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{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Michael Jackson
| Img = Michael Jackson 1984(2).jpg
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Michael Joseph Jackson
| Alias = Michael Joe Jackson<br />The King of Pop<br />
| Born = {{birth date and age|1958|8|29}}<br />], ], ]</small>
| Origin = ], ], ]
| spouse = ''']''' (1994–1996)
| Instrument = ], ]
| Genre = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| Occupation = ], ], ], ], ], ]
| Years_active = ]–]
| Label = ], ], ], ]
| Associated_acts = ]
| URL =
}}

'''Michael Joseph Jackson''' (born ], ]), commonly known as '''MJ'''<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/mediamix/2005-06-13-media-mix_x.htm|title=Media go into MJ Overdrive |accessdate=2007-08-09 |format= |work=usatoday.com }}</ref> as well as '''The King of Pop''',<ref name="FOX">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193841,00.html?sPage=fnc.foxlife/jackson |title=Michael Jackson's Biography |accessdate=2006-11-12 |format= |work=] }}</ref> is an ] ], ], and ] whose ] and ] have been a part of ] for almost 40 years.<ref name="LeadPara000">{{cite book
| title = Michael Jackson: The King of pop
| first = Lisa
| last = Campbell
| publisher = Branden
| year = 1993
| id = ISBN 082831957X
}}an example of the appellation "king of pop",
{{cite book
| title = Buying & Selling Music, Instruments, and Music Collectibles on Ebay
| first = Mark
| last = Abdelnour
| publisher = Thomson Course Technology
| year = 2004
| id = 159200504
}}indicates "MJ" as a well-recognized abbreviation,
</ref>

Widely regarded as one of the greatest entertainers and most popular recording artists in history, Jackson displays complicated physical techniques, such as the ] and the ], that have redefined mainstream dance and entertainment.<ref name=BMI>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233537 |title=Michael Jackson: In a Class by Himself |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=bmi.com }}</ref> His achievements in the music industry have included a revolutionary transformation of ]s,<ref name=vh1>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/jackson_michael/bio.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-02-22 |format= |work=vh1.com }}</ref> establishing high-profile album releases and sales as a new trend for record companies to generate profits,<ref name=MSNEncarta>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761551614_2/Popular_Music.html|title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-03-14 |format= |work=msn.com }}</ref> dominating ] during the 1980s,<ref name=RealMusic>{{cite web |url=http://uk.real.com/music/artist/Michael_Jackson/|title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-03-14 |format= |work=real.com }}</ref> and becoming the first black entertainer to amass a strong following on ] while leading the relatively young channel out of obscurity.<ref name=ABCNews>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/LegalCenter/story?id=464753&page=1|title=Why Are Michael Jackson's Fans So Devoted? |accessdate=2007-04-06 |format= |work=abcnews.com }}</ref> His distinctive style, moves, and vocals have inspired, influenced, and spawned a whole generation of ], ], and ] artists. He has been named the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/14112006/344/jackson-receives-world-records.html&e=l_news_dm |title=Jackson receives his World Records |accessdate=2006-11-16 |format= |work=Yahoo! News |date=] ] }}</ref>
Jackson began his musical career at the age of five with the Jackson Family vocal group.<ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography</ref> He released his first solo recording, '']'', in 1971, while remaining a member of the group.<ref name="mj70">{{cite web |url=http://michaeljackson.com/lofi/history-main-1970s.html |title=History: 1970s |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Michael Jackson's official website }}</ref> In his solo career, Jackson recorded and co-produced the ], '']'', which has worldwide sales exceeding 104 million.<ref name="mtv uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/16112006/jackos_back |title=Jacko's Back! |accessdate=2006-11-19 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> After ''Thriller'', Jackson continued to release internationally chart-topping albums like '']'' (1987), '']'' (1991), '']'' (1995), and '']'' (2001), his latest album of fully original material. Michael Jackson has received thirteen ]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Michael%20Jackson&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 |title=Grammy Winners Search |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=]'s official website }}</ref> and charted thirteen ] in the ], more than any other male artist in the ] era.<ref name=AccessHollywood>{{cite web |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah2388.shtml|title=The Return of the King of Pop |accessdate=2007-03-14 |format= |work=accesshollywood.com }}</ref> In ], the ] announced that Michael Jackson had sold over 750 million units worldwide<ref> </ref> and given ]300 million to charity,<ref></ref> making Jackson one of the ]s and one of the most charitable ]s of all time, whose efforts on the latter front have been acknowledged with a ] nomination.<ref name="CBS10102003">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/10/world/main577428.shtml |title=Nobel Peace Prize: You Got A Shot? |accessdate=2007-08-18 |format= |work=CBS News }}</ref>
However Jackson's controversial appearance and actions has damaged his reputation in the eyes of some of the public and album sales has been in decline since the mid 1990`s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/1600831.stm |title=Make or break for Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-12-27 |format= |work=BBC |date=] ] }}</ref>

From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his ] property, where he built an ] and private ] that was frequently attended by disadvantaged and ] children. Rumors of ] parties received both negative media coverage and public attention after it was revealed that children frequently slept in his bed or bedroom. This first came to light when he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993. Michael Jackson's relationship with children was brought into the spotlight again in 2003 when the TV documentary '']'' was broadcast. This resulted in Jackson being ], of more child molestation allegations and several other charges in 2005. After this, Jackson went on hiatus, travelling to countries such as ], before starting work on new material in ]. He will be releasing a new album on ]] called '']'' which will include new material.

== Career ==
=== 1958–1979: Musical prodigy===
{{main|The Jackson 5}}
Michael Jackson was born in ], ] to a working-class family, the second-youngest brother of seven and the eighth of ten children of ] (Joe) and ]. Katherine, a ], raised the children in that faith, while Joe, who initially started studying with the Witnesses, eventually decided not to join.<ref name="magic">{{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |coauthors= |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=1991 |publisher=Headline |location= |id=ISBN 1-55972-064-6 }}</ref> Jackson's father was a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B band called "The Falcons" with his brother Luther. The father was a strict ], and many of the Jackson children recall being spanked or whipped by their father for misbehaving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1201949.stm|title=Jackson's life in the spotlight|accessdate=2007-06-28|work=]}}</ref>

Jackson showed musical talent early on and joined his brothers when they formed a group in 1964. Rolling Stone says of his early years: "First he was a prodigy" who had "...overwhelming musical gifts," and notes that after Jackson joined the Jackson Family vocal group at age five, "he quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer."<ref name="rsbio"></ref> Even though he sang with a "child's piping voice, he danced like a grown-up hoofer and sang with the R&B/gospel inflections of Sam Cooke, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder."<ref name="rsbio"/>
During this period, the boys toured Indiana extensively, and after winning a major local talent show in 1966 with a rendition of ]' "]", led by Michael, they began playing professional gigs in ], ] and across the mid-eastern U.S. Many of these gigs were in a string of black clubs and venues collectively known as the "]," and the young kids sometimes had to open for ]rs and other adult acts in order to earn money.<ref name=RRHF>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/the-jackson-five |title=The Jackson Five |accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=] }}</ref>

The young Jackson had taken co-lead singing duties with brother ] when the group's name changed from "The Jackson Brothers" to "]" in 1966. The group eventually auditioned for, and signed a contract with, Motown Records in 1968.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/jackson_michael/bio.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson: Biography |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] }}</ref> They hit stardom with their first four singles, "]", "]", "]", and "]", which charted at #1 on the ], the first time ever a group had pulled off that feat.<ref name="RRHF" /> As a solo artist, Jackson released a total of four studio albums with Motown, among them '']'' in 1971 and '']'' in the following year. These were released as part of the Jackson 5 franchise and produced successful singles such as "]", "]", and a remake of ]'s "]". Between 1971 and 1975, Jackson's voice "descended ever so slightly from boy soprano to his current androgynous high tenor."<ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography</ref>

The group's sales declined after 1973 and they chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow them creative control or input. In 1976, the group signed a new contract with ] (first joining the ] division and then ]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:9idxlffescqe |title=The Jacksons Story: Overview |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=All Music Guide }}</ref> When this became apparent to ], they sued the group for breach of contract.<ref name="magic" />

As a result of the legal proceedings, which were complicated further by the fact that ] was married to the daughter of Motown president (]), the Jacksons lost the rights to use the "Jackson 5" name and logo.<ref name="magic" /> Jermaine left the group, choosing to stay at Motown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.artistopia.com/michael-jackson |title=Michael Jackson Biography |accessdate=2006-11-12 |format= |work=Aristopia }}</ref> They changed their name to "The Jacksons", featuring youngest brother ] in Jermaine's place, and continued their successful career, touring internationally and releasing six more albums between 1976 and 1984, with Jermaine eventually re-joining in 1983, making them a sextet. From 1976 to 1984, Michael was the lead songwriter of the group,<ref></ref> laying down such hits as "]", "]", and "]". In 1978, Jackson starred as the scarecrow in '']'' with former-label mate ] playing Dorothy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078504/ |title=The Wiz |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] }}</ref> The songs for the ] were arranged by ], who established a partnership with Jackson during the film's production and agreed to produce his first solo album in four years.<ref name="magic" />

=== 1979: ''Off the Wall'' ===
{{main|Off the Wall}}
]" in 1980.]]
'']'', released in 1979, was a worldwide success story that made music history, becoming the first ] ever to spawn four top-ten hits, including the number-one hits, "]" and "]".<ref name="mj70" /> It reached #3 in the Billboard album charts, spending 48 consecutive weeks inside the Top 20.<ref name=LesChiffres>{{cite web |url=http://fanofmusic.free.fr/Site-MJpart-LesChiffres-OffTheWall.htm |title=Off the Wall |accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=Fan of Music }}</ref> Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson jointly produced the album, with lyrics and music by Jackson, ]'s ], ], and ], among others. The album signaled the arrival of a new Michael Jackson, one not reliant upon his brothers to further his career.<ref name=definitive200>{{cite web |url=http://www.definitive200.com/200_list.php|title=200 list|accessdate=2007-03-21|format= |work=definitive200.com }}</ref> ''Off the Wall'', buoyed by its catchy dance rhythms and avoidance of the "shallow excesses...of the period's disco,"<ref name=definitive200>{{cite web |url=http://www.definitive200.com/200_list.php|title=200 list|accessdate=2007-03-21|format= |work=definitive200.com }}</ref> eventually sold some 20 million copies worldwide.<ref name=mjjcharts.com>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjjcharts.com/MichaelGlobalAlbums.htm |title=Michael - Worldwide Album Sales |accessdate=2007-03-16 |format= |work=MJJCharts |date=] ] }}</ref> Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt the album should have made a much bigger impact and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release.

