| Born | in Gary, Indiana, USA |
| Died | in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication and involuntary manslaughter) |
| Birth Name | Michael Joseph Jackson |
| Nicknames | The Gloved One Wacko Jacko Jacko King Of Pop MJ Applehead Mike Mikey Smelly - called this by Quincy Jones because " Michael wouldn't say ‘funky.’ He’d say ‘smelly jelly.’" |
| Height | 5' 9" (1.75 m) |
Mini Bio (1)
Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, and entertained audiences nearly his entire life. His father, Joe Jackson, had been a guitarist, but was forced to give up his musical ambitions following his marriage to Katherine Jackson (née Katherine Esther Scruse). Together, they prodded their growing family's musical interests at home. By the early 1960s, the older boys Jackie, Tito and Jermaine had begun performing around the city; by 1964, Michael and Marlon had joined in.
A musical prodigy, Michael's singing and dancing talents were amazingly mature, and he soon became the dominant voice and focus of the Jackson 5. An opening act for such soul groups as the O-Jays and James Brown, it was Gladys Knight (not Diana Ross) who officially brought the group to Berry Gordy's attention, and by 1969, the boys were producing back-to-back chart-busting hits as Motown artists ("I Want You Back," "ABC," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Got to Be There," etc.). As a product of the 1970s, the boys emerged as one of the most accomplished black pop / soul vocal groups in music history, successfully evolving from a group like The Temptations to a disco phenomenon.
Solo success for Michael was inevitable, and by the 1980s, he had become infinitely more popular than his brotherly group. Record sales consistently orbited, culminating in the biggest-selling album of all time, "Thriller" in 1982. A TV natural, he ventured rather uneasily into films, such as playing the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1978), but had much better luck with elaborate music videos.
In the 1990s, the downside as an 1980s pop phenomenon began to rear itself. Michael grew terribly child-like and introverted by his peerless celebrity. A rather timorous, androgynous figure to begin with, his physical appearance began to change drastically, and his behavior grew alarmingly bizarre, making him a consistent target for scandal-making, despite his numerous charitable acts. Two brief marriages -- one to Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley -- were forged and two children produced by his second wife during that time, but the purposes behind them appeared image-oriented. Despite it all, Jackson's passion and artistry as a singer, dancer, writer and businessman are unparalleled, and it is these prodigious talents that will ultimately prevail over the extremely negative aspects of his seriously troubled adult life.
A musical prodigy, Michael's singing and dancing talents were amazingly mature, and he soon became the dominant voice and focus of the Jackson 5. An opening act for such soul groups as the O-Jays and James Brown, it was Gladys Knight (not Diana Ross) who officially brought the group to Berry Gordy's attention, and by 1969, the boys were producing back-to-back chart-busting hits as Motown artists ("I Want You Back," "ABC," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Got to Be There," etc.). As a product of the 1970s, the boys emerged as one of the most accomplished black pop / soul vocal groups in music history, successfully evolving from a group like The Temptations to a disco phenomenon.
Solo success for Michael was inevitable, and by the 1980s, he had become infinitely more popular than his brotherly group. Record sales consistently orbited, culminating in the biggest-selling album of all time, "Thriller" in 1982. A TV natural, he ventured rather uneasily into films, such as playing the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1978), but had much better luck with elaborate music videos.
In the 1990s, the downside as an 1980s pop phenomenon began to rear itself. Michael grew terribly child-like and introverted by his peerless celebrity. A rather timorous, androgynous figure to begin with, his physical appearance began to change drastically, and his behavior grew alarmingly bizarre, making him a consistent target for scandal-making, despite his numerous charitable acts. Two brief marriages -- one to Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley -- were forged and two children produced by his second wife during that time, but the purposes behind them appeared image-oriented. Despite it all, Jackson's passion and artistry as a singer, dancer, writer and businessman are unparalleled, and it is these prodigious talents that will ultimately prevail over the extremely negative aspects of his seriously troubled adult life.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net
Spouse (2)
| Debbie Rowe | (14 November 1996 - 8 October 1999) (divorced) (2 children) |
| Lisa Marie Presley | (26 May 1994 - 1996) (divorced) |
Trade Mark (11)
The Moonwalk
Single sequined white glove
He always wore white socks with black shoes
Often wore a black hat and a jacket with a ribbon around one sleeve
Lyrics reflecting his social concerns and hopes for a better world
Long black hair
High pitched voice
The crotch grab
Distinctive soft voice
Fluid and energetic dancing
Impeccable Beatboxing Ability
Trivia (181)
Through his "Heal the World" Foundation, Jackson spearheaded airlifts of food and medical supplies to war-torn Sarajevo, instituted mentoring, immunization and drug-abuse education programs and paid for a Hungarian child's liver transplant.
On 3 April 1998, his second child, with Debbie Rowe, daughter Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, is born.
13 February 1997, his wife, Debbie Rowe, gave birth to a son, named Prince Michael(Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.), in Beverly Hills, California.
Macaulay Culkin is godfather to his three children.
