Michael Jackson passed away in 2009 but he will always remain one of the best selling artists of all time.
Michael Jackson in his career reached unprecedented heights of success through his musical talent. MJ garnered a massive fan base, some of whom still remain dedicated to him, today. Although the ‘King of Pop’ passed away at the age of 50, his life journey might take anyone their entire life to read about it.
Michael was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. He embarked on a music career at the age of 5, joining four of his brothers. His father Joseph Jackson believed his sons had the talent and molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s.
Together, the five brothers formed the boy band Jackson 5. Their single “I Want You Back” reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following its release in 1969. Despite the group’s great success, there was trouble brewing behind the scenes. In 1983, Michael Jackson went on his final tour with his brothers to support the album Victory.
Then at the age of 13, Michael launched a solo career and became gradually became a dominant figure in popular music. His music videos, Beat It, Billie Jean, and Thriller from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form.
He made many Guinness Book World Records and has been one of the highest-selling artists of all time.
Michael Jackson was not only known for his high octave voice. His popularized complicated dance techniques such as the robot and the moonwalk saw him inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame.
His fame didn’t come without controversy, though. Michael was criticized for changing his appearance by undergoing multiple plastic surgeries to look like a white man.
His sound and style have influenced artists of various genres.
MJ was accused on multiple occasions of sexually abusing children. He died in 2009 at age 50 of a drug overdose just before launching a comeback tour.
Some facts about the pop star
1. During his illustrious career, Michael was nominated for 38 Grammy awards and won 13 of them. In 1993, he received the Grammy Legend Award and in 2010 he received Lifetime Achievement Award.
2. In 1984, Michael became the first artist to win eight Grammys in one night.
3. Michael Jackson was obsessed with the superhero world. He decided to buy Marvel Comics that were going through bankruptcy. MJ had a secret wish to play the role of Spiderman.
4. In 1984, The ‘King of Pop’ married Lisa-Marie Presley, the daughter of the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley. They unfortunately divorced in 1996 and had three children through surrogacy, Michael Jr., Paris and Prince (Blanket).
Today, Michael Jackson has turned 61. Last year on Jackson birthday his family celebrated his 60th birthday in Las Vegas. Paris and Prince accepted the Legacy Award for Humanitarian Service from the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation on behalf of Michael Jackson.
