Last week I was going through my archived songs, and a song by an icon played. I did a research on him. Right there I knew I was going to steem it. I realised that the world had lost not just a singer, but a musical legend. A gifted man in so many ways. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you the king of pop, Michael Joseph Jackson.
What do you know about Michael Jackson? What made him legendary? What can we learn from this icon? This article sheds light on the King of Pop.
Born in August 29,1958 in Gary, Indiana, United States, Michael Jackson was the eight child.of the Jackson family. His parents were Joe and Katherine Jackson.
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He began his music career in 1964, when he joined his siblings in the Jackson 5. During which time, Michael Jackson played lead role in some of their major hit songs. In 1971, Michael Jackson began his solo career with Motown records. Because of his distinctive voice, Michael Jackson grew to stardom as early as in the 1980's. He was an incredible stage performer too.
Michael Jackson's music videos such as "Beat it", "Thriller", "Billie Jean", were music videos which helped MTV attain its fame. I am also sure we know the album "Bad". But did you know that the album 'Bad' topped the U.S Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. The album was the first to have 5 number one singles in the nation. The sing Thriller remains the best selling album of all time, making over 66 million copies sold nation wide. Michael Jackson was reknowned as a touring solo artist.
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Michael Jackson won hundreds of awards. He was ranked as the most awarded recording artist in the history of pop music. His awards included 13 Grammy awards , 26 American music awards, Artist of the century award, Guiness world record as most successful entertainer of all time and a host of other awards.
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We all remember Michael Jackson for his self-invented and complicated dance techniques such as " the moon walk" and "the robot", moves he named himself. In fact many were eager to attend his concerts and stage performances because of his essentric dance moves. Michael Jackson's distinctive voice and dance moves have influenced and inspired both artists and non artists alike.
Michael Jackson was also a philanthropist. He helped raise funds through his music for about 36 charities.
Things took a twisted turn for Michael Jackson in 1993 and 2005, when he was accused for child abuse. However the court in both cases found him not guilty on all counts. But the rigours and stress of court appearances and all that ,had a toll on Michael Jackson. Despite the set back, Michael Jackson was no quiter.
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He made preparations for a huge come back he entitled " This Is It. Tickets were already being sold in London, where the concert was to hold.
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Sadly though, during the preparations , Michael Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication on June 25, 2009. He survived by 3 children , from spouses Lisa Marie Presley ( married in 1994 and divorced in 1996), and Debbie Rowe(married in 1996 and divorced in 1999). Michael Jackson's death broke my heart, as well as the heart of billions of his fans worldwide.
Even after his death, Forbes ranked his as the top earning deceased celebrity for the fifth year in 2017.
Despite the fact that Michael Jackson's personal life, such as his child-like behavior, his changing appearance, and his relationships, brought a lot of controversies, Michael Jackson remained a person we love, a preacher with a message of peace in his music, an icon for all time and the only Michael Jackson the world has ever produced.
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M.J's life teaches a lesson: despite the challenges he faced, whole growing up and even as an adult, he never gave up, until he died. He kept doing his thing and reached beyond stardom. In Michael Jackson's words; "Don't stop until you get enough".
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- Greenbury,Zach O'Malley (October 30,2017) "The top earning celebrities of 2017". Forbes
- Michael Jackson's Secret Childhood VH1 June 20, 2008.
- Cocks,Jay(March 19,1984), "Why He's a Thriller". Time.