On 26 May 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley in La Vega, Dominican Republic, by Judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Perez. Witnesses present were Thomas Keough and Eve Darling (Lisa Marie's ex-brother-in-law and his wife, ex-sister-in-law).
He shares with Carlos Santana the record for most Grammys won in one year, with eight.
He was the first solo artist to generate four top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with "Off the Wall.".
He was the first artist to generate seven top ten hits (USA) on one album with "Thriller.".
Until August 2011, he was the only artist in history to generate five #1 hits (USA) from one album with "Bad". Katy Perry has since tied this record with her album "Teenage Dream".
With Lionel Richie, he co-wrote the song "We Are the World," and was one of its performers.
His 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time, with confirmed sales of over 51 million, and claimed sales of over 100 million copies worldwide. His 1987 album "BAD" is one of the biggest selling albums of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide. His 1991 album "Dangerous" is one of the biggest selling albums of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
He was the brother of (in this order) Rebbie Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson and Janet Jackson.
He copied his moon walk after mime Marcel Marceau in "walk-against-the- wind" pantomime techniques.
He wrote and recorded a song called "On the Line", produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, for the film Get on the Bus (1996) that was not included on the soundtrack for the film.
The name of his 2700-acre ranch near Santa Ynez, California, is Neverland Valley Ranch. It contains Jackson's house, an amusement park co-designed by Macaulay Culkin, a private theater and dance stage, and exotic animals.
On 9 September 2001, he was sued by two former financial advisors for $25 million over alleged unpaid expenses. Jackson denied owing them anything.
He had a skin disease called vitiligo.
He was a Jehovah's Witness.
He was uncle of Jermaine Jackson II, Valencia Jackson, Brittany Jackson, Marlon Jackson Jr., Stevanna Jackson.
His estate contains a child's mini coaster, Zipper, Bumper cars, Merry go round, octopus, Giant slide and rocking dragon.. There is also a full size basketball court, water wars section (for water gun fights) 2 Trains, (one steam train) and a zoo where he has various exotic animals including elephants, giraffes, alligators, a tiger and even an Anaconda.
He did not own the right to the entire catalog of The Beatles. For example, the family of the late George Harrison own songs he wrote, including "Something," and Sony music owns 50% of the catalog after Jackson sold it to them because he needed the money.
He was the son of Katherine Jackson, and Joe Jackson.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and in 2001 as a solo artist.
In November 2002, Jackson shocked his fans when he dangled his third child, infant Prince Michael II, over a balcony on the fourth floor of a Berlin, Germany hotel for all hovering fans to see. He later stated that he made "a terrible mistake.".
Starting with Michael Jackson: Black or White (1991), Jackson and his record company refer to his music videos, before or since, as "short films," never "videos".
He had his look-alike puppet in the French show Les guignols de l'info (1988).
He was the godfather of Michael Gibb, son of The Bee Gees front man Barry Gibb.
On 25 November 2003, he and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, sued jet charter company XtraJet for invasion of privacy. The firm allegedly installed hidden cameras to tape the two's confidential attorney-client conversations. A California judge has barred the firm from releasing or selling any footage it may have obtained.
In 2002 he had planned to produce and star in the movie "The Nightmares of Edgar Allan Poe", about the last years of writer Edgar Allan Poe. He was to star as the famed 19th century author (who was Caucasian), and had written music for the film as well.
For a charity event held at the Neverland Ranch in September 2003, for the first time ever, he invited an artist from the outside to perform there. It was Yannick Harrison, also known as Jay Kid, from Denmark that performed a number of his interpretations of Michael Jackson songs for the specially invited guests.
He sold over 750 million albums worldwide.
He was present at the private funeral service for Maurice Gibb.
He was voted the 35th Greatest Artist of all time in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.
His favorite song by The Beatles was "Come Together" - his version of the song is on "History - Past, Present and Future.".
He was found not guilty on ten counts of child molestation on 13 June 2005 due to lack of evidence.
He was ranked #11 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" with his brothers as the Jackson 5.
Tatum O'Neal, was Jackson's first girlfriend and allegedly his first real love. However, she denied this in her book, saying that he only kissed.
His hit song "Bad" from 1987 was initially supposed to be a duet with fellow 1980s superstar Prince. Prince said in an interview that he did not wish to sing the line "Your butt is mine".
He was the ex-brother-in-law of James DeBarge.
President Ronald Reagan wanted to award a special White House medal to Jackson, Bob Hope and the late John Wayne in 1984. However, future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts advised against the proposal, saying the award was too much for a pop singer.
He received a Presidential Humanitarian Award from President Ronald Reagan at the White House in May 1984, in recognition of Jackson's contribution to the government's campaign against drunk driving. "Beat It" was used in television advertisements.
Jackson joined Chris Tucker, Tony Bennett, former president Bill Clinton and members of the Democratic National Committee at Harlem's Apollo Theatre in New York for a concert fundraiser. Tucker co-hosted the event with actress Cicely Tyson, while Rubén Blades, k.d. lang and Bennett performed. Jackson sang a medley of songs that included "Black or White" and "Smooth Criminal", and was joined by Jane's Addiction guitarist and former Red Hot Chili Peppers Dave Navarro for a portion of his set (24 April 2002).
