The Untold Story Of Pop-Star Legend, Michael Jackson

Michael transformed the art of music videos and paved the way for modern pop music. He impacted dance, led fashion trends, and raised awareness for global affairs. Michael came from a family of ten children. He got his start performing with his brothers in a group called The Jackson 5.

Michael Jackson was born in 1958 and was born into a working-class African-American family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. He grew up with eight siblings, three sisters, and 5 brothers; one brother died after birth.

Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, started a singing group with the five boys. They became known as the Jackson 5. They started off playing at clubs and small venues. They first appeared on television in the Miss Black American Pageant.

Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson have always had a powerful bond. When Janet was 14, it was her job to take care of her brother Michael. She would shop for him, wash his clothes, and clean for him. She said she would miss her brothers so much when they went on a tour that she would binge eat as a way to cope with the pain.

She had stated that before Michael passed, she hadn’t spoken to him in years. They had their ups and downs. They were close as children but not as they grew older. The Jackson family was very dysfunctional; there was a lot of jealousy among the children and emotional and physical abuse from their father.

Michael Jackson purchased the estate in 1988. It was Michael’s home and an amusement park. The property had three railroads, a Ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, octopus, wave swinger, super slide, roller coaster, bumper cars, and an arcade.

Michael created the theme park for children. There was also a zoo full of exotic animals. Many famous events happened at Neverland Ranch. Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding, live Oprah Winfrey interview, and an event there Michael and Lisa Marie Presley hosted children worldwide. The ranch was later involved with many scandals, and Michael refused to ever live there again.

Michael Jackson was charged in 2003 with child molestation of a 13-year-old boy. Jackson was accused in 1993 as well of child sexual abuse. He denied the allegations, and it was settled out of court. The 2005 trial lasted four months.

Police searched the entire Neverland Ranch. The jury deliberated over the course of seven days. They returned with a verdict of not guilty on all charges. The jurors stated they found the prosecution’s case week. He never returned to Neverland Ranch, saying police searches had despoiled it.

When Prince Michael II was 9 months old, Michael Jackson dangled him over a hotel balcony edge. They were on the third floor, and he was holding his son with one arm under his shoulder. He brought the child back inside safely, but fans cheered for him to appear again.

Jackson was never charged, even though many people thought he should have been. “I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children. It was a terrible mistake.”—-Michael Jackson

They had a son, Michael Jr., later named Prince, in 1997 and a daughter, Paris, in 1998. Rowe had been artificially inseminated. They divorced in 1999, and Michael was given full custody of the children. She received an eight million dollar settlement and a house in California.

Brooke Shields stated that she was just good friends with Michael. However, Michael had professed his love for her on national television. According to Brooke, they remained close friends for many years, but nothing had happened between them.

“Whenever we went out together, and there would be a picture taken, there would be a caption of some kind; the caption usually said something like an odd couple or an unlikely pair. But, to us, it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.”—-Brooke Shields

Quincy Jones was one of Michael Jackson’s close friends and record producer. Jones produced the album “Thriller,” “Off the Wall,” and “Bad.” The pair became one of the most important duos in the history of pop. Jones said they used to stay up five days with no sleep when they were on a roll.

Jones said they were in a good place at the time of Michael’s death. “He wanted us to get back together. But we were close, man. Always close. You can’t do those kinds of records without love, trust, and respect. You can’t do it.”——Quincy Jones

The Jackson 5 was a pop band made up of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marol, and Michael. They were from Gary, Indiana, and were managed by their father, Joe Jackson. They performed in talent shows and clubs when they first started.

The Jackson 5 signed with Steeltown Record in 1967 but then left to sign with Motown in 1968. Some of their greatest hits were: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” In 1976 they signed with Epic Records, and Jermaine left the group, with Randy replacing him. After their Victory Tour, the group broke apart.

Katherine Jackson filed for divorce twice but never went through with it. Michael and Janet both stated that he not only physically abused the children; he was also verbally abusive. “I’m glad I was tough because look what I came out with. I came out with some kids that everybody loved all over the world.”—-Joe Jackson

Princess Diana and Michael Jackson only ever met one time in person, but they were very close friends. They had many late-night phone calls, and she loved his songs. They shared a passion for creating good in the World, and both shared the disadvantages of being famous.

