Study Notes on Michael Jackson Biography and Legacy

Michael Jackson: Biography, Musician, Dancer

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson

  • Born: August 29, 1958

  • Died: June 25, 2009

  • Birthplace: Gary, Indiana

  • Spouses: Lisa Marie Presley (1994-1996) and Debbie Rowe (1996-2000)

  • Children: Michael “Prince,” Paris, and Prince “Blanket”

  • Astrological Sign: Virgo

Early Life and Family

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, as the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family. His parents were:

  • Joseph Jackson: A crane operator who had musical ambitions as a guitarist performing in local R&B bands.

  • Katherine Jackson: A homemaker and devout Jehovah’s Witness who played the clarinet and piano and aspired to be a country singer.

From a young age, his parents encouraged their children to pursue music, beginning Michael’s career when he was 5 years old. Jackson's siblings, including Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet, each made contributions to the music industry. Tragically, his twin brother Brandon died shortly after birth.

Joseph Jackson pushed his children for success, enforcing rigorous rehear sessions lasting five hours a day after school and was known for his violent discipline methods, which included beating them with a belt buckle or electric kettle cord, physically punishing them harshly for mistakes in dance steps.

The Jackson 5

In the early 1960s, Joseph Jackson endeavored to mold his sons into a musical group, initially featuring Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. When Michael joined at five years old as the lead vocalist, he displayed an exceptional vocal range and emotional depth beyond his years, capturing the audience's admiration.

The group was titled The Jackson 5 upon Marlon's joining and began performing locally, building a fanbase. Their first release, a single titled “Big Boy”, did not gain traction; however, they earned the opportunity to open for famous R&B artists like Gladys Knight and The Pips, James Brown, and Sam and Dave, which allowed them to pave their way to the legendary Motown record label.

In early 1969, they were signed by Motown founder Berry Gordy, moving to Los Angeles for support and guidance. Their television debut occurred during the 1969 Miss Black American Pageant, where they performed “It’s Your Thing.” Their first album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, was released in December 1969, and its single “I Want You Back” broke into the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100.

The success continued with hits like “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.” The group's appealing image led to them having their own cartoon show from 1971 to 1972. Notably, Jackson introduced the iconic “robot dance” during a 1973 performance of “Dancing Machine”. Despite artistic prominence, tension emerged between Gordy and Joseph regarding management control, resulting in the Jacksons leaving Motown in 1976 and signing with Epic Records, thereby rebranding as The Jacksons. They began asserting their skills as songwriters with their album Destiny (1978).

Emerging Solo Career

Jackson's solo career initiated while he was still part of The Jackson 5. His first solo album, Got to Be There, was released at 13 years old in 1971, successfully charting with the title track. His second album was titled Ben (1972), which showcased his first solo No. 1 single. Subsequent albums included Music and Me (1973) and Forever, Michael (1975), marking his last with Motown.

In 1977, he starred as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, directed by Sidney Lumet, exposing him to Studio 54 and early hip-hop culture, which influenced his later music careers, such as his beatboxing in “Working Night and Day.” Jackson's turning point as a solo artist came with Off the Wall (1979), his first collaboration with Quincy Jones, garnering critical acclaim and commercial success with hits like “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” The album illustrated his evolution from pop to a more sophisticated sound. Jackson continued to perform with The Jacksons, whose album Triumph (1980) surpassed 1 million copies sold.

In 1983, Jackson undertook one last tour with The Jacksons to support Victory (1984). His single “State of Shock,” a duet with Mick Jagger, was the album's most prominent hit. However, his astronomical success was solidified with the release of Thriller (1982), recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling album of all time, with 67 million copies globally and 34 million in the United States. The album dominated the charts for 80 weeks, maintaining No. 1 for 37 weeks, and birthed seven Top 10 hits, including “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Human Nature,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” and “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).”

Thriller accrued 12 Grammy nominations and won 8 awards, setting records at the time, accompanied by a groundbreaking music video/spoken short film for the title track directed by John Landis. Released on December 2, 1983, the “Thriller” video featured a narrative steeped in horror, further elevating Jackson's status as a musical innovator.

Iconic Performances and Promotions

During the Motown tribute special in 1983, Jackson debuted the moonwalk, a signature dance move that showcases a gliding backward motion while appearing to walk forward—a technique learned from R&B musician Jeffrey Daniel.

Jackson signed a historic $5 million promotional contract with Pepsi in November 1983. However, during the shoot for an advertisement, pyrotechnics led to severe burns when Jackson's hair caught fire, initiating a legal battle with the company and prompting surgeries. This period marked the beginning of his well-documented experimentation with plastic surgeries, notably altering his facial features.