He attended a memorial service for the late actor Marlon Brando in August 2004, along with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn.
He addressed the Oxford Union on the subject of child welfare and his new initiative "Heal the Kids". (6 March 2001).
He was asked to write and perform the songs for Batman (1989), but had to turn it down due to his concert commitments.
In January 2000 Jackson announced he was considering retiring from the music industry, citing his weariness at publicity as a reason.
In 1997, Jackson released an album of new material coupled with remixes of hit singles from the "HIStory" album titled "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix". He dedicated the album to his friend Sir Elton John, who had helped him through his addiction to prescribed painkillers. It went on to sell 6 million copies worldwide, making it the biggest selling remix album of all time.
His album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future - Book I" has sold 16 million copies worldwide since its release in 1995, making it the biggest selling multiple-disc album of all time.
His 2001 album "Invincible" sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
In January 1993 Jackson performed during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII. It drew the largest viewing audience in the history of American television.
In a move named by Jackson's advisers as "refinancing," it was announced in April 2006 that Jackson had struck a deal with Sony and Fortress investments. In the deal Sony may be allowed to take control of half of Jackson's 50% stake in Sony/ ATV Music Publishing (worth an estimated $1 billion) which Jackson co-owns. Jackson would be left with 25% of the catalog, with the rest belonging to Sony. In exchange, Sony negotiated with a loans company on behalf of Jackson. Jackson's $200m in loans were due in December 2005 and were secured on the catalog. Jackson failed to pay and the Bank of America sold them to Fortress investments, a company dealing in distressed loans. However, Jackson hasn't as yet sold any of the remainder of his stake. The possible purchase by Sony of 25% of Sony/ATV Music Publishing is a conditional option; it is assumed the singer will try to avoid having to sell part of the catalog of songs including material by other artists such as 'Bob Dylan' and Destiny's Child. As another part of the deal Jackson was given a new $300 million loan, and a lower interest rate on the old loan to match the original Bank of America rate. When the loan was sold to Fortress investments they increased the interest rate to 20%.
He was the winner of the British Phonographic Industry Award for International Solo Artist in 1984 and 1988. He was the winner of the Brit Award for International Male in 1989.
He was a frequent guest at the infamous "Studio 54".
On 27 May 2006, Jackson accepted a Legend Award at MTV Japan's VMA Awards in Tokyo. It was his first public appearance since being found not guilty in his child molestation trial almost a year earlier. The award was honoring his influence and impact in music videos over the past 25 years.
Despite a number of surgeons' claims that Jackson has undergone multiple nasal surgeries as well as a forehead lift, thinned lips and cheekbone surgery, Jackson wrote in his 1988 autobiography "Moon Walk" that he only had two rhinoplastic surgeries and the surgical creation of a cleft in his chin, while attributing puberty and diet to the noticeable change in the structure of his face.
Jackson hired film director Martin Scorsese to direct the video for the "Bad" album's title track. When the 18-minute music video debuted on television, it sparked a great deal of controversy as it was apparent that Jackson's appearance had changed dramatically. Although Jackson's skin color had been a medium- brown color for the entire duration of his youth, his skin had gradually become paler since 1982, and had now become a light brown color. This was now so noticeable that the entire press took out widespread coverage on it and claimed that Jackson had bleached his own skin. In 1993 Jackson claimed that his changing skin color is due to a skin disorder vitiligo whilst on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986).
He performed at the ball for President Bill Clinton's first inauguration on 20 January 1993.
"Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection", his third greatest hits package in less than ten years, sold 250,000 copies worldwide following its release in October 2004.
"The Essential Michael Jackson", another greatest hits package, debuted at a surprisingly high Number 2 on the UK charts and sold 200,000 copies within five months. In the United States it only reached Number 96 and soon disappeared.
He recorded an anti-war song about the US invasion of Iraq, "We've Had Enough", which was included on his greatest hits package "Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection".
His greatest hits compilation "Michael Jackson: Number Ones" sold 6 million copies worldwide following its release in November 2003, peaking at Number 1 in most countries except the United States. It had been planned at the last minute after "Resurrection", a follow-up to his 2001 album "Invincible", was canceled.
Fortress Investment Group foreclosed and took possession of Jackson's half- interest in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing company, estimated to be worth $1 billion, as well as the entire MiJac Music Publishing company. (December 2005)
The promotional videos of his songs directed by, among others, John Landis and John Singleton, have cost more than some motion pictures.
He paid $1.5 million in 1999 for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to David O. Selznick for Gone with the Wind (1939).
He announced his intention to record a charity single dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina entitled, "I Have This Dream". Ciara, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Keyshia Cole, James Ingram, Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson, Shanice, the Shirley Caesar and The O'Jays all supposedly lent their voices to the charity song. At the time, Jackson's spokesperson, Raymone K. Bain, said the list of performers included Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Jay Z, James Brown and Lenny Kravitz. All of these artists later appeared to be no longer participating. The Katrina Charity Single remains unreleased.