In January 1980, Jackson won his first awards for his solo efforts at the ]. He won "Favorite Soul/R&B Album" (for ''Off the Wall''), "Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist" and Favorite Soul/R&B Single (for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough").<ref name="mj70" /> Later that month, he also won two ] (for "Top Black Artist" and "Top Black Album").<ref name="mj70" /> On ] ], Jackson won a ] for "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male" (for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough").<ref name="mj70" /> In 2003, the ] ] named ''Off the Wall'' the thirty-sixth greatest album of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailycelebrations.com/vh1_albums.htm |title=VH1 List of 100 Best Rock Albums|accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=DailyCelebrations }}</ref> '']'' ranked it #68 in their list of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time |title=The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

=== 1982: ''Thriller'' ===
{{main|Thriller (album)|Victory Tour|We Are the World|Captain EO}}

In November 1982, the storybook for '']'' was released. It included Jackson reading the story as well as one original song ("Someone in the Dark"). The album later won a Grammy for "Best Album for Children".<ref></ref> On the first day of the following month, Jackson released his second Epic album, '']''. ''Thriller'' became by far the biggest selling album of all time with worldwide sales reaching over 104 million copies.<ref></ref>

The album also became the first in history to spawn seven top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hit singles,<ref name="mj80">{{cite web |url=http://michaeljackson.com/lofi/history-main-1980s.html |title=History: 2000s |accessdate=2007-08-18 |format= |work=Michael Jackson's official website }}</ref> including "]", which was the first ] by a ] artist to receive regular airplay on ],<ref></ref> "]", and the album's ], which was accompanied by a revolutionary music video. The thirteen-minute "]" video was critically acclaimed and massive airplay lead to it being packaged with the ] ''Making Michael Jackson's Thriller'' on ], where it became the best-selling music ] ever.<ref name="mj80" /> ''Thriller'' spent 37 weeks at #1 and remained on the ] ] chart for 122 weeks. It was eventually certified 27x Platinum in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjinf.co.uk/Thriller/Thriller.htm |title=Thriller |accessdate=2006-11-20 |work=The Ultimate Michael Jackson Stats Site }}</ref>

In 1983, while performing "Billie Jean" at the ] concert, Jackson debuted what can be regarded as his signature
move: the ].<ref name="mj80" /> The performance sparked a new wave of interest in ''Thriller'', which continued to sell well throughout the year. In 1983, he started a sponsorship deal with ], and, as part of the deal, he agreed to star in a commercial. While filming the commercial in front of 3,000 fans the following year, a fireworks display behind him malfunctioned, shooting a shower of sparks down upon the singer’s head and setting fire to his hair. He suffered ] and later wore a hairpiece when collecting Grammys that year.<ref>{{cite news | first= David | last= Peisner | title=
Rock Stars Who've Caught Fire Onstage! | date= February 2007 | publisher= Blender Magazine Online | url= http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2530&src=GM7070:MD | accessdate= 2007-02-27 | language= English }}</ref>

In February 1984, Jackson was nominated for twelve ] - of which he won eight<ref name="mj80" /> - breaking the record for the most Grammy awards won in a single year.<ref>{{cite book |last=] |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Guinness World Records 2007 |year=2006 |publisher=Guinness |location= |id=ISBN 1-904994-12-1 }}</ref> Seven were for ''Thriller'' and the other for the ''E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial'' storybook. In 1984, he also won eight American Music Awards and the "Special Award of Merit" and three MTV Video Music Awards.<ref name="mj80" />

''Thriller'' was a gigantic hit that made Michael Jackson the seminal icon of American culture at the time. At the age of 25, the ] called him a "musical phenomenon", further commenting that "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else".<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite news | first= | last= | title= MICHAEL JACKSON AT 25: A MUSICAL PHENOMENON | date= January 1984 | publisher= New York
Times | url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40F10FB3A5C0C778DDDA80894DC484D81 | accessdate= 2007-05-15| language= English }}</ref> ] magazine explained that "the fallout from Thriller has given the business its best years since the heady days of 1978, when it had an estimated total domestic revenue of $4.1 billion."<ref name=TIME>{{cite news | first= Jay | last= Cocks | title= Why He's a Thriller | date= March 1984| publisher= Time Magazine | url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950053-1,00.html |
accessdate= 2007-03-17 | language= English }}</ref> ''Thriller'' also helped to bring music from African-American artists back into mainstream radio for the first time since the mid-1970s.<ref name=TIME/>

Jackson also became something of a sexual symbol, as he was described by ]: "Undeniably sexy. Absolutely safe. Eroticism at arm's length".<ref name=TIME/> Additionally, Michael Jackson's rhinestone glove and ''Thriller'' jacket became iconic aspects of his outfits which American youth sported all too eagerly. As a sign of his stature at the time, ] officials considered inviting Jackson to their ], in 1984, where they would renominate Reagan, but a change of plans left Ron Walker, the convention manager, stating that "We never thought we had a ghost
of a chance."<ref name=NYTimes7>{{cite news | first= | last= | title= CAMPAIGN NOTES; Republicans Considered Inviting Michael Jackson | date= June 1984 | publisher= New York Times | url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E6DC1439F937A15755C0A962948260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael | accessdate= 2007-04-19 | language= English }}</ref>

After reuniting with his brothers, he helped to write and produce the '']'' album. He then performed and starred in the ], which started on ], ] and lasted for five months.<ref name="mj80" /> That year, Jackson was invited to the White House and was thanked by President ] at a ] ceremony for allowing the song "]" to be used in ] prevention television and radio ]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=137 |title=Drunk Driving Prevention (1983–Present) |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] }}</ref>

Jackson continued his charity work in 1985 by co-writing with ] the hit song "]", and singing a featured solo on the charity ]. The record helped to raise money and awareness for the ] in ] and was one of the first instances where Jackson was seen as a ]. The song also won a Grammy for "Song of the Year".<ref name="mj80" /> "We Are the World" became one of the top five best-selling singles of all time and the best selling single of the 1980s<ref></ref>

Controversy began when Jackson purchased ] in ] (a company which owned the publishing rights to most of ]' songs), making himself the majority ]. This move angered close friend and songwriter ], who had also made a bid for the company.<ref name="magic" /> Ironically, it had been McCartney who advised Jackson on the merits of song ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/jackson.htm |title=Michael Jackson owns the rights to the Beatles' songs |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] }}</ref> Their creative co-writing ended after this event. Following this controversial business deal, ] stories of Jackson sleeping in a ] chamber to stall the aging-process, and an allegation claiming Jackson attempted to purchase the bones of the ] inspired the ] ] "Wacko Jacko" (wacko meaning eccentric or irrational).<ref></ref> The name "Wacko Jacko," first used by British media, would come to be detested by Jackson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:os320r4ac48b~T1 |title=Michael Jackson: Biography |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=All Music Guide }}</ref>

In 1986, Jackson starred in the ]-produced, ]-directed ] '']''. The film lasted 17 minutes but had costs estimated at $17 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090793/business |title=Business Data for Captain EO |accessdate=2006-11-30 |format= |work=IMDb }}</ref> At the time, it was the most expensive film produced on a per-minute basis. In the U.S., the Disney theme parks hosted ''Captain EO''. ] featured the film in Tomorrow-Land from ], ] until ], ].<ref name="MJT.com"></ref> It was also featured in ] in ] from ], ] until ], ].<ref name="MJT.com" /> Two new songs featured in the film. These were "]", which later appeared on '']'', and "]", which was officially released in 2004 as part of '']''.

