Michael Jackson, who's now at the half-century mark. Certainly goes down as one of the greatest recording artists of all time! Selling over 750 million albums and winning over 13 Grammys, Breaking a new world record has now become second nature to The King of Pop!
The Jackson 5 Era
Born in the eastern suburbs of Chicago(Gary, Indiana), Michael popped out Aug. 29th, 1958 as the seventh of ten children. Seven boys and three girls. Father Joseph was a hard-working bread-winner for the family. A full-time blue-collar Crane-Operator for the U.S. Steel Company. While Katherine stayed at home to take care of her kids.
At the tender age of five, Michael expressed a keen interest in joining his elder brothers. Joseph had already coordinated Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine into a band in what was then labeled "The Jackson Brothers". But after a recital one Christmas, his father immediately drafted him in. The Jackson Five had now become The Jackson 5!
These boys were the last great thing to come off the Motown assembly line! They scoured 4 #1 hits!
"I Want You Back",
"The Love You Save" "I'll Be There", and
"ABC" were their names! Never before had anyone done that within a year! Especially from one album-Also titled "ABC". Michael had his first taste of what it's like to break new records! Marking the beginning of the 70's-An age full of Funk.
A year later, Michael endeavored to go solo-But only part time as he continued his role in The Jackson Five. Sounds to the tune of
"Got To Be There",
"Ben", and
"Music and Me" gave him more recognition then a mere Bubblegum mascot from Motown. "Ben" earned a spot for a soundtrack on a horror film about a boy who befriends a rat bent on destruction.
As Time marched on,
"Dancing Machine" inaugurated the beginnings of what all boys go through-Puberty! Little did we know his vocals were being molded into something spectacular! But it would not be until Motown's shackles were loosed. That Michael received more rein to express that creativity more fully.
The Jackson's Era
After dwindling in the mid 70's, "The Jackson 5" joined CBS which eventually became Epic records under Frank Dileo. Motown would not let go of their title so the boys were forced to settle with a simpler logo-Namely that of "The Jacksons. But it wasn't until "Destiny" that inspiration started flowing through Michael's vains. Songs like
"Blame It On The Boogie",
"Can You Feel It", and
"Shake Your Body", were penned by Mr. Jackson alongside his younger brother Randy. But Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff did an outstanding job crafting
"Enjoy Yourself".
By 1978, Michael auditioned and won a spot for a funkadelic take on "The Wizard of Oz" simply rendered "The Wiz". Which brought forth more solo tunes like
"Ease On Down The Road", and
"You Can't Win", jointly engineered by Smalley. That's when he first bumped into Quincy Jones. Who would later work with Michael Jackson on fully establishing a solo career.
Off The Wall Era
Many die-hard fans of Michael Jackson were mesmerized! Four singles struck the top 10 at once(another record)! The tiltedly Disco
"Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough", that soulful rhythm to
"Off The Wall", and crispy vocals of
"Rock With You". That deep and vulnerable
"She's Out of My Life" I believe all contributed to that Billboard feat. Earning him a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance among other awards in 1980.
But whatever
"Off The Wall" accomplished would be dwarfed in comparison to the meatloaf of his career!
Thriller Era
This time around, Mr. Jackson was dead serious in becoming the next big thing since 1964. Many in the industry thought the days of Beatlemania, Elvis fanaticism, and Sinatra craze were over. However, Michael felt there was still room for more. Both Q and him spent eight months scrutinizing each track under the microscope of perfection. Making sure everything was just right. In fact, everytime CBS/Epic called to see how the album was going, Michael always vouched for more time. "An album is like a sculpture...A work of art...You cannot rush it"-(from Moonwalk The Autobiography). May I introduce you to the Guinness giant "Thriller"!
"Thriller's" resurrecting dance horror, "Billie Jean's" sensational storyline of a groupie, and "Beat It's" streetwise edge laid the foundation for a new marketing ploy-The art of music video.