He was a close friend of the former child star Mark Lester. Lester is godfather to Jackson's children. Although the two had not spoken for several years before his death.
He was never related to Elvis Presley by marriage since Presley died many years before his marriage to Lisa Marie.
He was spoofed in Eminem's music video "Just Lose It".
Jackson was fired from Two Seas Records, with whom he had signed a recording contract in April 2006 for one album. The album had been set for a fall 2007 release. (September 2006)
California state authorities ordered Jackson to close the Neverland Ranch and fined him more than $100,000 for failing to pay the staff there or maintain proper insurance. (March 2006).
He was presented with an "Artist of the decade" award by Elizabeth Taylor in 1989, proclaiming him "the true king of pop, rock and soul".
He was ordered to pay Debbie Rowe $60,000 for legal fees in their battle for custody over of their two children. Los Angeles Judge Robert Schnider gave Jackson until 28 September to obey the order. Rowe had asked for $195,000, but the judge noted that she had received eight million dollars in the divorce. (6 September 2006).
In October 2002 it was revealed by various international banks that Jackson was in financial debt into the tens of millions of dollars due to various unpaid loans.
Some of his favorite pastimes were water balloon fights and climbing trees. He wrote several songs sitting in his favorite tree at Neverland, which he called Giving Tree, because it was so inspiring.
He was the godfather of Nicole Richie.
He did not tour America after the BAD tour in 1987.
He received the World Music Award for world's best-selling album of all time, "Thriller", at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, on 8 May 1996.
He received the Diamond Award for selling more than 100 million albums at the World Music Awards in London on 15 November 2006.
He ended more than a year of speculation by buying the British music publishing company ATV Music for a reported £34 million ($50 million) in August 1985. The company owned 40,000 songs, including the Northern Songs catalog which contained all The Beatles songs up to their Apple Days. Jackson outbid Coca-Cola, EMI, CBS (who thereafter looked after the catalog for Jackson) and a very disappointed Paul McCartney, who had originally tried to buy Northern Songs for £21 million ($35 million) in 1981 and then later - again unsuccessfully - in conjunction with Yoko Ono.
His video for Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983), which was directed by John Landis, is widely regarded as one of the greatest music videos of all time. In 2001, it was ranked number one by VH1 on their countdown of the Top 100 Greatest Videos Of All Time. It beat Madonna: Like a Prayer (1989) into second place. The British public also voted "Thriller" the greatest music video of all time for The 100 Greatest Pop Videos (2005), beating Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer (1986) into second place.
He won a poll of superstars to have his image on a stamp issued by the Virgin Islands in July 1985. He asked that the Virgin Islands donated all revenue (the stamps were priced between 60 cents and $1.50) to welfare and education.
He disappointed his fans by singing a few lines from "We Are the World", accompanied by a children's choir, after he had been rumored to perform his 1982 hit "Thriller" as a triumphant comeback at the World Music Awards at Earls Court, London. Jackson left the stage to audible boos from the audience - some of his fans had paid up to £500 a ticket to see him perform. (15 November 2006).
He filed complaints against the Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Commission of the UK following the documentary Living with Michael Jackson: A Tonight Special (2003).
He held his first live concert in four years at Madison Square Garden, New York, in early September 2001. He was paid £10 million for two concerts.
He was originally intended to begin his solo career when he turned eighteen in 1976, but financial problems forced him to remain with the Jackson Five, renaming themselves The Jacksons for legals reasons, until 1979.
While Jackson has claimed 104 million sales for his 1982 album "Thriller", the Guinness Book of World Records has put the figure at 51 million copies sold as of 2006.
A $10 million lawsuit filed by Jackson was dismissed by a US judge. The lawsuit was filed against a man from New Jersey who was allegedly in possession of items and memorabilia that Jackson claims were stolen. (14 January 2006).
In 1997 a survey declared Jackson the most famous person in the world, ahead of Pope John Paul II and then US President Bill Clinton.
It is believed in the opinion of a number of plastic surgeons and medical professionals that Jackson had undergone extensive plastic surgery and it may be said that he was hardly recognizable as the same person he was as an adolescent, but the effectiveness of his cosmetic surgery has been hotly debated.
He was the highest earning singer of 1988-1989, with $125 million from his worldwide "BAD" album tour.
He was honored by CBS as the "top selling act of the Eighties" in March 1990.
Jackson was seen by a record 500,000 people during his seven day stand at Wembley Stadium in July 1988.
Moonwalker (1988) was certified as the all-time top selling music video in March 1989.
He attended James Brown's funeral in Augusta, Georgia. (30 December 2006).
On 11 November 2004, he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture.
He returned to live in the United States on 24 December 2006, setting up residence in Las Vegas.
On 13 June 2003, the day after his neighbor and friend of 25 years Gregory Peck died, Jackson went to Peck's house to help his widow plan the memorial service. Peck had once publicly praised the singer as a model parent.
The music video for his song "Thriller" was with 13 minutes the longest music video ever, until this record was broken by Mike Skinner with the video for the song "When You Wasn't Famous".
