Michael Jackson is one of the most successful performers in the history of recorded music. Throughout his career, his feathery falsetto voice and dazzling dance moves mesmerized and magnetized all who observed.
Nine years after his passing, Michael Jackson would have been 60-years-old on this day.
At the time of his death, many were already aware of the scandals that swirled around his name, both the payoffs and the nefarious characters that flocked to take advantage of it. We’re also aware of the trauma that served as the catalyst behind his prolific creativity, as we all as the tragic circumstances that surrounded his death.
But today, we remember Michael Jackson, the entertainer, the songwriter, the dancer and more importantly, the hitmaker. We remember the Michael that made our hearts sing while we danced to the beat of his greatest hits.
Indeed, even Joe and Katherine Jackson knew Michael was a special child among a brood of special children.
Let Michael Rest in Peace
It’s hard to fathom that this June will mark five years since the 2009 death of Michael Jackson. But the fact that people won’t let this man rest in peace is what really boggles the mind. The King of Pop’s name has been in the news again for the past week and for all the wrong reasons.
The once and forever King of Pop was a central figure within pop culture for four decades.
Music soothsayers and historians can both attest, Jackson was one of a kind and, for much of the 80s, was one of the most imitated artists of all-time. However, you can’t just throw on some Jheri curls, a bedazzled glove, and some sparkly socks and say your channeling Michael Jackson. He had the ability to combine pop and soul in a way that others couldn’t, catapulting him to stardom.
As the eighth child of Katherine and Joe, Michael made his professional debut at six, along with his older brothers, forming the Jackson Five. Initially, Jermaine Jackson was the lead vocalist for the group, but the younger Jackson eventually took the spotlight overnight.
Michael Jackson – Lady In My Life (Full Version)
1982 in a studio in LA. “Thriller” has been entirely recorded and mixed, and mastered. The master is sent off to create a test pressing. The test pressing comes back to Quincy Jones, Bruce Swedien (the engineer), and Michael. They listen to the album and something’s wrong. Very wrong.
It is difficult to fathom how talent such as the O’Jays, Gladys Knight, Sam & Dave and Etta James would be relegated to the Chitlin’ Circuit, but segregation and Jim Crow meant that the world would have to wait before they got a taste of the Jackson 5.
While still performing alongside his brothers, Michael released four solo albums between ’72 and ’75. (Got To Be There, Ben, Music & Me and Forever, Michael). Off The Wall, released in 1979, was Michael’s fifth album, and to many, it is the last album with predominately R&B tracks. Thriller, released in 1982, would earn Jackson seven Grammys and go on to become the best-selling album of all-time with 66 million units sold.
JACKSON 5 STOP THE LOVE YOU SAVE
MOTOWN RECORDS (C)
His solo catalog includes Got to Be There (1971), Ben (1972), Music & Me (1973), Forever, Michael (1975), Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995) and Invincible (2001). There were also two posthumous albums released Michael (2010) and Xscape (2014).
During a 1993 interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Michael Jackson opened up about his childhood, saying it was “lonely” and “isolated” and that the emotional abuse he suffered at the hands of his father played a role in his desire to remain in a childlike state throughout his adult years. He also mentioned that his father’s verbal abuse led to him being dissatisfied with his personal appearance, which one can hypothesize was directly correlated to his desire for plastic surgery and lighter skin as an adult.
The Jacksons – Show You The Way To Go [Audio HQ] HD
The Jacksons – Show You The Way To Go Source: Album “The Jacksons” Epic 1976 Sony Music is the owner of the audio, not me.
Michael passed away on June 25, 2009, from a drug-induced cardiac arrest that the Los Angeles County Coroner would rule a homicide. Conrad Murray, his personal physician, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Michael Jackson’s life ended in a rash of drama and innuendo. But through all of the ups and downs, fans of Mike Jack were loyal to him to the very end. Always remembering the feel good, positive, vibe of light that lifted millions across the globe in life, Michael Jackson will forever be the greatest even in death.