Coincidentally, MTV was also rising out of obscurity. Thanks to Michael Jackson, they are now the nations #1 T.V. spot for pop music. Once and for all fully integrating black and white stars. Michael paved the way for other African Americans to have an equal chance to become big in show-business.
But what literally knocked off our socks was "The Moonwalk"! That night millions were stuck, glued to their television sets! Completely taken away by the shear energy. Clearly nothing this exiting had ever occurred since "The Beatles"! The day after, Michael Jackson was plastered all over the mediasphere! "Did you see what happened last night!" Exclaimed anchors from all around the world! "I haven't had so much fun since "The Ed Sullivan Show"!
The best selling single of all time came just three years later. Out of utter concern for millions starving in Ethiopia, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote "We Are The World". A charity single inspired by "Band-Aid". A similar project that took place a few years prier. As much as 35 artists all contributed their vocals to the track. Quincy Jones orchestrated the whole event. Now Michael's humanitarian colors were beginning to show.
Clearly, Michael couldn't stay as part of "The Jackson's". Or risk outshining his brothers. To resolve that from happening, Michael endeavored to go solo the whole 9 yards. Yet before leaving, he agreed to go on one more tour with his brothers. But a lot of new fans were only interested in Victory because of Michael Jackson.
The Bad Era
"Captain Eo" set the stage for what would become Mr. Jackson's "Bad Album". Bringing his own spin on relevancy to what would eventually be termed "New Jack Swing". A mixture of Jazz, Soul, and R&B with a little bit of Hip-Hop mingled in. Though it took awhile for the King of Pop to embrace the latter genera.
Westley Snipes stared as a gangster in
"Bad". Tatiana was featured in the bar-shattering
"The Way You Make Me Feel". No one could forget Stevie wonder's uptight duet "Just Good Friends" or innocent Siedah Garret's
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You". Clearly, he was still number one in a lot of peoples minds despite his evolving image.
No, it did not become the next best-seller. Yet this baby managed to spit out 6 #1 hits(a feat unsurpassed to this day)! Plus the subsequent tour amassed more money then any before it. Making "The Gloved One" the richest recording artist of all time!
By this time, he purchased a 3-4,000 acre golf course and transformed it into his very own dream home-Neverland Valley Ranch. With the helpful insight of Macaulay Culkin, Michael Jackson created his own little world complete with rides, arcades, a movie theater, you name it! All specially designed for underprivileged and terminally ill children.
By 1989, Michael hit the big screens again. Casting in his very own film "Moonwalker". Staring other notables including Joe Pesci and John Lennon's very own son Sean Lennon! The film featured all new music videos including
"Smooth Criminal" interwoven right into the films rising action. Don't forget the clamated
"Speed Demon" or the media satire
"Leave Me Alone". "Thriller" aside, this is also why I became a Michael Jackson freak!
As a growing artist, Michael wanted to experiment with more new sounds. Thus, he parted ways with Legendary producer Quincy Jones to dig further into the sounds of "New Jack Swing".
The Dangerous Era
Dangerous".
The best selling "New Jack Swing" album of all time!
"Remember The Time", [oclor=blue]"Black Or White"[/color],
"Heal The World", and
"Will You Be There" further proves that we did not mistake dubbing him the King of Pop! Same goes for those high-sounding factory beats of "Dangerous"
and
"In The Closet" among others! "Black Or White" alone drew in record-breaking audiences from all nationalities under one air wave! The half-time on the Super Bowl made him the most famous person who ever lived in modern history! The Michael Jackson special with Oprah Winfrey was the most watched interview of all time!
There were quite a hand full of celebrities who collaborated for Michael's "Dangerous project". Macaulay Culkin, George Wendt, and Tess Harper stared as father, mother, and son on the opening of "Black Or White". Michael Jordan learned a thing or two on "Jam". Naomi Campbell danced barefoot, flirting with Michael to the brink for the music video "In The Closet". Iman, Magic Johnson, and Eddie Murphy tried to keep step on "Remember The Time".