Jackson greeted thousands of US troops in a US army base south of Tokyo on 10 March 2007. About 3,000 troops and their family members gathered in a fitness center at Camp Zama. Jackson, after shaking hands with and thanking the troops personally for their service, spoke to the crowd gathered, saying, "Those of you in here today are some of the most special people in the world. It is because of you in here today, and others who so valiantly have given their lives to protect us, that we enjoy our freedom." Jackson also attended a ceremony at the camp for an army member being promoted and put a pin on his uniform.
At his peak, Jackson was reportedly worth around $1 Billion.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
His 1979 debut solo album "Off the Wall" has sold around 20 million copies worldwide.
His 2001 album "Invincible" was his first full album of new material for ten years, since 1991's "Dangerous".
He fell out with Quincy Jones after the producer cut half the songs from his 1987 album "BAD". In a 2006 interview with "The Daily Telegraph" newspaper, Jones admitted he had not spoken to Jackson for years.
He was diagnosed with lupus in 1984.
He claimed to have given $300 million to charity, more than any other celebrity apart from Oprah Winfrey.
He is a former son-in-law of Priscilla Presley.
He was a childhood school friend of David Gest.
He was a longtime supporter of AIDS research. He attended the funeral of his close friend Ryan White in April 1990. Another friend, Freddie Mercury, the British rock singer, also died from the disease in 1991. He also supported over thirty-two other charities.
In the early 1970s while still very young and a member of the Jackson 5, appeared on The Dating Game (1965). Roles were reversed; Michael asked questions and picked a date from three eligible "bachelorettes".
He was a fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
A special 25th anniversary edition of his 1982 album "Thriller", entitled "Thriller 25", sold an estimated 3 million copies worldwide.
Upon his death, many fans left remembrances at the Hollywood star, located at 1541 Vine Street, awarded to a long time radio talk show host also named Michael Jackson. Upon hearing of this, the radio commentator said, "I am willingly loan it to him and, if it would bring him back, he can have it. He was a real star. Sinatra, Presley, The Beatles and Michael Jackson.".
The Jacksons were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
He made an out-of-court settlement with the family of 13-year-old Jordie Chandler for an estimated $15 million in January 1994 following allegations of sexual abuse against children.
He owed an estimated $435 million in debts at the time of his death.
At the time of his death Jackson was living in a rented mansion once owned by the actor Sir Sean Connery in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
His favorite movie as a child and teenager was Oliver! (1968).
Celebrities provided varied comments after Jackson's sudden death. Madonna and Diana Ross released statements saying they could not stop crying. Jackson's former wife, Lisa Marie Presley, said the singer had told her he was afraid he would end up like Elvis Presley, her father. Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, said she, "can't imagine life without him." Liza Minnelli told CBS, "When the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose, so thank God we're celebrating him now." Jamie Foxx, stated: "We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everybody else.".
Following his death, U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence to the Jackson family, and during a press conference the Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that President Obama viewed Jackson as a "spectacular performer, and a music icon". In Congress, Representatives Diane Watson and Jesse Jackson Jr. asked members to observe a moment of silence.
MTV and BET began airing his music videos, and ran two news specials, until 8 p.m. EDT the following day of his death.
The news of his death spread quickly online, causing websites to crash and slow down from user overload. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times, two websites that were the first to confirm the news, suffered outages.
His death triggered an outpouring of grief. Fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Center, his Holmby Hills home, the Apollo Theater in New York, and at Hitsville U.S.A., the old Motown headquarters in Detroit where his career began, now the Motown Museum. Streets around the hospital were blocked off, and across America people left offices and factories to watch the breaking news on television.
An Amazon spokesperson said that the website sold out of all of his CDs, and those of the Jackson 5, within minutes of the news of his death breaking.
He had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010, which he implied during a press conference would have been the final concerts of his career. Unfortunately he passed away before he could perform any of these shows. His rehearsals for the tour were documented in This Is It (2009).
On the day of Jackson's death, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) paramedics received a 911 call at 12:21 pm (19:21 UTC), and arrived three minutes and seventeen seconds later, at which point Jackson was reportedly not breathing. The recording of the emergency call was released by the LAFD on June 27, 2009. Paramedics are reported to have wanted to pronounce him dead at the scene, but a doctor insisted he be taken to a hospital. CPR was performed on the way to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where they arrived at 1:14 pm (20:14 UTC), and continued for an hour. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm (21:26 UTC).
Producer Keya Morgan gave Jackson a ring that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe.
Following the week of his death, his album sales collectively spiked over 2000%.
The Staples Center Michael Jackson memorial service non-performing VIP attendees included Sean Combs, Larry King, Barbara Walters, Jaleel White, Lil' Kim, Spike Lee, Don King, Vicki Roberts, Nicole Richie, Dionne Warwick, Kim Kardashian West, and Kris Jenner.
Music website Amazon sold as many Jackson albums in the 24 hours after his death as in the previous 11 years.
His gold coffin seen at his memorial is a rare design called the Promethean. It cost $25,000 and is made of solid bronze but is 14-carat gold-plated with a hand-polished mirror finish and lined with velvet. It is identical to the coffin used to bury James Brown in 2006 - which may have inspired Jackson after he saw it when Brown lay in state.