Princess Diana attended Jackson’s Bad Tour, and that is where they met in person. Michael gifted the royal couple with two miniature tour jackets for Princes William and Harry. “Diana was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known because we could relate to each other. We shared something in common with the press. I don’t think they hounded anyone more than her and myself. And we had a relationship, where we would call each other late at night, just cry on each other’s shoulders, how hard, and difficult and how mean the tabloids can be.” —–Michael Jackson

Michael was eventually found not guilty of all charges. Michael never lived at Neverland Ranch again; he said he wasn’t home anymore after all of the allegations and the police search. He moved into his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.

In 1990, Michael Jackson went to the White House to receive the “Artist of the Decade” award. President George H.W. Bush honored Michael for his artistic output and his charitable work. This was his second honor received at the White House.

He later would receive a third honor from President Clinton. Michael wore his usual sparkly clothes. He spoke with the president about his points of light concept. He was also in town to receive a humanitarian award from the Capital Children’s Museum.

When Michael Jackson was on a tour of the production facilities at the Robert Abel & Associates Company, the film editor had a white disposable gloves box. Michael spotted the gloves and asked if they could spare a glove. The glove was worn at first to cover his vitiligo on his hand.

The glove he made for his right hand was made of white spandex and covered in Swarovski crystals. He always just wore the one glove. It has since been auctioned off. “I felt one glove was cool. Wearing two seemed so ordinary.”—–Michael Jackson

Michael was born into a family of nine children. They lived in a two-bedroom house in Gary, Indiana, on Jackson Street. The house was small and located in a rough neighborhood. But, Michael said the house was always filled with music. They’d move all the furniture out of the living room and dance.

In 1967, the Jackson family moved to Los Angeles. The house remains and is now a memorial site for Michael’s fans. There was an impressive granite memorial, but now there is just a whiteboard for messages hanging on the fence.

Before Michael Jackson’s Superbowl Halftime performance, the show was usually comprised of university marching bands, drill teams, and other groups. He started the show by catapulting off center stage and stood 100% still for at least 2 minutes.

The show used lots of pyrotechnics and even involved the audience with a card stunt. Jackson brought on a choir of 3,500 local children to sing “Heal the World.” It was larger than life. Michael opened the doors to many more amazing halftime performances by big music stars.

In 1984, Michael Jackson was invited to the White House by President Reagan. The president presented Michael with the Presidential Public Safety Communication Award. He was given this honor for allowing “Beat It” to be used in the public service announcement for drinking and driving.

“Michael, I have another message from our fans in the Washington, D.C., area. They said we want you back. So when you begin your greatly awaited cross-country tour, will you please be sure to drop off here in the nation’s capital?”—–President Reagan

Michael and Lisa Marie first met as children, when Michael was a part of the Jackson 5. In 1992 they reconnected as adults. Despite what storylines the outside world put on their marriage, the two seemed connected. Lisa Marie stated that drug abuse plagued their marriage.

They also disagreed about having a child. She said her hesitation caused stress on the relationship. Jackson and Presley divorced after less than two years of marriage. “I loved taking care of him. It was one of the highest points in my life when things were going really well, and he and I were united. It was a very profound time in my life. But then came the time when he had to make a decision. Was it the drugs and the vampires or me? And he pushed me away.”—–Lisa Marie Presley

From childhood to his death, you can witness Michael Jackson’s life on the front cover of major magazines. Every major step in his life was documented on the front cover of magazines. His life was full of fantasy and tragedy.

This made him the perfect magazine cover. He was a man with an unbelievable amount of talent. Whether you liked him or not, you knew of him, and you knew his music. Even with all of the fame, attention, love, and constant hounding, Michael was a very lonely man.

Michael Jackson had three children, Prince Michael Jackson I, Paris Jackson, and Prince Michael II (Blanket). Their mothers were virtually not a part of their lives, and the children had very sheltered lives. If they did go out in public, Michael always made sure their faces were covered.

Their everyday lives were largely confined to the Neverland ranch, and they were homeschooled. All the children claimed that Michael Jackson was a very loving father. Michael stated that all three children were his biological children, but it was never proven.

