Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

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Biography

Michael Jackson (born 29.8.1958; died 25.06.2009)

Net Worth: The Michael Jackson Estate net worth was $600 million in 2013. (Celebrity Net Worth)

The seventh child of the Jackson family, Michael Jackson begun his career aged 11, as a member of the family pop group, Jackson 5. He later went on to become one of the most successful solo performers of all time. Both his career and turbulent personal life have been a dominant part of pop culture since the 1970s. Guiness World Records have cited him as the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" and his album Thriller holds the record for the best-selling album ever. In 1984, Michael Jackson won 8 Grammy Awards in a single night and he has charted 13 number one singles in the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael Jackson's changing appearance and controversial behaviour, however, have affected his album sales, which have declined since the 1990s.

Childhood: In 1964, Michael Jackson joined his brothers, playing congas for their group. He later became their background singer and occasional dancer before eventually climbing to the position of lead singer when he was eight years old.

The band toured Indiana and won a local talent show, which then led to them playing a string of professional gigs, many of which were in black clubs known as the 'chitlin' circuit.'

They signed a contract with Motown Records and their first four singles ('I Want You Back', 'ABC', 'The Love You Save' and 'I'll Be There') shot them to stardom. Jackson released four solo studio albums on Motown whilst still a member of the group.

Following a name-change to The Jacksons, due to legal wranglings with Motown, Michael was the lead songwriter from 1976 to 1984 and during this time, he made acquaintance with Quincy Jones, who agreed to produce Jackson's first solo album in four years

Solo albums: Off The Wall - Invincible

Off the Wall (1979): This album made music history by being the first ever to contain four top ten hits. Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney both have writing credits on the album. The album eventually sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

Thriller (1982): Thriller is the best selling album of all time and sent Jackson's fame global. It also became the first album in history to contain seven top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The video for 'Billie Jean' was the first video by a black artist to receive regular MTV airplay, whilst the 13-minute video for 'Thriller' was revolutionary for its time and became the best-selling music home video ever, when it was packaged with the featurette Making Michael Jackson. Whilst performing 'Billie Jean' in 1983, he debuted his signature dance move, the 'Moonwalk.'

Bad (1987): Bad received over two million advance orders before it was released and was his final album to be produced by Quincy Jones, who forced him to cut the 30-strong collection of Michael Jackson songs down to 11. The album generated more Billboard number 1 hits than any other album ever released. His accompanying tour had record-breaking attendance figures, playing 123 concerts to over 4.4 million fans. The level of fame that he now enjoyed drew parallels to The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Dangerous (1991): The anticipation of Dangerous was marked by the theft of 30,000 copies of the album being stolen at Los Angeles International Airport before it was officially released. The biggest hit from the album was 'Black or White', which was accompanied by a controversial video, which featured several scenes which were construed as having a sexual and violent nature. The 14 minute video was edited to remove the offending scenes. The video was premiered in 27 countries simultaneously and had the largest ever viewing figures for a music video (around 500 million)

HIStory (1995): HIStory received four Grammy nomination and won one Grammy. It sold over 18 million copies worldwide, which earned it the title of the biggest selling multiple disc album of all time by a solo artist. More than four and a half million people attended the accompanying promotional tour. The first disc was a greatest hits package, whilst the second contained fifteen new numbers. At the Brit Awards, Michael Jackson was awarded the title Artist of a Generation, but his performance at the ceremony was interrupted by Jarvis Cocker, singer of the band Pulp, who leapt onstage and made rude gestures. Cocker was arrested on suspicion of assault but released without charge.

Invincible (2001): Debuting at number one in 13 countries, Invincible went on to sell nearly eight million copies worldwide. Shortly before the album's release, Michael Jackson told Tommy Mottola, the head of Sony Music Entertainment, that he would not be renewing his contract with them. All subsequent single releases, video shoots and promotions for the album were then cancelled. This led to Jackson tagging Mottola as a 'devil' who did not support African American Artists, and used black artists for his own personal gain. His increasingly eccentric image and the lack of promotion for the album conspired to make this album less successful than his previous releases.

