Oxford, England, UK. 06 003 2001. Speech.
3. "Michael Jackson talks to Oprah." The Oprah Winfrey Show. Harpo Productions: 10th 002 1993 . Television. 23 Nov 2010.
4. Lewis(Jones),Jel D.. Michael Jackson: The King of Pop, The Big Picture! The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interview: An Anthology. 1 ed. Tony Rose. Phoneix: Amber Books2, 2005.
5. "Jesse Jackson Interviews Michael Jackson." Jesse Jackson: Keep the hope alive. 27 003 2005. Radio. 24 Nov 2010. .
6. "Michael Jackson Interview." At Large With Geraldo Rivera. Fox News: 05 002 2005. Television. 24 Nov 2010.
7. "Michael Jackson Interview." CBS '60 Minutes' . Dec 2003. Television. 24 Nov 2010.
8. Michael jackson. (1999, April 13). The Daily Mirror
9. "Michael Jackson and Lisa-Marie Presley." Prime Time Live. 1995. Television. 24 Nov 2010
10. ABC News, "Michael Jackson memorial: Key quotes." July 8th 2009.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/08/2619615.htm (accessed 24th Nov 2010).
11. People Magazine, People '09. "Paris Jackson Calls Michael ‘The Best Father You Can Ever Imagine’." July 7th, 2009.http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20422235,00.html (accessed 24th Nov 2010).
Many thanks also go to the following websites for previously unseen pictures as well as videos:
"Human knowledge consists not only of libraries of parchment and ink - it is also comprised of the volumes of knowledge that are written on the human heart, chiselled on the human soul, and engraved on the human psyche. And friends, I have encountered so much in this relatively short life of mine that I still cannot believe I am only 42." (Oxford Union Speech)
A hurried memorial was set up for Michael to commemorate his passing and to allow fans and fellow celebrity to pay their respects to an influential part of music. Performances, Speeches and covers of his songs were presented at the memorial held at the Staples Centre, the last place Michael was seen alive and the place where he was preparing for his 'This is It' world tour.
It was a emotional and tearful goodbye to an icon and artistes such as Mariah Carey, Usher and more sang for the man who inspired much of their own music. The Jackson Brothers brought in Michael's casket and were each adorning his signature rhinestone glove. The Reverend Al Sharpton received a standing ovation with cheers when he told Jackson's children, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."
"God has now called for you to come home, collect your wings and to fulfill your demands in heaven and continue your magic amongst the angels," sister La Toya Jackson.(ABC News)
A touching and tearful goodbye from Michael's 11-year old daughter, Paris Jackson who says, "I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine," she said through tears. "And I just want to say I love him so much."(People)
That Michael Jackson's spirit lives on in the hearts of those he's touched with his music and of the kids he's helped with his generosity. Michael Jackson's music lives on and he will always be the true, "King of Pop".
Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010,10:06 PM |
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Michael and Death
On June 25, 2009, Jackson died in his bed at his rented mansion, and could not be resuscitated. His death was a shock to fans, especially since he had just recently announced a final concert and world tour, 'This is It'. Michael's death was so prominent that it caused multiple search engines to fail upon an overload of tweets, requests and searches for Michael Jackson's name. It was later stated that the Los Angeles coroner had decided to treat Jackson's death as a homicide.
Upon his death, it was stated that Michael Jackson had traces of propofol, lorazepam and midazolam. An investigation was launched of his personal physician, Conrad Murray who was later charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010,11:22 PM |
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Michael and Rumours
When we say Michael Jackson usually one of the few things that becomes associated with him is rumours of child molestation, plastic surgery, sleeping in a special chamber etc.
Michael Jackson's was charged in court for multiple cases of child molestation charges after parents of kids started that he shared a bed with their kid. This caused a great interest in the star and affected Michael's career and personal life greatly, tarnishing his squeaky-clean family-orientated image.
