The King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson, was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. He started singing and performing in talent shows and recitals at an early age. Michael and a few of his siblings (Marlon, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine) formed a "boy group" called the Jackson 5 in 1963. Their first single, “I Want You Back,” was number one on the Pop and R&B charts. It sold two million copies. By 1970, the Jackson 5 was very popular.
In 1971 Michael Jackson started his solo career at the age of 13. On August 5, 1979 Michael Jackson became the first artist to have four number one singles off one album. His popularity was quickly rising. Michael's album "Thriller" was released on November 30, 1982. It spent thirty-seven weeks at the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart and became the highest selling album of all time, making history. On February 28, 1984 Michael received eight awards at the Grammys and broke many records. Michael's most influential video of all time, "Thriller," was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Because of Michael's great success with "Thriller" and "Off the Wall", he became the biggest star of all time.
Michael Jackson had a huge international and cultural impact. He was the first black person on MTV to have a disco video "Billie Jean". This video saved MTV from losing some of its clients. At the time, MTV played music videos made by black people, or videos that had black performers in them, but they had to fit the “conventional rock” criteria. Prince and Tina Turner’s music fit this criterion.
Music is a huge part of the American culture. Michael Jackson broke many records. He changed the American culture greatly with his music, dances, and drive for perfection. Michael Jackson changed music. He helped people see that everyone is equal no matter what race you are. He showed that everyone has a certain type of talent. He showed his love and dedication to music like no other person did. Every time Michael was on stage, he would have a smile on his face because he loved what he was doing. He loved entertaining people and making them happy. He showed people that it was okay to be different. Michael affected the lives of many people. He inspired many of the artists we have today. Without the "King of Pop" we might not have some of our performers that are here today. Michael Jackson also gave to many charities, even though they weren’t publicized much. He didn’t give to charities because it might “make him more popular,” he gave to charities because it was something he wanted to do.
Growing up under the spotlight can lead to a rough life under the public eye. The media likes to make “hearsay” seem like the truth and some people will believe everything they read. Look at the accusations against Michael Jackson for child molestation, for example. People were all over that story. The media made it seem like it were true, but no one will really know the true story, except Michael. You have to admit, it would be pretty hard to deal with waking up every morning and seeing your name in the paper with something that may or may not be true.
After being under the public eye for a long time, Michael Jackson seemed to be “losing it.” He was being accused for many things, battling drugs, running out of money, and his career was fading. He overcame most of the accusations but drugs seemed to be a big problem in his life. Michael was addicted to prescription pain killers. On June 25th 2009, the legendary “King of Pop” died. He went into a cardiac arrest at the age of 50 in Los Angeles, California.
The death of “The King of Pop” put the entire world in shock. The man who had the first black disco video aired on MTV was gone. The man who changed music and dance forever was gone. Despite everything negative that happened in Michael’s life, which might have made people not like him, the world still mourned over him. Michael Jackson was well respected him for the music he made. No one has ever changed the status of pop in the world and no one has ever accomplished what Michael Jackson has accomplished in his life. He made people recognize that the biggest star could be a young black man and he broke many color barriers. Michael Jackson changed music. He changed the American culture.
In 1971 Michael Jackson started his solo career at the age of 13. On August 5, 1979 Michael Jackson became the first artist to have four number one singles off one album. His popularity was quickly rising. Michael's album "Thriller" was released on November 30, 1982. It spent thirty-seven weeks at the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart and became the highest selling album of all time, making history. On February 28, 1984 Michael received eight awards at the Grammys and broke many records. Michael's most influential video of all time, "Thriller," was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Because of Michael's great success with "Thriller" and "Off the Wall", he became the biggest star of all time.
Michael Jackson had a huge international and cultural impact. He was the first black person on MTV to have a disco video "Billie Jean". This video saved MTV from losing some of its clients. At the time, MTV played music videos made by black people, or videos that had black performers in them, but they had to fit the “conventional rock” criteria. Prince and Tina Turner’s music fit this criterion.