In September 2001, Usher, Whitney Houston, 'N Sync, the Jacksons and Slash performed at Jackson's 30th Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Gardens.

Since his death, two posthumous Michael Jackson albums have been released. In 2010, Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment unveiled a collection of previously unreleased songs entitled 'Michael'. The album featured Akon, 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz but received mixed critical reception.

In 2014, 'Xscape' was released. Featuring the singles 'Love Never Felt So Good' and 'Slave to the Rhythm', the album was received much more favourably.

Private Life: Jackson's father, Walter was a strict disciplinarian and many of the Jackson family have stated that they were spanked and whipped by their father for misbehaving.

In 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. They divorced less than two years later, amid rumours that their marriage was a sham and had not been consummated.

Michael Jackson then went on to marry his dermatologist's nurse, Deborah Jeanne Rowe, with whom he had a son, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (also known as Prince) and a daughter, named Paris Katherine Jackson. The couple divorced in 1999. Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) was born in 2002.

Michael Jackson attracted a media frenzy when he was pictured holding his baby outside a hotel window, with a cloth draped over the child's head. He was accused of being an irresponsible father, to which he responded "I love my children.I was holding my son tight."

Jackson's physical appearance has also garnered much press attention over the years. Throughout his youth, his skin was a medium-brown colour but in 1982, his skin started to become gradually paler. Some elements of the media claim that he was bleaching his skin, though he dismissed these claims on The Oprah Winfrey Show, stating that he had the disease vitiligo. The physical structure of his face also changed amid speculations that he has undergone several cosmetic procedures.

Child molestation charges were brought against Michael Jackson when he was reported to be allowing children to sleep over at his Neverland ranch. In 1993, Jordan Chandler, represented by a civil lawyer accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, rumoured to be US$20 million. The family then dropped the charges against Jackson.

Later in 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, all regarding one boy, named Gavin Arvizo, who was under 14 at the time of the incidents. Jackson was acquitted on all counts.

Finances: In 1985, Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music Publishing, which owns the publishing rights to The Beatles' songs, among others. In 1995, Sony Music Publishing merged with Jackson to create Sony-ATV. Jackson's 50% share is rumoured to be worth US$500 million. He also owns all of his own publishing, called MiJac which contains all of his own music catalogue and that of Sly & The Family Stone.

In 2006, state labor officials from California closed Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. He was fined US$ 69,000 for failing to provide employment insurance. He is also liable for up to 10 days pay for the 69 employees who are now no longer allowed to report to Neverland for work. Thirty Neverland employees have sued Michael Jackson for unpaid wages, totaling $US 306,000

Also in 2006, a federal judge allowed a $48 million claim against Jackson for unpaid fees and breach of contract, relating the refinancing of Jackson's debts and claiming a larger stake in the library of Beatles songs.

Death: On 25th June 2009, it was announced that Michael Jackson had died of a cardiac arrest. He had been at his rented home in Los Angeles when he stopped breathing. His personal physician was with him and attempted to resuscitate him but to no avail. He was pronounced dead at around 2:25 pm local time.

The incident happened less than a month before Michael Jackson was set to undertake a mammoth 50-date residency at the O2 arena in London.

A memorial was held for Michael Jackson on 7th July 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Amongst the performers were Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Ritchie.

The Trial of Conrad Murray: Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter in February 2010. The trial began at the end of September 2011 and one of the key pieces of evidence used against Dr. Murray was that he instructed Jackson's bodyguards to hide evidence of his medical drug intake before he instructed them to call the emergency services.

The guilty verdict arrived on 7th November 2011. Murray was later sentenced to four years' imprisonment, though it is unlikely that he shall serve the full term, due to over-crowding in the prisons.

LaToyah Jackson, Michael's sister, revealed her delight at the verdict, via her Twitter page.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Are These The 10 Greatest Halloween Anthems Of All Time?


