R.I.P. Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
by: Chris Beale
Orlando - I was driving around looking to replace a flat tire when I first heard. A text from a friend simply said “Michael Jackson died.” I thought for a moment that I was hallucinating. Before I could set my BlackBerry down in the seat another alert from another friend, “Did you hear about Michael Jackson?” It began to set in and I found my eyes filling up with tears.
I was born in 1982 the same year that Thriller, the highest selling album of all time was released. It wasn't until 1991 when my Uncle John gave me a cassette (remember those?) copy of Thriller that I discovered Michael Jackson. From the moment I pressed play and heard “Wanna be startin' something” I was hooked and became (in my own head) Michael's biggest fan.
In 1989 while presenting the “Artist of the Decade” award actress Elizabeth Taylor eloquently gave Michael a title that would stick with him to his death but came short of describing his impact on popular music and generations past, present and future. She dubbed Michael Jackson, “The true King of Pop, Rock and Soul.”
Born on August 29th 1958 in Gary, Indiana to Joe and Katherine Jackson, they could tell right away that Michael was no ordinary child. By the age of 5 he was performing, getting his start in a Christmas recital at school. Joe began to realize that his entire family was musically talented and formed the Jackson 5. By 1968 they were signed to Motown records and began recording a string of successful hits. During the early years Motown's public relations team said Michael was 9 years old, which is 2 years younger than he actually was to increase his “cuteness factor.”
The Jackson 5 had massive success with Motown and hoped to exercise a little control over creative content on their records, when negotiations fell through the Jackson 5 left the label in 1975. Michael had already released two moderately successful solo projects, “Ben” and “Got to be there” under the Motown umbrella of the Jackson 5 but continued as the lead vocalist with the renamed “Jacksons” until 1979 when he and producer Quincy Jones began work on Michael's new solo project, “Off The Wall” which was slated to be released on Michael's Epic Records.
In 1979 “Off The Wall” was released and became the first album to generate 4 US top 10 hits. The album reached the Billboard Top 200 and was later certified for 7 million shipments in the US and to this day has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. While “Off The Wall” was a successful first venture for Jones and Jackson, no one was prepared for the storm that was coming in the form of his second Epic Records effort.
The year 1982 saw the release of “Thriller.” The album comfortably stayed in the the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 weeks straight and at number 1 for 37 of those weeks. It was the first album to have seven top 10 singles. “Thriller” achieved Double Diamond in the United States and was certified for 28 million shipments by the RIAA. “Thriller” remains to this day the best selling album of all time with between 47 and 109 million copies sold worldwide.
On March 23rd 1983 Michael Jackson performed on the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special and 41 million people around the world watched Michael “moonwalk” across the stage during Billie Jean. You could feel the energy and star-power resonate and while wearing his signature sequined glove, high-water black pants, and black fedora he burned into the worlds collective psyche the image that for most of us defines Michael Jackson.
Michael's next solo project was the much anticipated “Bad” in 1987. While not achieving the record breaking sales of its predecessor “Thriller” it was still a substantial success for Jackson spawning 7 hit singles and 5 that reached the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Michael Jackson renewed his contract with Sony records in March of 1991 for a record $65 million dollars and while touring began production for his next album, “Dangerous.” The album was a moderate success until Jackson performed in the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII to a record audience of 135 million viewers in America alone. His album rose 90 places on the Billboard Hot 100 overnight.
In 1993, 90 million Americans were again captivated when the elusive Jackson gave his first interview since 1979 to Oprah Winfrey. The special called, “90 minutes with the King of Pop” was the first real look at the pop star. The interview was a mix of emotions about his childhood, his successes and a few embarrassing moments. The most notable came when Winfrey asked Michael if he was a virgin. He declined to answer the question. The interview helped Michaels career and “Dangerous” rose to the Top 10 again, more than a year after its initial release.
In 1993 the publics goodwill wained when a 13 year old boy and his father accused Michael Jackson of sexual molestation and filed civil charges against Jackson. The child's Mother remained on Michael's side and said there was no wrongdoing. After a long humiliating legal battle the case was settled out of court with a multi-million dollar cash settlement paid and a gag order placed on all participants. The state of California attempted to file criminal charges but the family would not co-operate and the charges were dropped citing “lack of evidence.”
The trauma of the trial found Michael Jackson addicted to prescription painkillers and feeling alone. He found a friend and companion through the proceedings in Lisa-Marie Presley the daughter of Elvis Presley. They reportedly fell in love during the trial and married quietly in the Dominican Republic. Two years later they divorced but remained friends.
Michaels next album came in the form of 1995's “HIStory.” The highest selling double CD of all time contained a 15 track greatest hits CD and 15 new songs including “Scream” featuring little sister Janet and “You Are Not Alone” which is the Guiness Book of World Records holder for “The first song to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.”
During the HIStory World Tour Michael married his dermatologist nurse and long time friend Debbie Rowe and had 2 children Michael and Paris. The couple divorced in 1999 and Debbie granted Michael full custody of the 2 children. Michael would later father a 3rd child Prince via artificial insemination with an anonymous woman.
In 2001 Michael Jackson's album “Invincible” was released to dismal album sales. Michael later accused former Sony Records head Tommy Motolla of being a racist and blames him for not promoting the album correctly and for its relative failure.
In 2003 a documentary detailing Michael Jackson's life was filmed inside Michael's NeverLand Ranch. In the documentary Michael was seen holding hands with a 14 year old boy who would later accuse Jackson of sexual molestation. At the end of a lengthy trial a weak and tired looking Jackson was found innocent and immediately left the country and spent 3 years in seclusion in Bahrain.
At an appearance at the World headquarters of the Guiness book of records Michael said, “I've been in the entertainment industry since I was six-years-old... As Charles Dickens says, "It's been the best of times, the worst of times." But I would not change my career... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me.” Michael, a practicing Jehovah's Witness since childhood continuously attributed his success to his faith in God.
In 2009 Michael re-surfaced and announced a series of concerts at London's O2 Arena. From July 13th 2009 to March 6th 2010 Jackson was scheduled to perform what would have been his last 50 concerts. He talked of retiring after the concerts. Michael later announced the postponement of several of the dates causing widespread speculation of his failing health. The Jackson family attorney said in a statement that during his grueling rehearsal schedule for the O2 concerts Michael again became addicted to prescription pain medication and his family was working to get him help.
On June 25th 2009 at 12:12pm LA fire paramedics responded to a home Jackson was renting in west Los Angeles. He reportedly collapsed and was “unresponsive” when paramedics arrived. They attempted CPR and transported him to UCLA Medical Center where Michael slipped into a coma and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. The cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest and an autopsy is scheduled for June 26th.
Michael Jackson lead a troubled life and despite his downfalls managed to change the face of music forever. Turn on the radio today and you'll hear his influence in everything you hear. He was a philanthropist, a mystery, and in my opinion the greatest entertainer that ever lived. As I write I am listening to various recordings Michael made in his five decades on Earth and one verse sticks out in my head and will haunt me every time I think back at what Michael Jackson meant to me:
“Born to amuse,
to inspire to delight,
here one day,
gone one night...Gone too soon.”
In loving memory of the man that touched the hearts of millions...
Michael Jackson.