Michael Jackson Essay Example for Free

Michael Jackson Essay Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, entertainer and recording artist. Referred to as the King of Pop, he is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time, and one of the most influential. His contributions to music, dance and fashion,[1] and a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. Alongside his brothers, Jackson made his debut in 1964 as lead singer and youngest member of The Jackson 5. His solo career began in 1971. His 1982 album Thriller sold more than 110 million copies, and remains the best-selling album ever; while several of his other albums rank among the worlds best-sellers. Jackson is credited with having elevated the music video from mere promotional tool into an art form. His videos for Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller made him the first African American artist to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. He popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical style, vocal style, and choreography continue to transcended generational, racial and cultural boundaries. Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the eighth of ten children to an African American working-class family, in Gary, Indiana, an industrial suburb of Chicago. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a devout Jehovahs Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter Joe Jackson, a steel mill worker who performed with an RB band called The Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and six brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Brandon (Marlons twin brother, who died shortly after birth)[7] and Randy.[8] In 1982, Jackson contributed the song Someone In the Dark to the storybook for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial; the record won a Grammy for Best Album for Children.[27] That same year Jackson issued his second Epic album, Thriller, which surprisingly became the most commercially successful album of all time with nearly no promotion. The album remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks and 37 of those weeks at the peak position. It was the first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including Billie Jean, Beat It, and Wanna Be Startin Somethin.[28] Thriller was certified for 29 million shipments by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond status in the United States. It is the best-selling album of all time in the United States.[29] It was, and currently remains, the best-selling album of all time, with 110 million copies worldwide. Jacksons popularity would soar further. On March 25, 1983, he performed live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special, both with The Jackson 5 and on his own singing Billie Jean. Wearing a distinctive sequined glove, he debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk, which former Soul Train dancer and Shalamar member, Jeffrey Daniel had taught him 3 years before. His performances during the event were seen by 47 million viewers. On January 27, 1984, Michael and other members of the Jacksons filmed a Pepsi Cola commercial, overseen by executive Philip Dusenberry,[37] at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. In front of a full house of fans during a simulated concert, pyrotechnics accidentally set Jacksons hair on fire. He suffered second-degree burns to his scalp. Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars on his scalp, and he also had his third rhinoplasty shortly thereafter.[21] Jackson never recovered from this injury. Jackson died on June 25, 2009 from a drug overdose, amidst preparations for his This Is It concert series. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled his death a homicide. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. The History of Michael Jackson. [online]. Available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_jackson 2 March 2010. â€Å"Encyclopedia of world Biography†. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 17 vols. Student Resource Center – Junior. Gale. Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library. 2 March 2010.