Life And Death Of Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer-songwriter, entertainer, dancer, arranger, music producer, choreographer, actor, businessman, musician, and philanthropist. Often referred to as the "King of Pop", or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller," were credited with breaking down racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. The popularity of these videos helped to bring the then relatively new television channel MTV to fame. With videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" he continued to innovate the medium throughout the 1990s, as well as forging a reputation as a touring solo artist. Through stage and video performances, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot, and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive sound and style has influenced numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B, pop, and rock artists.
Jackson's 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. His other records, including Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first and only dancer from pop and rock music. Some of his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 26 American Music Awards, more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century" and "Artist of the 1980s"; 13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career, more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era; and the estimated sale of over 400 million records worldwide. Jackson won hundreds of awards, which made him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of popular music. In what would have been Jackson's 52nd birthday on 29 August 2010, he became the most downloaded artist of all time. Jackson constantly traveled the world attending events honoring his humanitarianism and the 2000 Guinness Book of Records recognized him for supporting 39 charities; more than any other pop star.
Aspects of Jackson's personal life, including his changing appearance, personal relationships, and behavior, generated controversy. In the mid-1990s, he was accused of child sexual abuse, but the case was settled out of court for about $25 million and $2 million and no formal charges were brought. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges after the jury found him not guilty on all counts.
On June 25, 2009 American recording artist and entertainer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he had found Jackson in his room, not breathing, but with a faint pulse, and that he administered CPR on his bed to no avail. After a call was placed to 9-1-1 at 12:20 pm, Jackson was treated by paramedics at the scene, and was later pronounced dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
On August 28, 2009 one day before he would have turned 51, the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide. Shortly before his death, Jackson had been administered propofol and two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines lorazepam and midazolam in his home. Murray was convicted in November 2011 of involuntary manslaughter and is currently serving a 4 year sentence in prison.
RECORD SALES ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECORDS
This part will recognize the record breaking and amazing achievements that Michael Jackson set during his solo career. I am not going to include chart history or achievements unless it I have to.
1. Jackson's album "Thriller" (1982) is the best selling album of all time, with 108 million copies sold worldwide. And runs neck and neck with the Eagles Greatest Hits, for the biggest selling album in the U.S. And The best-selling album by a solo artist in the United States.
2. Jackson's album "Off the Wall" (1979) was the biggest selling album by a black artist at the time, with 10 million sold at the time, and 20 million sold to date. This record was later smashed by Michael's next album "Thriller". And has sold 7 million copies In the U.S.
3. Jackson's album "Bad" (1987) at one point for a few years was the second biggest selling album of all time, with 28 million sold at the time and over 32 million sold to date. But that has since then been surpassed.
4. Jackson's album "Dangerous" (1991) is the biggest selling New Jack Swing album of all time with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. And 7 million copies in the U.S. And for a period in time it was the third best selling album of all time.
5. Jackson's album "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I" (1995) is the biggest selling multi-disc album of all time, with over 22 million copies sold worldwide (44 million units). And 3.5 million copies in the U.S.(7 million units).
6. Jackson's album "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix" (1997) is the biggest selling remix album of all time with over 8 million copies sold worldwide. And 2 million in the U.S.
7. "Thriller" currently holds the record for being the first and only album in the United States to top the sales charts for two separate years. Being the best selling album in 1983 and 1984.
8. "Thriller" is Jackson's biggest selling album in the United States with 27 million sold to date. And Jackson's second biggest selling album in the U.K. and one of the U.K.'s biggest selling albums.
9. "Bad" is Jackson's biggest selling album in the United Kingdom with 4 million copies sold, and is one the best selling albums in the U.K. And in the U.S. it has sold 8 million copies, making it Jackson's second biggest selling album in the U.S. And the best selling record by a solo artist in UK history.
10. When released 'Bad' became the fastest selling album ever in the UK. For many years it was the biggest selling album in the UK.
Key dates in life and death of Michael Jackson
Memorial
Jackson's solid-bronze casket (which reportedly cost twenty-five thousand dollars) was placed in front of the stage. Numerous celebrity guests attended the services. 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 11-year-old daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the crowd, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ..." Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."