In his book, 'Michael Jackson: The King of Pop', author Lewis defends Michael stating that, “Tabloids were making up their own stories and selling them like hot cakes. A group of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced that he was a Messiah; it was claimed that he had undergone massive plastic surgery; and photographs were published that suggested that he slept in a special chamber to prevent himself aging. It was all tabloid trash publicity”(Lewis).
In a CBS 60 minute interview, Michael was quizzed on rumours of child molestation and the pop star had this to say:
"Totally false. Before I would hurt a child, I would slit my wrists. I would never hurt a child. It'stotally false. I was outraged. I could never do something like that."("Michael Jackson Interview")
He also states that he believes his fortune and fame maybe a reason as to why these rumours and false allegations even started.
"Because parents have power over children. They feel they have to do what their parents say ...But...the love of money is the root of all evil. And this is a sweet child. And to see him turn like this, this isn't him. This is not him"("Michael Jackson Interview")
All charges towards Michael had been dropped but not without first tainting his supposedly-clean image of a humanitarian and a man who loved children.
"Know why? People think sex. They're thinking sex. My mind doesn't run that way. When I see children, I see the face of God. That's why I love them so much. That's what I see."("Michael Jackson Interview")
Michael was also said to have done multiple plastic surgeries to his face, which initially began with a bleaching that changed his skin colour from ebony to white. However, the stories didn't stop here. Jackson was accused of having done multiple work on skin, nose, forehead and chin.
Michael's original skin colour and looks.
Michael's transformation after bleaching, a nose job and other facial reconstructions
Michael's look that has changed significantly over the years
Michael Jackson in a hyperbaric chamber, apparently using oxygen therapy to prevent aging. Representatives of Michael as well as his friends state that the rumour is false, even when these pictures surfaced on the net.
Just as how regular celebrities get multiple rumours said about themselves, Michael Jackson was one of the unfortunate few who was targeted at every instance of his life. However, how much of the rumours are true are however,impossible to confirm without proof.
Michael Jackson was also well-known for his charity work with kids. Michael states that it was because it of his bad childhood that he dedicated his life to ensure that other kids do not have the same childhood that he did.
"He was listed in the 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records for breaking the world record for the "Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star". It states that Michael Jackson has supported 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or by participating in their silent auction. "(Jackson)
In a union speech at Oxford, Michael, "propose tonight that we install in every home a Children's Universal Bill of Rights, the tenets of which are:
1. The right to be loved without having to earn it
2. The right to be protected, without having to deserve it
3. The right to feel valuable, even if you came into the world with nothing
4. The right to be listened to without having to be interesting
5. The right to be read a bedtime story, without having to compete with the evening news
6. The right to an education without having to dodge bullets at schools
7. The right to be thought of as adorable - (even if you have a face that only a mother could love)."
-(Oxford Union Speech)
Michael's most famous charity is the Heal the World Foundation that he helped set up and this foundation has helped numerous kids and people all around the world, especially sick kids in paying medical bills. Michael Jackson's humanitarian nature was one that many looked up to him for. "Our goal is simple - to recreate the parent/child bond, renew its promise and light the way forward for all the beautiful children who are destined one day to walk this earth," Michael says when asked about the foundation's goals.
Michael has also been under media scrutiny especially since the birth of his three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr (commonly known as Prince) was born in1997, his sister Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson who was born a year later in1998 and the youngest Prince Michael Jackson II. Michael's second wife, Debbie Rowe is the mother of his two eldest kids while the mother of his youngest (who is nicknamed 'Blanket'), is unknown. When the couple divorced in 1999, and Jackson got full custody of the two oldest children.
They mean, it’s hard to put it into words because they mean everything. The way you would explain how your children make you feel... They’re the world for me, I wake up and I’m ready for the day because of them. I get them breakfast, I change diapers, if they want to read, we do a lot of reading, we play hide and seek, we play blind fold and have a wonderful time with it.("Michael Jackson Interview")
One of the things Michael has been said to do is to hide his kids faces from the media and says that he wanted
to keep them away from the limelight. Michael Jackson has also been stated by multiple interviewers and friends that he was the best father they had ever known.