In 1993, Mr. Jackson released "Dangerous: The Short Films" for VHS. Which sold like hot candy! But still nowhere's near the epitome of "Thriller"!
Michael Jackson unintentionally shunned Frank Dileo and signed onto a new label with Tony Mottola as the Executive of Sony Entertainment. Believed to be the biggest deal ever made in the music industry! Unfortunately, Michael's naivety would cost him dearly in the years to come.
Michael ever wanting to expand, searched for new sounds to go along with his next album.
The History Era
Janet Jacksons producers Terry Lewis and Jimmie Jam were just the right ones for the ticket. He also enlisted Nephew Austin Brown and R. Kelly as miner producers. Through their combined efforts with the King of Pop, The album "HIstory-Yesterday, Today, and Forever" emerged on the scene! Accompanied by a grandiose teaser from a theater near you. "History" achieved rank as the best-selling double-disc set of all time.
"Scream" threw us all on urban edge with Janet and Michael raging frustrations over the corrupt nature of yellow journalism. The same went for
"They Don't Really Care About Us". Portraying a Michael Jackson forced behind bars by the circus-raving tabloids.
"2 Bad",
"Tabloid Junkie",
"D.S.", and
"This Time Around" clearly showed us a picture of Michael Jackson The Protester!
The History World Tour shattered old records from his previous "Bad" tour. Making him even richer! Grossing in nearly $200.000.000(USD). Keeping his status as the richest entertainer of all time.
By 1997, a third extension to
"History" was launched. "Blood On The Dance Floor-History In The Mix". With it, 2 more records were smashed! First of all, the extension became a remixed best-seller! Second, his work with Steven King "Ghosts" cost more to make and was longer then any other music video in history!
After it was all said and done, Michael settled at home with his wife and children. Not coming back on the scene until after the dawn of the new millennium.
The Invincible
Michael and Sony had a falling-out throughout the albums production. But despite this,
"Invincible" reached #1 in over 13 countries at once! Breaking another world record! For a half-hearted album with a few missing touches here or there, I've got to admit that was an awesome feat!
Chris Rock and The Godfather joint ventured for a music video entitled
"You Rock My World". With a single to go along with it. Reaching #1 along with
"Butterflies".
"Heaven Can Wait" became a radio sensation nationwide! despite there being no single attached.
In Madison Square Garden, The Jackson's got back together for the first time in 15 years! Many contemporaries joined in to celebrate Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Concert! Wrapping the whole ordeal with a solo performance by Michael Jackson himself!
In the wake of 9/11, Michael hosted a charity concert "United We Stand:
What More Can I Give". A sing-along much like
"We Are The World" with all the proceeds going to help victims rebuild from ground zero.
Despite Sony's refusal to promote his much anticipated comeback, Michael Jackson still managed to break a few records and supersede his contemporaries.
Conclusion
What will his new album be called? When will it come out? Is "Thriller 25" any indication or an altogether different project? What records will he smash this time around? Questions like these are on many peoples minds as they wait anxiously for a much deserved return unto the limelight! Michael Jackson has commented that he won't retire anytime soon but want's to steer his career more towards the filming industry(after releasing his upcoming studio album).
On June 25th 2009. After announcing the beginnings of a comeback tour in London(titled This Is It), Michael passed away at the age of 50 due to medical malpractice in his Homby Hills Estate. Propofol along with Benzodizapenes were found in his system(though not in excessive quantities).
A memorial service was held in his honor on July 7th. Yet his body never found a final resting place until September 4th when his funeral was held at The Ascension Windows sarcophagus at The Holly Terrace Cemetery.
Through many years to come, Michael Jackson will always be remembered as a Moonwalking
"Thriller" with a child-like persona! Surely he was the King of Pop!
Is there a way I can get a copy of this? This was just beautiful. Also, the singing was wonderful, very sweet. :yes:
