Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, the self-titled "King of Pop," has endured a controversial life while releasing a series of hit albums, including Thriller, currently the highest selling record of all time with total sales of 46 million. Born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, IN, young Michael was interested in music, as was most of the family. His father played guitar in an R&B band, and mother often sang, while his older brothers sang frequently and played on their father's guitar. Michael's abusive father, Joseph Jackson, pushed his offspring into creating a group, the Jackson 5. The popularity of the small group quickly arose, and was signed to the infamous Motown label. With "baby" Michael as the lead singer of the group, the Jackson's fame increased in the '70's. The Jackson 5 released 13 albums in seven years, constantly toured, and charted several No. 1 hits. Michael also recorded solo albums with Motown, but in 1976 the Jackson 5 split up with the Motown label. Joseph Jackson accused the label of not spending enough time with the group.
The group signed with Epic a year later and changed from the Jackson 5 to just the Jacksons. They sustained recording, but their popularity dropped off. In 1979 Michael played the Scarecrow in the Broadway musical The Wiz. He then moved to New York to start a life on his own, Jackson recorded his debut solo album, Off the Wall, later that year, working with his friend Quincy Jones. The album's success made up for the declining Jacksons, hitting number 3 on the charts. Jackson released his second solo effort, 1982's Thriller after returning to his brothers for another album and tour. Michael's popularity grew overnight, evolving him from an ordinary pop star to one of the major artists in pop history. Thriller spent 37 weeks at No. 1 and sold 24 million copies, spinning off MTV hits like "Beat It" and "Billy Jean." The title single also spawned an innovative half-hour-long music video that was released in movie theaters. Jackson became a media idol thanks to his trademarks, such as the moonwalk dance move, a high-pitched voice, and his unique style of clothing, including a white glove and sunglasses. Teenagers imitated him and fans screamed and passed out at his sold-out concerts. Michael also used his new position to raise money for many charities, and became a pitchman for Pepsi.
Despite his new superstar solo status, Jackson performed and toured once more with his brothers in 1984, a gracious move which boosted each of the other Jackson's solo careers, none of which was very successful. Sister Janet also got into the act, eventually becoming a superstar in her own right; his older sister LaToya also began performing. The reclusive Jackson bought an enormous California ranch, which he dubbed Neverland, and filled the grounds with amusement park rides, inviting children to visit and even stay with him. His penchant for plastic surgery, mysteriously lightening skin tone, and often bizarre behavior (such as wearing a surgical mask in public Howard Hughes-style) made him a frequent target for tabloids. Furthermore, Jackson's reluctance to grant interviews encouraged groundless gossip, such as stories that he slept in an oxygen chamber and tried to purchase the Elephant Man's skeleton. In 1985 he did buy ATV Publishing, which owned the rights to many Beatles songs (as well as material from Elvis, Little Richard, and others), a profitable business decision but a move which ruined his friendship with Paul McCartney. That same year Jackson was instrumental in the USA for Africa famine relief operation, recording the No. 1 "We Are the World" single with an all-star ensemble of musicians.
Michael Jackson released his long-awaited follow-up, Bad, in 1987. Though it naturally reached No. 1 and sold around eight million copies, spawning five No. 1 singles, it failed to match the commercial success of Thriller. Another elaborate world tour followed; although he drew tens of thousands overseas, his U.S. concerts were troubled by allegations that Jackson lip-synched most of his material, which he later admitted in interviews. 1991's Dangerous was another No. 1 success for Jackson, though it once again failed to match the success of its predecessor, perhaps because it was symbolically knocked out of No. 1 by Nirvana's Nevermind, marking the shift from pop music to "grunge."
After the release of Dangerous, Jackson stayed an international icon, but in the United States his image was being battered by continued rumors of child molestation and erratic behavior. A child friend of Jackson reported to his father that Jackson molested him in 1993. The case was brought to the police by the boy's father, who began an investigation of the pop star. They were unable to press charges when his main accuser received an undisclosed settlement from Jackson and subsequently declined to testify. On May 26, 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, a move which many observers saw as an attempt to downplay rumors. The couple divorced in 1996, and Jackson married associate Debbie Rowe later that year, and the couple had their first child in February 1997.
HIStory, released in 1995, had exceptional hype, including videos of huge statues of Michael being pulled through the streets of Europe. The 2 disc album consisted of one disc of "greatest hits" and another of new material. The release was supported by another enormous world tour. HIStory sold adequately by most standards, though it couldn't give explanation for the $30 million Sony spent on publicity. The media bombardment was clearly scaled down for Jackson's most recent 1997 release, Blood On The Dance Floor.
Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001. Plans were made for a massive concert at Madison Square Garden to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a solo artist. The concert included the first onstage appearance of the Jacksons in nearly twenty years.