Michael Jackson — Thriller to the End

July 21st, 2009 by James Ziebarth, under Music. No Comments

Gary, Indiana, would change forever on August 29, 1958. That is the day that Michael Jackson made his debut. Michael was born into performing. His father, Joseph Walter Jackson performed with The Falcons, an Rhythm and Blues band. His mommy, Katherine Esther Scruse was a dedicated Jehovah’s Witness. Although he had limited success, Joseph would find recognition and wealth on the backs of his children.

Joseph had achieved little musical success; however, Joseph was determined to achieve celebrity at all costs. He saw a chance to turn his kids into a group. Initially, the group was composed of Michael’s older brothers. At the age of 8, Michael Jackson joined the group. Michael was assigned to backup vocals and dancing. Michael and his brother Marlon were promoted to lead vocals. Joseph then changed the group’s name to The Jackson Five.

celebrity would find The Jackson Five. Critics have argued that The Jackson Five would not have made it without Jacko. They may be right. Jacko was the standout singer from the start. He struck out on a solo career in the late 1970s. Thriller was released in 1982, spent 80 weeks on Billboards Top 200, and earned Double Diamond status.

Being just another performer is not what Jacko had in mind. He would also become an author in 1988 adding the title of author to his arsenal. Moon Walk, his autobiography, would take nearly four years to complete and would sell over 200,000 copies.

1982 was a banner year for Jacko. However, the year between 1984 and 1985 would prove to have its ups and downs. Michael spent $47.5 million to purchase the Beatles music rights. That expenditure would turn me green but I am not Michael Jackson. The low point on the year was being burned on his scalp. He was burned during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

Title of King of Pop was not enough for Michael Jackson. He released his first book, Moon Walk, in 1988. Moon Walk was an autobiography that took Jacko four years to write. Over 200,000 people purchased the book.

In May 1994 Jackson was married for the first time to Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. Jackson and Presley’s marriage was short lived, and would end in a divorce 2 years later. They would still remain friends after the divorce.

Hoping for true love and a second attempt at a long lasting marriage, Jackson would remarry on November 14, 1996. The bride would be identified at Debbie Rowe, Michael’s dermatology nurse. Together they would have 2 children. A boy and a girl. Michel Joseph Jackson a.k.a. Prince Michael Jackson, and Paris Katherine Michael Jackson. In only 3 short years the couple would call it quits and Debbie Rowe would give full custody right of the children over to their father Michael.

In 2002, Michael Jackson’s third child would be born. Prince Michael Jackson II. The mother’s identity was never released by Jackson, but he would say that the child was the result of an artificial insemination from a surrogate mother and his own sperm cells.

In 2003, Jacko would once again be accused of child molestation. He would officialy be charged with 7 counts of molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor. The minor in this case would turn out to be 13 year old Gavin Arvizo. Once again Jackson would deny all charges.

His trial, People vs. Jackson, would officially begin on January 31, 2005 and would last for a period of only 5 months. The trial ended with Jackson being acquitted on all counts.

In 2009, shortly before his death, Jacko was scheduled to perform 50 sell out concerts to over one million people at London’s O2 arena. The concerts would have started on July 13, 2009 and finished up on March 6, 2010. According to Jackson’s website, the ticket sales has already broke numerous records.

On June 25,2009, Michael Jackson would collapse at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. All attempts at rescuing him by his personal physician would be unsuccessful. Los Angeles Paramedics would receive a call at 12:22 p.m (PDT), and would arrive three minutes later at Michael Jackson’s residence. According to sources on the scene, Jackson was not breathing and CPR was administered. The CPR would continue for an hour while en route to a local Los Angeles hospital, where Jackson would be pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. local time.

His memorial would be held on July7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angles. His casket was present at the memorial, which was broadcast live all around the world and watched by up to one billion people, but no information would be released about the final resting place of Michael Jackson’s body. RIP Michael “King of Pop” Jackson.