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|- ! colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Michael Jackson |- | colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | |- | colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Michael Jackson promo shot taken in 2006 . |- ! Born | August 29 1958 Gary, Indiana , United States |- ! Occupation | Recording Artist , Performer , Songwriter , Musician , Entertainer and Actor . |- ! Years active | 1969–present |- ! Worldwide sales | ~300 million+ |- ! Genre(s) | R&B , Pop , Rock |- ! Label(s) | Motown Records (1969–1976) Epic Records (1976–2006) Two Seas Records (2006–present) |- ! Official website | Michael Jackson.com |- |} :''For other people with the same name, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation) Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29 , 1958 ), sometimes referred to as ''The King of Pop'' or ''Wacko Jacko'', is a Musician and Entertainer whose Successful Music Career and Controversial Personal Life have been at the forefront of Pop Culture for the last quarter-century. Jackson began his musical career at the age of five as lead singer of in the U.S. Michael Jackson has been awarded numerous honors, including the World Music Award 's "Best-selling pop male artist of the Millennium" and he is a double-inductee into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame , as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and in 2001 as a solo artist. Rock hall page for Michael Jackson 2001 inductee: Jackson, Michael From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his Neverland Ranch property, on which he built an Amusement Park and private Zoo for the enjoyment of economically disadvantaged and terminally ill children. His frequently held Sleepover parties have received widespread critical media-coverage, especially after he revealed that he sometimes slept in the same bed with several unrelated children. This led to him being accused of Child Sexual Abuse both in 1993 and 2003. He was eventually Tried And Acquitted of the latter allegations in 2005. The Beginning of Jackson's Career: 1969 – 1980 Michael Jackson was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson in Gary, Indiana . He was the seventh of nine children, including Rebbie , Jackie , Tito , Jermaine , LaToya , Marlon , Randy and Janet . Joseph organized his children into a music group called " The Jackson 5 ". The group played local clubs and bars, building up a following and eventually signing a contract with Motown Records in March 1969. The Jackson 5 soon became national stars with their first four singles charting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . Michael also released four solo albums and charted many hit singles as part of the Jackson 5 franchise including the hits "Got to Be There", " Ben ", and a remake of Bobby Day 's " Rockin' Robin ". The Jackson 5's sales declined after 1973, and the group chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow the Jacksons creative control or input. In 1976, the group signed a new contract with CBS Records (first joining the Philadelphia International division and later moving over to Epic Records ). Upon learning that the Jackson 5 had signed a contract with another label, Motown sued the group for breach of contract. As a result, they lost the rights to use the "Jackson 5" name and logo and changed their named to "The Jacksons". The newly named Jacksons, featuring youngest brother Randy in Jermaine's place, continued their successful career, touring internationally, and releasing six albums between 1976 and 1984. In 1978, Michael Jackson starred as the scarecrow in '', who established a partnership with Jackson and agreed to produce his first solo album. '' Off The Wall '', released in 1979, was a worldwide hit, and became the first album in history to spawn four top-ten hits, including " Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough " and " Rock With You ". Michael Jackson - History 1970s August 5, 1979: Off The Wall, is released. It becomes the first album in history to spawn four top ten singles The album went on to sell 20 million copies worldwide MJInf.co.uk - Off The Wall Current Best Estimate World Sales: 20 million, establishing Jackson as a musical force without his brothers. After the success of ''Off the Wall'', Jackson began work on his second solo album with Quincy Jones. Chart Domination and Media Controversy: 1982 – 1992 ''. The features Jackson holding a tiger cub.]] In 1982, Jackson released his Sophomore album with the album chart for 122 weeks. It was eventually certified 26x Platinum in the United States . Michael Jackson - History 1980s December, 1982: Michael releases Thriller, which contains a record 7 Top 10 hits, including the #1 hits "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller." The