Michael Jackson – King of Pop’s legacy lives on

Michael Joseph Jackson – The King of Pop – is regarded as one of the greatest entertainers in the history of music. Very few people have the ability to create such a significant legacy in their lifetime the way Michael Jackson did.

His biggest Unique Selling Point (USP) was that his songs were as good as his videos, which is a rare combination in the music world.

While musicians and other celebrated artists in the past have been responsible for setting trends, MJ’s was truly like no other. The most famous – the moonwalk that becomes synonymous to him.

On Michael Jackson’s 11th death anniversary, let us have a look at his achievements and some top-trends during his lifetime.

Childhood

The king of entertainment was born in August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. His parents had musical ambitions of their own. Mother Katherine Jackson played the clarinet and piano. Father Joe was a guitarist and made extra cash performing in local R’n’B bands.

His first public performance was in 1963. When he was 5 he sang Shirley Bassey’s Climb Ev’ry Mountain at a public event organised by Garnett Elementary School’s Kindergarten.

He made his recording debut at 9 years old. It was on Big Boy by The Jackson 5, which was released by a small label in January 1968. It didn’t sell in large numbers, but it was enough to notify the major labels that this kid had talent.

He broke barriers from a young age. When he was a 12-year-old with The Jackson 5, the group became the first black male group to release four back-to-back chart-toppers with 1969’s I Want You Back and 1970’s ABC, The Love You Save and I’ll Be There.

The King of Pop

Jackson’s first solo effort for Epic, Off the Wall (1979), exceeded all expectations and was the best-selling album of the year. Three years later he returned with collaboration with Jones, Thriller, a tour de force that featured an array of guest stars and elevated him to worldwide superstardom. By 1984 Jackson was renowned worldwide as the “King of Pop.”

Awards and Achievements

Michael Jackson had won countless awards for his extraordinary performances. Jackson’s career was rewarded with 13 Grammy Awards; 6 Brit Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards and 24 American Music Awards.

He currently holds 12 Guinness World Records. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, becoming one of only a few artists to be inducted twice (he was inducted in 1997 as a member of The Jackson 5).

Accusations and Death

His reputation was seriously damaged in 1993 when he was accused of child molestation by a 13-year-old boy he had befriended; a civil suit was settled out of court.

He suffered even more in November 2003 when he was arrested and charged with child molestation. After a 14-week trial that became something of a media circus, Jackson was acquitted in 2005.

In the wake of these events, Jackson suffered a financial collapse that resulted in the sale of many of his considerable assets, including, ultimately, his lavish Neverland ranch.

He died suddenly of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009. In August 2009 the coroner ruled Jackson’s death a homicide; the cause was a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, an anesthetic. In November 2011 Jackson’s personal physician was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.