Michael Jackson’s Memorial service was on July 7, 2009, and was held at the Staples Center. Jackson had a solid-bronze casket, plated with 14-karat gold and lined with blue velvet. The stage was filled with floral arrangements and photographs. There was also a film of Jackson and the Jackson 5 playing on screens in the back.

Jackson’s brothers each wore a single white glove in honor of Michael. Towards the end, the family gathered on stage, with eleven-year-old Paris trying to speak about her father while crying. “Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone.”——Marlon Jackson

Michael Jackson had a historic night at the 1984 Grammy Awards. He arrived at the awards wearing his finest crystal-covered blue and gold military coat and matching glove. He brought Brooke Shields and Emmanuel Lewis as his guests.

Michael won eight Grammy Awards, the most received in one night by a single artist. He won for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rock Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Vocal Performance, Producer of the Year, and Best Recording for Children.

“We were all in a state. Man! What a feeling! To work so hard on something, to give so much, and to succeed! I imagine that I felt like a long-distance runner must feel when breaking the tape at the finish line. I identify with that person because I know how hard he’s trained, and I know how much that moment means to him. That’s Powerful stuff. I can share that feeling because I know.”—–Michael Jackson

Michael first performed his famous dance move, the moonwalk, on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. He was performing “Billie Jean.” He has been credited with naming the backslide, the moonwalk.

The moonwalk became his signature move. The move has been dated back to the 1930s, but Michael Jackson made it popular. Jeffrey Daniel taught Michael the move after Michael saw him do it on Soul Train.

The explosion went off too early and caught Michael’s hair and jacket on fire. Michael suffered 2nd and 3rd-degree burns on his scalp. A decade after the accident, Jackson admitted that he got hooked on the pain medication given to him for those burns. “This medication was initially prescribed to treat excruciating pain I suffered after recent reconstructive surgery on my scalp.” —-Michael Jackson

The final home where Michael Jackson lived was 18,000 sq. ft. French chateau-style house. The house had seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a screening room, a wine cellar, beautiful grounds with a pool, and a guest house.

It was on 1.25 acres of land in Los Angeles. Michael rented the house for him and his three children. This house is up for sale for $23.9 million. The home was the home that Michael Jackson lived in while he was preparing for his tour, and it is where he died.

Macaulay Culkin starred in Michael Jackson’s video for “Black and White.” That is how the two met, and they became very close friends. Culkin came to Jackson’s defense with the allegations of sexual abuse. He stated he never saw Michael be inappropriate with anyone.

Testifying in Jackson’s court case was the last time Culkin saw his friend Michael. “I never saw him do anything. I would have no reason to hold anything back. The guy has passed on. If anything, I’m not gonna say it would be stylish or anything like that, but right now is a good time to speak up. And if I had something to speak up about, I would totally do it. But no, I never saw anything; he never did anything.”——Macaulay Culkin

In 1969, Jackson 5 performed for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show. They performed “Who’s Loving You” and “I Want You Back.” They gained national exposure from that performance. After they performed, Ed pointed out Diana Ross and told them she was the one that discovered them.

As the group walked off stage, Ed Sullivan said to the audience, “The little Fella in front is incredible.” For many people, that is the first time they remember seeing Michael Jackson perform. It was truly an unforgettable night.

The Jackson children never really had normal childhoods. They were not allowed to celebrate Christmas or birthdays; their mom was a Jehovah’s Witness. They were never allowed to call their father anything but Joseph.

Michael has said that he was so afraid of his father that it would cause him to vomit when he saw him. “I just remember me hearing my mother scream, Joe, you’re gonna kill him, you’re gonna kill him, stop it.”—–Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died in his bedroom on June 25, 2009. Jackson had been tirelessly practicing and preparing for his comeback tour. Jackson was emotionally frail and physically thin. Jackson suffered from constant pain and trouble sleeping.

Jackson was taking Propofol at night to sleep and had become addicted to it. The day he died, he reportedly begged his doctor for the Propofol so he could sleep. He was finally given the drug and was later found not breathing. He suffered a cardiac arrest just three weeks before the debut performance of This Is It.

The bad tour was Michael Jackson’s first solo concert tour. The tour spanned about 16 months, including 123 concerts across 15 countries. Bad was nominated for “Tour of the Year 1988” at the inaugural International Rock Awards.