=== 1987: ''Bad'' ===
{{main|Bad (album)|Bad World Tour}}
]

In 1987, Jackson released '']''; his third album for the ] record label, and final album with producer ].<ref name="mj80" /> He initially wanted to make the album 30 tracks long, but Jones cut this down to 11. According to Jones, Jackson wanted the ] to be a duet with ] who later declined the duet.<ref></ref> Jones said the reason given by Prince was that he thought the song would be a hit whether he was in it or not.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Jones |first=Quincy |subjectlink=Quincy Jones |interviewer=David Wild |title= |callsign = |city= |date=2001 |program=''Bad'' (Special Edition) }}</ref> With the industry expecting another monster hit, the release was heavily anticipated as it was Jackson's first album in five years.<ref name=TIME2>{{cite news | first= Jay | last= Cocks | title= The Badder They Come| date= March 2007 | publisher= TIME Magazine | url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965452-2,00.html | accessdate= 2007-03-31| language= English }}</ref> The album had over two million advance orders.<ref name="TIME2" /> Jackson hired film director ] to direct the video for the album's title track.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124288/ |title=Bad |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=IMDb }}</ref> When the 18-minute ] debuted on TV, it sparked a great deal of controversy as it became apparent that ] had changed dramatically.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anomalies-unlimited.com/Jackson.html |title=The HisTory of Michael Jackson's Face |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Anomalies Unlimited }}</ref>

''Bad'' had lower sales compared to ''Thriller'', but it was still a huge commercial success. In the U.S. it spawned seven hit singles,<ref name="mj80" /> five of which went to #1: "]",<ref></ref> "]",<ref></ref> "]",<ref></ref> "]",<ref></ref>" and "]".<ref></ref> Two decades after it was released, ''Bad'' still holds the record for generating more #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts than any other album.<ref></ref> It went on to sell over 32 million copies worldwide and the ] certified '']'' at 8x Platinum. In 1993 at the ] it was acknowledged as the second best selling album of all time, but has since been overtaken.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjinf.co.uk/Bad/Bad.htm |title=Bad |accessdate=2006-11-20 |work=The Ultimate Michael Jackson Stats Site }}</ref><ref>http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=15682486</ref>
In September 1987, Jackson embarked upon his first solo world tour, the ], which was greeted with worldwide mania and record-breaking attendance figures. In Japan alone, Jackson had 14 sellouts and drew 570,000 people, nearly tripling the previous record of 200,000 in a single tour.<ref name=WashPost>{{cite news | first= Richard | last= Harrington | title= Jackson to Make First Solo U.S. Tour | date= January 1988 | publisher= Washington Post | url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73555081.html?dids=73555081:73555081&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+12%2C+1988&author=Richard+Harrington&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=b.03&desc=Jackson+to+Make+First+Solo+U.S.+Tour | accessdate= 2007-05-22| language= English }}</ref> The tour lasted sixteen months and saw Jackson perform in 123 concerts to over 4.4 million fans worldwide. Jackson had a personal bus, plane, and helicopter to be available to him all at the same time throughout the tour.<ref name="Badfortune">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/story/0,15819,1506780,00.html |title=Bad fortune |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref>

The success Jackson achieved during this period in his career led to him to be dubbed the "King of Pop",<ref name="FOX">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193841,00.html?sPage=fnc.foxlife/jackson |title=Michael Jackson's Biography |accessdate=2006-11-12 |format= |work=] }}</ref> a ] which he continues to be referred to by fans and the media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4580287.stm |title=Jackson trial: Winners and losers |accessdate=2006-12-27 |format= |work=BBC News |date=] ] }}</ref> The nickname was conceived by ] and friend ] when she presented Jackson with an "Artist of the Decade" award in 1989, proclaiming him "the true king of pop, rock and soul." In 1990, recognizing Michael Jackson's musical influence in the 1980s, the White House presented the singer with its own special "Artist of the Decade" award, delivered to Jackson by ], who commended Jackson for acquiring a "tremendous following", among other things.<ref name=georgebush>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=18331|title=Remarks on the Upcoming Summit With President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union|accessdate=2007-04-08|work=The American Presidency Project}}</ref> This period saw Jackson enjoy "a level of superstardom previously known only to ], ] and ]."<ref name="rockhf" />

=== 1991: ''Dangerous'' ===
{{main|Dangerous (album)|Dangerous World Tour}}
<!--]''. This period in his career witnessed a continuing and steady stream of large sales figures and Jackson's introduction as the "King of Pop". ''Dangerous'' was the world's highest selling album in 1992 {{Fact|date=July 2007 }}and one of the greatest selling albums of the 1990s. {{Fact|date=July 2007 }}]] FAIR USE IMAGE! ONLY TO BE USED IN ARTICLE ABOUT ALBUM-->
In November 1991, Michael Jackson released '']'', which, at roughly 30 million copies worldwide,<ref name=mjjcharts.com>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjjcharts.com/BestSellingAlbums.htm |title=Best Selling Album of All-Time |accessdate=2007-04-20|format= |work=MJJCharts |date=] ] }}</ref> registered sales figures almost identical to those of ''Bad'' and became one of the most successful ] albums of all time. ''Dangerous'' featured several major worldwide hits, including "]", "]", "]", "]", and "]". ''Dangerous'' was heavily anticipated, as highlighted by an incident at the ] that witnessed a group of armed robbers stealing 30,000 copies of the new album before its official release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beach-bulletin.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=3195 |title=Flashbacks!|accessdate=2007-06-30 |format= |work=beach-bulletin.com }}</ref>

The biggest hit single in the United States from the album was "Black or White", which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for seven weeks,<ref></ref> with similar performances around the world. The single was accompanied by a controversial ], premièring as a simulcast on the ], ] and ], which featured scenes construed as having a ] as well as depictions of ]. The offending scenes in the final half of the fourteen minute version of "Black or White" were edited out to prevent the video from being banned.<ref name="FOX"/> Controversial entertainment has always attracted the masses, and on November 14, 1991, the video for "Black or White" simultaneously premièred in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people, the largest viewing ever for a music video.<ref name="AccessHollywood" />

The second single released from ''Dangerous'' was "]" which spent 8 weeks in the top 5 in the America.<ref></ref> The song hit a peak at #3 on the ] singles chart and #1 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart. In 1993 Jackson performed the song at the ] in a wheel chair saying he had an injury in rehearsals<ref></ref> and at the ceremony he was given three awards ''Best Male Single'' of the year for "Remember The Time", ''Best R&B Album'' for ''Dangerous'' and a Humanitarian Award for his charitable contributions to date.<ref></ref>

In the ] as well as other parts of Europe "]" was the biggest hit from the album. In Britain, it sold 455,000 copies alone and spent 5 weeks at #2. It was the Christmas #2 of 1992 and because of extra seasonal sales it outsold "Black or White".<ref>"http://www.mjinf.co.uk/Dangerous/Heal_the_world.htm</ref>

On ] ], ] 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.<ref></ref> Later that year, a biopic, '']'', debuted on ]; it was based on the true story of the rise of The Jackson 5.

The year 1992 also witnessed one of Jackson's most high-profile international visits: a trip to ] in which he visited several countries, among them ] and ].<ref name=Ebony>{{cite news | first= Robert| last= Johnson | title= Michael Jackson: crowned in Africa | date= May 1992| publisher= Ebony Magazine | url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n7_v47/ai_12288831 | accessdate= 2007-05-19 | language= English }}</ref> This was the singer's second arrival on the continent, his first having occurred as a 14-year-old with the Jackson 5.<ref name=Ebony/> His first stop to Gabon was greeted with a sizable reception of more than 100,000 people in "spiritual bedlam", some of them carrying signs that read, "Welcome Home Michael".<ref name=Ebony/> In his trip to the ], Jackson visited the gold-mining village of Krindjabo, populated by the Agni tribe and located near the capital of ], and was crowned "King Sani" by a tribal chief.<ref name=Ebony/> He then thanked the dignitaries in ] and ], signed official documents formalizing his kingship, and sat on a golden throne while presiding over ceremonial dances.<ref name=Ebony/> Jackson finished his stay in Africa by going to Egypt and promoting the ''Dangerous'' album. In January 1993, he performed during the halftime show at ]. It drew one of the largest viewing audiences in the history of American television.<ref name="MSNBC Trotkop">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15529981/ |title=The return of the King of Pop |accessdate=2006-11-19 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> Jackson was given the "Living Legend Award" at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.<ref name="mj90">{{cite web |url=http://michaeljackson.com/lofi/history-main-1990s.html |title=History: 1990s |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Michael Jackson's official website }}</ref>

=== 1995: ''HIStory'' ===
{{Main|HIStory|HIStory World Tour}}
<!--]'', which gave Jackson another worldwide smash hit that sold 36 million units and became the best-selling multiple-disc album ever.]] FAIR USE IMAGE ONLY ALLOWED TO BE USED IN ARTICLE ABOUT ALBUM-->
In June 1995, Jackson released '']'',<ref name="mj90" /> which went on to sell 18 million copies (36 million RIAA sales units) worldwide,<ref name="mjjcharts.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mjjcharts.com/MichaelGlobalAlbums.htm |title=Michael - Worldwide Album Sales |accessdate=2007-03-16 |format= |work=MJJCharts |date=] ] }}</ref> is the greatest selling multiple-disc album by a solo artist of all time.<ref name="AccessHollywood" /> To promote the album, Jackson embarked on the successful ],<ref name="mj90" /> which was attended by more than four and a half million people, a record for concert attendance outside of the United States that still stands. Jackson also made a promotional "teaser" music video showing him marching with thousands of military personnel as well as shipping statues of himself on boats around Europe.<ref></ref>

The first disc, ''HIStory Begins'', was a fifteen-track ] album (this disc was later released as ''Greatest Hits - HIStory Vol. I'', in 2001 selling an estimated 3 million copies).<ref></ref> The second disc, ''HIStory Continues'', contained fifteen new songs. The first single released from ''HIStory'' was "]," sung and performed with his sister ]. The single had the best ever debut at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Scream" is one of his most critically acclaimed winning three MTV awards in 1995 and a Grammy in 1996.<ref name="mj90" /> "Scream" is currently the ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Guinness World Records |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Guinness World Records 2006 |year=2005 |publisher=Guinness |location= |id=ISBN 1-904994-02-4 }}</ref> "]" was the second single released from ''HIStory'' and would become the first song ever to debut at #1 on the Hot 100,<ref></ref> beating his previous single "Scream". It reached #1 in various international markets, including Britain. It was seen as a major artistic and commercial success.<ref name="magic"/>

"]" was the third single released from ''HIStory'' and was accompanied by one of the most expensive and lavish videos of Jackson's career. The song topped the U.K. singles chart for six weeks over Christmas in 1995 and sold one million copies there, making it his most successful U.K. single, surpassing the success of "Billie Jean". At the 1996 ] Jackson was awarded as the Artist of A Generation.<ref></ref> At the ceremony Jackson performed the track "Earth Song", dressed in white and surrounded by children and an actor portraying a rabbi. During the performance it was alleged that Jackson was making Christ-like poses while being lifted into the air by a ]. ] lead singer ] and his friend Peter Mansell mounted a stage invasion in protest. Cocker leapt onstage, pretended to expose his rear and danced around. In the ensuing scuffle to remove Cocker from the stage, it was claimed that up to three children received minor injuries.<ref name=MLP>{{citeweb|url=http://www.mlp.cz/space/Opatrilp/Pulp/the_Brits_96.html |title=Jarvis' stage invasion at the 1996 Brits |accessdate=2006-12-28 |format= |work= |date=] ] }}</ref> The ] (BPI), who ran the awards, qualified this by stated that "We are extremely concerned that Jarvis Cocker's actions last night resulted in injury to three children who were performing with Michael Jackson".<ref name="MLP" /> 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".<ref name="MLP" /> A spokesperson for Jackson and Sony said that "Michael feels sickened, saddened, shocked, upset, cheated angry".<ref name="MLP" /> Cocker's actions were met with mixed reactions from the British press.

