A King’s Legacy: The Michael Jackson Story

The world of music would not be what is today without the influence of talented and legendary artists like Michael Jackson. It has been decades since the King of Pop dominated the airwaves, but much of his contributions continue to linger up until today. But as glamorous and extravagant as Michael’s life seemed, his path to success was nowhere near easy.

Since becoming an international hit at the tender age of six, Michael grew up shouldering the pressure of being perfect for the cameras and the tabloids. And although his public life was littered with chart-topping tracks and record-breaking performances, much of his private life remained entangled with controversy. It was only later in his life that the degree and full-extent of his struggles were revealed.

It is definitely easy to see Michael Jackson with rose-colored glasses, but what many tend to forget was that he, too, was a vulnerable human surviving in the harsh world of Hollywood. But who was this king that many artists look up to? What was his life before, during, and after fame? If you’re interested to know, then keep scrolling.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Long before Michael Jackson became the King of Pop, he was part of a family band called The Jackson 5. The group was founded in 1965 in Gary, Indiana, and initially had only three members; Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine. It wasn’t long, though, before two of their younger brothers, Marlon and Michael, joined the family business. At that time, Michael was only six years old and had little experience singing professionally. However, their father put in a lot of trust and investment into his sons, and it was not long before their career gained the attention it needed.

Three years after stepping into the spotlight, the Jackson 5 was able to land a deal with the record company Motown Records. From there on out, their success started to grow steadily. And just one year after they got signed by Motown, the band was able to score their very first #1 single called I Want You Back. The group also had varying degrees of success outside of their career as a band. Michael, for one, began making solo appearances on T.V. and began making solo albums. They also added their younger sister, Janet, in the latter half of the 70s and participated in the production of their very own variety show called, The Jacksons. Sadly, the show only lasted for one season. It was also during this decade that the band encountered a turning point as Michael decided to leave the band and pursue his solo career full-time.

THE RISE OF THE KING

Since Michael already had years of experience and exposure under his belt, he was able to become a hit rather quickly as a solo artist.

Though he has been releasing solo albums since the early years of the 70s, it was not until 1979 that he earned his first big solo break, through the release of his album Off The Wall. This era also saw the birth of Michael’s infamous moonwalk, which, as we all know, cemented his status as a music and dance icon. Since then, Michael has been given credit for popularizing the dance move.

Another massive success followed in 1983 when Michael released his album Thriller. The album is also considered Michael’s most successful album, earning a total of 8 Grammys, 7 Top Ten Singles, and selling 45 million copies worldwide. These achievements, along with so many others, ultimately earned Michael the credit of being the King of Pop.

THE END OF AN ERA

Because of his artistic and financial success, Michael was able to make sizable investments across different industries and sectors. Some argue that these purchases made by Jackson were too extravagant and impulsive. His 2,700-acre real estate property, in particular, became the subject of many criticisms for having its own amusement park and a petting zoo.

He received more unwanted attention when he battled with his vitiligo, a condition where the skin loses pigment making it lighter over time. Because of that, Michael faced allegations of trying to change his appearance on purpose, which he heavily denied.

The King of Pop also faced challenges with his marriage and family life. However, he remained dedicated to his craft and worked on his personal life in private.

The last few years of his life may have been spent away from the prying eyes of the public, but rest assured Michael’s legacy as the King of Pop will live on forever.

Based on materials from History and Biography Online.