Michael Jackson Talking Heads The Specials

Halloween is the second greatest holiday for music (after good ol’ Christmas, of course) with an insane number of songs having been written about the spooky festival, monsters, witches and zombies. Only a few, however, have ever become ultimate Halloween staples and a party at this time of year isn’t the same without these timeless classics.

Photo credit: UnsplashPhoto credit: Unsplash

10. Ghost Town - The Specials

Continue reading: Are These The 10 Greatest Halloween Anthems Of All Time?

Jermaine Jackson Has Come Out To Defend His Brother, Michael


Jermaine Jackson Michael Jackson

The family of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, have been rocked by an explosive documentary - Leaving Neverland - that claims the international star was a prolific child sex abuser. Now his older brother, Jermaine Jackson, has come to defend Michael – who died at the age of 50 in 2009 – and said his sleepovers with underage boys were ‘slumber parties’.

Jermaine JacksonJermaine Jackson has come out to defend his late brother

The 64-year-old wiped away tears as he said he was '1,000 per cent sure' his former Jackson 5 bandmate was innocent.

Continue reading: Jermaine Jackson Has Come Out To Defend His Brother, Michael

Michael Jackson's Estate Hits Out At 'Leaving Neverland' Film


Michael Jackson

The estate of the late Michael Jackson has hit out at the makers of a new documentary film which details allegations that the star sexually abused children.

The project, titled Leaving Neverland, is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month, and includes in-depth interviews with two of Jackson’s alleged victims. In the film, the two men, now in their thirties, claim they were aged seven and 10 when Jackson befriended them and their families before the singer sexually abused.

However, in a statement to TMZ ahead of its premiere, the estate of the late King of Pop issued a condemnation of the project. “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson,” it read.

Continue reading: Michael Jackson's Estate Hits Out At 'Leaving Neverland' Film

A Self Help Book Annotated By Michael Jackson Is Going Up For Auction


Michael Jackson

It seems even the greatest of pop stars need a little advice as revealed by an annotated self-help book belonging to the King of Pop - Michael Jackson. The literature owned by Michael is due to go up at auction in the UK and could fetch up to £8,000. The multi-award winning international singing sensation made notes in Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power, which sets out rules to achieve and maintain a position of strength.

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson's annotated self-help book is up for auction

Jackson's copy remains in immaculate condition and is due to go under the hammer with Omega Auctions of Merseyside.

Continue reading: A Self Help Book Annotated By Michael Jackson Is Going Up For Auction

Music News Round-Up: George Michael Tribute Concert, Huge Summer Courteeners Gig, And The Return Of Carly Rae Jepsen


Carly Rae Jepsen George Michael Michael Jackson The Courteeners

Carly Rae Jepsen RETURNS

Praise be to the Gods of Pop – Carly Rae Jepsen is back, giving us the first taste of her upcoming album with brand new single ‘Party For One’!

A song about self-love and independence, it’s the first new material that the Canadian pop star has released since May 2017, when she gave us the single ‘Cut To The Feeling’, originally intended to be on her last studio album, 2015’s Emotion. Jepsen’s new record is slated to be out early doors in 2019.

Continue reading: Music News Round-Up: George Michael Tribute Concert, Huge Summer Courteeners Gig, And The Return Of Carly Rae Jepsen

Michael Jackson Named As Highest Earning Dead Celebrity Yet Again


Michael Jackson

A new list of the highest earning dead celebrities has placed Michael Jackson way, way at the top of the pile, with his estate raking in well over £300 million over the last 12 months.

The 2018 list published by Forbes has placed the King of Pop at the top for the sixth year in a row. Measuring pre-tax earnings from 1st October 2017 to 1st October 2018, before deducting fees for agents, managers, lawyers and estate executors, the publication estimates that Jackson’s estate earned £313 million.

The huge figure is apparently attributable to his estate’s significant stake in EMI Music Publishing, which was sold off recently. Other profitable projects his estate has recently engaged in include a new record deal with Sony, and the 2017 animated television special ‘Michael Jackson’s Halloween’.