"]" was the fourth single released from ''HIStory'' and caused controversy over alleged ] lyrics. The song contained the lyrics "Jew me, sue me" and "kick me, ] me." After significant pressure from the Jewish community, later releases changed the verse to the same-sounding "do me, sue me" and "kick me, strike me" or censored it with a thumping sound.

==== 1997: ''Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix'' ====
{{Main|Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix}}
In 1997, Jackson released an album of new material titled '']'' with remixes of hit singles from ''HIStory'';<ref name="mj90" /> it sold six million copies worldwide and became the ], reaching #1 in Britain. The album's five original songs were named "]", "Is It Scary", "]", "Superfly Sister", and "Morphine". Of the new songs, three were released globally: the title track, "Ghosts", and "Is It Scary". The title track reached #1 in the UK. The singles "Ghosts" and "Is It Scary" were based on a film created by Jackson called "'']''".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119194/ |title=Ghosts |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=IMDb }}</ref> The short film, written by Michael Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston, features many special effects and dance moves choreographed to original music written by Jackson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/movies/ghosts.html |title=Michael Jackson's Ghosts Movie Information |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Michael Jackson Trader }}</ref> The music video for "Ghosts" is over 35 minutes long and is currently the World's Longest Music Video.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/archive/view.php?archive=1&StoryID=20060724-085201-8328r |title=MTV effort may not be longest music video |accessdate=2006-12-28 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> Jackson dedicated the album to ], who reportedly helped him through his addiction to ] and ].<ref name="magic"/>

=== 2001: ''Invincible'' ===
{{Main|Invincible (album)}}
In October 2001, ''Invincible'' was released<ref name="mj00">{{cite web |url=http://michaeljackson.com/lofi/history-main-2000s.html |title=History: 2000s |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Michael Jackson's official website }}</ref> and debuted at number-one in thirteen countries.<ref name="MSNBC Trotkop"/> ''Invincible'' went on to sell nearly 8 million copies worldwide.<ref name=mjjcharts.com>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjjcharts.com/MichaelGlobalAlbums.htm |title=Michael - Worldwide Album Sales |accessdate=2007-03-16 |format= |work=MJJCharts |date=] ] }}</ref> The album spawned three singles: "]," "]," and "]." Around the same time that ''Invincible'' came out, Jackson and 35 other artists recorded a charity benefit single entitled "]", designed to raise money for ] victims, which was never released.

Just before the release of ''Invincible'', Jackson informed the head of Sony Music Entertainment, ], that he was not going to renew his contract;<ref name="FOX"/> the contract was about to expire in terms of supplying the label with albums of full-new material for release through ]/]. In 2002, all singles releases, video shootings, and promotions concerning the ''Invincible'' album were canceled. As a result of this, Jackson made allegations about Mottola not supporting its ] artists.<ref name="FOX"/> Jackson referred to Mottola as a "devil" and a "racist" who used black artists for his own personal gain.<ref name="FOX"/> He cited that Mottola called Jackson's colleague ] a "fat ]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surgeontothestars.com/pages/celebrities/micheal_jackson.shtml |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2006-11-19 |format= |work=Surgeon to the Stars }}</ref><ref>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Jermaine |subjectlink=Jermaine Jackson |interviewer=] |title= |callsign = |city= |date=] ] |program=] |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/31/cct.00.html }}</ref> Sony issued a statement stating that they found the allegations strange since Mottola was once married to ] pop star ]. Carey herself seemed nonchalant about Jackson's claims when asked about them by ] on '']''.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Carey |first=Mariah |subjectlink=Mariah Carey |interviewer=] |title= |callsign = |city= |date=] ] |program=] |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/19/lkl.00.html }}</ref> Though Jackson claimed that the albums sales were poor compared to previous releases, factors that contibuted to its lower sales included no world tour promotion as well as only one music video release. Few reviews were actually negative, but most felt it was Jackson's least impressive effort yet.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.entertainment.ie/reviews/review.asp?ID=1703&subcat=CD |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-09-09 |format = |work=Entertainment.ie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A0dq5g4hptv8z |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-09-09 |format = |work=All Music Guide}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=
http://www.nme.com/reviews/michael-jackson/5780
|title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-09-09 |format = |work=NME}}</ref> Of those that were negative they were often unfair discussing the singers perceived eccentric image rather than the music.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |coauthors= |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=2004 |publisher=Headline |location= |id=ISBN 0-330-42005-4 }}</ref> That said an album that sells 8 million copies is still considered a huge success in the majority of cases.
On ] and ] ], Jackson organized a special ] at ] for his 30th year of being a solo artist. Later, the show aired on ], ].<ref name="mj00"/> It featured performances by ], ], ], ], ], ], and a number of other artists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301614/ |title=Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration |accessdate=2006-11-19 |format= |work=IMDb }}</ref>

In wake of the ], Jackson helped organize the ] ] at ] in ]. The concert was aired on ], ], and included performances from dozens of major artists, including Jackson, who performed his song "]" as the finale.

=== 2003–2005: Trial and career hiatus===
{{main|People v. Jackson|Post trial lawsuits against Michael Jackson}}
In November 2003, Michael Jackson and Sony Records released a compilation of his number-one hits on ] and ] titled '']''. The compilation has sold over six million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjinf.co.uk/No1s/No1s.htm |title=Number Ones |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=The Ultimate Michael Jackson Stats Site}}</ref> On the album's scheduled release date, while Michael Jackson was in Las Vegas filming the video for "]" (the only new song included in the ''Number Ones'' compilation), the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department searched the ] and issued an ] for Jackson on new charges of child molestation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bal-te.jackson20nov20,1,4730385.story?coll=bal-music-utility |title=Arrest warrant issued for Michael Jackson |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> Jackson was accused of sexual abuse by Gavin Arviso, who appeared in the '']'' documentary earlier that year.

After being acquitted of the allegations, Jackson relocated to the Persian Gulf island of ], where he reportedly bought a house formerly owned by a Bahrain MP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/01/23/10013403.html |title=Jackson settles down to his new life in the Persian Gulf |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date= ] ]}}</ref> Jackson allegedly spent his time in the Persian Gulf writing new music. In September 2005, Jackson's spokesperson ] announced that Jackson was busy producing an all-star charity single — called "I Have This Dream" — to help raise relief funds for victims of ]. Some of the artists initially announced by Bain as involved were never confirmed, and were omitted from later mentions of participants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=216036 |title=Michael Jackson's Katrina Song Said Ready |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format= |work=MSN |date=] ] }}</ref> After many delays, the single remains unreleased.

=== 2006–present: New album===
{{main|Visionary: The Video Singles|Thriller 25|Michael Jackson's forthcoming studio album}}

In February 2006, Jackson's label released '']'', a box set made up of twenty of his biggest hit singles, each of which were issued individually week by week over a five-month period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjvisionary.com/mjvisionary.html |title=M J Visionary |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=Official Visionary website}}</ref> Sony released the ''Visionary'' box set in the US on ], ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonymusicstore.com/store/catalog/MerchandiseDetails.jsp?selectionId=700406&sms=extsite-sony.com |title=Michael Jackson Visionary...The Video Singles |accessdate=2006-11-14 |format= |work=Sony Music Store }}</ref>

Jackson also visited the London office of the Guinness World Records. There, he received eight awards, among them the "First Entertainer to Earn More Than 100 Million Dollars in a Year" and the "First Entertainer to Sell More Than 100 Million Albums Outside the US".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/14112006/344/jackson-receives-world-records.html&e=l_news_dm |title=Jackson receives his World Records |accessdate=2006-11-16 |format= |work=Yahoo! News |date=] ] }}</ref>

Michael Jackson was awarded the ] on ], ], for selling over 100 million albums, at the ]s. Despite tabloid rumors prior to the event,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2638324 |title=Jackson Plans 'Thriller' Performance |accessdate=2006-11-12 |format= |work=ABC News |date=] ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/jackson%20and%20brown%20to%20thrill%20uk%20audiences_1013551 |title=Jackson and Brown to Thrill UK Audiences |accessdate=2006-11-14 |format= |work=Contact Music |date=] ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15721456/ |title=Michael Jackson madness hits London |accessdate=2006-11-15 |format= |work=MSNBC |date=], ] }}</ref> he did not perform "Thriller", instead joining a choir on stage for a verse of "]".

