Michael Jackson: Music, Child Sexual Abuse & Death

The entertainment industry entirely rules over today’s world, may it be the cinema or the music industry. Hardly, few names contributed to establishing music and dance as a business; their contributions have made it through generations. One such name in the industry is Michael Jackson, whose name is a brand.

He is a phenomenal singer, a legendary dancer, and a songwriter cherished by every music and dance lover. As a result, the artist is entitled “King of Pop” in the world of pop music, and he is the creator of the world-famous dance style, “Moonwalk.”

Music and dance are the heart and soul of these entertainment industries. Undoubtedly, this intensifies the effect of the art on the audience.

Even in the 20th century, he is always entitled as one of the most significant cultural figures. Altogether, he established the dance culture, taking the art of dance to a respectable level as a profession.

Michael Jackson is famous around the globe for his dance style and his music videos. Every single child on the streets is aware of the dance style.

Similarly, the people worship him as the god of modern dance. Obviously, he inspired people to create a dance style of their own, and he truly made people love to dance.

Quick facts about Michael Jackson

Here are some quick facts to know about Michael Jackson.

Full Name	Michael Joseph Jackson
Known as	Michael Jackson (MJ)
Nickname	King of Pop, Mike, Mikey, MJ
Other names	Michael Joe Jackson
Date of birth	August 29, 1958
Place of birth	Gary, Indiana, United States
Years lived	50 years
Date of death	June 25, 2009
Place of death	Los Angeles, California, United States
Cause of death	Cardiac arrest
Burial	Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
Marital Status	Divorced
Spouse	Lisa Marie Presley (married- 1994; divorced- 1996) Debbie Rowe (married- 1996; divorced- 1999)
Number of children	3
Name of children	Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Jackson, Prince Michael Jackson II
Father’s name	Joe Jackson (also known as Joseph Walter)
Mother’s name	Katherine Jackson
Siblings	8
Gender	Male (controversial)
Horoscope	Virgo
Favorite color	Red and black
Favorite sport	Basketball
Favorite number	7
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Dark
Skin color	White
Height	5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Weight	60 kgs (132 lbs)
Religion	Christianity
Nationality	American
Profession	Singer, Songwriter and composer, dancer, philanthropist
Genres	Pop, rock, soul, funk, dance-pop, new jack swing,  rhythm, and blues
Years active	1964-2009
Dance styles	Moonwalk, robot
Awards	16 GRAMMYS, 6 Brit Awards, 5 Billboards, 24 AMAs, 16 Guinness World Records
Music Labels	Steeltown, Epic, Motown, Legacy, MJJ production, Sony
Net worth	$500 million
Website	www.michaeljackson.com
Social media	YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Merch	The Journey, This Is It, ‘Thriller’ T-Shirt, Curly Wig, Signed MICHAEL JACKSON Autograph Letter
Last Update	April, 2024

Definitely, it isn’t easy to earn the love and respect of everyone around the world. One must have that personality and put effort into their life to earn such massive love and respect as Michael Jackson.

Early life and childhood of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, to an African-American working-class family.  His father formed a band along with his brothers, and that’s how the Jackson brothers’ musical journey began.

The name of the band was ‘The Jackson Brothers” in 1964, which was later changed to ‘The Jackson Five’ in 1966.

He attended a public grammar school in Gary, Indiana, until the age of 11 years old. Later, he left school to continue working for the band and was tutored privately five days a week for 3 hours. As a child, Micheal  Jackson was an introverted and reserved person.

Later, the artist graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School. Jackson used to say his youth was lonely and isolated.

According to Michael and his mother, his father was a strict disciplinarian and physically and emotionally abused him during his rehearsals.

Family and personal life of Michael Jackson

MJ was born as the eighth outspring of the Jackson family. His father is Joseph Walter “Joe” Jackson is a former boxer and used to work as a crane operator at a steel industry, U.S. Steel.

Besides, Joe used to play guitar with a local band named Rhythm and blues, the Falcons, to support his family.

His mother’s name is Katherine Esther Jackson. She played clarinet and piano and worked part-time at Sears. The lady aspired to become a country-and-western performer in her future career. She is a devout Jehovah’s Witness.

Along with his five brothers and three sisters, Michael Jackson grew up in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. One of his elder brothers died shortly after birth and was a twin to one of his brothers.

Later, after getting married and divorced twice, Michael Jackson has an extended family of his own. He has three children, two sons and a daughter whom he loved very much.

However, his personal life was a mess, yet he flawlessly performed in his professional career. The determination and passion in his blood for music and dance took him to the heights of popularity no one can imagine. The artist is immensely respected even after his death.

The famous siblings of Michael Jackson: Who were the band members of The Jackson Five?

Michael Jackson has five brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy. Previously, they were also the band members of The Jackson Five, which their father managed.