Music is a huge part of the American culture. Michael Jackson broke many records. He changed the American culture greatly with his music, dances, and drive for perfection. Michael Jackson changed music. He helped people see that everyone is equal no matter what race you are. He showed that everyone has a certain type of talent. He showed his love and dedication to music like no other person did. Every time Michael was on stage, he would have a smile on his face because he loved what he was doing. He loved entertaining people and making them happy. He showed people that it was okay to be different. Michael affected the lives of many people. He inspired many of the artists we have today. Without the "King of Pop" we might not have some of our performers that are here today. Michael Jackson also gave to many charities, even though they weren’t publicized much. He didn’t give to charities because it might “make him more popular,” he gave to charities because it was something he wanted to do.
Growing up under the spotlight can lead to a rough life under the public eye. The media likes to make “hearsay” seem like the truth and some people will believe everything they read. Look at the accusations against Michael Jackson for child molestation, for example. People were all over that story. The media made it seem like it were true, but no one will really know the true story, except Michael. You have to admit, it would be pretty hard to deal with waking up every morning and seeing your name in the paper with something that may or may not be true.
After being under the public eye for a long time, Michael Jackson seemed to be “losing it.” He was being accused for many things, battling drugs, running out of money, and his career was fading. He overcame most of the accusations but drugs seemed to be a big problem in his life. Michael was addicted to prescription pain killers. On June 25th 2009, the legendary “King of Pop” died. He went into a cardiac arrest at the age of 50 in Los Angeles, California.
The death of “The King of Pop” put the entire world in shock. The man who had the first black disco video aired on MTV was gone. The man who changed music and dance forever was gone. Despite everything negative that happened in Michael’s life, which might have made people not like him, the world still mourned over him. Michael Jackson was well respected him for the music he made. No one has ever changed the status of pop in the world and no one has ever accomplished what Michael Jackson has accomplished in his life. He made people recognize that the biggest star could be a young black man and he broke many color barriers. Michael Jackson changed music. He changed the American culture.
Click here for a link to Micheal Jackson's famous music video "Thriller." (We are not allowed to embed the video due to copyright restrictions).
Resources:
Special Commemorative Issue Rolling Stones: Michael Jackson
XXL Presents: Michael Jackson - Special Collector's Issue
I agree that Michael Jackson was a big part of American Culture. He is literally the King of Pop and no matter what he did he will always be the king.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Michael Jackson played a large role in our culture by changing the status of pop music.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very good post! I agree that Michael Jackson is truly a legand. He has risen to the top of music charts and broke many records and stereotypes. It's sad that near the end of his life he was... "screwed up" to say the least, but with that aside no one can say he wasnt a pop idol that greatly influenced the music industry!
ReplyDeleteMJ's a legend for what he has done to music. If the song "Billie Jean" doesn't make you bob your head i don't know what will! I have cd's and they're the bee's knee's man! WOO! Now you got me all hyped up....
ReplyDelete....Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
MJ was the King of Pop, and he still influences the musical artists that are still alive.
ReplyDeleteMicheal Jackson was the KING of pop!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that such a great musician had to change for worst. His early stuff was really great but he just seemed to become a little crazy once the new century hit.
ReplyDeleteHas he been buried yet?
ReplyDeleteMicheal Jackson was the last "King" of his era. I'm just glad I was lucky enough to witness his work.
ReplyDeleteMicheal Jackson is a big part of history in the world and "King of pop".
ReplyDeleteIt is true that Micheal made some good music and that he was an amazing dancer. However, that doesn't mean he wasn't a weirdo. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteMichael Jackson was strange, but he was a spectacular performer and changed music forever. It is very unfortunate that such a brilliant musician had to be taken from the world at a young age.
ReplyDeleteI liked this post a lot. I do agree that his music influences other artists.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post, Michael Jackson will always be the king of pop, and will always be my favorite performer.
ReplyDeleteMichael Jackson used to be so cool to me as a kid, but after all the scandals, I kinda lost faith in him. Good post though, really honored him.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would have been interesting to see precisely how Carson believes Micheal Jackson "changed" music (as is asserted in the above post), this essay nonetheless lays some important groundwork for our understanding of this phenomenon of the American music stage.
ReplyDeleteStories such as his leave me with a terrible feeling in my gut: a feeling that in America, to be famous is a potentially fatal disease. Like so many other celebrities, Micheal Jackson was almost sucked dry by the culture; squeezed of every last bit of creativity, then left to die. And die he did.
As Edna St. Vincent Millay said; "My candle burns at both ends, it will not last the night. But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light!"