Michael Jackson...The King of PopBorn on August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson was the seventh of nine children who lived in Gary, Indiana. They lived on Jackson Street, where Michael and his brothers grew up and became the Jackson 5. They had hits like "2300 Jackson Street", "ABC", and "I Want You Back". In 1972, Michael released solo albums, such as "Ben". In 1978, his brothers (all except Jermaine) left Motown Records, and signed a deal with Epic Records. Michael became part of the movie, The Wiz. There he met Quincy Jones, who was impressed with his talent, and started producing songs with him. Not long after that, Michael Jackson released his first adult solo album, Off the Wall, which became an international success. It contained such hits like Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, or Rock With You. Michael Jackson was bigger than ever. But his next album would revolutionize the pop culture world forever.
1982, probably the best year for Michael. In December 1982, Michael released his latest album, Thriller. This one was probably the biggest of them all. He revolutionized dancing with Billie Jean. He revolutionized music videos with Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean. He revolutionized the pop culture by storm with the entire album. It was a mega success. He recoeved x26 platinum for the album. Many people started to wonder if he could follow Thriller, even Michael Jackson couldn't.
In 1987, Michael released Bad, this was also the first solo tour he ever did. Michael released huge hits such as Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dirty Diana, and more. This album, though it wasn't as big as Thriller, was just as well known. Bad started a different look for Michael, instead of wearing sequin gloves, he wore a suit with gems and chains, and started with the crotch grabbing and sneer. It was a side of him no one has ever seen before. Michael Jackson's Bad Tour was a huge success.
Many people thought that after the 80s, Michael's music would become no more, and he would be remembered as an 80s icon. But Michael continued his legacy. He released Dangerous in 1991. It too revolutionized music videos with Black or White, Jam, and more. His music and style was a bit different than Bad, but it was still as popular. Michael had a tour for this one, and it too became a mega success. This album proves to be up to the Michael Jackson standard.
Michael Jackson released his studio/greatest hits album HIStory. He released it as a double CD. Michael had his greatest hits on the CD, and added some new songs as well. This CD was taken of the shelves because of the controversial lyrics in his song, They Don't Really Care About Us. This didn't have that many videos, but it did show Michael's soft side. It showed songs such as Heal the World and The Earth Song. This album was a hit along with its HIStory Tour, which made millions of dollars. It was so successful that areas all around the world built Michael Jackson statues in honor of him.
In 1996, Michael released Blood on the Dancefloor, which was HIStory in remix form. I would have to say that Blood on the Dancefloor is my favorite track on the whole album, since I am not a huge fan or remixes. This album was good, but did not prove to be up to be the Michael Jackson standard. He did have a revolutionary music video, Ghosts, which was 34 minutes long.
Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the King, Elvis Presley. They wedded in 1993, and they divorced in 1996. Michael also married his assistant dermotologist, Debbie Rowe. He had two children from her, Prince Michael Jackson II, and Paris Katherine Michael Jackson. He did have one more child, but the mother of the child remains unnamed. The childs name is Prince Michael Jackson III, a.k.a. Blanket.
In 2001, after a hiatus of children, and building his home, Neverland Ranch in southern California, Michael released Invincible, his latest studio album to date. It was not a success, and had a few hits, such as You Rock My World. He said himself that this album was not his best, and that another album will come out soon. Michael Jackson is also said to reunite with the Jackson 5, and might do another album.
Now in 2003, many things happened. Michael's 45th Birthday Party in Los Angeles was completely organized by the fans themselves. Amazing as it is, Michael was the star of the show. Michael is releasing his newest Greatest Hits album, Michael Jackson Number Ones. This new album will include one new song, One More Chance, which was produced by R. Kelly, the same person who produced You Are Not Alone in the HIStory album. Also on the album, there will be a re-released version of Ben. Also this year, Michael released his 2001 sequel to We are the World. This sequel called What More Can I Give was finally released after years of petitioning and rallying. With the fan's support, the song can be officially released and can be used to fight its cause, to help the sick and dying people of the world. More on the song can be at whatmorecanigive.comThere is much more of Michael to come in the near future...there might be a new tour, a new foundation, a new album, the possibilites are endless. |