album spends 37 weeks at #1 and remains on the Billboard album chart for 122 weeks. It is eventually certified 26x Platinum in the United States. In 1983, whilst performing "Billie Jean" at the status and wealth to reap financial rewards. In 1983 Jackson started a sponsorship deal with Pepsi-Cola , as part of the deal Jackson agreed to star in a commercial. While filming the commercial in 1984, Jackson burnt his scalp, requiring Skin Graft s. BBC.co.uk - On This Day 1984: Michael Jackson burned in Pepsi ad Later in 1984, Jackson won eight '' album and performed and starred in the successful Victory Tour . In 1985 Jackson co-wrote the hit charity single " We Are The World ". The single helped to raise money and awareness for Famine in East Africa and brought Jackson his first taste of perception by the media as a Humanitarian Michael Jackson - History 1980s January 28, 1985: "We Are The World" is recorded. The song was written by Jackson and Lionel Richie Controversy followed that year when Jackson purchased the majority of shares in ATV Music Publishing (Lennon's estate and McCartney also co-owned), making himself the majority shareholder. The ATV Music Publishing company owned the rights to most of stories of Jackson sleeping in a Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber to stall the aging-process, and an untrue story claiming Jackson purchased the bones of the Elephant Man inspired the Pejorative nickname "Wacko Jacko" Allmusic.com Biography by Steve Huey. The name "Wacko Jacko" would come to be detested by Jackson. , Michael Jackson and Francis Ford Coppola on the set of ''Captain EO'']] In 1987, Jackson starred in the George Lucas / Francis Ford Coppola 3-D Film '' Captain EO ''. The film lasted just 17 minutes but with cost estimates between U.S. $17 million and $30 million, it was at the time the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis. However this was a seemingly logical extension of Jackson's habit of starring in expensive, critically acclaimed entertainment music videos. It was commercially successful and made a great deal of money. This was to be Jackson's first appearance on the big screen. Later on in 1987 Jackson released '''', but that idea fell through after the two had creative differences over lyrical content and Prince refused the project. Prince also stated later that he thought the song would be a hit whether he was in it or not. ''Bad'' sold 29 million copies MJInf.co.uk - Bad Current Best Estimate World Sales: 29 million and spawned seven hit singles Michael Jackson - History 1980s August 28, 1987: ...and spawns seven hit singles. While for any other artist this would be a fantastic achievement, this particular artist was Michael Jackson. Numerous critics slated the lower sales of ''Bad'' and a perceived stripping down of the epic nature of Jackson's work as part of the beginning of a decline in Jackson's career, although it should be noted that if Jackson did decline, it was from a great height. Including the number ones " I Just Can't Stop Loving You ", " Bad ", " The Way You Make Me Feel ", " Man In The Mirror ", and " Dirty Diana " ''Bad'' was a huge commercial success. The album was supported by a World Tour which lasted for over a year and visited 15 countries, and for which Jackson insisted on a personal Bus, Plane and Helicopter to be available to him all at the same time Michael Jackson - History 1980s September 12, 1987: Michael launches his Bad Tour on which he spends over a year visiting 15 countries[http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/story/0,15819,1506780,00.html] Bad Fortune - The Guardian Newspaper, UK - Wednesday June 15, 2005. Jackson hired film director and long-term friend Elizabeth Taylor as she presented Jackson with an "Artist of the decade" award in 1989, proclaiming him "the true king of Pop , Rock and Soul ". Some members of the media refer to Jackson as the "self-proclaimed king of pop" as they claim that Jackson gave the title to himself. In 1991, Michael Jackson released ''", which was accompanied by a controversial Music Video featuring scenes of a Sexual Nature , Violence and Racism . The video was banned on most music-television channels until the scenes of violence and sex enacted by Jackson breaking windows and simulating Masturbation were edited out of the video. Neverland Valley - Black or White Michael agreed to edit out the final 4 minutes of the video, and issued a statement On February 10th 1992 MTV kicked off its first global sweepstakes with "My Dinner with Michael." Winners from around the world attended a dinner party hosted by Michael Jackson on the set of his music video "In the Closet." Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame: Biography Info on Jackson in a timeline 'Healing the World', alleged Improprieties and Further Career: 1993 – 2002 Named for his hit single " Heal The World ", Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" in 1992 . The charity organization brought under-privileged children to Jackson's Neverland Ranch , located outside Santa Ynez, California to go on rides and amusements Jackson had built on the property since he purchased it in 1988, they were also fed. In January 1993 Michael Jackson performed during the halftime show at Superbowl XXVII. It drew the largest viewing audience in the history of American television. Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame: Biography Info on Jackson in a timeline Jackson would let children sleep-over at Neverland. This practice soon became frowned-upon when Allegations Of Child Molestation were brought against Jackson. In 1993, Jordan Chandler , the son of former Beverly Hills Dentist Evan Chandler, represented by Civil Lawyer Larry Feldman, accused Jackson of Child Sexual Abuse . On December 22nd, Jackson responded to the allegations via satellite from his Neverland compound, and said that " was totally innocent of any wrongdoing." On January 25 1994, Jackson settled out of court with the accuser for an undisclosed sum, reported to be $20,000,000 and was not charged. BBC News - On This Day 1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame: Biography Info on Jackson in a timeline After the allegations were settled in 1994, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley , the daughter of Elvis Presley . The marriage was severely criticized by the media and lasted less than two years. Despite some comments questioning the validity of this union, Presley has always maintained that they both shared a married couple's life during their time together and were sexually active. Prime Time interview ''(Real Player Required)'' '' compilation.]] In 1995, Jackson released '' album (in 2001, ''HIStory Begins'' was re-released on its own as ''Greatest Hits - HIStory Vol. I'' and sold 3 million copieshttp://www.mjinf.co.uk/HIStory/HIStory.htm MJinf.co.uk - Greatest Hits] HIStory Greatest Hits Vol 1 (disk 1 from HIStory) released in 2001 sold another 3 million), while the second disc, ''HIStory Continues'', contained fifteen new songs. The double album has sold 18 million copies MJinf.co.uk - HIStory Current Best Estimate World Sales: 18 million units (36 million disks) (36 million discs) to date. On September 7, 1995 at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards Jackson and Janet Jackson won three awards for the song "Scream," from HIStory. Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame: Biography Info on Jackson in a timeline To promote the album, Jackson embarked on the successful of Michael Jackson's children has been heavily debated by the public. Because Michael is black and Rowe is white, the children are Biracial . The children do not have any resemblance to Jackson in his childhood, and their skin is a milky white. This is not always uncommon in biracial children, since the darker-skinned parent may carry Recessive genes for paler skin. Michael has always maintained that his first two children were Concieved naturally, although it was claimed by tabloid The Sun , that Jackson had his first child via artificial insemination with his sperm and that the second child, Paris was concieved because Jackson went to Paris to console Rowe about how he had taken her first child including all parental rights from her. At the 1996 Brit Awards Jackson courted controvercy when he performed Earth Song dressed in Messiah-white and surrounded by worshipping children and a rabbi, while making Christ-like poses. Many took offence to this and Pulp lead singer Jarvis Cocker and his friend Peter Mansell decided to mount a stage invasion in protest. Cocker leapt onstage, pretended to flash his bottom, danced and sat back down. In response to the ensuing media scrutiny of the action, Cocker responded, "My actions were a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some kind of Christ-like figure with the power of healing... I just ran on the stage and showed off... All I was trying to do was make a point and do something that lots of other people would have loved to have done if only they'd dared."". {Link without Title} record of the nights events ''.]] In 1997, Jackson released an album of new material coupled with remixes of hit singles from the "HIStory" album titled '', who reportedly helped him through his addiction to Painkillers , notably Morphine . Jackson's latest album ''Invincible'' was released in October 2001. Michael Jackson - History 2000s October 30, 2001: Michael releases Invincible. The album debut at #1 on charts in 13 countries The album debuted at number-one in thirteen countries and has since sold eight million copies worldwide. MJinf.co.uk - Invincible Current Best