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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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bonniefnola

bonniefnola

June 27, 2009 - 11:32 AM GMT

May God Bless you and the family at this time of your loss. I'm 49-years old and I grew up loving michael, and his brothers, and did not ever want to miss a Jackson 5 cartoon on sat. morning, I really loved jermaine. To the Jackson family, just keep the Faith and just remember, to stay together as a family and always Love each other.

tracey2002

tracey2002

June 26, 2009 - 05:16 PM GMT

I cried at work today listening to 'Man in the Mirror'. We can say we feel like we know him because a lot of us grew up with him. We have seen his rise to the top, his legal mishaps and his inner turmoil. I pray the truth about everything will come out one day and his legacy won't be tarnished by controversy. I am going to make sure my six-year old son knows about Michael Jackson. We listened to 'Thriller' on the way home. His memory is going to be big. I feel sure his fans WORLDWIDE will make sure of that.

taaheatea

taaheatea

June 26, 2009 - 03:05 PM GMT

My heart in hiding is stirred. I am stunned from the news of Farrah and Michael.
I watched the "Thiller" video for the very first time today. I am 48 years old. I grew up listening to Michael's earlier years. I love all of his and his brothers music.
Where can I watch vidoes of his early years and TV appearances?
I pray for the family. Keep your hearts protected.
I too was given Demerol IV for years b/c of a sever spinal injury that ended up in four spinal surgeries in 18 months just to keep me out of a wheelchair. I almost died from that drug!

Missboo

Missboo

June 26, 2009 - 12:15 PM GMT

I saw the Jackson 5 in 1970.I still have the red polka dot headband he gave me at the show.Later in life,I lived in a battered woman's shelter and my son went to a school for "shelter kids"in Santa Barbara. Michael "adopted" the kids at the school and did everything he could to ease their pain and calm their fears.My son spent many wonderful weekends at Neverland in Los Olivos Michael was an unflinchingly gentle, kind, compassionate man, who wanted only to make things better for the children he surrounded himself with. I hurt for him during his legal troubles in Santa Maria because I knew then, as I know now, Michael would Never hurt a child. Although he will be remembered for his enormous talent and massive contribution to both music and dance,both richly deserved, for my son and myself he will always be remembered as a light that saw us through a very dark time. Thank you for all that you did for us. Rest well Michael, and sing now with the Angels.

Meredith and Camlen

SSDavis09

SSDavis09

June 26, 2009 - 11:08 AM GMT

I got to work as a rehearsal backup dancer on Smooth Criminal, so that is my favorite. Being in MJ's presence, watching his mastery, experiencing his energy and having the chance to move with the one of the greatest dancers and entertainers of all time, was a moment in time that I will never forget.

daphineb

daphineb

June 26, 2009 - 08:21 AM GMT

I'm so sick of people talking about Michael Jackson. The man is Dead give him and his family respect. This man has done so much for the music industry. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't be listening to the music we listen to today. And NO I’m not talking about just Hip hop and R&B... I’m talking about rock, pop and all other genres. He made way for the music we listen to today. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Farah and Ed. Nothing about the s--t they’ve done. And trust they’ve done some s--t. Michael’s family should go on TV and demand and apology for the way CBS, NBC and ABC (to name a few have) bad mouth him.
Did we bad mouth Elvis when he died… NO and he was a big time druggy. What about JFK… NO and he was a big time adulterer. Come on people get of your s--t. Show some respect for the dead… you doing it for Farah and Ed…hmmmm makes you wonder. People if you don’t like what they are doing to Michael..,. WRITE ABOUT IT , TEXT, TALK, SPEAK, COMPLAIN, but stand up don’t let the media dog this Great Icons. (IF WE DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING WE FALL FOR EVEYTHING). Oh and by the way not only did he lead the way for the music we listen to but he also did the same for dance and fashion. So Thank You Michael for all you have done for the world how many of you can say that hmmmmmmm……

vlucas

vlucas

June 26, 2009 - 08:17 AM GMT

I remember my sisters and I had the full poster of Micheal hanging on the wall when we were kids. My childrens are fans of Micheal. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We cant believe hes passed on. He is in a better place R.I.P Micheal we love you.

AngelKate7

AngelKate7

June 26, 2009 - 07:51 AM GMT

Micheal ,
You will be truly missed.I 'm a big fan of your music.I grew up listen to your music.I love you Micheal.May God have mercy on your soul and may you find the peace and happiness there,that you could't find here.
In Christ,Much Love:Kate

KristyM5

KristyM5

June 26, 2009 - 06:34 AM GMT

Good Bye for Now,

MJ you will be sorely missed...you can now be the kid you long to be, where no one will ever judge you again.
I as well as many others will keep your family in our prayers and know this... the good memories and your one of a kind music will LIVE ON FOREVER! RIP!

Kris Maufas
"class of 72"

Chris

Chris

June 25, 2009 - 05:55 PM GMT

RIP Michael - we lost 2 pop-culture icons on the same day :(