story of a legend
Antonio Oroian
Michael Jackson was an American singer, dancer, songwriter and actor. His contributions to music, made him a
global figure in popular culture for over four decades. Being a
controversial person, I would try to present the less known
things about the man and the artist.
Early years
Michael Jackson was born on August 29th,
1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the 7th child of
Joseph and Katherine Jackson, the others 9 brothers
being Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, LaToya,
Marlon,Brandon(Marlon's twin,died at birth), Randy
and Janet.
Both Joseph and Katherine were musical: he
was a bluesman who played guitar, she was a
country-western fan who played clarinet and piano.
Michael feels he inherited his singing ability from
5-year-old Michael
his mother, who was holding him in arms and
singing many songs. Katherine has said that she was so affected by her parents divorce and
the fact that she was raised in a broken home, she promised herself once she found a husband,
she would stay married to him, no matter what circumstances may come their way.
The couple moved in Gary, Indiana. The all 11 Jacksons, lived on 2300 Jackson street
in a very small house, which was "no bigger than a garage" said Michael. Katherine and
Joseph shared one bedroom with a double bed. The boys slept in the only other bedroom in a
triple bed, Tito and Jermaine sharing a bed on top, Marlon and Michael in the middle, and
Jackie alone on the bottom. The three girls slept on a convertible sofa in the living room.
When Randy was born, he slept on a second couch. In the cold winter months, the family
would huddle together in the kitchen in front of the open oven.
Being very rough, Joseph believed in value and impact of brute force as a disciplinary
tool. Michael often spoke about abuses he suffered from his father. Michael was a very
sensitive child, his mother remembers that she always saw him being different to the others
children of her. He was abused as a child, his father often punished and beated him. He
remembers that he was more faster than his brothers and he often escaped from his father
hands but his brothers received many fights.
After an incident, when Joseph caught Tito playing guitar with a broke string, he
decided to create a music group. Tito, Jermaine and Jackie showed interest in singing and
formed their own group. Later, 5-year-old Marlon, joined the group in 1962.
In 1963, at the age of five, Michael Jackson began attending Garnett Elementary
School. At those times, were organised many talent shows in schools. During a show like
this, Michael perfomed 'Climb Every Mountain' from The Sound of Music. Joseph, Katherine
and Samuel (Michael's grandfather) attended the show. Michael's performance was amazing
and he received a standing-ovation. The audience was impressed by his talent and his selfconfidence, Samuel being moved to tears by his grandson performance. Katherine realized
that Michael was a special child.
abused by his father, he sometimes had nightmares such how his father will enter his room
and scary him while Michael is sleeping.
Berry Gordy was interested in signing The Jackson Five to the label, and then outlined the
relationship he hoped the label will develop with the Jackson youngsters. Joseph must have
felt like he was dreaming... Ralph Seltzer quickly set up the contract. Joseph called his boys
into the office. We got it, boys, he announced. Oh, man, that's too much! We're on
Motown! We got us a contract! They all began jumping up and down and hugging each
other. So, on 26 July 1968, in small, barely legible handwriting, Michael signed the deal:
Michael Joseph Jackson.
Gordy, he said, you and I need to talk. Michael and Berry arranged to meet at the Gordy
estate in Bel Air on 14 May 1975. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done,
Michael would recall. We're all unhappy, Mr Gordy, he said, according to his memory. Do
you really want us to leave Motown? Well, Michael, someone as smart as you, Berry began,
should know that without Motown, The Jackson 5 would still be in Gary, Indiana, today. In
Michael's eyes, Berry Gordy was a hero. He respected him and admired the tenacity with
which he had transformed The Jackson 5 of Gary, Indiana, from local music group to
international superstars. He thought of Berry as one of the smartest men he had ever known
and was amazed by the way he made Motown such an international success story. Berry was
an inspiration to Michael. To hear him now say that the Jackson family was being unfair to
him,was difficult for Michael. I can promise you this, Berry concluded, I won't do anything
to hurt you or your family. The night after Michael's meeting with Berry, Joseph hold a group
meeting in the living room of their Encino home. Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Michael and Joseph
voted unanimously to leave Motown. If we stay at Motown, Joseph concluded, we lose.