Following the death of ], more than 8000 people watched as several artists, including Jackson, paid tribute during his public funeral on ], ].<ref name="jb">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1549061/20061230/brown_james.jhtml |title=James Brown Saluted By Michael Jackson at Public Funeral Service |accessdate=2006-12-31 |format= |work=MTV News |date=] ] }}</ref> ], who was close to Brown, delivered his sermon at the funeral, in which he stated that in the last conversation he had with Brown, he had said that artists like Jackson needed to continue to make positive music for all people.<ref name="jb"/>

In October 2007, Jackson did a photoshoot with ] in NYC to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of ''Thriller''. The pictures were published in ], the Italian men's version of ''Vogue'' magazine.<ref></ref> Michael also did a photoshoot with photographer Michael Ralston for ].<ref></ref>

On February 11, 2008, Michael Jackson will release a 25th Anniversary Edition of his top-selling album "''Thriller''" called ''Thriller 25''. The album will feature popular artists such as ], ], and ].<ref></ref>
Jackson will release his first single in nearly five years, on January 14th 2008. The single will be a remix of "The Girl Is Mine" featuring will.i.am who sampled the original 1981 demo of the song but not removing McCartney's vocals from the released song as rumored.

Shortly after ''Thriller 25'', Jackson is expected to release the ] he has been working on. There have been reports of collaborations with ],<ref name="album 07">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003526647 |title=will.i.am Working On Jackson Comeback Album |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work=Billboard |date=] ] }}</ref> ],<ref name="alb 07 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=be6e41d2-9969-4404-961c-d6038823ae0e&entry=index |title=Michael Jackson Takes on World, Wins |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work=E! Online }}</ref> ],<ref name="album 07"/> ] and ].<ref name="album 07"/> Initially, it was thought that the Bahrain-based label ] would release the album, but, in September 2006, it was made apparent that Jackson and Two Seas were no longer affiliated with each other.<ref name="album 07 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=14765841-cdba-4bd6-a8fd-68bf1d96e204&entry=index |title=Michael Jackson's Comeback Scuttled |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work=E! Online |date=] ] }}</ref> Consequently, Jackson formed ], Inc. which will oversee both his finances and the release of his new album.<ref name="album 07 3"/> There may also be plans for a world tour to support the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002729042 |title=Michael Jackson Hopes To Restart Career In Europe |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work=Billboard |date=] ] }}</ref>

==Influence==
As the biggest solo star since Elvis Presley,<ref name=TIME/> Michael Jackson has had a notable impact on music and culture throughout the world while also tearing down social barriers and paving the way for modern pop music and the concept of the modern pop star in his own country.<ref name="BMI" /> He has been described as an "extremely important figure in the history of popular culture,"<ref name=telegraph>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/02/08/do0801.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2003/02/08/ixopinion.html |title=Of course Jackson's odd - but his genius is what matters |accessdate=2007-04-12|format= |work=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> a person with "planetary influence,"<ref name=BMI/> and is one of the most famous living humans. Michael Jackson holds the record as the most awarded recording artist in history. Throughout his four-decade career, he has received numerous honors and awards, including the ]'s Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium, the ]'s Artist of the Century Award,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/netguide/2002/dec/18tr5.htm |title=29th Annual American Music Award Winners |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] Guide to the Net: Top Awards |date=] ] }}</ref> and the ]'s Pop Artist of the Millennium Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2002/11/22/michaeljackson/ |title=Michael Jackson and Halle Berry Pick Up Bambi Awards in Berlin |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> He is a double-inductee of the ] (once as a member of ] in 1997 and as a solo artist in 2001)<ref name="rockhf">{{cite web |url=http://rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=1141 |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: Hall of Fame: Inductee Detail (Michael Jackson) |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=]'s official website }}</ref> and an inductee of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/inductee_ceremony_detail.asp?ceremonyId=14&inducteeCeremonyId=104 |title=Songwriters Hall of Fame: 2002 Award & Induction Ceremony (Inductee: Michael Jackson) |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=]'s official website }}</ref> He is characterized as "an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the tools to dominate the charts seemingly at will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and loads of sheer star power".<ref name=vh1>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/jackson_michael/bio.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-02-22 |format= |work=vh1.com }}</ref> In 1990, ] magazine named him the "''Most Popular Artist in the History of Show Business''".<ref name=mjjforum>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjjforum.com/main/index.php?option=content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=75|title=Awards & Achievements|accessdate=2007-03-24|format= |work=mjjforum.com }}</ref> Jackson's work has influenced and spawned a whole generation of a wide variety of artists, including ],<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5940053/35_michael_jackson|title=Michael Jackson|accessdate=2007-03-06 |format= |work=rollingstone.com }}</ref> ],<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/01/usher/|title=Usher, Usher, Usher: The new 'King of Pop'?|accessdate=2007-03-06 |format= |work=cnn.com }}</ref> ],<ref name=rollingstone/> ],<ref name=citypages>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypages.com/databank/28/1364/article15090.asp|title=Man in the Mirror |accessdate=2007-03-06 |format= |work=citypages.com }}</ref> ],<ref name=afrotoronto>{{cite web |url=http://www.afrotoronto.com/AfroPages/BookReviews/MichaelJacksonReview.html|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop|accessdate=2007-03-06 |format= |work=afrotoronto.com }}</ref> ],<ref name=ew>{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035193,00.html|title=Because of You|accessdate=2007-04-22|format= |work=ew.com }}</ref> and ],<ref name=987kissfm>{{cite web |url=http://www.987kissfm.com/flashback/Display.aspx?ID=61697|title=Michael Jackson Thriller|accessdate=2007-03-06 |format= |work=987kissfm.com }}</ref> among others.

===Music videos and MTV===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ]" music video.]] -->
Michael Jackson is widely regarded as being the first artist to elevate music videos to a meaningful art form,<ref name=BMI/> setting off new trends of story-telling, mini-movies, and choreographed dance sequences that dominate the genre to this day. The concept of the short film, epitomized by 1983's "Thriller" but also seen in other Jackson videos such as "]", "]", "]", and "]", would largely remain unique to him, but the group-scene dancing pioneered by "Beat It" and popularized by "Thriller" has been a staple of music videos ever since. The dance sequence from "Thriller" has captivated popular culture worldwide, being replicated everywhere from ]n movies to Western wedding ceremonies.<ref name=youtube>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPmYbP0F4Zw |title=Wedding Thriller Dance |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=youtube.com }}</ref><ref name=youtube1>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbvP7dT3Dx0 |title=Indian Thriller |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=youtube.com }}</ref>

Central to Michael Jackson’s success with music videos was the relatively young music channel MTV, created in 1981, which put Jackson’s videos in heavy rotation throughout the 1980s. Before the fruitful relationship materialized, however, Jackson struggled against the channel just to have his videos aired. In 1983, when Jackson came out with "Billie Jean", his first video from ''Thriller'', MTV rarely aired videos by African-American performers and promptly refused Jackson’s requests for a running.<ref name=blender>{{cite web |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=1777 |title=Michael Jackson, "Billy Jean: |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=blender.com }}</ref> Upon hearing the news, ] President ] went livid, denouncing MTV and warning, "I’m pulling everything we have off the air, all our product. I’m not going to give you any more videos. And I’m going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don’t want to play music by a black guy".<ref name=blender/> Yetnikoff's harsh stance and rhetoric worked; MTV retreated and started giving "Billie Jean" heavy coverage, laying the groundwork for a dynamic partnership with Jackson that would last for years. When the 14-minute long music video for "Thriller" came out in December 1983, it took MTV by storm, running as often as twice within an hour at its height. True to its name, the video also had the feeling of a psychological thriller, reportedly scaring viewers across the United States, especially young children. "]" marked the beginning of a new era in music videos and is often cited as the greatest music video of all time.<ref name=vh1>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/jackson_michael/bio.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-02-22 |format= |work=vh1.com }}</ref>

Michael Jackson is often credited for putting ], initially a struggling cable channel, on the map "with pioneering videos such as "Thriller", "]", and "]".<ref name=ABCNews>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/LegalCenter/story?id=464753&page=1|title=Why Are Michael Jackson's Fans So Devoted? |accessdate=2007-04-06 |format= |work=abcnews.com }}</ref> In response to Jackson's influence, MTV shifted its musical focus as time went on, going from rock videos to more and more pop and R&B showings.<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-08-25-mtv_x.htm|title=Music videos changing places |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=abcnews.com }}</ref>

===Legacy of ''Thriller''===
Released in 1982, ''Thriller'' became the most commercially successful album of all time and one of the most critically acclaimed, single-handedly transforming Jackson into his generation's Elvis or the Beatles and making him the "late 20th century's pre-eminent pop icon".<ref name=blender/> It remains Jackson's most celebrated musical achievement and has acquired a prominent position in ]. In the 1980s, it was an indelible part of American life, as described by TIME magazine, "The numbers, which are incredible, are also becoming indelible. How many Beatles were there? How many homers did Babe Ruth hit? How many Grammy Awards did Michael Jackson win on Feb. 28? How many copies of Thriller have been sold? Well, the Grammys are easy".<ref name=TIME/>

The second track released from the album and Jackson's highest-selling single ever, "Billie Jean", has been described as "one of the most sonically eccentric, psychologically fraught, downright bizarre things ever to land on Top 40 radio".<ref name=blender/> Jackson's earlier solo work in ''Off the Wall'' had revealed a disco-funk combination, but "Billie Jean," edged onwards by a "pulsing, cat-on-the-prowl bass figure, whip-crack downbeat and eerie multi-tracked vocals ricocheting in the vast spaces between keyboards and strings",<ref name=blender/> featured a new and revolutionary sound, one that made Jackson's idiosyncratic vocals a staple of pop music and established a sleek, post-soul tune "whose echoes can be heard to this day".<ref name=blender/> Apart from the title track and the accompanying music video, the album's other memorable single was "Beat It", which Jackson described as "the type of rock song that I would go out and buy, but also something totally different from the rock music I was hearing on Top Forty radio".<ref name=RollingStone>{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596182/beat_it |title=Beat It |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=rollingstone.com }}</ref> The song was a crossover hit, buoyed by a "watch-my-fingers-fly guitar solo provided by ]".<ref name=RollingStone/>

Apart from establishing Jackson's iconic status and a new pop sound, ''Thriller'' revolutionized the music industry, which was watching in anticipation as the juggernaut comfortably and steadily broke record after record. Gil Friesen, President of ], stated that "the whole industry has a stake in this success".<ref name=TIME/> At its height, ''Thriller'' was an industry in and of itself, with the ''Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller'', a videotape describing the secrets behind the new music video that was released in the ] of 1983, going on to sell 350,000 copies by March 1984.<ref name=TIME/>

The main influence ''Thriller'' had on the industry involved raising the importance of the album as a means of musical distribution. After ''Thriller'', which, by posting seven top ten Hot 100 hits, had shattered traditional notions of how many singles an album could release before falling in popularity,<ref name=vh1>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/jackson_michael/bio.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-02-22 |format= |work=vh1.com }}</ref> record companies took an interest in following Michael Jackson's approach of releasing high-profile albums once every few years. Although the importance of singles relative to albums had started to wane before the 1980s, ''Thriller'' firmly established the album as the dominant force in the music industry, a status it retains to this day.

