On this day five years ago, we bid a heavyhearted adieu to one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Michael Joseph Jackson....(M.J.J). He was 50!
Five years later, the legendary king of pop is still rocking our world. Michael Jackson whose quintessentially American tale of celebrity and excess took him from musical boy wonder to global pop superstar and to a sad figure haunted by lawsuits, paparazzi and failed plastic surgery died on Thursday afternoon of June 25th, 2009....
For his legions of fans, he was the Peter Pan of pop music: A little boy who refused to grow up!
At the height of his career, he was indisputably, the biggest star in the world; he sold more than 750 million albums.
From his days as the youngest brother in the Jackson 5 to his solo career in the 1980's to and 1990's, Jackson was responsible for hits like "I want you back", "I'll be there", "Don't stop till you get enough", "Billie Jean" and "Black or White" that exploited his high voice and infectious energy and ear for irresistible hooks.
The iconic rhinestone studded glove worn by Jackson when performing the moonwalk on Motown 25
As a solo performer, MJJ, ushered in the age of pop as a global product, not to mention the age of spectacle and pop culture celebrity....His sequined glove and his moonwalk dance move became embedded in the cultural firmament.
His entertainment career hit high water marks with the release of "Thriller" from 1982, which has been certified 28 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and with the "Victory" world tour that united him with his brothers in 1984.
Thriller platinum record on display at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood in Universal City, California
Just as Michael had influenced a vast generation of today's artist he also was influenced by the likes of James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr and the incomparable, Diana Ross. The young Michael owed his vocal technique in large part to Diana....
"I got to know her well. She taught me so much. I used to just sit in the corner and watched the way she moved. She was a art in motion. I studied the way she moved, the way she sang---just the way she was" he once said of his idol, Diana.
He told her...."I want to be just like you, Diana" She said: "You just be yourself" But Jackson hold part of his enduring style, especially his use of the Ohhhhh interjection to Ross. Diana had used this effect on many of the songs recorded with The Supremes!
Michael and his idol, Diana Ross
Michael Jackson was one of the few artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into Dance Hall of Fame as the first and currently only dancer from pop and Rock music.
Some of his other achievements included multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), 26 American Music Awards(Including the "Artist of the Century" & the "Artist of the 80's")---More than any artist.
13 number one singles in the US in his solo career---More than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era.
Jackson has won hundreds of Awards, making him the most Awarded recording artist in the history of popular music.
Michael and his pop & mum, Joseph and Katherine
A philanthropist, Jackson constantly traveled the world attending events honoring his humanitarianism and in 2000, the Guinness Book of Records recognized him for supporting 39 charities, more than any other artist or entertainer.
Jackson became the first artist in history to have a top ten single in the Billboard Top 100 in five different decades when "Love never felt so good" reached number 9 on May 21, 2014.
Jackson's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, set in 1984
While preparing for his Comeback Concert series titled This Is It, Jackson died of acute Propofol and Benzodiazepine intoxication on June 25th, 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Los Angeles coroner department ruled his death as homicide and his personal physician, Conrad Murray was convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. His death triggered a global outpouring of grief and a live broadcast of his public memorial service was viewed around the world.
Michael Jackson's children, Prince-Michael, Paris-Michael and Michael-Joseph
He was survived by his aged parent, Joseph Walter Jackson and Katherine Esther Scruse-Jackson, Three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II. He is also survived by his famous brothers and sisters which include international super-star, Janet Jackson.
Michael and sister, Janet Jackson
What a legend! And legends like Michael Jackson never really die, he lives in our hearts. Continue to rest in peace!!!
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