And we're not losing. Because Jermaine married with Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel, he
decided to remain at
Motown. Young
Randy took his place
in the group.
Ron
Alexenberg, president
of Epic, and,
ironically enough, a
former protege of
Motown's Ewart
Abner, was interested
in signing The
Jackson 5.
Ron Alexenburg told
Walter Yetnikoff,
The Jacksons at Congressional Black Caus
president of CBS
Records, that he wanted to sign The Jackson 5 immediately. Walter was sceptical. They
haven't been hot in a long time, he said. And now look at them. They're into this kitschy,
Vegas thing. Trust me, Ron told him, according to his memory. This group isn't finished. It
hasn't even begun yet. Michael was amazed by the contract CBS offered the family. He had
no idea that the group worthed so much. He had to admire his father's tenacity. I had to admit
it, Michael later noted, this was one incredible record deal. My father did an amazing job for
us. It seemed, at first, that leaving Motown would be easier than Joseph think it would be.
Berry Gordy have done nothing to prevent their leaving; he was preoccupied with Motown's
film business, anyway, and didn't seem too distracted by the fact that The Jackson 5 was
leaving the company.
On Monday 30 June 1975, Joseph Jackson arranged a press conference to announce
the family's new affiliation with CBS. With over eight months still to run on the Motown
contracts, Joseph seemed more eager than ever to leave Motown.
When Joseph signed the boys to CBS-TV to do a television series in 1976, Michael
made it clear that he didn't want to participate. However, he was outvoted. The Jacksons was a
thirty minutes programme that run for four weeks featuring the family, with celebrity gueststars. The first episode, aired 16 June 1976. As in the family's Las Vegas act, LaToya, Janet
and Rebbie participated in the series, too.
The first Jacksons album for CBS, The Jacksons, was released in the spring of 1977,
on the Epic label. The album had a lot going for it. Blues Away, one of the first songs
Michael had ever written, and Style of Life, written by the brothers, were both included. The
Jacksons spawn one big hit for the group, Enjoy Yourself, their first single for Epic.
Press speculations
About Michael's personal life there were made many speculations. By the time he
turned ninteen, he was one of the most known entertainers, being the idol of many young
girls.
Because of his high-pitched voice or his dance moves, Michael's sexuality has been
subject of speculations. Michael has dealing with tabloid press for many years and this thing
began when an untruth appeared in press: Michael is going to have a sex-change. When heard
about that story, he became very upset and sad on press.
He didn't understand why people think he is homosexual. "It is my voice?" he asked
once. "Is it because I have a soft voice? I don't understand it!" Michael became subconciously
scared about this problem. He became very shy and embarrased to meet people. This problem
was so bad for him that it messed his whole personality.
Michael at the age of 19
'The Wiz'
By 1977, when he turned ninteen, Michael wanted to begin to take his own decisions
regarding his future, just as his mentor Diana Ross who was determined to be a film actress.
Motown acquired "The Wiz" a musical based on The Wonderful World of The Oz, by
L.Frank Baum. Diana was casted to play as Dorothy and the director wanted Michael for the
role of Scarecrow. Joseph Jackson felt that this step of Michael will be a mistake and warn
him about this thing. Michael decided to follow his heart and accepted the role. During the
production, there was a kind of tensions between Michael and Diana, because Michael wasl
learning the dance-steps very quicly while Diana needed hours of rehearseals to learn the
steps. Diana felt embarrased about this aspect.Anyway, The Wiz became a critical failure and
a box-office disappointment.
Michael in 1981
show. Berry Gordy tried to convince Michael to join his brothers. But Michael had one
condition: to have a solo spot during the show. Gordy accepted, think that Michael will
perform "Got to be there" or "Ben", but Michael had a very special surprise. During the show,
Jacksons performed medley with the most popular songs of them. All the brothers seemed to
be very happy being together. After this performance, Michael remains alone on stage.
