Singer - Michael Jackson Biography

Michael Jackson Pop singer

Birth Name : Michael Joseph Jackson

Nicknames : The Gloved One,Wacko Jacko,Jacko

King Of Pop,MJ,Smelly,Applehead,Mike,Mikey

Birth Date : August 29, 1958

Years Active - 1968–2009

Birth Place : Gary, Indiana, USA

Claim to fame : Album "Off the Wall" (1979)

Parents - Joseph Walter Jackson,Katherine Esther Scruse

Spouse

Debbie Rowe (14 November 1996 - 8 October 1999) (divorced) (2 children)

Lisa Marie Presley (26 May 1994 - 18 January 1996) (divorced)

Died : June 25, 2009, Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States

Cause Of Death - Cardiac arrest

Children : Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, Prince Michael Jackson II, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr.

Siblings : Janet Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Randy Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Brandon Jackson, Joh'Vonnie Jackson

Michael Jackson Biography

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.

Michael Jackson's 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.

Michael Jackson's 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.

Michael Jackson's 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.

Michael Jackson's 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.

Michael Jackson's 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.

Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts at London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June 2009, this film was produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his planned final London shows.

Michael Jackson Filmography

THIS IS IT (2009)

Bad 25 InfoBad 25 (2012)

Miss Cast Away (2004) Miss Castaway and the Island Girls

Space Channel 5: Part 2 (2002) - VG

Men in Black II (2002) MIIB

Space Channel 5 (1999) - VG

Ghosts (1997) Michael Jackson's Ghosts

Bad (1987) - VI

Captain EO (1986)

Captain EO Promo & Pre-show (1986)

Thriller (1983) - VI Michael Jackson's Thriller

The Wiz (1978)

Wiz on Down the Road (1978)

Michael Jackson Awards

AASA Humanitarian Awards

2004
Won Humanitarian Award
category For his efforts particularly in Africa

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

1979
Got nomination for Saturn Award
category Best Supporting Actor for The Wiz (1978/I)

African-American Film Critics Association Awards

2009
Won Special Achievement

American Music Awards

2009
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Album for "Number Ones"

2009
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

2009
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Album for "Number Ones"

2009
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist

2009
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Artist of the Year

2002
Won AMA Artist of the Century Award

1996
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist

1996
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist

1996
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

1994
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist

1994
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

1993
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Album for "Dangerous"

1993
Won AMA International Artist Award

1993
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Remember The Time"

1993
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Album for "Dangerous"

1993
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

1993
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist

1988
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Single Soul/R&B

1984
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Pop/Rock Album for "Thriller"

1984
Got nomination for American Music Awards
category Favorite Soul/R&B Album for "Thriller"

1984
Got nomination for American Music Award
category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

1981
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Album Soul/R&B for "Off The Wall"

1981
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Male Vocalist Soul/R&B

1980
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Male Soul Artist

1980
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Soul Album for "Off The Wall"

1980
Won American Music Award
category Favorite Soul Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"

Annual Gold Star Awards

1972
Won Annual Gold Star Award
category Best Singer

1972
Won Annual Gold Star Award
category Best Single Of The Year for "Rockin' Robin"

Billboard Awards

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Artist Of The Year

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Dance/Disco 12" LP for "Beat It"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Dance/Disco 12" LP for "Billie Jean"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Black Album for "Thriller"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Black Singles Artist

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Black Album Artist for "Thriller"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Male Singles Artist

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Male Album Artist for "Thriller"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Singles Artist

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Album Artist for "Thriller"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Dance/ Disco Artist

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Pop Album of the Year for "Thriller"

1983
Won Billboard Award
category Black Artist Of The Year

1980
Won Billboard Award
category Top Black Artist of The Year

1980
Won Billboard Award
category Black Album Of The Year for "Off The wall"

Billboard Magazine Awards

1972
Won Billboard Magazine Award
category Top Singles Artist

1972
Won Billboard Magazine Award
category Top Singles Male Vocalist of the year

Billboard Video Awards

1983
Won Billboard Video Award
category Best Performance by a Male Artist

1983
Won Billboard Video Award
category Best Overall Video for "Beat It"

1983
Won Billboard Video Award
category Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist's Song for "Beat It"

1983
Won Billboard Video Award
category Best Use Of Video To Enhance Artist's Image for "Beat It"

Black Gold Awards

1983
Won Black Gold Award
category Top Male Vocalist

1983
Won Black Gold Award
category Best Album for "Thriller"

1983
Won Black Gold Award
category Best Single of the Year for "Billie Jean"

1983
Won Black Gold Award
category Best Video Performance for "Beat It"

1983
Won Black Radio Artist Of The Year Award


Black Radio Exclusive Awards

1983
Won Black Radio Exclusive Award
category Artist Of The Year

BMI Urban Awards

2003
Won BMI Urban Award
category Best song for "Butterflies"

Brit Awards

2010
Got nomination for Brit Award
category The BRITs Hits 30 for "Earth Song"

CableACE Awards

1989
Got nomination for ACE Award
category Music Special for Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (1988) (V)
shared with Suzanne De Passe (executive producer); Burl Hechtman (producer)