Estimate World Sales: 8 million units The singles released from the album include " You Rock My World ," " Cry ," and " Butterflies ". Just before the release of ''Invincible'', Jackson informed Sony Music Entertainment head, Tommy Mottola , that he was not going to renew his contract, which was about to expire in terms of supplying the label with albums of full-new material for release through ER/SME. In 2002 all the singles releases, video shootings and promotions, concerning the ''Invincible'' album were cancelled. Due to this, Jackson made allegations about Sony not supporting its African-American artists. Jackson referred to Mottola as a "devil" and "racist" who used black artists for his own personal gain. Sony issued a statement stating that they found the allegations strange, since Mottola was once married to Biracial pop star Mariah Carey . Carey seemed to be nonchalant about Jackson's claims on Larry King Live . Larry King Live with Mariah Carey ''(Real Player Required)'' Berlin and Bashir: 2002 - 2003 When Jackson was awarded the 2002 BAMBI award in recognition of his musical accomplishments, he traveled to Berlin to receive the award at the annual BAMBI ceremonies held in November of that year. The award ceremony was important enough to persuade a US Judge to delay Jackson's testimony in a lawsuit regarding cancelled concert appearances. Once in Berlin, local fans learned the whereabouts of Jackson's hotel accommodations ( Hotel Adlon ) and promptly gathered beneath his hotel window, calling to him and cheering. A chant rose up, condemning the media for their negative coverage of Jackson's legal problems. Some of these chants can be heard on a documentary film of the event. According to Jackson, the fans also also called out that they wanted to see his baby. In response, Jackson brought his youngest son onto the balcony, holding him in his right arm with a towel over the baby's head, apparently to protect his identity. Jackson briefly extended the baby over the railing of the balcony. This action raised concern as some perceived his actions as Child Endangerment . Jackson quickly returned the child to the room. After watching media coverage of the Berlin event, a California Attorney and radio Talk Show host, Gloria Allred , wrote a letter to California's Child Protective Services, asking for an investigation into the safety of the three Jackson children. She also spoke on CNN about the subject. Because Child Protective Services do not make their investigations public, it is not known whether any action was taken as a result of Allred's letter. When a reporter asked Jackson what he thought of Allred's complaints, he remarked "tell her to go to hell." But shortly thereafter, Jackson issued a written statement about the incident, saying, "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." In a subsequent interview with Martin Bashir in 2003, Jackson said that the media were wrong in their comments about him being irresponsible with his children, "I love my children," he explained. "I was holding my son tight. Why would I throw a baby off the balcony? That's the dumbest, stupidest story I ever heard." In 2003, a controversial documentary titled '' and his film crew filmed Jackson for 18 months, also capturing his controversial behavior in Berlin (see above). One particular part of the documentary which stirred controversy and raised a significant level of concern showed Jackson holding hands with a 13-year-old Cancer victim named Gavin Arviso and admitting to sharing his bedroom with Gavin (not in the same bed), and his bed (non-sexually) with other children. Jackson felt betrayed by Bashir and complained that the film gives a distorted picture. Michael Jackson's statement Thursday, February 6, 2003 Posted: 6:03 AM EST (1103 GMT) He fought back releasing his own documentary, filmed simultaneously by his own personal cameraman who caught Jackson's full explanations on the topics of plastic surgery, the "baby dangling" incident, and his relationships with children. Trial, acquittal and the aftermath: 2003 – 2006 In November 2003, Michael Jackson and Sony Records released a compilation of his number one hits on in which Jackson was found not guilty of all charges. Jackson not guilty Tuesday, June 14, 2005 Posted: 5:23 PM EDT (2123 GMT) The criminal case was tried in Santa Maria, California during the spring of 2005. On June 13 , Jackson was acquitted of all ten charges, including four additional lesser ones. CNN later reported that two of the jurors, Ray Hultman and Eleanor Cook, believed he had committed child sex crimes in the past but there was not enough evidence to prove it Juror's Advice For The King Of Pop 14/06/2005 13:37:22, NY Daily News, and announced impending books on their experiences in the trial. It has been reported that one of the jurors is taking