Wearing black sequined jacket with cuffs that matched the silver sequined shirt, the white
glitter socks that peeped from beneath the just-abovethe- ankle black trousers, the shiny black
penny loafers. And of course, there was the single left-handed white glove with its handsewn
rhinestones. I have to say those were the good old days. I love those
songs, he said of the medley. Those were magic moments with
all my brother, including Jermaine. Michael began pacing the
stage, his hand in his pocket, talking as though he were just
voicing some thoughts that happened to pop into his head. Actually, he was walking to the
side of the stage to sneak the fedora into his hand. But, uh, you know, he continued, those
were the good songs. I like those songs a lot. But especially, I like, he was centre stage by
this time, facing the audience, the new songs, The audience knew what was coming. They
began calling out for Billie Jean. As the funk-infused guitar riff of Billie Jean began,
Michael went into his routine. He threw the hat aside with a graceful flourish, the audience
went wild. He moved constantly. Even when he was standing still, he seemed to be moving.
Michael's brothers stood in the wings, their mouths open. His parents and sisters sat in the
audience, spellbound. The whole of Michael's performance was spellbinding, but during a
brief instrumental interlude, he executed a combination of moves that would seal his
reputation as a dance legend. He commenced with a series of split-second locking moves and
poses before gliding across the stage via his now-famous sleek and graceful moonwalk, a
reversed syncopated glide, heading forwards and sliding backwards at the same time. The
moonwalk gave way to that equally renowned spin, now refined, after years of practice, to
tornado speed and then, immediately, he was up on his toes. Nobody but Michael Jackson
could dance like that and the audience went wild.
Recordsman
On 7 February Michael was inducted
into the Guinness Book of Records during a
ceremony at the American Museum of Natural
History in New York City, in recognition of
Thriller having broken all records for album
sales at twenty-five million copies.
On Tuesday, 28 February 1984, Grammy
night, the scene at the Shrine Auditorium in Los
Angeles was one of pure pandemonium. When
twenty-fiveyear- old Michael Jackson arrived
Michael with Brooke Shields, 1984
for his coronation as king of the pop music
world, he wore a spangled uniform with epaulets and the rhinestoned glove on his right hand.
With him was Brooke
Shields. Indeed, when Michael and Brooke arrived in a white Rolls-Royce just moments
before the ceremony began, there was such hysteria from the fans one might have thought
they were visiting royals. Comedienne Joan Rivers noted in an explanation of how the votes
were tabulated, The reason we're reading the rules is so that all the losers will know why they
lost to Michael Jackson.
That night, Michael made Grammy history when he won eight
awards out of a possible ten wins on twelve nominations (three of his nominations were in
one category).
Awarded by US President
President of the US, Ronald Reagan, decided to award Michael for his contribution as
humanitarian. The presentation was set for 14 May 1984. It had started out as an exciting day.
Michael appeared resplendent in an electric-blue sequined jacket adorned with sequined braid,
a sequined gold sash, and sequined gold epaulets. He also wore his trademark single white,
rhinestoned glove.
Once at the podium, the President noted that Michael was proof of what a person can
accomplish through a lifestyle free of alcohol or drug abuse. People young and old respect
that. And if Americans follow his example, then we can face up to the problem
of drinking and driving, and we can, in Michael's words, beat it. After the President handed
him a plaque, the only words Michael nervously spoke, or whispered, rather, were, I'm very,
very honoured. Thank you very much, Mr President. A pause. Oh, and Mrs Reagan, too, he
added as an afterthought. Then,
he giggled as if it suddenly
occurred to him that yes, he
really was standing there with
the President of the United
States. before they left, the
entourage was given a special
tour of the White House;
Michael was fascinated by a
portrait of Andrew Jackson in a
military jacket very much like
the bluesequinned one he wore
that day.
Michael at The White House, 1984
Health problems
Michael, who had dropped to 105 pounds from his normal weight of 125 pounds, the
skinniest he had ever been, looked as if he was under a great deal of stress. He's a health nut,
said his cousin Tim Whitehead, a roadie on the tour. People don't know that the reason he's a
vegetarian is not so much because of what meat does to a person, but because he can't stand
the idea of having an animal killed so he can have dinner. I've often wondered how he gets by
on the little food he does eat.
Also, Michael was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus. Vitiligo is a disease which
destroy the pigmentation of the skin. This is the reason why Michael became so whiter. The
rumours that Michael bleached his skin are not true. He was very proud of his race.