The Bad tour is the largest tour in history and also the highest-grossing concert tour ever. On March 13, 1988, Michael performed a private concert at Madison Square Garden. Michael donated the proceeds to the United Negro College Fund.

Michael will, for sure, be remembered as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. His signature dance moves are part of what made him the entertainer that he was. The crotch grab was known as Jackson’s trademark move.

Then there was the iconic anti-gravity lean that was actually thanks to a pair of specially designed shoes. He then had the circle slide, which very few can effortlessly imitate, the side slide, the MJ spin, the kick, toe stand, the robot, the “Dangerous” moves, and of course, the moonwalk.

Michael Jackson has said in interviews that his childhood was taken from him. The Jackson 5 were not allowed to play outside; they rehearsed for five hours a day after school.

When Joe learned that Michael was self-conscious about the size of his nose, he started calling him Big Nose. Michael was constantly touching and covering his nose. This followed him into adulthood, where he began a series of surgical procedures to change the appearance of his nose. Michael would say that the very thought of his father made him nauseous.

Conrad Murray was Michael Jackson’s personal physician. Only weeks after hiring Murray, Jackson dies due to a lethal dose of Propofol administered by Murray. Propofol is used for general anesthesia and has not been approved as a sleep aid. Only anesthesiologists should administer it.

In 2011, Murray was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter. He went on trial in Los Angeles and was convicted. He received the maximum penalty of four years in prison, and his medical license was revoked. After serving only two years, Murray was released on parole.

Michael Jackson’s eccentric behavior has always fascinated the world. The singer always wanted to be around children, and he himself maintained many childlike qualities. He even speaks in a childlike voice.

He named his ranch, Neverland, after the Peter Pan story. Many people think Michael was stuck in childhood. Therapists have speculated that Jackson’s tumultuous upbringing may have left lasting emotional scars contributing to his odd behavior. Jackson was robbed of his childhood.

Michael Jackson’s childhood home was in Gary, Indiana. The Jackson children did not live normal lives. There was a lot of rehearsing and punishment if you stepped out of line. Michael always said that he longed for a father that showed him, love. “He didn’t’ want us to call him daddy, and I wanted to call him daddy so bad. He would tell us; I’m not daddy, I’m Joseph to you.”—-Micahel Jackson

“I had to be that way because, during those times, it was hard, and you had a lot of gangs there in Gary, Indiana. And I had to make sure they didn’t get into any kind of trouble. My kids were brought up in a way, so they respect people, and they never were on drugs. Never went jail, weren’t in no gang; they were professional and nice.”——Joe Jackson

As Michael Jackson became an adult, he started noticing changes to the color of his skin. Michael was diagnosed with Vitiligo, a skin condition that causes drastic disparities in skin tone. Many people thought he just didn’t like the color of his skin. He told Oprah Winfrey that the rumors pained him deeply.

Jackson initially started wearing one glove due to his skin condition. “I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin. It’s something I cannot help. When people make up stories that I don’t like who I am, it hurts me.”—-Michael Jackson

Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with Jackson 5. He was then Inducted as a solo artist in 2001. The Hall of Fame stated that “Michael Jackson was a creative visionary and gifted performer who redefined what pop could and should be”.

Many thought he should be removed from the Hall of Fame because of all of the allegations against Michael. The Hall of Fame said he was recognized for his contributions to music, and he will remain in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Heal the World Foundation was started in 1992 by Michael. He airlifted 46 tons of supplies, instituted drug, and alcohol abuse education, and donated millions of dollars to disadvantaged children.

All of the profits from Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour went to Heal the World Foundation. His foundation also brought underprivileged children to Michael’s Neverland Ranch to go on theme park rides.

Michael went on television to deny the accusations against him. He decided he wanted to make a statement. “They served a search warrant on me, which allowed them to view and photograph my body, including my privates, my buttocks, and any other area that they wanted. It was the most humiliating ordeal of my life, one that no person should ever have to suffer.”—-Michael Jackson

The media was excluded from Jackson’s broadcast because they wanted to prevent a circus atmosphere. The allegations against him caused his tour to be canceled, Pepsi dropped his endorsement deal, and he checked into a treatment center for addiction to painkillers. He was found innocent of all of the charges.