His memorial service from the Staples Center on Tuesday, July 7th 2009 brought the Internet's second largest day ever in terms of total traffic.
In the 1980s, Jackson and Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury became close friends and recorded three songs together - "Victory", "State of Shock" (later recorded by Mick Jagger) and "There Must Be More To Life Than This". All are demos and have never been officially released.
The Elephant Man (1980) was one of his favorite movies.
He spent his last days at a rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in Los Angeles. The property was once owned by Sean Connery.
An Andy Warhol head-and-shoulders portrait of Jackson made the cover of Time magazine on March 19, 1984.
He died on the same day as Farrah Fawcett. Both were in California at the time. She died at 9:28 a.m PDT, he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. after hours of unsuccessful resuscitation.
It is estimated that Michael Jackson's earnings in the six months following his death on June 25 2009 will top the entire $149 million (£90 million) made by Jimi Hendrix since he passed away in 1970. (Jackson's estate subsequently grew from £3.5 million at the time of his 2009 death to £400 million or $679 million by 2014).
Two months after his death, just before what would be his 51st birthday, and the day of his burial, his Number Ones album surpassed Taylor Swift's highly successful album Fearless as the best selling album of 2009 at that point.
He had a long standing relationship with Cherokee Studios, reaching back to his days with the Jackson 5. It was during an early Jackson 5 recording session at Cherokee that Shelley Berger, longtime Motown Manager, first realized his talent, telling Rolling Stone Magazine he would be "the new Sammy Davis." Later, he came back to Cherokee to record his multi platinum breakout solo Album Off the Wall. His relationship with Cherokee continued throughout his solo career, culminating in the recording of what went on to become the best selling album of all time, Thriller (over 51 million albums sold worldwide).
He held 10 different Guinness World Records.
In 1991, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced a top secret film project called "MidKnight" which would star Jackson as meek young man by day, who secretly changes into a heroic singing and dancing knight at the stroke of midnight. The film was part of Jackson's $1 billion re-up with Sony Music. But the project fell apart due to contractual issues as well as the 1993 child molestation allegations.
Jackson received his very first screen kiss in the John Singleton-directed music video, "Remember the Time" (1992), when he kissed Iman (playing Queen Nefertiti to Eddie Murphy's Pharaoh).
He achieved the dubious distinction in 2009 of meriting the number three position on Forbes magazine's list of "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities". Jackson's posthumous earnings of $90 million were surpassed only by Yves Saint-Laurent and Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (as Rodgers & Hammerstein).
He kept a pet chimpanzee, Bubbles.
Jackson's music video "Liberian Girl" (1989) comprises what is arguably the most star-studded ensemble of cameos in pop music history. In order of appearance are: Beverly Johnson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Sherman Hemsley, Brigitte Nielsen, Paula Abdul, Carl Weathers, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones, Jackie Collins, Amy Irving, Jasmine Guy, Rosanna Arquette, Billy Dee Williams, Lou Diamond Phillips, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Corey Feldman, Steven Spielberg, Debbie Gibson, Ricky Schroder, Blair Underwood, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Bubbles, Suzanne Somers, Lou Ferrigno, Don King (and "Son"), Mayim Bialik, Virginia Madsen, David Copperfield, Emily and Richard Dreyfuss, Danny Glover, Olivia Hussey, Dan Aykroyd and Steve Guttenberg. Jackson appears only at the very end manning a camera on a crane. Directed by James Yukich.
Ever since he was a boy, Michael Jackson was a fan of the Three Stooges, especially Curly Howard. In fact, for the Curly biography "Curly: An Illustrated Biography of the Superstooge" (Citadel Press, 1985), written by Curly's niece Joan Howard Maurer, Michael wrote the Foreward. The irony here is that both men died at roughly the same age: Curly at forty-eight, Michael at fifty.
He was a fan of Fulham Football Club (English Premier League soccer club), based at Craven Cottage, Fulham, London, England. Fellow fans include Elizabeth Hurley, Lily Allen, Hugh Grant, Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Laurie, Benicio Del Toro, Daniel Radcliffe and Andrew Johnston.
He performed live with Britney Spears in September, 2001. Together they performed Jackson's song "The Way You Make Me Feel" at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special in Madison Square Garden. This was Jackson's last live performance of the song in front of an audience.
Michael Jackson did sketches and drawings.
He was the uncle of Yashi Brown, Austin Brown, Dealz, Jermajesty Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, Donte Jackson, Genevieve Jackson, Taryll Jackson, Taj Jackson, and T.J. Jackson.
He was close friends with Lou Ferrigno. Jackson invited Ferrigno to be his personal trainer to prepare for the 'This Is It' concerts. Ferrigno had appeared in the "Liberian Girl" short film in 1989 and they remained friends until Jackson's death in 2009.
The film This is It about Jacksons scheduled 50 performances it the O2 Arena in Londen is the highest grossing documentary and concert movie of all time.
In November 2003, a Greatest Hits compilation released on 17th November 2003, entitled "Michael Jackson: Number Ones", with one new song entitled "One More Chance".