Going BAD
At twenty-seven years of age,
Michael Jackson faced the
challenge of recording an
album that would top the
tremendous success of
Thriller. Could he do it? Could
anyone? In the summer of
1986, when he began working
on the follow-up album, which
would be called Bad, Michael
put himself under enormous
pressure. Interestingly,
Michael cannot read music. He Michael on the cover of 'Bad' album
writes his songs in his head,
sings them on to a tape, and then hires musicians to put
them down on paper. He is an incredibly musical person, however.
Finally, in July 1987, Michael Jackson's Bad was released to the public. In September
1987, the month his Bad tour kicked off in Tokyo, People published a cover story on Michael
with the headline, Michael Jackson: He's Black. He's Bad. Is This Guy Weird, Or What?
Because of such adverse publicity, Michael's tour had a shaky start. Michael thought the act
still needed work, but he had no choice but to begin the schedule. The dates were set.
Therefore, in September 1987, he reluctantly began what would end up being an
exhausting, eighteen-month-long
world tour. Michael stated at the
end of the tour, that he never
going in another tour.
Michael is Dangerous
Being disappointed because 'Bad' has not been sold in as many copies
as 'Thriller', Michael decided to make a new album. After finish his
'Bad' Tour in January 1989, he started working on a new album.
Michael
announcing his
new tour, 1992
In 1991, after
Michael renewed his
contract with Sony for $65 milion, a
record-breaking deal at the time, he
released his new album 'Dangerous which
was sold in 30 million copies now. Michael
incorporating a newer genre, new jack
Michael with G.Bush, at White House,
swing. Lyrical themes expressed in the
album included racism, poverty, paranoia, 1991
romance and self-improvement.
In 1992, Michael founded 'Heal the World' foundation. It purpose was to provide
medicine to children and fight world hunger. Altough he said that he never go on a new tour,
Michael announces in March 1992, start of a new world tour, Dangerous Tour, which purpose
is to raise funds for his foundation.The tour ran from June 27, 1992 to November 11, 1993.
This 'Dangerous' Era is meaned to be Michael's best.
In 1992, HBO paid $20milion to broadcast Michael's concert in Bucharest,
Romania.
1993 debuted with Oprah Winfrey interviewing Michael at Neverland. This
interviewed was viewed by millions of people. It was the Michael first public interview in
which he talked about his childhood, his sexuality and controversies. Days later, Michael
performed in half-time show at
Superbowl, being the best
Superbowl half-time show ever.
Making HIStory
In 1995, Michael released his most
ambitious project, a new album: HIStory:
Past, Present and Future Book 1 and 2. This
double-disc album was a great success given
the problems that Michael had. He promoted
this album,going on a new world tour,
HIStory Tour. Beside tour, were created few
statues of Michael, a energy drink and many
other things to promote this album.
In September 1995, Michael
perfomed at MTV Video Music Awards. His
performance it's said to be the best ever at
MTV Video Music Awards.
HIstory album is special because the single 'Scream' is a duet of Michael with his
sister Janet.Also, the music video of 'Scream' is the most expensive ever being $7 milion.
Michael
at the
filmming
Michael
filmming
of 'Childhood'
music
'HIStory' teaser
video
In 1997, Michael and the Jacksons were inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.
Michael joined Nelson Mandela in 1999, for a charity, making two concerts in
Munich and Seoul named Michael Jackson& Friends.
Michael amicaly divorced to Debbie Rowe,in 1999, and he will have the
custody of the children.
Invincible
In 1997, Michael started recordings from
a new album. These sessions would result in the
album Invincible, released in October
2001. Invincible was Jackson's first full-length
album in six years, and it would be the last album
of new material he released while still alive. The
release of the album was preceded by a dispute
between Jackson and his record label,Sony Music
Entertainment. Jackson had expected the licenses
to the masters of his albums to revert to him
sometime in the early 2000s. Once he had the
Cover of 'Invincible' album
licenses, he would be able to promote the
material however he pleased and keep all the profits. However, due to various clauses in the
contract, the revert date turned out to be many years away. Jackson discovered that the
attorney who represented him in the deal was also representing Sony.Jackson was also
concerned about the fact that for a number of years, Sony had been pressuring him to sell his
share in their music catalog venture. Jackson feared that Sony might have a conflict of
interest, since if Jackson's career failed, he would have to sell his share of the catalog at a low
price. Jackson sought an early exit from his contract.
