La VIDA de MICHAEL JACKSON - Historia - Biografía - Documental

Michael Jackson: The Rise of a Pop Icon

Early Life and Family Background

• Michael Jackson, born on August 29, 1958, was the eighth of ten children in a working-class African American family from Gary, Indiana.

• His mother, Katherine, aspired to be an artist and played clarinet and piano while his father, Joe Jackson, worked as a steelworker and guitarist.

• Michael showed early interest in music by singing at kindergarten Christmas celebrations; he joined the Jackson Brothers band in 1964.

Formation of The Jackson 5

• In 1965, Michael began sharing lead vocals with his brother Jermaine, leading to the formation of The Jackson 5 amidst a troubled relationship with their father.

• The group won a local talent show in 1965 and toured the Midwest performing at black clubs known as the "Chitlin Circuit."

• By late 1968, they recorded their first single "Gran chico" for Steeltown Records; Rolling Stone described young Michael as a musical prodigy.

Breakthrough with Motown Records

• In 1969, producer Bobby Taylor introduced The Jackson 5 to Motown's Berry Gordy; they quickly achieved success with four consecutive number one hits on Billboard Hot 100.

• During this time, Motown provided housing for the family in Encino, California as Michael transitioned from child performer to teenage idol.

Solo Career Beginnings

• Michael's solo career began in 1972 with his first album "Got to Be There," followed by "Ben" (1973), showcasing a shift towards soft soul music.

• In June 1975, The Jacksons signed with Epic Records after leaving Motown; younger brother Randy joined while Jermaine pursued solo work.

Challenges and Collaborations

• Between 1976 and 1984, The Jacksons released six albums during which Michael became the main songwriter for several hits.

• In film roles like Scarecrow in "The Wiz" (1978), despite being a box office flop, he collaborated with renowned producer Quincy Jones afterward.

Michael Jackson's Musical Evolution and Achievements

Transition to Solo Artist

• In 1980, Michael Jackson released his fifth album "Out of the Wall," co-produced with Quincy Jones, marking his establishment as a solo performer. The album showcased a shift from catchy pop to more complex sounds.

• The album achieved significant commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and selling over 20 million copies worldwide. It was notable for generating four top-10 hits in the U.S.

Grammy Awards and Disney Influence

• One of the standout tracks, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," won Jackson a Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Soul Song at the American Music Awards.

• Michael's passion for Disney, particularly Peter Pan, influenced his artistic direction. He collaborated with actress Jane Fonda on a potential production.

Continued Success with "Triumph"

• In 1980, he released his 13th album "Triumph," featuring songs like “This Place Hotel” and “Can You Feel It,” which achieved various chart successes globally.

• Despite its success (three million copies sold), Jackson felt it should have had a greater impact and aimed to exceed expectations with future releases.

Collaborations and Notable Projects

• In 1981, he recorded demos with Freddie Mercury intended for a duet album; however, tensions arose due to an unusual request involving a llama during recording sessions.

• By late 1982, he contributed “Someone in the Dark” to E.T.'s audiobook soundtrack, winning a Grammy for Best Children's Album.

The Groundbreaking "Thriller" Album

• The release of "Thriller" in late 1982 became monumental; it won seven Grammy Awards and eight American Music Awards while selling approximately 65 million copies globally.

• The album topped the Billboard charts for an impressive duration: 37 weeks at number one and remained in the top ten for 80 consecutive weeks.

Impactful Music Videos

• Alongside the album's success came groundbreaking music videos; notably, the “Thriller” video redefined music video production standards and broke racial barriers on MTV.

Historic Performances

• On March 25, 1983, Michael reunited with his brothers for a performance that aired on May 16. His iconic moonwalk debuted during this show while performing “Billie Jean.”

Commercial Ventures and Humanitarian Efforts

• In November 1983, he signed a record-breaking $5 million promotional deal with Pepsi Cola but suffered injuries from an accident during filming that led to extensive treatment.

Philanthropic Contributions

• Recognized for his humanitarian efforts in May 1984 when invited by President Ronald Reagan to receive an award supporting charities addressing substance abuse issues.

Collaborative Charity Work

The Impact of Michael Jackson's Music and Career

Philanthropic Efforts and Early Success

• The song generated a profit of $63 million, which was donated for hunger relief in Ethiopia, marking it as one of the best-selling singles with over 20 million copies sold.

• In 1985, ATV Music put up for sale the Beatles' catalog, which Michael Jackson acquired after ten months of negotiations for $47 million, leading to a fallout with Paul McCartney.

Health Challenges and Artistic Ventures

• During this period, rumors circulated about Jackson sleeping in an oxygen chamber to prevent aging; he later denied these claims.

• He starred in the 3D short film "Captain EO," directed by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, with a budget of approximately $30 million.

Record-Breaking Tours and Achievements

• His album "Malo" sold over 34 million copies worldwide, producing seven hit singles that set records on the Billboard Hot 100.

• The world tour for this album began on September 12, culminating on January 27, 1989. It sold out tickets multiple times in Japan and filled Wembley Stadium seven times.

Personal Life Reflections

• In his biography "Paseo Lunar," published in 1988, Jackson discussed his childhood experiences with The Jackson 5 and personal struggles including changes to his appearance.

• He purchased Neverland Ranch for $17 million in March 1991, featuring an amusement park and zoo; it was valued at $100 million by 2003.

Continued Success into the '90s

• In March 1991, he renewed his contract with Sony for $65 million and released "Dangerous," selling over seven million copies in the U.S. alone.

• His Super Bowl halftime show became iconic with over 133.4 million viewers tuning in live; this led to more high-profile performances during NFL halftime shows.

Awards and Personal Relationships

• At the Grammys in 1993, he received the Living Legend award from his sister Janet for his contributions to music.

Michael Jackson's Life and Legacy

Early Family Life and Marriages

• Michael Jackson's tour attracted over 4.5 million attendees, raising $165 million, marking it as his most successful tour in terms of viewership.

• In November of the same year, he married Debbie Rowe, a nurse who assisted his dermatologist; they had two children: Prince (Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.) and Paris (Katherine Jackson).

• The couple divorced in 1999, with custody awarded to Michael; Rowe received an $8 million settlement and a Beverly Hills home.

Charitable Contributions and Controversies

• In June 1999, he participated in charity events including one organized by Luciano Pavarotti to aid refugees from Yugoslavia and needy children in Guatemala.

• Entering the new millennium, he accused Sony's president Tommy Mottola of racism for not supporting African American artists, leading to contract cancellation.

Personal Challenges and Public Image

• On February 21, 2002, his third son was born via artificial insemination; this act drew criticism for how he presented the child to the media.

• From January to May 2003, he recorded "Living with Michael Jackson," which was later edited by journalist Martin Bashir, misrepresenting him despite high viewership.

Final Years and Tragic Death

• On March 5, 2009, he announced his comeback tour "This Is It," planned for July at London's O2 Arena as his final performances.

• Tragically on June 25, 2009, he suffered cardiac arrest at home; paramedics arrived but could not revive him. He was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan Medical Center.

Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

• His public funeral on July 7 was watched live by nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide; it showcased the profound grief of his family.

• In February 2010, Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter related to Jackson’s death due to administering dangerous drugs; Murray pleaded not guilty but was sentenced in 2011.

Reflection on Legacy