In August 2011 in Cardiff, Wales, a concert was being planned to honor The King of Pop on October 8, 2011 at Millennium Stadium, featuring Aguilera, Christina, Robinson, Smokeey, Gree, Cee Lo and others.
In November 2003, he was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy. In February 2005, the trial for charges including molestation and intoxication of a minor began. It was expected to last at least six months. In June 2005, he was acquitted on all charges.
In November 2006, he accepted Guinness World Record award for Greatest Album of all time, at London's Earls Court.
In September 2005, he resided in Bahrain, a Muslim country that is located on the Southern part of Persian Gulf.
The iconic red jacket he wore in his Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983) was sold for $1.8 million at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills (27 June 2011).
In 2008 while at a Halloween party with his kids, people thought he was a Michael Jackson impersonator and played "Thriller" when he walked in.
He had an extremely good memory with many people even claiming he had a photographic memory. He could remember names, stories, and information relating to encounters with people many years before.
He was a huge fan of Marvel comics and a close friend of Stan Lee, to the point of wanting to buy the company in the 1980's.
Akon said that a reason for the This Is It series of shows was that Michael's kids had never actually seen him perform.
It has been implied that much of his self-described Peter Pan persona as an eccentric and somewhat childlike man was created and imposed by his managers. Wesley Snipes, who got to know him while making the ''Bad'' music video, was surprised at his ability to hold long and detailed conversations about topics such as psychology, metaphysics and social issues.
He was widely known to be a very private man. In one of his videos "Leave Me Alone," the video talked about negative and false stories about him after "Thriller.".
He was portrayed in Quantum Leap: Camikazi Kid - June 6, 1961 (1989) as a child being taught by Scott Bakula's character how to moonwalk.
He was close friends with Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Marlon Brando, Carrie Fisher, and Donny Osmond.
According to several media outlets, the high-pitched speaking voice Jackson usually used in public was actually a put-on, and his normal speaking voice was much deeper. Jackson biographer Ian Halperin claimed, "He wanted to act like a boy. He felt it was a way for the public to love him more".
His autopsy revealed Jackson's distinctive shoulder-length locks were a wig as he had lost virtually all of his hair. His body was covered in a mass of surgery scars from at least 13 cosmetic operations.
He had a black belt in Karate during his childhood.
He agreed to appear in The Simpsons (1989 - ) because he was a huge fan of the show.
After his legendary moonwalk in Motown 25, Fred Astaire said of him: "Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That's the greatest dancer of the century". He also claimed that Michael was worthy of being his ''descendant''.
He often came up with nicknames for people he was especially fond of or close to, such as calling his brother Jermaine ''Maine'' and ''Erms''.
He was often referred to as Mike by his friends and family.
Was friends with Corey Feldman and Mila Kunis.
Was good friends with Eddie Van Halen, Macaulay Culkin, Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy and Uri Geller.
His father, Joe Jackson, is of African and distant Native American Ancestry. His grandfather, Israel Nero Jackson, was the son of Jack July Jackson (1803-1908), an indigenous Choctaw of the Plantation of Gale.
Personal Quotes (48)
I can't think of a better way to spread the message of world peace than by working with the NFL and being part of Super Bowl XXVII.
I don't like pop music.
I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart.
People think they know me, but they don't. Not really. Actually, I am one of the loneliest people on this earth. I cry sometimes, because it hurts. It does. To be honest, I guess you could say that it hurts to be me.
"Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on a TV screen doesn't make it factual. To buy it is to feed it." - about tabloid magazines.
I made a terrible mistake. I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children.
"You ain't seen nothing yet, and the best is yet to come." (1999)
There is a lot of sadness in my past life. My father beat me. It was difficult to take being beaten and then going on stage. He was strict; very hard and stern.
Elizabeth Taylor used to feed me, to hand-feed me, at times. Please, I don't want anybody to think I'm starving, I'm not. My health is perfect, actually.
I just want to say to fans in every corner of the earth, every nationality, every race, every language: I love you from the bottom of my heart. I would love your prayers and your goodwill, and please be patient and be with me and believe in me because I am completely, completely innocent. But please know a lot of conspiracy is going on as we speak.
Marlon Brando has been pushing. He's a wonderful man. He's a god. He wants a lot of money. He wants to get things done right now. - On a video about acting which he was planning to make with Brando in 2001
Elizabeth Taylor is a warm cuddly blanket that I love to snuggle up to and cover myself with. I can confide in her and trust her. She's Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, the Queen of England, and Wendy.
I trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir persuaded me to trust him that his would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was the man that turned Diana's life around. I am surprised that a professional journalist would compromise his integrity by deceiving me in this way. Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this terrible and unfair programme. Everyone who knows me will know the truth which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child. I also want to thank my fans around the world for the overwhelming number of messages of support that I have received, particularly from Great Britain, where people have e-mailed me and said how appalled they were by the Bashir film. Their love and support has touched me greatly.
I was coming out of the shower and I fell and all my body weight - I'm pretty fragile - all my body weight fell against my rib cage. And I bruised my lung very badly.