The Jackson Kids with singer Lionel Richie accepting an award on their late father's behalf
"Well, I enjoy taking care of my children myself it’s... it’s fun that’s why I had them so I could take care of them and it’s just great relief for me you know it’s a pleasure it keeps me happy and laughing and you know, they’re wonderful sweet innocent children."("Michael Jackson Interview")
"Family is everything. It’s love. It’s what we were taught. We’re friends at the end of the day, which is important. Other than what the public or press people say, we’re friends. We love each other very much."
("Michael jackson," 1999)
Another huge part of Michael Jackson's life was the story of his two marriages. First, the high-profile marriage to the daughter ofElvis Presley,Lisa-Marie Presley. Although initially the marriage was seen as a sham to boost Michael's demeaning public image, Lisa-Marie stated time and again that she was devoted to Michael and that they were having a healthy, happy relationship. When asked about Lisa-Marie and how marriage was discussed, Michael said, "Well, well at first this is what happened. When she was eighteen I used to tell my lawyer John Branca, do you know Lisa Marie Presley 'cause I think she's really cute. And he'd laugh every time. He goes, "I'll try my best", that's what he'd say. Then he'd come back and I'd say "well did you find out?" He'd say "no, there's nothing". So I would worry him about this all the time. The next thing I noticed, there was a picture on a magazine cover where she's married, which really tore me to pieces because I felt that was supposed to be me, I really did."("Michael Jackson and Lisa-Marie Presley")
The marriage lasted less than 2 yrs and Jackson later married his dermatology nurse Deborah Jeanne Rowe, who was pregnant with the couple's first child at the time. That marriage too, ended too soon.
About Debbie:
"I love my wife, and we have a happy marriage. Debbie is a nurse who loves her work, who loves taking care of people. Every day she wants to get up and look after others, to help them and make them better. That's why I love her, and that's what gives her bliss in life, God bless her."(The Daily Mirror)
"There are a lot of surprises. Film. I love film. It’s innovating, taking the medium to a new place. I used the music video medium as a short film medium to take me to the next level. I’m having a lot of fun."("Michael Jackson Interview")
Michael Jackson was not only a highly sought after musician and dancer, he was also, for a period of time an actor. Upon his death in 2009, he was memorialized as well, in his final days for the preparation of his last show, "This is It", in a movie of the same name. During his life however, Michael acted in 3 movies, namely 'The Wiz', 'Moonwalker' and 'Ghosts'.
'The Wiz' was Michael's first movie, a remake of the Wizard of Oz and Michael played the Scarecrow and was praised by critics for his role in the movie(Jackson).
Michael's next break came when his autobiography, "Moonwalker" was turned into a movie in which he played himself. Released in 1988, it dived into Michael's life and journey to get to where he was.
His final movie was one that Michael and Stephen King wrote together. It was a short film and was directed by none other then well-known director of animation, Stan Winston. In the movie,"plays a number of characters that look nothing like each other making use of great make-up and special effects."(Jackson)
Finally of course, was a movie made in tribute of Michael's final moments as a performer and clips of behind-the-scenes footage from his preparation for his world tour, 'This is It', was released. A major blockbuster that received criticisms saying that the show's producers were trying to make money from Michael's death. Despite the criticisms, the movie was popular globally and had good sales for DVD sales.
When asked what he would be doing if he was not a performer but in the film business, Michael had this to say in an interview:
"I’ll be directing myself. I love directing. I love creativity and I think when an artist steps forward with a production of some type, if he can express himself the way he sees it should be done. I feel it and I see it. I’m a visionary. If I can give that, I do and that’s what I love to do with music and dance and the arts."("Michael Jackson Interview")