Sigmund Esco Jackson, aka Jackie, is an American singer and songwriter. He is the eldest of the Jackson brothers and also the founding member of The Jackson Five.

Similarly, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He rose to fame in the later 1960s and 1970s with the Motown label and is the Jackson family’s third son.

You may also be interested learn about Mia Randall.

Likewise, Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and bass guitarist. He was the second vocalist in the band after his brother Michael Jackson.

The artist also sang some of the lead in The Jackson Five’s biggest hits, such as I’ll Be There and I Want You Back.

Similarly, Marlon David Jackson is an American entertainer, singer, and dancer who was a twin to Brandon. He and his twin brother were born premature, luckily he survived and got fame as the band member of The Jackson Five.

Micheal Jackson’s sisters

Maureen Rillette “Rebbie” Jackson-Brown is the eldest child in the Jackson family. She performed on stage with her family in shows and later made appearances on television. The lady is a singer and an actress by profession.

Likewise, La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and television personality. She gained recognition as a television actress, although she started as a singer in the beginning.

The singer had a successful musical journey initially, but later her recording career saw a decline.

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is the youngest child of the Jackson family, famous for her sonically innovative music.

Her recordings are socially conscious and sexually provocative. Also, she does elaborate stage shows, which make the famous Jackson sister till the date.

She is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and record producer who has remained prominent in popular culture. Just like her sister, she began her career with a variety of television series.

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Conjugal life of Michael Jackson; Who was MJ married to?

Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Persley in May 1994 in a court of civil judge Hugo Francisco Alvares Perez. He proposed to her over the phone in late 1993 and got married.

However, the tabloid news states that the marriage was a publicity stunt to cover Jackson’s sexual and child abuse allegations. The duo divorced after a year and a half in December 1995.

Lisa Marie Persley is an American singer-songwriter who has developed a career in the music business. She is the only child of singer and actor Elvis Persley and actress Priscilla Persley.

Later on November 14, 1996, Jackson married Debbie Rowe during his musical tour in Sydney, Australia. She was already six months pregnant with his child when they got married. The duo has two children together and got divorced later in 1999.

However, his wife agrees to share the children’s custody with an $8 million settlement. Following, she decides to have solo children’s custody after the news of child abuse allegations in 2004.

Debbie Rowe is an American dermatology assistant and mother of Paris Jackson and Michael Jackson Jr.

Children of Michael Jackson; Who is carrying the legacy of MJ?

Michael Jackson is the father of three children, two sons and a daughter. His first child Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., also known as “Prince.”  Furthermore, he is an American actor and a star on Television as well.

Prince Michael Jackson II is the youngest son of Michael Jackson. Similarly, he is also a talented actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter.

Paris- Michael Katherine Jackson is the only daughter of Michael Jackson and is more popular than her siblings. She is an American model, actress, singer, and musician. To sum up, she was entirely raised by her father as he got custody.

Career and professional life of Michael Jackson

The professional career of Michael Jackson has seen many rises and downfalls. Consequently, his work in the field of the entertainment industry is cherished and will always be remembered.

Michael Jackson is a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, and a philanthropist by profession. Subsequently, his musical career began in 1964 when he joined the band Jackson Brothers with his brothers.

Later, he started sharing vocals with his brother Jermaine, and the group won a talent show the following year.

Likewise, the brothers toured Midwest and played at a string of black clubs. They also performed opening acts for artists like Sam & Dave, the O’ Jays, Gladys Knight, and Etta James.

The boys recorded several songs like Steeltown Records,  Motown Records and made a television appearance in the Miss Black America Pageant in 1969.

The song “I Want You Back” became the first song by the band to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Briefly, they signed with epic records in 1975 and released six more albums, and Michael Jackson was the songwriter.

The solo music career of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson emerged as a solar performer in the early 1970s while maintaining ties with Jackson Fie. He released four solo albums with Motown records, Got to Be There, Ben, Music and Me, and Forever Michael.

Later, Jackson moved to New York City in 1978 to star as Scarecrow in the musical The Wiz, directed by Quincy Jones.

He released his fifth solo album, Off the Wall, in 1979, which helped him get established as a solo performer. Admittedly, the album reached number three on the US Billboard 200.

Obviously, Michael received the highest royalty rate in the music industry, 37 percent of wholesale album profit, in 1980.

Jackson’s sixth album, Thriller, was released in late 1982, the best-selling album worldwide in 1983. Undoubtedly, the album became the best-selling album of all time in the Us as well as worldwide.

For 37 weeks, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive years.

The legendary performer has released 63 songs as his singles and ten solo albums in his 4 decades-long musical career.

Who is the founder of the famous dance style “Moonwalk”?

Micheal Jackson learned the dance style moonwalk from Jeffrey Daniel, and he debuted this dance style in his solo performance of Billie Jean. Above all, this was his signature dance step, which became famous worldwide in the 20th century.