TIME magazine summed up the impact of ''Thriller'' as follows: "For a record industry stuck on the border between the ruins of punk and the chic regions of synthesizer pop, ''Thriller'' was a thorough restoration of confidence, a rejuvenation. Its effect on listeners, especially younger ones, was nearer to a revelation".<ref name=TIME/> Additionally, ''Thriller'' marked the return of black music to commercial radio for the first time in years, leading Quincy Jones to the following characterization of the doors opened by Michael Jackson: "No doubt about it, he's taken us right up there where we belong. Black music had to play second fiddle for a long time, but its spirit is the whole motor of pop. Michael has connected with every soul in the world".<ref name=TIME/> By overcoming what some have called the "apartheid of pop", Jackson paved the way for the success of future acts, most immediately and notably Prince, who had been confined to low levels of airplay before ''Thriller'' opened the floodgates.<ref name=WashPost1>{{cite news | first= Richard | last= Harrington | title= Prince & Michael Jackson: Two Paths to the Top of Pop | date= October 1988 | publisher= Washington Post | url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73636369.html?dids=73636369:73636369&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+9%2C+1988&author=Richard+Harrington&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=g.01&desc=Prince+%26+Michael+Jackson%3A+Two+Paths+to+the+Top+of+Pop | accessdate= 2007-05-21| language= English }}</ref>

===Style and performance===
Among the most celebrated aspects of Michael Jackson's career have been his dance, fashion, and vocal styles, which have given rise to impersonators all over the world. In 1984, TIME magazine wrote the following on the singer's notable style: "His high-flying tenor makes him sound like the lead in some funked-up boys choir, even as the sexual dynamism irradiating from the arch of his dancing body challenges Government standards for a nuclear meltdown. His lithe frame, five-fathom eyes, long lashes might be threatening if Jackson gave, even for a second, the impression that he is obtainable".<ref name=TIME/>

Jackson's dancing abilities were always an important part of his life, and ones that he honed through constant training and dedication, manifested, according to TIME, by " himself up at the house in a room that has no mirrors—"Mirrors make you pose," he has said—and loose to his own music or to the Isley Brothers' Showdown, practicing what Dancer Hinton Battle calls "moves that kill. It's the combinations that really distinguish him as an artist. Spin, stop, pull up leg, pull jacket open, turn, freeze. And the glide, where he steps forward while pushing back. Spinning three times and popping up on his toes. That's a trademark, and a move a lot of professionals wouldn't try. If you go up wrong, you can really hurt yourself".<ref name=TIME/> Jackson has been described as an "avant-garde dancer" that allowed his techniques to acquire meaning through the "theatrical context" surrounding them.<ref name=NYTimes4>{{cite news | first= Anna | last= Kisselgoff | title= Stage: The Dancing Feet Of Michael Jackson | date= March 1988 | publisher= New York Times | url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DE1539F935A35750C0A96E948260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael | accessdate= 2007-04-19 | language= English }}</ref> His dancing abilities, sometimes compared to past greats like ] and ],<ref name=telegraph/> have contributed strongly to his perceived status as one of the greatest performers of all time.

Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" outing at ] on May 16, 1983 is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of all time, despite the fact that Jackson lip-synched the song. More than 50 million viewers tuned in to see the special and Jackson perform his most popular song at the time.<ref name=blender/> It marked a new height in his popularity, pushed forward by the publicly-dubbed "]," an illusory move designed to create the impression that the dancer is walking backwards. The moonwalk became Jackson's signature dance move and he would replicate it in all future performances of "Billie Jean." Jackson did not invent the move, but he was responsible for perfecting it, making it a household name, and enshrining it into the psyche of American culture, which witnessed kids and people of all age groups trying to do the move after the Motown special as well as earning a fitting peroration from the ]: "The moonwalk that he made famous is an apt metaphor for his dance style. How does he do it? As a technician, he is a great illusionist, a genuine mime. His ability to keep one leg straight as he glides while the other bends and seems to walk requires perfect timing".<ref name=NYTimes4/> In the 1990's, Jackson experimented with an innovative 'leaning' move in his music video performances for which he was granted U.S. Patent 5,255,452<ref>U.S. Patent 5,255,452;"Method and Means For Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion"; Michael J. Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins, issued Oct 26, 1993, Filed June 29, 1992</ref>.

Michael Jackson's outfits, everything from the sequined white glove, which has led to some dubbing him as "The Gloved One", to the jacket in the "Thriller" music video, have been essential components of his image and performance. The "Jheri-curled hair and single-gloved, zippered-jacket look" became a favorite for many people across the United States in the 1980s.<ref name=cnnlife>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/30/jackson.life/ |title=Michael Jackson: A life in the spotlight |accessdate=2007-04-11 |format= |work=cnn.com }}</ref> Jackson has also made the ] something of a trademark in his exhibitions, and many modern artists pay tribute to the look.

===Themes and genres===
Michael Jackson's musical palette has covered everything from disco and pop to rock and R&B. Jackson's musical themes have been equally varied, featuring material on typical pop subjects like love and joy as well as more mature works on ] and his convoluted relationship with the media. Jackson's solo career with Motown in the 1970s was largely unimaginative, dominated as it was by label-backed songwriters and producers intent on giving the young performer typical ballads and other similarly-styled melodious tracks. In his two-decade career with Epic, however, Jackson displayed extensive creativity, gradually evolving from compositions with mild, non-controversial messages to songs dealing with increasingly solemn and darker themes, a reflection of his personal struggles and his status as an international icon.<ref name=NYTimes1>{{cite news | first= Jon | last= Pareles | title= POP VIEW; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand | date= June 1995 | publisher= New York Times | url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DD123DF93BA25755C0A963958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael | accessdate= 2007-04-19 | language= English }}</ref>

''Off the Wall'' and ''Thriller'' showcased a Michael Jackson primarily focused on making dance hits and ballads with catchy tunes and rhythms. While this preoccupation would continue in his future work, it would also be colored by various shifts and improvisations. Even in this early material, however, Jackson displayed notable paradoxes, mixing the melodious and comfortable sounds of "Lady in My Life" with the haunting and terrorized environments of "Billie Jean" and "Beat It", where women accused him of fathering their children and the outside world seemed strange and hostile.<ref name=NYTimes2>{{cite news | first= Jon | last= Pareles | title= Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'? | date= September 1987 | publisher= New York Times | url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DC1F38F930A3575AC0A961948260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael | accessdate= 2007-04-19 | language= English }}</ref> ''Bad'' was accused by some of not delivering the exciting lyrics evident in ''Thriller'', being more intent on consolidating a traditional pop sound and defeating the records of Jackson's previous releases.<ref name=NYTimes2/> The album left clues for future projects, however, mentioning in the tense intro to "]" that "A lot of people misunderstand me....because they don't know me at all".<ref name=NYTimes2/> ''Bad'' included Jackson's first major inspirational song, "]", which was praised for its message and captivating sound and also criticized as, among other things, "pure pabulum."<ref name=NYTimes2/>

Jackson's work in the 1990s was characterized by more introspective material. Some have argued that the ''Dangerous'' album represented Jackson at a "near peak" in terms of musical quality and creativity<ref name=Allmguide>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0hrsa9igb23u |title= Dangerous Review |accessdate=2007-06-04 |format= |work=]}}</ref> and received more critical acclaim than his previous ''Bad'' album.<ref></ref> Several things remained the same, with the title track to ''Dangerous'' ensuring another song about a "predatory lover".<ref name=NYTimes3>{{cite news | first= Jon | last= Pareles | title= RECORDINGS VIEW; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness | date= November 1991 | publisher= New York Times | url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D6143DF937A15752C1A967958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael | accessdate= 2007-04-19 | language= English }}</ref> More and more of Jackson's music in the decade, like "]", "]", "]", and "]", started addressing sociopolitical issues around the world. The music in ''Dangerous'', described as a "a sonic machine world" with "synthetic basslines, swooshing scratched records, clanking metallic noises", reflected old influences while absorbing new trends, made all the more pressing by Jackson's habit of releasing albums once every four or so years, time periods that allowed for significant development in the sound of pop music.<ref name=NYTimes3/>