In 1985, Jackson collaborated with Lionel Richie to compose “We Are the World,” a charity song aimed at alleviating poverty in Africa, involving numerous famous artists, and accumulating over $75 million for humanitarian aid.

Subsequently, in 1987, Jackson released his promising album Bad, which, despite being unable to match the iconic status of Thriller, reached No. 1. The album produced five No. 1 hits, including “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Dirty Diana.” Directed by Martin Scorsese, the album's titular song's music video featured an intricate narrative involving delinquent teens and gang violence.

Continued Career Success and Abuse Allegations

While rumors about Jackson's skin color, supposedly appearing whiter, surfaced by the late 1980s, he addressed the issue concerning his condition known as vitiligo during a rare 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. This year marked a significant shift as the first allegations of child molestation emerged against him. Despite thorough investigations, the claims were eventually settled out of court with no firm evidence found. Jackson acknowledged in 2003 that he'd continued allowing children to stay at his ranch, reiterating his belief of innocence regarding such interactions.

Musically, Jackson's reception began to wane with the release of HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I in 1995, which combined greatest hits with new themes inspired by his experiences with abuse allegations and media treatment. Notable hits included “You Are Not Alone” and the collaboration “Scream” with his sister Janet Jackson. However, the album's video for “They Don’t Care About Us” faced backlash for containing offensive content.

In 2001, Jackson released Invincible, costing an unprecedented $30 million and tackling themes of isolation and conflict with mainstream media. Mixed reviews followed despite debuting at No. 1.

Legal Issues, Marriage, and Family

By 2002, Jackson attracted controversy, notably for an incident where he dangled his baby son Blanket over a hotel balcony, later justifying it was in the spirit of sharing with his eager fans.

The year 2003 brought serious legal troubles where Jackson faced multiple charges, including lewd conduct with a minor. Following a highly publicized trial in 2005, he was acquitted on all counts.

Jackson's personal life included two notable marriages: first to Lisa Marie Presley, which lasted from 1994 until 1996, perceived by some as a strategic move for image repair amidst his controversies. Later in 1996, he wed nurse Debbie Rowe, with whom he shared two children, Prince and Paris, born in 1997 and 1998 respectively. After their divorce in 1999, Jackson retained full custody. He fathered a third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (known as “Blanket”), with an unknown surrogate in 2002.

Death

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, from cardiac arrest attributed to acute propofol intoxication—a lethal cocktail of sedatives including midazolam, diazepam, and lidocaine. His physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, had been administering propofol to aid Jackson's sleep. A subsequent investigation revealed inadequate medical standards adhered to, leading to Jackson's death being ruled a homicide and Murray's subsequent conviction for involuntary manslaughter in November 2011.

Memorials and Legacy

Jackson’s passing resulted in massive public mourning reflected through global memorials, including a televised memorial service watched by over 1 billion viewers and attended by numerous celebrity guests. The specifics of his career were marked by a staggering 38 Grammy nominations and 13 wins, including notable recognitions for Thriller and **“We Are the World.”

Several posthumous projects followed his death, including a documentary This Is It released in 2009 that featured behind-the-scenes footage of his last tour preparations, collecting $261 million globally. Despite controversies regarding authenticity, albums like Michael and Xscape kept his legacy alive, showcasing his lasting impact on the music industry.

In 2018, he received the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Legacy Award for Humanitarian Service posthumously. Jackson's financial legacy remained intact, predominantly due to his investment in the Sony/ATV Music catalog. This financial acumen allowed his estate to flourish, eventually leading to recognition as one of the top-earning deceased celebrities, having earned $75 million in 2017 alone.

Recent accusations of sexual abuse resurfaced following the airing of Leaving Neverland in early 2019, generating extensive media discourse and continued scrutiny of Jackson’s legacy.

Quotes

Michael Jackson left behind numerous quotes revealing his perspective on performance, the nature of creativity, and personal reflections:

  • "Being onstage is magic. There’s nothing like it. You feel the energy of everybody who’s out there."

  • “Why can’t you share your bed? That’s the most loving thing to do, to share your bed with someone.”

  • “I hate to take credit for the songs I’ve written. I feel that somewhere, someplace, it’s been done, and I’m just a courier bringing it into the world.”

  • “If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”

These words encapsulate Jackson's philosophy concerning artistry and legacy, making his story one of complex legacy, both musically and personally.