Jackson was so smooth with his dance style. He would flick and retract his limbs like switchblades or snap out of a tornado spin into a perfectly poised toe-stand.

The dancer perfected other dance styles such as the robot, crotch grab, and the “anti-gravity” lean, as seen in the video of “Smooth Criminal.

Musical Genres and Themes

Michael Jackson explored a wide range of genres in his musical performance and albums. Also, he published many songs in genres such as soul, pop, rhythm and buses, disco, post-disco, dance-pop, and new jack swing.

The sounds he wrote in the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, whereas the ones in pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.

Michael Jackson: Awards and Honors

Micahel Jackson won three  American Music Awards (AMAs) in 1980 for his solo performance: Favorite Soul/ R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/ R & B Male artist.

He also won a GRAMMY  Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1979 for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” In 1981, he won two other AMAs for Favorite Soul/ R&B Album and Favorite Soul/ R&B Male Artist.

Similarly, his album Thriller won eight GRAMMYS at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards. Above all, Jackson’s solo performance on Billie Jean got him rewarded with his first Emmy Award Nomination.

Undoubtedly, the artist has won hundreds of awards, including 39 Guinness World records, including the honor of Most Successful Entertainer of all time. He got 13 GRAMMY Awards, the GRAMMY Legend Award, and the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Profoundly, Jackson holds a record of 26 American Music Awards (AMAs) and also got the award as the “Artist of the Century” and “Artist of the 1980s”. Besides, the list of other awards honored to him are:

• World Music Awards ‘ Best Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millenium
• Bambi Pop Artist of the Millenium Award
• Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Fisk University
• Inducted to Hollywood Walk of Fame
• The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Vocal Group Hall of Fame
• Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Dance Hall of Fame
• Rhythm and Blues Musci Hall of Fame

Michael Jackson: Net Worth

The net worth of Jackson’s kept fluctuating throughout the years. In 1989, his annual earning was estimated to be $125 million. Lately, Forbes reported it to be $35 million in 1996 and $20 million in 1997.

Also, there is an estimation that Michael Jackson’s net worth during his life ranged from negative $285 million to positive $350 million for the years 2002, 2003, and 2007.

Accordingly, a report made by Forbes in August 2018, Jackson’s total career pretax earnings in life and death was $4.2 million.

During his death, the net worth of Michael Jackson was estimated to be $500 million, moreover the negative value as it was said that he was in debt.

Micheal Jackson is the only artist who has earned millions even after his death. Additionally, his annual earnings were over $100 million after his death.

In 2016, Forbes estimated that Jackson State saw gross earnings of $825 million. Additionally, they also recognized him as the top-earning dead celebrity each year since his death except for 2012.

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The death mystery of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009.  He died because of an overdose of propofol, a sleeping drug. According to the reports, he took propofol, lorazepam, and midazolam as his personal physician prescribed them.

Later, when the paramedics arrived after three minutes after a call made to 911, Michael was not breathing, and hence CPR was performed.

Following, they transferred him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and resuscitated him for almost an hour, but all the effort to save him went in vain. Finally, he was announced dead at 2:26 on Pacific time.

The memorial service of Micheal Jackson

A star-studded memorial service was held for Michael Jackson at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. The artists like Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jenifer Hudson, and Shaheen Jafargholi performed at the event.

Micheal’s daughter Paris- Katherine spoke publicly for the first time at the event, and evidently, she was seen expressing love for her dad.

Clearly, the memorial service was one of the most-watched events in streaming history, and almost billions of audience around the world watched it, including 31.1 million U.S audience.

On September 3, 2009, they entombed his body at Forst Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Similarly, on Michael Jackson’s death on the first anniversary, his family and fans visited his tomb, home, and Star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

Controversies and Rumors related to Michael Jackson

During his lifetime, there was always news and allegations that he was involved in child sexual abuse. In August 1993, a 13-year-old boy, Jordan Chandler, and his father accused Jackson of child sexual abuse.

They claimed that he was involved in kissing, masturbation, and oral sex with the boy. Later, they settled this case out of court for 25 million dollars, although the police didn’t press any charges.

In 2003, Living with Michael Jackson, he held hands and had sleepovers with a 12-year-old boy through a documentary broadcasted.

This aroused controversy about him being involved in child sexual abuse; however, the artist insisted that none of these actions were sexual.

But, the artist totally denied the allegation saying his actions aren’t sexual in that documentary.

Social Media

We can listen to Michael’s music on Deezer. We can also find his account on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, including Youtube.

Jackson’s social media accounts are kept active by his team even after his death to keep his memory alive among the fans. Many people express their love towards him on his social media post till now.

FAQs

How did Michael Jackson die?

Michael died of a cardiac arrest.

Is Michael Jackson gay?

No, he was straight. But, he did play feminine characters.

What is a moonwalk?

A Moonwalk is the dance form introduced by Michael Jackson.