In March 2001, Michael was inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
In September 2001, Michael held two anniversary shows at MSG, celebrating 30 years
of solo career. Jackson appeared onstage alongside his brothers for the first time since 1984. The show
also featured performances by Mya, Usher, Whitney Houston, NSYNC, Destiny's Child, Monica, Luther
Vandross, and Slash, among other artists. After 9/11 attacks, Michael help organize United We Stand: What
More Can I Give benefit concert where he sang What More Can I Give as the final performance.
Michael at his
induction in
Rock&Roll Hall of
Fame, 2001
Michael at 30th
Anniversary
Celebration of his
solo career
Comeback
In March 2009, Michael held a press conference at London's O2 Arena and announced
a series of comeback concerts titled This Is It. The shows would be Jackson's first major series
of concerts since the HIStory World Tour finished in 1997. Michael suggested possible
retirement after the shows, he said it would be his "final curtain call". He rehearsed in Los
Angeles in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of choreographer Kenny
Ortega. Most of these rehearsals took place at the Staples Center, which was owned by
AEG. The concerts would have commenced on July 13, 2009, and finished on March 6, 2010.
Less than three weeks before the first show was due to begin in London and with all concerts
being sold out, Michael died after suffering cardiac arrest. On October 28, 2009, a
documentary film about the rehearsals titled Michael Jackson's This Is It was released.
The unexpected
` Since he started
Tour, Michael had problems
anesthezics to sleep better.
death
rehearsing for 'This is it'
with sleeping. He many
On June 24 2009, Michael rehearsed at Staples Center. Witnesess said that he looked very
good and energic. Rehearsal last until midnight.
The day after, Michael didn't come out of his bedroom. Conrad Murray, Michael's personal
doctor, entered the room and found him not breathing. He began CPR but realized that he had
to call 911. Michael was took to the hospital and was resuscitated more than hour,
unsuccesfull. He was pronounced dead at 2.26 p.m.
A public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on July 7, where Jackson
had rehearsed on June 24, the day before he died. The service was broadcast live around the
world, and was believed to have been watched by up to 2.5 billion people. His brothers each
wore a single, white, sparkling glove, while Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Lionel
Richie,Jermaine Jackson and others sang his songs. Jackson's then 11-year-old daughter,
Paris, broke down as she told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has
been the best father you could ever imagine ... and I just want to say I love him... so much."
Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."
Bibliography
J.Randy Tarraboreli - Michael Jackson "The Magic and the Madness"
Summary
EARLY YEARS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
MICHAEL JOINS THE GROUP-------------------------------------------------------------------4
THE JACKSONS SIGN WITH MOTOWN--------------------------------------------------------5
LIVING THE DREAM----------------------------------------------------------------------------7
MOVING TO CBS RECORDS------------------------------------------------------------------8
PRESS SPECULATIONS-----------------------------------------------------------------------10
'THE WIZ'------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
'OFF THE WALL'------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
THE BEST-SELLING ALBUM.. OF ALL TIME--------------------------------------------------13
'MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER'-------------------------------------------------------13
RECORDSMAN----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
MICHAEL APPROACH A NEW MANAGER-----------------------------------------------------16
AWARDED BY US PRESIDENT---------------------------------------------------------------16
HEALTH PROBLEMS--------------------------------------------------------------------------17
'WE ARE THE WORLD'----------------------------------------------------------------------17
GOING BAD---------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
NEVERLAND, MICHAEL'S PARADISE--------------------------------------------------------19
MICHAEL IS DANGEROUS--------------------------------------------------------------------20
FIRST CHILD-ABUSE ALLEGATIONS----------------------------------------------------------21
MARRIAGE WITH LISA-MARIE PRESLEY----------------------------------------------------22
MAKING HISTORY---------------------------------------------------------------------------23
SECOND MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN---------------------------------------------------------24
INVINCIBLE-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------25
SECOND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS----------------------------------------------26
COMEBACK-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------27
THE UNEXPECTED DEATH--------------------------------------------------------------------28
BIBLIOGRAPHY-------------------------------------------------------------------------------29