legal action against the publisher of his book, claiming he was tricked into it. Jackson Juror Sues Over Book Deal 11/09/2005 14:30, Contact Music On and later continued to make unofficial statements for the singer - despite no longer being contacted or paid by the singer or MJJ Productions. Staff Loses Health Insurance CNN - Friday, March 03, 2006 Rapper Eminem parodied the allegations in his music video for Just Lose It . The clip caused much controversy and fueled Jackson himself to make a statement. Steve Harvey and Stevie Wonder also made pro-Jackson comments regarding the video. After being acquitted of the titled, " I Have This Dream ". Ciara , Snoop Dogg , R. Kelly , Keyshia Cole , James Ingram , Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine, Shanice , the Reverend Shirley Caesar and The O'Jays have reportedly lent their voices to the charity song. After many delays, the single is still yet to be released. ABC News: Michael Jackson's Katrina Song Said Ready February 17, 2006 - ABC News In 2006, allegations of sexual assault were leveled against Jackson by a man who claims Michael Jackson molested him, intoxicated him with drugs and alcohol, and forced him to undergo unnecessary cosmetic surgery. Michael Jackson's lawyer Thomas Mesereau , who successfully defended him against allegations of child molestation in 2005, said "the charges are ridiculous on their face. They will be vigorously defended." New Molestation Suit By TMZ.com staff (Jan 12) Since this news came to light in early 2006, nothing further has happened regarding the charges. Recent events and news: Visionary, and the new album In February 2006, Jackson's label released Visionary - The Video Singles , a box set made up of twenty of his biggest hit singles, each of which will be issued individually week by week over a five-month period. MJ Visionary Full release list An appeals court ruled on , who previously represented Jackson, is not representing Jackson in this case. News Talk - Mesereau Will No Longer Represent Jackson Saturday, February 25 - Clear Channel News Network On March 9 , 2006 , California state labor officials closed the singer's Neverland Ranch and fined him $69,000 for failure to provide employment insurance. The state "stop order" bars Jackson from "using any employee labor" until he secures required workers' compensation insurance. In addition to being fined $1,000 for each of his 69 workers, Jackson is liable for up to 10 days pay for those employees who now are no longer allowed to report to Neverland for work. Workers Barred From Neverland Thursday, March 9, 2006 - thesmokinggun.com 30 Neverland employees have also sued Jackson for $306,000 in unpaid wages. Demand of Payment of Wages Thursday, March 9, 2006 - thesmokinggun.com Jackson was told if he did not pay these wages by a deadline, he would be fined an extra $100,000. Jackson's employees were paid by the deadline. Hot on the heels of this payment, Jackson's spokes-person announced on Thursday, March 16, 2006 that Jackson was closing his house at Neverland and had laid off some of the employees but added that reports of the closing of the entire ranch were inaccurate.[http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/17/jackson.neverland.ap/ Jackson closes Neverland house] There have been many reports of a possible sale of Neverland, but nothing tangible has been reported yet. In a move named by Jackson's advisors as "refinancing," it was announced on April 14 , 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 catalogue, the rest would then belong 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 catalogue. Jackson failed to pay and the loans were sold by the Bank Of America 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 catalogue 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%. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/business/media/13music.html?ex=1145851200&en=dff9044238c9b6c9&ei=5070 Michael Jackson Bailout Said to Be Close] 13/04/2006, Source: New York Times (Free Sign Up Required) None of the details are officially confirmed, an advisor to Jackson however did publically announce he had "restructured his finances with the assistance of Sony." Jackson strikes deal over loans 14/04/2006, Source: BBC On April 18 , 2006 , Michael Jackson signed a management deal with English Music Producer Guy Holmes. Holmes is the recently appointed CEO of 2 Seas Records, with whom Jackson has signed a recording contract for one album. The album is set for a 2007 fall release. Jackson confirms new management deal Tuesday April 18, 01:29 PM by WENN Music samples Discography Solo studio albums ; Motown releases:
; Epic releases:
;Two Seas releases:
Solo number-one singles
Filmography See Also: Michael Jackson filmography Notable short films
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