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The legend who constantly reminds me of my father "Michael Jackson"
Today I watched my three year old niece and my seven year old nephew crying over a video they love to watch, to my astonishment, it was a video created over fifteen years ago. "Don't stop until you get enough". I asked my nephew why he liked him so much. For the most part, he thought he was dreamy and my niece said he was super cool. Of course all of them praised his dancing. But I think that many young children said it best, and simplest: "I like the way he pops." The kids were referring to the sharp and energetic movements in his dancing, and using a term from the break dancing craze that was just starting to catch fire around the country. But I think his simple statement is so right on a larger level. In terms of both his singing and his dancing over four decades, what set him apart from the rest is his "popping"- from his screeches and moans to his kicks and glides. Like his childhood idol James Brown, his whole body- his whole being- WAS the music. Besides the Godfather of Soul, one would be hard pressed to name another entertainer who committed half as much of himself to every performance and presentation.
On August 29, 1958 a little African American boy was born from a poor family in the industrial suburb of Chicago. If this child knew his life would turn out to be one of the most controversial musician's life in the world, would he have done anything differently? The seventh children of Joe and Katherine Jackson who in his own words was abused by his father while his mother watched. This little boy was Michael Jackson, the most famous and loved pop star in the world also known as the "King of Pop"
Michael began his musical career at the age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 who formed in 1964. In these early years the Jackson 5, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and lead singer Michael played local clubs and bars in Gary Indiana and moving further afield as their talents grew and they could compete in bigger competitions. From these early days Michael would be at the same clubs as big talented stars of their days, such as Jackie Wilson and would be learning from them even back then. In 1968 the Bobby Taylor and The Vancouver discovered the Jackson five and from there they got an audition for Berry Gordy of Motown Records. The Jackson 5 signed for Motown and moved to California. Their first 4 singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" all made US No1 hits. The Jackson 5 recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 solo albums with Motown.
The Jackson 5 stayed with Motown until 1976, wanting more artistic freedom they felt they had to move on and signed up with Epic. The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it was owned by Motown, so they reverted to The Jacksons as they had been known in the early days. Brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy's daughter and stayed with Motown. Youngest brother Randy joined in his place. The Jacksons had a number of hit records and in total made 6 albums between the years of 1976 and 1984. In 1977 Michael made his first film debut when he starred in the musical 'The Wiz' playing Scarecrow with Diana Ross in the lead role of Dorothy. It was at this time Michael met Quincy Jones who was doing the score for the film.
Michael teamed up with Quincy Jones as his producer for his first solo album with Epic Records. The album titled "Off The Wall" was a big success around the world and the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles in the US. In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit singles, breaking yet again more records, and went on to sell over 50 million copies worldwide. Michael was keen to use music video or short films as he called them to promote his singles from the album. He worked with the best directors and producers, using the latest technology and special effects. For the hit song 'Billie Jean' The short film 'Thriller' used the latest make-up artists' technology combined with fantastic dancing and chorography, to produce a 14 minute video, with a start, middle and an ending. So successful was this video that 'The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller' became the world's largest selling home video combined with soaring album sales. In 1983 Michael performed the now legendary moonwalk for the first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This performance alone set Michael into the realm of a superstar.
In 1984 Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy awards in one night. The awards were for his work on the 'Thriller' album and his work on the narrative for the 'ET Storybook'. On December 9th 1984 at the last concert of the Jackson's Victory Tour, Michael announced he was splitting from the group and going solo. In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album, titled 'Bad', and launched his record breaking first solo world tour. 1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography talking for the first time on his childhood and his career. At the end of the 1980s Michael was named 'Artist of the Decade' for his success off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums.