Emmy Awards

1990
Got nomination for Emmy
category Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics (For the song "You Were There") for Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990) (TV)
shared with Buz Kohan (composer/lyricist)

Golden Apple Awards

1996
Got nomination for Sour Apple


Grammy Awards

2011
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "This Is It"

2002
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "You Rock My World"

1997
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Music Video, Short Form for "Earth Song"

1996
Won Grammy Award
category Best Music Video, Short Form for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1996
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1996
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "You Are Not Alone"

1996
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Album of the Year for "HIStory Past Present & Future"

1993
Won Living Legend Award

1993
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best R&B Song for "Jam"
shared with Rene Moore; Bruce Swedien; Teddy Riley

1993
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male for "Black Or White"

1993
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Black Or White"

1990
Won Grammy Award
category Best Music Video, Short Form for "Leave Me Alone"

1990
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Music Video, Long Form for "Moonwalker"

1989
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Record of the Year for "Man In The Mirror"

1988
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Album of the Year for "Bad"

1988
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Bad"

1986
Won Grammy Award
category Song of the Year for "We Are The World"
shared with Lionel Richie

1986
Won Grammy Award
category Record of the Year for "We Are The World"

1986
Won Grammy Award
category Best Music Video Short Form

1986
Won Grammy Award
category Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group" for "We Are The World"
shared with USA For Africa

1985
Won Grammy Award
category Best Video, Long Form for "Making Michael Jackson's Thriller"

1985
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming"
shared with Jermaine Jackson

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best Producer of the Year
shared with Quincy Jones

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best Recording For Children for "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" Storybook Album

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best Rock Vocal Performance - Male (from Album "Thriller ") for "Beat It"

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best R&B Song (from Album "Thriller ") for "Billie Jean"

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Album of the Year for "Thriller"

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Record of the Year (from Album "Thriller") for "Beat It"

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Thriller"

1984
Won Grammy Award
category Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male (from Album "Thriller ") for "Billie Jean"

1984
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "The Girl Is Mine"
shared with Paul McCartney

1984
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Song of the Year for "Billie Jean"

1984
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Song of the Year for "Beat It"

1980
Won Grammy Award
category Best R&B Performance for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"

1980
Got nomination for Grammy Award
category Best Disco Recording for "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"

1971
Won Grammy Award
category Best Pop Song for "ABC"

MTV Movie Awards

1994
Won MTV Movie Award
category Best Movie Song (For the song: "Will You Be There") for Free Willy (1993)

MTV Video Music Awards

1995
Won MTV Video Music Award
category Best Dance Video for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1995
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Video of the Year for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1995
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Best R&B Video for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1995
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Breakthrough Video for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1995
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Viewer's Choice for "Scream"
shared with Janet Jackson

1988
Won MTV Video Vanguard Award

1984
Won MTV Video Music Award
category Best Overall Video for "Thriller"

1984
Won MTV Video Music Award
category Best Viewer's Choice for "Thriller"

1984
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Video of the Year for "Thriller"

1984
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Best Male Video for "Thriller"

1984
Got nomination for MTV Video Music Award
category Best Concept Video for "Thriller"

MTV Video Music Awards Japan

2006
Won MTV Japan Legend Award

NAACP Image Awards

2013
Got nomination for NAACP Image Award
category Outstanding Album for "Bad - 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition"

2002
Won NAACP Image Award
category Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special for Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (2001) (TV)

1994
Won NAACP Image Special Award
category Entertainer of the Year

O Music Awards

2011
Won O Music Award
category Best Fan Forum

Power of Oneness Lifetime Achievement Awards

2003
Won Power of Oneness Lifetime Achievement Award
category For his commitment to writing, singing, and speaking about the need to take responsibility for the world's children and making our world a better place.

Radio Music Awards

2003
Won Humanitarian Award

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2001
Won Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
category Performer

Songwriters Hall of Fame

2002
Won Songwriters Hall of Fame

Soul Train Awards

2011
Got nomination for Soul Train Award
category Record of the Year for "Hold My Hand"
shared with Akon

Soul Train Music Awards

2009
Won Soul Train Music Award
category Entertainer of the Year

1993
Won Soul Train Music Award
category Best R&B Album, Male for "Dangerous"

1993
Won Soul Train Humanitarian of the Year Award

1993
Won Soul Train Music Award
category Best Single, Male for "Remember The Time"

Teen Choice Awards

2010
Got nomination for Teen Choice Award
category Choice Movie: Dance for This Is It (2009)

World Music Awards

2006
Won World Music Diamond Award

2000
Won WMA Best Selling Male Pop Artist of the Millennium Award