I love my children. I was holding my son tight. Why would I throw a baby off the balcony? That's the dumbest, stupidest story I ever heard.
I think that it's demeaning and disrespectful but I also want to make it clear it's not just about me but a pattern of disrespect that he has shown to our community. He needs to stop it and he needs to stop it now. - On Eminem's video for "Just Lose It
I have spent my entire life helping millions of children across the world. I would never harm a child. It is unfortunate that some individuals have seen fit to come forward and make a complaint that is completely false. Years ago, I settled with certain individuals because I was concerned about my family and the media scrutiny that would have ensued if I fought the matter in court. These people wanted to exploit my concern for children by threatening to destroy what I believe in and what I do. I have been a vulnerable target for those who want money.
I am always writing a potpourri of music. I want to give the world escapism through the wonder of great music and to reach the masses.
I'm a visionary and a creative person. God blessed me with certain talents. I hate to use an analogy, but Walt Disney was creative but not good with business. His brother Roy handled the books. He loved creating family-oriented entertainment and so do I. I feel that was a gift and I have that gift also. I'm very honored to have been chosen.
"When I saw him move I was mesmerized. I've never seen a performer perform like James Brown and right then and there I knew that that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Success definitely brings on loneliness. People think you're lucky, that you have everything. They think you can go anywhere and do anything, but that's not the point. One hungers for the basic stuff.
My father was a management genius. But what I really wanted was a dad.
I've been in the entertainment industry since I was six-years-old ... As Charles Dickens says, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career ... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me. (2007)
[on his career] It all went by so fast, didn't it? I wish I could do it all over again, I really do.
[on refuting persistent rumors of skin surgery or bleaching] If I had a chance to talk to Michelangelo, I would ask him what inspired him to become who he is, the anatomy of his craftsmanship, not about who he dated last night or why he decided to sit out in the sun so long.
When I was 16, we were doing Las Vegas every night, and Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr. would sit me and my brothers in a row and lecture us. 'Don't ever do drugs,' they told us. I never forgot it.
Music has been my outlet, my gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever.
You have to have that tragedy, that pain to pull from. That's what makes a clown great. You can see he's hurting behind the masquerade. He's something else externally. Charles Chaplin did that so beautifully, better than anyone. I can play off those moments, too. I've been through the fire many times.
I never had the chance to do the fun things kids do: sleepovers, parties, trick-or-treat. There was no Christmas, no holiday celebrating. So now you try to compensate for some of that loss.
My father is a much nicer person now. I think he realizes his children are everything. Without your family, you have nothing. He's a nice human being. At one time, we'd be horrified if he just showed up. We were scared to death. He turned out really well. I wish it wasn't so late.
I'm still fascinated by clouds and the sunset. I was making wishes on the rainbow yesterday. I saw the meteor shower. I made a wish every time I saw a shooting star.
I have confidence in my abilities. I have real perseverance. Nothing can stop me when I put my mind to it.
I never think about themes. I let the music create itself. I like it to be a potpourri of all kinds of sounds, all kinds of colors, something for everybody, from the farmer in Ireland to the lady who scrubs toilets in Harlem.
I've had people come to me, and after meeting me, they start crying. I say, "Why are you crying?" They say, "Because I thought you would be stuck up, but you're the nicest person." I say, "Who gave you this judgment?" They tell me they read it. I tell them, "Don't you believe what you read."
When I'm on stage, it's like a two-hour marathon. I weigh myself before and after each show, and I lose a good 10 pounds. Sweat is all over the stage. Then you get to your hotel and your adrenaline is at its zenith and you can't fall asleep. And you've got a show the next day. It's tough.
[on calling himself the 'King of Pop'] I never self-proclaimed myself to be anything. If I called up Elizabeth Taylor right now, she would tell you that she coined the phrase. She was introducing me, I think at the American Music Awards, and said in her own words - it wasn't in the script - "I'm a personal fan, and in my opinion he is the king of pop, rock and soul." Then the press started saying "King of Pop" and the fans started. This self-proclaimed garbage, I don't know who said that.
I sit in my room at home and sometimes cry. It's so hard to make friends. Sometimes I walk around the neighbourhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home.
[on being asked what he thought his funeral would be like in 2002] It's going to be the greatest show on Earth. That's what I want. Fireworks and everything.
[on recording in Ireland in 2006] I've never given up on making music. Ireland has inspired me to make a great new album.
If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
I am the captain of my ship. I take suggestions and listen to what everyone has to say, but the final decision is mine.
[on his father] He is a very jealous father. He isn't gonna show you love, but anybody that gets closer to us than him he would tell them, 'Leave my boys alone!' To tell you the truth, I never have felt close to him. He has always been like a mystery man.
I would like some way to disappear where people don't see me anymore at some point. I don't want to grow old. I never want to look in the mirror and see that.
The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.
In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.
Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing you can do is share your bed with someone. It's very charming. It's very sweet. It's what the whole world should do.
A star can never die. It just turns into a smile and melts back into the cosmic music, the dance of life.
[the three most important rules for any aspiring pop star] Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
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