Michael Jackson, also christened the 'King of Pop', was an American singer, dancer, leading entertainer, and a successful recording artist who dominated the world music industry. Music experts believe that Jackson's outstanding contribution to the US and world entertainment culture was almost unparalleled in the 20th century. Indeed, Jackson is classified as perhaps- the greatest ever entertainer in the world music industry. Michael Jackson's career started way back in the 1970s.
MJ, as he was popularly known, was born in Indiana, not far from Chicago, on the August 29th 1958. He was the eighth among ten children born in a working-class African-American family. MJ was raised in a music-loving family. Unsurprisingly, MJ's mother, who's known as Katherine Esther Jackson, is a skilled clarinet and piano player, while his father, Joe Jackson, regularly played the guitar with a locally-performing rhythm and blues band.
When MJ was only six years old, his father was already managing the Jackson Five music band- that was way back in 1964. The Jackson Five band united all the brothers in the Jackson family; the band toured various bars and clubs, performing a mix of popular Motown hits. During the band's subsequent performances in 1968, the youthful MJ's skills particularly caught the viewer's attention. In the same year, the Jackson Five band signed up with the Motown records. In 1969, the band released its first single; it was labelled I Want You Back; by the time Jackson was only 11, their first production had already hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In the early 1970s, the sensational youthful entertainers first appeared in the Jackson Five TV cartoon series. This was followed by the Jacksons, a TV variety show that continued for a season. The show also included their sister Janet Jackson. MJ later started out on a solo career during the disco era peak in 1971; he did this while still working for Motown Records. MJ became a solo star when he released Off the Wall, his fifth studio album. The wildly successful album sold more than a million copies globally. It also inspired four top 10 series. The Jackson Five was renamed the Jacksons in 1975 when it signed up with Epic Records. The band continued making international tours, releasing six more albums in the years spanning 1976-84.
The exciting pop sensation Jackson had already won several coveted accolades by the 1980s. These included winning three American Music Awards in recognition of his solo work and the best male R&B vocal performance Grammy Award. He also received the music industry's highest royalty rate (by 37% of the wholesome album profit). Jackson, accompanied by his brothers, later embarked on his final tour that was intended to support the new album, Victory. MJ also did a duet together with State of Shock and Mike Jagger; they recorded the production from 1981 to 1983 with Queen singer Freddie Mercury.
Jackson hit the peak of his career after releasing his solo album, Thriller; the celebrated album quickly rose to become number one on US album sales, remaining top of the charts for almost 37 weeks. Once again, Thriller also put Michael Jackson's name in the Guinness Book of World Records, attaining more than 110 million sales globally. The album included popular one hits, including Billie Jean and Beat It. In the wake of Thriller's unprecedented global success, Michael Jackson was catapulted into the rank of the world's most famous pop singer.
MJ performed Moonwalk, his famous dance move, in 1983; it later became his trademark signature dance in the repertoire. So, Thriller's success became MJ's success; the album eventually won eight Grammy Awards. It became the Album of the Year, selected among 38 nominations. Thus, Jackson became a Grammy Award winner for the 13th time. MJ followed this with the production of a series of innovative movies; these included some bestselling albums like Dangerous and History: Past, Present, and Future, as well as Bad. He became an ambassador championing racial integrity and the fight against prejudice (including injustice with songs). Out came Heal the World, Man in the Mirror, Black or White, They Don't Care About Us, and Earth Song.
The world was shocked by the news announcing MJ's death on June 25th, 2009. Jackson died while he was still preparing to perform. This is It, a new concert series announcing his big comeback onto the pop music stage. The 50-year-old pop legend reportedly died from taking an overdose of Propofol injection that his physician administered. In the same year, Jackson's physician, Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison. The LA County Coroner had determined that Jackson's death was the result of a homicide.