Continue reading: Michael Jackson Named As Highest Earning Dead Celebrity Yet Again

Michael Jackson Is Earning More In Death Than He Did In Life


Michael Jackson Janet Jackson Paris Jackson

The world was devastated at Michael Jackson's untimely death in 2009. Now, as fans across the globe celebrate what would have been the King of Pop's 60th birthday, it has been revealed the international superstar is earning more in death than he did in life.

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson remains hugely popular almost ten years after his death

Despite a lifetime of iconic tracks including Thriller, Smooth Criminal and Bad, Michael claimed his three children - Prince, 21, Paris, 20 and Blanket, 16 - were living like "vagabonds" months before he died with debts of $500million [£388million].

Continue reading: Michael Jackson Is Earning More In Death Than He Did In Life

Paris Jackson Pens Tribute To Late Grandfather, Musical Patriarch, Joe Jackson


Paris Jackson Joe Jackson Michael Jackson

There may have been little love lost between King of Pop Michael Jackson and his allegedly cruel father, Joe Jackson, but it seems Michael’s daughter, Paris, had her own unique relationship with the patriarch as she penned a touching tribute to her late grandfather following his death.

Paris JacksonParis Jackson paid a beautiful tribute to her late grandfather who died aged 89

Joe, the famously tough brains behind the hugely successful Jackson 5 and the even-more successful solo career of his fifth son, Michael, passed away earlier this week at the age of 89.

Continue reading: Paris Jackson Pens Tribute To Late Grandfather, Musical Patriarch, Joe Jackson

Paris Jackson Scrubs Graffiti From Late Father's Walk Of Fame Star


Michael Jackson Paris Jackson

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris has been forced to scrub graffiti off of her late father’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, after it was vandalised by an unknown perpetrator earlier this week.

The 20 year old, the second child and only daughter of the King of Pop’s second marriage to Debbie Rowe, posted a photo of herself scrubbing away red graffiti that somebody had sprayed across the star, which Jackson was awarded back in 1984.

“Some people have no f****** respect. I understand that there is a difference between the radio emblem and the record, but a name is a name.”

Continue reading: Paris Jackson Scrubs Graffiti From Late Father's Walk Of Fame Star

Michael Jackson's Estate Sues Over Documentary Aired Of The Star


Michael Jackson

The last days of pop icon Michael Jackson where screened as a documentary on ABC last week but it seems the estate of the superstar was unhappy with the material and is now suing the TV network and its owner, Disney, over the programme.

Michael JacksonThe latest documentary on Michael Jackson hasn't gone down well

The Last Days of Michael Jackson aired on 24 May but, according to the lawsuit, the two-hour film used the late King of Pop’s songs and videos without permission.

Continue reading: Michael Jackson's Estate Sues Over Documentary Aired Of The Star

Michael Jackson - Accomplishing this feat requires many photos of the famous person/character, plenty of time, and a great deal of skill... something that Cruz quite clearly has! - New York City, New York, United States - Thursday 17th July 2014

Michael Jackson

Prince Michael Jackson I - Final Season premiere of HBO's 'True Blood' - Arrivals - Los Angeles, California, United States - Tuesday 17th June 2014

Michael Jackson

The songs have been updated by a range of top producers including Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins and the album is slated for release on 13 May (14). The title track, Xscape, was recorded for Jackson's last studio album, 2001's Invincible. - United States - Tuesday 1st April 2014

Michael Jackson

A young Michael Jackson on stage in London circa 1974. London, England - 1974 Where: London, United Kingdom When: 26 Jun 1974

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson impersonator, Las Vegas and Michael Jackson Saturday 21st August 2010 AFAN's 24th Annual Black & White Party at The Joint inside The Hard Rock Hotel Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada

Michael Jackson Impersonator, Las Vegas and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson Quick Links

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Michael Jackson

Date of birth

29th August, 1958

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.75






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Michael Jackson Movies

Michael Jackson's This Is It Movie Review

Michael Jackson's This Is It Movie Review

Since no one will ever see the epic show, the next best thing is this...

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