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Fans of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the '80s, and certainly one of the most popular recording artists of all time. In his prime, Jackson was an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the tools to dominate the charts seemingly at will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and loads of sheer star power. His 1982 blockbuster Thriller became the biggest-selling album of all time (probably his best-known accomplishment), and he was the first black artist to find stardom on MTV, breaking down innumerable boundaries both for his race and for music video as an art form. Yet as Jackson's career began, very gradually, to descend from the dizzying heights of his peak years, most of the media's attention focused on his increasingly bizarre eccentricities; he was often depicted as an arrested man-child, completely sheltered from adult reality by a life spent in show business. The snickering turned to scandal in 1993, when Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy; although he categorically denied the charges, his out-of-court settlement failed to restore his tarnished image. He never quite escaped the stigma of those allegations, and while he continued to sell records at superstar-like levels, he didn't release them with enough frequency (or, many critics thought, inspiration) to once again become better known for his music than his private life. Whether as a pop icon or a tabloid caricature, Jackson always remained bigger than life. Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, IN. The fifth son of steelworker Joe Jackson, Michael displayed a talent for music and dance from an extremely young age. His childhood was strictly regimented; from the start, he was to an extent sheltered from the outside world by his mother's Jehovah's Witness faith, and his father was by all accounts an often ill-tempered disciplinarian. Joe began to organize a family musical group around his three eldest sons in 1962, and Michael joined them the following year, quickly establishing himself as a dynamic stage performer. His dead-on mastery of James Brown's dance moves and soulful, mature-beyond-his-years vocals made him a natural focal point, especially given his incredibly young age. Dubbed the Jackson 5, the group signed to Motown in 1968 and issued their debut single in October 1969, when Michael was just 11 years old. "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There" all hit number one in 1970, making the Jackson 5 the first group in pop history to have their first four singles top the charts. Motown began priming Michael for a solo career in 1971, and his first single, "Got to Be There," was issued toward the end of the year; it hit the Top Five, as did the follow-up, a cover of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin." Later in 1972, Jackson had his first number one solo single, "Ben," the title song from a children's thriller about a young boy who befriends Ben, the highly intelligent leader of a gang of homicidal rats. Given the subject matter, the song was surprisingly sincere and sentimental, and even earned an Oscar nomination. However, the momentum of Jackson's solo career (much like that of the Jackson 5) soon stalled. He released his fourth and final album on Motown in 1975, and the following year, he and his brothers (save Jermaine) signed to Epic and became the Jacksons. In 1977, Jackson landed a starring role alongside Diana Ross in the all-black film musical The Wiz, a retelling of The Wizard of Oz; here he met producer/composer Quincy Jones for the first time. Encouraged by the success of the Jacksons' self-produced, mostly self-written 1978 album Destiny, Jackson elected to resume his solo career when his management contract with his father expired shortly thereafter. With Jones producing, {$Jackson

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eaglebaby89

eaglebaby89

July 27, 2009 - 06:21 AM GMT

beca- or what eva your name i dont care. How could you be so cruel after the world has lost probably in my mind the Greatest Entertaner's In The World- King Of Pop. The man was recoginzed worldwide for all the humanitary work he did, his music, and yes even his bizarre accusations. But either way you cant deny his accompliments for everything he did, he already dealt with enough pain and hurt while he was alive. At less you could do is keep you negative comments to yourself and let him r.i.p. finally. By the way if some random rich white guy had suddenly died i bet you wouldn't feel the same way.

