Michael Jackson was an African American music legend born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana and died on June 25, 2009. He was a singer-songwriter, dancer, actor, choreographer, businessman, philanthropist and record producer. Also known as The King of Pop, he was one of the most successful entertainers of all time, also being the most influential person who had ever lived. Michael Jackson’s help along to music, dance, and fashion, and a highly publicized life made him a very popular global figure and icon for over more than four decades. Michael’s first performance was with his brothers in 1964 as the youngest lead singer and member of The Jackson 5 (a band). His solo career launched in 1971. He produced ten studio albums. His 1982 album, Thriller is the best selling album, having sold more than one hundred and ten million copies worldwide. Four other albums are ranked the world’s best sellers. During his career Michael reached high success. He holds eight Guinness World Records, thirteen Grammy Awards, and thirteen Number One singles that sold seven hundred fifty million units worldwide. Mastering complicated dance techniques like the moonwalk and having a personal musical style has made Michael one of the best and well known people who lived.
What was Michael Jackson’s childhood like?
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, in the suburb of Chicago to an African American working-class family, being the eighth of ten children. His mother Katherine Esther Scruse was a Jehovah’s Witness, meaning that she was a restorationist who had a belief that a purer form of Christianity should be replaced using the early church as a model. Katherine taught the children folk and religious songs. Michael’s father, Joseph Walter, also known as “Joe Jackson” was a steel mill worker and an abusive father. At age five, Michael was known as a child prodigy. While performing at the Apollo Theaters in 1968 several musicians discovered him. The Jackson’s signed a contract with Motown Records. In 1978 Michael appeared on the African American version of The Wizard of Oz as the Scarecrow. He sang the hit soundtrack with Diana Ross. As a child Michael was abused by his father, both physically and emotionally. His father had a strict way of discipline. Michael remembers being called “big nose”, whipped, and scared at night. Though this was very harsh discipline, Michael says that it helped him in his career.
Amazing Success
Michael met producer Quincy Jones while filming The Wiz. They both worked together on Jackson’s 1979 album, called Off the Wall that sold ten million copies. In 1952 they worked together on the Thriller album, which was the most best selling. In 1985 Michael reunited with Quincy Jones for USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” to raise money for the poor in Africa.
Kicked by Scandal
Besides Michael’s good deeds and works, he became a victim of a major scandal that damaged his reputation, the paid public support of a company’s products, a Pepsi contract, and a film deal. In 1993 a thirteen-year-old boy accused Michael of sexually abusing him. While the case was being carried out Michael insisted that he was innocent, his sexual preference was questioned and was proved innocent. Many fans supported him.
Marriage and Fatherhood
In 1994 the world was shocked when Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock star legend Elvis Presley. Rumor has it that this was just to improve his public image. In August 1996 they divorced. In November 1996 the world was shocked again when Jackson was to become a father and get married to Debbie Rowe, a long-time friend of Jackson. The couple married later that month in Sydney, Australia. On February 13, 1997 Prince Michael Jackson, Jr. was born in Los Angles. The couple’s second child, daughter Paris Michael Katherine was born in 1998. Rowe filed for a divorce in October 1999. Prince Michael II was conceived through artificial insemination by an anonymous sperm donor and a person paid to carry the child. Conceived in any way, Michael was a father who loved and cared for his children.
A Star's Death
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009 after he suffered a cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest is the stop of normal circulation of the blood due to the failure of the heart. Jackson’s death brought a lot of grief to the world. Many paid tribute by embracing Jackson’s music, writing letters, sending flowers, making documentaries, and much more. On August 28, 2009 Jackson’s death was declared a homicide (murder) caused by the drugs provided by Dr. Murray. He was charged inventory murder. Michael will be remembered not just as a music legend but a great, influential person. Our Beloved star has gone to a better place, his soul; his music- is in all of us.
Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson
http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/biography.html
www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/.../michael.jackson en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson
http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-dies-death-dead-cardiac-arrest/
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