''HIStory'', arguably Jackson's most conflictive album, revealed a "furious" pop icon worn by years of superstardom,<ref name=NYTimes1/> with ] of the ] writing that "It has been a long time since Michael Jackson was simply a performer. He's the main asset of his own corporation, which is a profitable subsidiary of Sony".<ref name=NYTimes1/> The album featured Jackson using profanity and other controversial lyrics, which forced him to modify some of the words to "They Don't Care About Us". Edged onwards by a quasi-messianic flair, he also railed against the media in "Tabloid Junkie", singing, "With your pen you torture me/You'd crucify the Lord" and that "Just because you read it in a magazine/ Or see it on a TV screen/ Don't make it factual".<ref name=NYTimes1/> ''HIStory'' mostly encompassed reflective compositions, presenting only one conventional love song, "]".<ref name=NYTimes1/>

==== Connection with Slash ====
{{See also|Slash (musician)}}
Jackson formed a long term musical bond with acclaimed guitarist ]. Indeed, Slash is Jackson's only long term musical partner in his solo career. Slash came to fame as lead guitarist for ] and has since remained prolific in ].<ref name=Allmguide>{{cite web |url=http://wc02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wpfqxqrgldte~T1|title= Slash Biography|accessdate=2007-21-09 |format= |work=]}}</ref> A punky L.A. rocker, his style provided a contrasting foil to Jackson's. Slash first joined Jackson in 1991 for the ''Dangerous'' album. He wrote/performed the introduction to "Black or White" and played three solos on "Give in to Me".<ref>'']'' album credits - booklet included with album</ref> During the '']'' and at music award ceremonies, Slash appeared on stage for a few performances of "Black or White".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjinf.co.uk/Dangerous/Black%20or%20White.htm|title= Michael Jackson Info|accessdate=2007-21-09 |format= |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/tours/dangeroustour.html|title= Michael Jackson Trader|accessdate=2007-21-09 |format= |work=]}}</ref> Slash also featured in the "Give in to Me" music video, performing the entirety of the song on stage with Jackson in a pseudo-live performance featuring Guns N' Roses then-rhythm guitarist ].
With "Beat It" on ''Thriller'', "Dirty Diana" on ''Bad'' and "Black or White" on ''Dangerous'', Jackson made having a pop rock song on his albums a staple, each featuring a famous guitarist. After ''Dangerous'' however, Slash became the regular guest on Jackson's albums. On ''HIStory'', he performed a lengthy solo for "D.S."<ref>HIStory album credits - booklet with credits included with album</ref> and on ''Invincible'' the solo for "Privacy". To confirm the solos' performer, Jackson shouted "Slash!" before these solos.
Slash has appeared with Jackson a few times since the "Dangerous World Tour". He had a few similar appearances during the "HIStory World Tour", including one in ], ] in 1996. This was held at the "Chamsil Olympic Stadium" and filmed for a live broadcast and commercial release on VHS.<ref>http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/tours/historytour.html release of VHS</ref>

He appeared at Jackson's ''MTV Music Video Awards 1995'' performance to play "Black or White", played a solo, then remained on stage to play along to the opening of "Billie Jean" (this performance was later released on '']''). In 2001, on Jackson's ] Slash appeared to perform "Black or White" and "Beat It" (including the trademark Eddie Van Halen solo){{Fact|date=October 2007}}.

==Personal life==
Michael Jackson's personal life, like any other celebrities', has been under the spotlight for decades. His marriages and children, his physical appearance, his humanitarian efforts, and accusations of child molestation have all witnessed a variety of media coverage all over the world.

===Marriages and children===
] in 2006.]]

Jackson married ], the daughter of ], in 1994. Presley maintained during their marriage that they shared a married couple's life and were sexually active.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Michael |subjectlink= |last2=Presley |first2=Lisa Marie |subjectlink2=Lisa Marie Presley |interviewer=] |title= |callsign = |city= |date=] ] |program=] |url=http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/interviews/primetimeliveinterview.html }}</ref> They divorced less than two years later, although still remain friends.<ref name=MJfanclub>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjfanclub.net/history/interviews/debbie_interview_1997_II.html|title= Debbie Rowe speaks about Michael and Lisa Marie's friendship|accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=|date=] ] }}</ref> Jackson's second wife ] spoke about the couple's post-marriage friendship amidst "stories about Michael having an affair with his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley",<ref name="MJfanclub" /> saying that: "They have a relationship, and what people don't understand is his relationship with her is separate from his relationship with me. They're friends, they're very good friends... I am glad that they have a relationship together. I am glad to see them together; they have a lot in common."<ref name="MJfanclub" />

On ], ], during the ]n leg of the ], Jackson married his dermatologist's nurse ], with whom he fathered a son, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as "Prince"), and a daughter, Paris Katherine Jackson. Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999. Jackson later said that Rowe wanted him to have the children as a "gift".<ref>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Michael |subjectlink= |interviewer=] |title= |callsign = |city= |date=] ] |program=] |url=http://www.mjshouse.com/stories/living_with_mj_transcript.html }}</ref> The ] of Michael Jackson's children has been heavily debated by the public. Both Jackson and Rowe have always maintained that his first two children were conceived naturally.

In November 2002, Jackson traveled to ] to accept an award for his humanitarian efforts. He was surrounded by fans outside his room at the ] who were chanting in approval of the singer. According to the pop star, they also called out to see his baby. In response, Jackson brought his son onto the balcony, holding him in his right arm with a cloth loosely draped over the baby's face in order to protect his identity from the media. Jackson briefly extended the baby over the railing of the balcony. This raised concern as some perceived his actions as ], although Jackson has vehemently denied these tabloid rumors, saying that he was holding the baby tightly. Jackson said that the media was 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjshouse.com/stories/living_with_mj_transcript.html |title=Living with Michael Jackson |accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=mjshouse.com }}</ref>

The controversial documentary '']'' aired in February 2003 in the UK (on the 3rd) and in the US (on the 6th). The documentary included interviews with Jackson which included information on his private life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352524/ |title=Living with Michael Jackson: A Tonight Special |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=IMDb }}</ref> British journalist ] and his film crew filmed Jackson for 18 months, also capturing his controversial behavior in ]. One particular part of the documentary, which stirred controversy and raised a significant level of concern, showed Jackson holding hands with a then 13-year-old ] victim Gavin Arviso, and admitting to sharing his bedroom with him (but not in the same bed) as well as sharing his bed (non-sexually) with other children.

Jackson felt betrayed by Bashir and complained that the film gives a distorted picture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/06/jackson.bashir.statement/index.html |title=Michael Jackson's statement |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> In response to the media scrutiny, two specials were aired: ''Michael Jackson: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See'' and ''Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471179/20030410/jackson_michael.jhtml?headlines=true |title=Michael Jackson's 'Private Home Movies' To Air On Fox |accessdate=2006-11-19 |format= |work=MTV News |date=] ] }}</ref> ''Michael Jackson: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See'' which aired later in February showed uncut footage of the ''Living with Michael Jackson'' documentary. The ''Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies'' aired in April was a 2-hour special with footage of Michael Jackson's home videos and included commentary by Jackson.

===Humanitarian efforts===

Jackson began his charity work in 1981 with his brothers following the Triumph tour where they raised $100,000 for the Atlanta Children’s Foundation.<ref></ref> In 1984, following his burning accident with Pepsi the drinks manufacture gave Jackson a $1.5 million out of court settlement which he donated to the Michael Jackson Burn Centre set up in his Honour.<ref name="magicmadness">{{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |coauthors= |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=1991 |publisher=Headline |location= |id=ISBN 1-55972-064-6 }}</ref> In July 1984 he donated his $5million share from the Victory tour to charity.<ref name="magicmadness"/> In 1985 Jackson co-wrote with ] the hit song "]", and sung a featured solo on the charity ]. The record helped to raise money and awareness for the ] in ] and was one of the first instances where Jackson was seen as a ]. All profits from his 1988 hit single "]" went to charity.<ref></ref>

From 1985–1990 Jackson had donated $500,000 to the United Negro College.<ref></ref>
In 1992, Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" (named after his humanitarian ] "]"). The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ], located outside ], ], to go on theme park rides which Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it in 1988. All profits from the ] went to his foundation raising many millions of dollars in relief. Jacksons 1995 international #1 hit ] showed a shift in his concerns to environmental issues and ends with a disclaimer asking for donations for his "Heal the World Foundation". In 1998 Jackson was nominated for a ].<ref name="CBS10102003" />

In late 2002, Jackson's Heal the World Foundation had net assets of just ]3,542 and reported $2,585 in expenses, mostly for management fees. The foundation was suspended in California since April 2002 for supposedly failing to file annual statements required of tax-exempt organizations, according to John Barrett, spokesman for the state Franchise Tax Board. The "Heal the World Foundation spread millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease," thanks to the efforts of Michael Jackson, but the forced closure of the Foundation leaves many of these children without aid.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4601265 |title=Jackson's foundation now virtually defunct |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref> At the ] in 2006 ] announced that Jackson had given $300 million to charity<ref></ref> and that Jackson has been actively involved with 39 charity organizations around the world.<ref></ref>

===Physical appearance===
]

Jackson's skin was a medium-brown color for the entire duration of his youth, but starting in 1982 his skin gradually became paler. This change became so noticeable that it gained widespread media coverage, with some tabloids claiming that he was bleaching his skin. The structure of his face has changed as well, and several surgeons have speculated that Jackson has undergone multiple nasal surgeries as well as a forehead lift, thinned lips and cheekbone surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Cosmetic/story?id=131910&page=1 |title=Surgeon: Michael Jackson A 'Nasal Cripple' |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=] |date=] ] }}</ref>

Appearing on '']'' in 1993, Jackson struck back against the rumors, claiming that the change in his skin color was due to the disease ].<ref name=Oprah1>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Michael |subjectlink= |interviewer=] |title= |callsign = |city= |date=] ] |program=] |url=http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/interviews/oprahinterview.html}}</ref> In the interview, Jackson became quite emotional, saying that: "I'm a black American, I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride and dignity... I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of my skin, it's something that I cannot help, OK? But when people make up stories that I don't want to be what I am it hurts me... It's a problem for me that I can't control."<ref name="Oprah1" /> Jackson also responded to tabloid rumors about the amount of ] he had had done, insisting that he's had "Very, very little. I mean you can count on my two fingers," and furthermore said that "I've never had my cheekbones done, never had my eyes done, never had my lips done and all this stuff, they just go too far."<ref name="Oprah1" /> These assertions echoed what Jackson wrote in his 1988 autobiography ''Moon Walk'': that he only had two ] and the surgical creation of a cleft in his chin. In the book, he attributed the noticeable change in the structure of his face to puberty and diet.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Moonwalk |year= 1988|publisher=Doubleday |location= |id=ISBN 0-434-37042-8 }}</ref> Despite Jackson's protests some news sources, particularly tabloid newspapers, have pointedly continued to express skepticism about his claims.<ref>"Daddy Jacko Looks Like Mummy Wacko," New York Daily News, December 18, 2007</ref>

===Child molestation charges===
{{main|People v. Jackson}}

{{quotation|"If a man could say nothing against a character but what he can prove, history could not be written."<ref>http://en.wikiquote.org/Michael_Jackson#Statements</ref>
|This quotation from the British author Samuel Johnson was cited in a statement by Michael Jackson released by ], 1988}}

], ] in 2004.]]