Michael was the third youngest child of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. He was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 19, 1958. The Jacksons were considered poor and lived in a two-bedroom house with a family of 12.

At just eight years old, Michael was the lead singer of the Jackson 5. All of the Jackson children were encouraged to study music. Joe Jackson played guitar for an R&B band, and Katherine Jackson sang and played the piano. Music always filled their house.

Michael Jackson died just eighteen days before the first This Is It performance. Ticket holders were offered full refunds or a special “souvenir” ticket designed by Jackson. This Is It was termed “the greatest concert that never happened.”

Some interesting facts about Michael Jackson that you maybe didn’t know. Michael fancied himself as Spiderman; it was his dream to play the comic hero in the movie. After the Pepsi accident, Michael wore wigs, and it’s rumored he had his hairline permanently tattooed onto his head.

Michael had an extraordinary pair of shoes made that involved hooking retractable pegs with a slot in the heels. He had the design patented so others couldn’t use the shoes. Another interesting fact is that Michael Jackson was the first black artist to air on MTV for Billie Jean.

Michael Jackson was known to be very insecure about his looks, especially with his skin condition Vitiligo. He also didn’t like his nose; he thought it was too big. His autopsy revealed a lot, like there was semi-permanent tattooed ink over the lips and the border of the lips, which explains the pink shade of his lips.

His nose, originally wide, became thin and narrowed over time. His autopsy showed that he did have multiple surgeries and facelifts. Part of his insecurities also came from his father, who would call him big nose growing up.

In 1978, Michael was cast as the scarecrow. When the Wiz began filming, Michael and La Toya were moved into a Manhattan apartment. Jackson’s costume was hot, with a huge curly wig, a hat, and vest stuffed with newspaper scraps.

It was on the set that Quincy Jones took an interest and asked Michael if he could produce his first solo album. Michael’s make-up routine was first a bald cap that was put on, apply the foam-latex pieces: a forehead piece, two cheek pieces, a nose and chin piece, and a neck ruffle. All of which had to be maintained throughout the day.

Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor became friends in the 1980s. Taylor had left one of Jackson’s concerts, and he called her afterward in tears to ask why. She told him she couldn’t see the performance or hear the music.

They bonded over horrible childhoods and becoming famous as kids. They were always there supporting each other. “I’m home from the hospital sore but intact. Of course, I’m still grieving for Michael; I always will. My heart, my mind, are broken. I loved Michael with all of my soul, and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common, and we had such loving fun together. I don’t think anyone knew how much we loved each other.”——Elizabeth Taylor

Madonna and Michael met in the early 1980s. Demann was both of their managers, and he connected the two. They first appeared together at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991. They were spotted out together a week later.

That was the last time the couple was spotted together. Madonna later admitted that the two shared one intimate kiss. There are many rumors as to why they didn’t continue to date. “There is no question that Michael Jackson was one o the greatest talents the world has ever known.”——-Madonna

“To want to learn, to have the capacity to learn and not be able to, is a tragedy. I am honored to be associated with an evening that says this will never happen. Thank you, I love you all.”——Michael Jackson. He was even sent congratulations from President Ronald Reagan.

Bubbles was a Chimpanzee and Michael Jackson’s pet. Michael bought him from a Texas research facility. Bubbles traveled with Michael during the Bad world tour, and he drank tea with Jackson in Japan.

Bubbles, the chimp, slept in an infant crib in Michael’s bedroom, used Jackson’s toilet, and ate candy in Neverland’s movie theater. When he matured into a large and aggressive chimp, he was sent to an animal trainer. Bubbles was moved to a sanctuary in 2005. He is still alive at 35 years old.

Michael Jackson’s memorial was on July 7, 2009, at Staples Center. There were about 20,000 people at his memorial and millions more watching it live. Performances or eulogies were given by Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Usher, Shaheen Jafargholi.

Family members spoke as well, including Michael’s daughter, Paris. The family held a private funeral and burial on September 9, 2009. “The greatest entertainer that ever lived was laid to rest tonight, physically, but spiritually and musically he will live on forever.”—-Rev. Al Sharpton

Reference: https://bit.ly/3qRvg5U