lintfree

lintfree

July 18, 2009 - 02:46 AM GMT

Michael Jackson was a precious gift from God. He was a musical genius and the most talented person in the world. He suffered so much pain in the fire incident and the fall on stage, causing a broken back. He was physically fragile due to those incidents and then the allegations by a young kid in 1990's( many journalists do not believe that kid with a money hungry father. The humiliation was extreme. Then the charges in 2003. I am concerned by the manner in which he died. Seems it was planned and not by Michael. Those AEG men look so nice, and congenial, and planned the Memorial Tribute too-to make more money -from Michael dead. Don't tell me they did not know he could not not perform daily -five days a week for 50 concerts.-10 weeks.
His father did not trust them either. I do not. Too many pills still in his stomach when he died. Someone wanted him to die it seems. Already dead and loads of pills in a stomach with no food. And according to Latoya Jackson 4 fresh needle marks were found on his neck. Speculation-that he had demerol injected and that is excruciatingly painful given that way! And who is the dude who wrote a book. Claimed a source told him couplle hours after Micahel died, oh he was tired of living. Nonsense. That is what they would like us all to believe. Those AEG men said more than 2 weeks ago that they would collect 17.5 million from Michael's Insurance policy. Oh they knew he did not die of natural causes back then? Plus, about "40 -50% of fans will keep their tickets and we'll break even." Oh and the money from the Memorial-and smiles-and deny that they were called by a former Michael Jackson financial planner and told Michael cannot perform 50 concerts. Too ill, etc. And he spoke to them on news headline-"you know i called you." as they denied and refused to comment . Yes, Michael will be able to pay the 500 million he owed, why those AEG men said at least _a few hundred million from what they plan to do. I pray God will bring whatever the truth is out to the public. I love you Michael. And so sorry your young children are suffering. For greed.

treasureemily

treasureemily

July 08, 2009 - 08:26 PM GMT

I agree with Beca, MJ was a fantastic artist and musician, but enough is enough. My daughter is in an outrage today, July 9th, because I did not cry during the airing of MJ's daughter's comments from the Memorial Service. MJ was, in the eyes of God, the same as all of us. Neither God nor Michael would want it to go on like this. It's become a three-ring circus.

ericka113

ericka113

June 30, 2009 - 08:51 AM GMT

Michael you will never be forgotten. Your music has touched many lives from generation to generation. Your dance moves will always be imitated but never perfected. There is and always will be only one true Michael Jackson. May your soul rest in peace and your family and loved ones find comfort during this difficult time.

sattish

sattish

June 30, 2009 - 12:02 AM GMT

Michael your genius, i love the way your acting, i love your's dances.

in the beginning of my music life first i heard your Greatest songs, I love it.

In the world there are so many people like your songs, Now all are crying because you left the world without a show

Sato

sh_alsalem

sh_alsalem

June 29, 2009 - 02:38 AM GMT

I grow up with your songs, you planted love in my heart to this world, I love you Michel Jackson, your death is a shock to the world, but still you are in the heart of every one.

clayfacts

clayfacts

June 28, 2009 - 12:25 PM GMT

clayfacts: I remember seeing michael at a jehovah's witness
convention back in the 1970's we never met but he looked
busy with all his fan's keeping him busy. I come from a music
background also but never became a professional. I like michael distanced myself from that evil cult. your contributions
to the music world will be with us forever you will be missed.
sorry you had to leave us so soon. agape clay

ivam

ivam

June 28, 2009 - 09:16 AM GMT

My heart cannot stop crying. I will miss you so much Micheal, you truly were an inspiration to mankind. I have been listening to your music for as long as I can remember. I have truly lost a childhood icon, a role model. My prayers and deepest sympathy is with your family and especially your children. Rest in peace Micheal as your legend lives on forever.

Beca

Beca

June 28, 2009 - 09:11 AM GMT

Why everyone keeps on talking about Michael Jackson. Give me a break. I know he had good music and all that but for how much longer are we going to talk about him. I'm tired of it. I don't hear anything else on tv, radio, but him. People should give more importance to the war we are about to go with Korea and other things that are going around the world. Jesus!!!!

~SouL P~

~SouL P~

June 28, 2009 - 09:03 AM GMT

I'M STILL IN MOURNING.

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL


LOVE
~P~