Jackson was reported to be allowing children to sleepover at his Neverland ranch. This practice came under much media and public scrutiny, in 1993, when child molestation allegations were brought against Jackson by a child who had stayed with him on several occasions. That year, Jordan Chandler, the son of former ] ] Evan Chandler, represented by ] Larry Feldman, accused Jackson of ]. On ], Jackson responded to the allegations via satellite from his Neverland compound and claimed to be "totally innocent of any wrongdoing". On ] ], Jackson settled out of court with the accuser for an undisclosed sum, reported to be ]20 million. The family dropped the charges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/24/newsid_2512000/2512077.stm |title=1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work=BBC On This Day: 24th August |date=] ] }}</ref>

On ] ], Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of ] in order to commit that felony, all regarding the same boy, (]), under 14. The ] ] stated that Jackson had committed seven lewd acts and two acts of administration of an intoxicating agent to enable the former accusations. Jackson denied these allegations, saying that the ]s were in no way sexual in nature. Jackson's friend, ], defended him on ], saying that she had been there when they "were in the bed, watching television. There was nothing abnormal about it. There was no touchy-feely going on. We laughed like children, and we watched a lot of Walt Disney. There was nothing odd about it."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0605/30/lkl.01.html |title=Elizabeth Taylor defends Michael on Larry King Live |accessdate=2006-11-11 |format= |work= |date=}}</ref>

The ] trial began in ], ], on ], ], and lasted until the end of May 2005, with Jackson being acquitted on all counts in June. It was one of the largest and most documented trials in world history. About 2,200 media credentials to over 30 news organizations from around the world were issued to cover the trial, more than what was given for the trials of ] and ] combined.<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-11-jackson-media-circus_x.htm |title=Tent city: 2,200 media credentials for Jackson trial |accessdate=2007-03-24 |format= |work=usatoday.com }}</ref> Jackson's popularity outside the United States ensured a distinctly international crowd of reporters.<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-11-jackson-media-circus_x.htm |title=Tent city: 2,200 media credentials for Jackson trial |accessdate=2007-03-24 |format= |work=usatoday.com }}</ref> On top of the media, Santa Maria was also flooded with Jackson fans, 1,200 of whom heard and celebrated the ten not guilty verdicts right outside the courthouse.<ref name=MSNBC>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8207792/|title=Fans celebrate after Jackson acquittal |accessdate=2007-03-24 |format= |work=msnbc.msn.com }}</ref>

The ] of ] in ], ], has led two efforts against Jackson involving child molestation.<ref name="CBSNews1">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/17/earlyshow/leisure/main589094.shtml|title=Who Is Tom Sneddon? |accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=cbsnews.com }}</ref> The first incident, in 1993, resulted in no charges and the second, at the end of 2003, culminated in a trial two years later in which Jackson was acquitted on all counts. These repeated prosecutions have led to suggestions that Sneddon was motivated by a "mission" or "vendetta" against Jackson. Although Sneddon has a good track record, evidence to support Jackson's claim is quite strong, as Sneddon joked about Jackson's greatest hits album being released on the same day as his arrest, called him "Wacko Jacko" and also shouted "we got him, we finally got him" to the world media when he had at the time minimal evidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480542/20031120/jackson_michael.jhtml |title=Why Is The DA In The Michael Jackson Case Smiling? |accessdate=2007-11-07 |format= |work=mtv.com }}</ref><ref></ref><ref name="magic"/>

==Discography==
{{main|Michael Jackson album discography|Michael Jackson singles discography}}<!--

<!-- Do not add any album chart positions or sales records here, keep this list as short as possible. -->
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===U.S. number one singles (13)===
*1972: "]"
*1979: "]"
*1980: "]"
*1983: "]"
*1983: "]"
*1983: "]" (with ])
*1987: "]"
*1987: "]"
*1987: "]"
*1988: "]"
*1988: "]"
*1991: "]"
*1995: "]"

===Number ones in selected countries===
* ] (20)
* ] (10)
* ] (7)
* ] (7)
* ] (5)
* ] (4)

{{col-2}}
===Studio albums===
;] releases:
*1972: '']''
*1972: '']''
*1973: '']''
*1975: '']''
*1984: '']''
*1986: '']''

;] releases:
*1979: '']''
*1982: '']''
*1987: '']''
*1991: '']''
*1995: '']''
*1997: '']''
*2001: '']''
*2003: '']''
*2004: '']''
;] releases:
*2008: '']''
*2008: '']''
{{col-end}}

==Filmography==
{{main|Michael Jackson filmography}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Notable music videos===
<!--Notable short films are those which won awards. Do not add videos which didn't win any major awards to this list-->
*1983: "]"
*1983: "]"
*1983: "]"
*1987: "]"
*1987: "]"
*1988: "]"
*1989: "]"
*1991: "]"
*1992: "]"
*1992: "]"
*1995: "]"
*1995: "]"
*2001: "]"

===Films===
*1978: '']''
*1986: '']''
*1988: '']''
*1997: '']
*2004: '']'' (])
*2004: '']'' (])

{{col-2}}

===Television===
*''The Jacksons TV Show'' was a variety series that first aired on ] ] and last aired on ] ]. It starred ], ], ], Michael, ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/the-jacksons/show/9914/summary.html |title=The Jackson TV Show |accessdate=2006-11-21 |format= |work=] }}</ref>
*'']'', Season 3 Episode 1, "]". The episode first aired on ] ]. He was credited as John Jay Smith.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/stark-raving-dad/episode/1321/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0 |title=The Simpsons: Stark Raving Dad |accessdate=2006-11-21 |format= |work=TV.com }}</ref>

===Video games===
* '']'' is an arcade game that was ported to the ]/Sega Genesis and ] and various ] home computers, including the ], which sported more levels and better graphics.
* '']'' features sampled noises from Jackson and his instrument players who worked for him at the time. Due to his 1993 scandal some songs written by him were removed; however the original game still contains some content from him and his team although Jackson is uncredited. New Sega PC "retro" versions do not contain any of the material from Jackson or his team.
* ] for the ] featured Michael Jackson in the later levels.
* ''Space Channel 5: Part 2'', a ] for the ] and ] also featured Michael Jackson in the later levels.
* '']'' is a fighting game for the ] and ] featuring Michael Jackson as a hidden character.
* '']'' for the ], ], and ] includes two songs by Michael Jackson: "]" and "]".
{{col-end}}
==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
== References ==
<div style="height: 220px; overflow: auto; padding: 3px; border:1px solid #AAAAAA; reflist4" >
{{reflist|2}}
</div>
== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Moonwalk |year= 1988|publisher=] |location= |id=ISBN 0-434-37042-8 }}
* {{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |coauthors= |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=1991 |publisher=Headline |location= |id=ISBN 1-55972-064-6 }}
* {{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |coauthors= |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=2004 |publisher=Headline |location= |id=ISBN 0-330-42005-4 }}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Dancing The Dream |year=1992 |publisher=Doubleday |location= |id=ISBN 0-385-40368-2 }}
* {{cite book |last=Grant |first=Adrian |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary |year=1994, 1997, 2002 and 2005 |publisher=] |location= |id=ISBN 1-84449-432-2 }}
* {{cite book |last=Noonan |first=Damien |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Michael Jackson |format= Audio book |year= 1994|publisher=Carlton Books |location= |id=ISBN 1-85797-587-1 }}
*{{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=My World, The Official Photobook, Vol. 1 |year=2006 |publisher=Triumph International |location= |id=ISBN 0-9768891-1-0 }}
== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikinews|Category:Michael Jackson trial|Michael Jackson trial}}
{{commonscat|Michael Jackson}}
*
*
* {{MySpace|michaeljackson}}
* {{imdb name|name=Michael Jackson|id=0001391}}
*
*
* at ]
* {{amg|label=Michael Jackson|id=11:m7uvad8kv8w5}}
*
*
* {{dmoz|Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/J/Jackson,_Michael/|Michael Jackson}}
*
* {{Discogs artist|artist=Michael+Jackson}}
*

{{Michael Jackson}}
{{Michael Jackson singles}}
{{jackson5}}
{{Jackson siblings}}

<!-- Metadata: see ] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME=Jackson, Michael Joesph
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Jackson, Michael Joe
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Singer
|DATE OF BIRTH=] ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=], ], ]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Michael}}
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Revision as of 01:34, 2 January 2008

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