In 1991 Michael signed with Sony Music the largest ever recording contract and released his fourth solo album, 'Dangerous'. He toured world again in 1992, taking his concerts to countries that had never before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also Michael founded the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help improve the lives of children across the world. In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley. The marriage only lasted for 19 months, as they divorced in 1996. In 1995 saw Michael release a fifth solo album, 'History', which was a double album, first half new material and second half greatest hits. Michael toured again over a legs covering a 2 year period. In between legs of the tour on November 14th 1996, Michael married for his second time to Debbie Rowe who was a nurse that Michael had met in the treatment of his skin pigment disorder. Together they had their first child Prince Michael Joseph Jackson jr born on February 13 1997 and a daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson born on April 3rd 1998. In 1997 Michael released the remix album 'Blood On the Dance Floor' which also contained 5 new song linked with a 38min film "Ghosts". This film Michael played 5 roles using the latest special effects and make-up artistry, combined with his dance and music.
In September, 2001 Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary as a solo artist with two concerts to be held in New York, USA. Many artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Destiny's Child, Shaggy and many more performed their own and Michael Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his brothers performed their biggest hits. Michael then went onto perform solo some of his biggest hits. In October 2001 Michael released the album 'Invincible' so far releasing only 2 singles including the big hit "You Rock My World". Since the release of this first single the album has been surrounded by rumors of a rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion of the album.
In late 2003, facing charges of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy at his famous Neverland Ranch in California, Michael Jackson addressed the allegations in an interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley. "I wanted to have a place that I could create everything that I never had as a child. So you see rides, you see animals, there's a movie theater. I was always on tour traveling, you know, and I never got a chance to do those things. So I compensated for the loss by - I have a good time - I mean, I can't go into a park, I can't go to Disneyland as myself. I can't go out and walk down the street. There are crowds and bumper-to-bumper cars. So I create my world behind my gates. Everything that I love is behind those gates. We have elephants and giraffes and crocodiles and every kind of tigers and lions. And we have busloads of kids who don't get to see those kids, they come up, sick children, and enjoy it," Michael Jackson told Bradley. "They enjoy it in a pure, loving, fun way. It's people with a dirty mind that think like that. I don't think that way. That's not me," Jackson added. "And do you think people look at you and think that way today?" Bradley asked. "If they have a sick mind, yeah. And if they believe the trash they read in newspapers, yeah. Remember something, just because it's in print doesn't mean it's the Gospel. People write negative things because they feel that's what sells," Jackson said. "Good news to them doesn't sell."
Michael Jackson's father is Joe Jackson, also known as the man behind the child star. Joe's image as a father was tainted throughout the late 1980s through the mid 1990s in which the media reported stories told by some of his children that he was abusive towards them. When he managed his family, he ordered each of them to call him "Joseph", which led to several siblings being estranged from their father. This boy became a man and claimed that from a young age he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling, but also contended that his father being a strict disciplinarian played a large part of his success.
Michael Jackson may have died, but thanks to current and projected biography projects, the story of his life is still being told, from several different perspectives and with several different objectives. Of course, the only person who can truly tell the story of Michael Jackson is Jackson himself, and in November 2008, Scottish newspapers claimed that Jackson was working on a new autobiography, and had been meeting with major New York publishing houses. None of the publishing houses would confirm that rumor, but if he had been working on such a book, they're all undoubtedly scrambling to produce it.
Jackson's life is well-known for its eccentricity and tumult, so there are many more biographies to come. Since his death, blogs and Web sites have been speculating about the most likely candidates to pen additional memoirs, as well as projected celebrity tribute books. The public's appetite for Michael Jackson books is at an all-time high, so publishers and biographers are certainly striving to uncover the details of his life, which will emerge for years to come
The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones (Mark Antony), within minutes of his death, the news media found it more interesting to focus on the negatives of his life rather that its good and positive aspects. Michael Jackson was without a doubt a modern musical genius, he gave more power to the powerful force of music to transcend borders and pull people around the globe together. Like other geniuses his behavior was eccentric at times, so was Machiavelli, Marley, Presley, Einstein and many others. However; because they lived eccentric lives and displayed what most people considered "strange" behavior is neither reason nor justification for us to vilify them. In the aftermath of Jackson's death, the emphasis should have been on praising and celebrating his great legacy and the laughter he brought into our lives. If Jackson had lived in Greece, his story would be interpreted as a modern day Greek tragedy. Here was a man whom the gods gave him supernatural gifts to entertain and thrill mankind, but the gods could not compensate for his painful loneliness as he searched for the youth that was sacrificed to realize his genius. I have many reasons why I love Michael, one of the most important reasons I loved him is the fact that his music and his red jacket reminds me of my father. Michael, may God receives you in his kingdom with open arms. And may your music stay in our lives forever.
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» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (99 days ago.)
Marie, this is a beautiful article. Let me add to you if you do not mind:
When I see Michael. I saw his talent pursuade the world to come unto him. I did not see him as the tortured and or tragic life. I was the "Motown" day. A generation of and in this time went roaring. Some kids grew up with Michael. I remember seeing a little kid in Detroit on W. Grand Blvd., throwing footballs with other kids. I remember his Father during those times what were called discipline and or whipping your child, when they did wrong is now, child abuse. But then, it kept them from prison, jail, and gave them a work ethic...good or bad (they would not dare curse a teacher or break in a house, curse Mom and Dad, or take a gun to school.) The talent I noted. Oh! we may not have the same flaws as he, but yet, we do. Different arenas of course. I cannot name many entertainers that were spotless, yet it depends on how one feels about that person. Myself, Elvis (while on drugs) could never compete and could never crossover to all audiences like a Michael Jackson. Michael is not the "King of Pop", he is the "King." No one else can touch him in our generation. The times even stated the President could not think clearly with an alcoholic brain. Which is worse? To me, he is talent of this era. I could imagine being Thomas Edison, some say: "He was on drugs and crazy for what he was trying to do. But it came out well." The drug mind of Einstein they thought was 'crazy' (mentally challenged). We have so many "Acid Rockers" breaking guitars and OD ing, authorities hate doing autopsies. Some have always said: "Genuises are mental." They stand along and weird within themselves. They even called Jesus, a lunatic, a fool...etc. However, a Godly Christian knows better because He dwelles in us. We always say: "God can use anyone He pleases to bring out the excellence in them. Well, one talent is gone. But we do know one thing of the times, NEWS are not fact finders anymore, they do not report, they are speculators. Except when in a court of law. I, myself, if I have to die, I feel for my wife and Doctor for all the medications they have to account for. I take 11 a day now. But, no mental pills. Do not worry Michael, one thing for sure, "You will rest in peace." You have accomplished the greatness within. No one knows me, however, God has made sure your name will ring. Genuises are an open book, their greatness sets them apart. Who can catch Michael? Michael, you gave your all and you have fed many mouths, you've clothed many bodies, you have given many people homes, you have paid many hospital bills, you have sent many kids to college, and every time your music play, another kid will go to college or trade school, and of course, you have given many kids a place to be treated from abuse. You came as a child and identified. I am glad your mind did not get too old, for if it had, who would have helped the children you touched. I can only give back what you projected, respect. One thing for sure, the world is speaking for God. God will not forget your gifts, because He blessed you to give to others. This world is doing what it is suppose to do, Ignore the good and continue sinning. That is why we are sojourners. RIP and let man continue to throw stones, his living is still in a "Boomerang" position. You have paid your dues.
Thank you so much for leaving your beautiful words about Michael. Whenever I hear MJ's name I remember my father. When I was a child my father bought me my first red jacket, to my astonishment it was the "beat it outfit" . I had the biggest crush on Michael, I used to tell people he was going to be my husband. "I hated Brooke Shield when I heard she was dating Michael. (LOL) Before my father passed away, he asked me if I was still in love with MJ, my response was "'til the day I die". In my life I have had 1 crush, MJ owned it. He always will be in my heart.
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