Professional Documents
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CONTENTS
6
Fifty years of genius
A STAR IS BORN
8
The early years
/6
Motown magic
:10
Going solo
-10
_____D_iS_C O days
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THE MUSIC
-16
Off The Wall
:;-1-
Thriller
70
Bad
78
Dangerous
86
HIStory
9:.!
Invincible
THE MAN
C)(j
Husband & father
/(J:.!
The showm an
II:.!
Difficult times
HIS WORK
II{'
Chart history
12()
TV and film
122
In print
FAREWELL,
I:.!-I-
Michael's final curtain call
I:.!(j
•$ 7i
$. $ , Vigil
128
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.... .. ... ...
!III '" :h Celebs pay tribute
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n 29 August 1958, Michael Joseph reduced his teacher to tears when he sung
Jackson was born into a large, Climb Every Mountain.
working-class family in the small, It was his first public appearance, and his
suburban town of Gary, Indiana, in the US. skill didn't go unnoticed by Joe.
Baby Michael was the seventh child So, at just five, Michael and brother
of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Joe, a Marlon, six, joined their siblings in the
former boxer, worked as a crane operator in group. Originally playing the tambourinc,
a steel company, while stay-at-home mum Michael quickly progressed to backing
Katherine looked after her brood. vocals. By 1966, he took on lead vocals with
Michael grew up with siblings Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, after mum Katherine hcard him
Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Rebbie, Randy singing while he made his bed one morning.
and Janet in the industrial suburb. With Michael at the helm, the prototype
It was a tough upbringing fOT the young Jackson Five was born.
boy, as his strict father ruled the Jackson Realising their potential, Joe wus
clan with an iron rod. determined to see them succeed,
A mischievous boy, Michael used to put presumably in a hid to lift his fumily out of
spiders in his sister L3 Toya's bed, and he their hand-to-mouth existence.
often suffered the wrath of his angry father. But he demunded perfection. Michucl once
Later in life, Mich3Cl would open up about suid: 'We were really nervous rehearsing,
his early experiences in a revealing interview because uyou didn't do it the right wuy, Dud
with chat show host Oprah Winfrey. would tear you UI). He was tough.'
He said: 'There's u lot of sadness uhout Performing warm-up gigs for grown-up
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The Jackson Five started off in the back rooms of clubs in motor town -
Detroit, USA. When' Want You Back blasted to the top of the charts in
1969, Michael, as the 11-year-old frontman, was on his way to stardom
ichacl was aged nine and Joe moved in with Berry, while music biographer, David Ritz, who
when, together with Michael and his brother Marlon wrote: 'The singing and the songs
his brothers, The moved in with The Supremes make us happy. They are moments
Jackson Five, auditioned for singer Diana Ross. of incandescent beauty - young and
Motown Records. Michael went on to forge a close wildly optimistic.'
After being impressed by the friendship with Diana and once The band's youthful, soulful
band's performances in local said he shared his 'deepest, darkest sound was even dubbed
clubs, soul singer Bobby Taylor secrets' with her. Some even 'bubblegum soul'.
recommended them to bosses at believe that Michael's 1988 song. Eleven-year-old Michael may
the legendary label. Dirty Diana, was named after hcr. have been the smallest member of
Ali lhe major artists of the It was she who was credited as the band, but he was the biggest
time, including Stevie Wonder, having discovered the group after star, fronting the group with his
Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and The formally introducing the band to sweet, soulful voice and his James
Suprcmes and The Four Tops were the public in August 1968 at a club Brown-style showmanship.
signed to Motown. called The Daisy in Beverly Hills. Jacksonm:mia swept the country
The company was named after The label renamed the band the and, even more importantly to
the 'motor town' of Detroit, where Jackson 5 and i t was under their Michac\, the rest of the family
the label had been set up by car guidance that Michael and his were finally able to join them
assembly line worker Berry Gordy. brothers became one of the biggest in California.
It had played an import:mt role pop-music phenomena of the 70s. So, in 1970, 12-year-old Michael
in the racial integration of Their debut single, J Wanl YOIl was reunited with his mum,
pop music. Bcrrywas the first Back, became the fas test-selling Katherine, and his other siblings,
und the family moved into a house
together in Los Angeles.
The singing and the songs make us To celebrate their success,
Motown focused on their youth
happy. They are moments ofbeauty, allpeal and launched a range of
youth and wild optimism Jackson 5 merchandise, including
stickers, posters, colouring books
African-American to own a record i n Motown's history, selling and sewable patches.
record label and feature African six million copies across A Saturday morning children's
American artists paving their way the world. cartoon, The .lackson 5ive, debuted
to mainstream success. Their next four singles, Who's in the US in 1971 and the band
He had a vision of taking black Lovin' You, ABC, The Low! You Save continued to star in two of their
inspired music out of the slums and and I'll Be There continued the own TV specials, Coin'Back To
giving it broad appeal. And in an era band's success and all reached Indiana and The.lackson 5 Show.
of racial tensions, Motown Records' No I in the US chart. The brothers wenl on to record
music transccnded colour. Just two years after their first 14 albums worldwide with Motown
The deal to sign The Jackson Five audition for the label, the Jackson Records before finally quitting the
was done in 1969 and Berry moved 5 had become one of the biggest label amid acrimony in 1976.
the band, along with dad Joe, to names in music, knocking The The reason, according to
California, while the rest of Supremes off Motown's top spot. Michael, was that: 'We didn't
their family stayed at home in The reason for their soaring like the way we were
Indiana. Jermaine, Tito, Jackie success was summed up by SQul- being recorded.'
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and wwww.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
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*Going solo
* Clockwisejromfar
left: Michael at The Wiz
premiere in 1978; with
fellow teen idol Donny
Osmond at the American
Music Awards in 1974;
confident and in control
as he poses in New York
in 1976; Michael as the
Scarecrow with the cast
from the musical The Wiz,
with Diana Ross; the cover
for 1972 solo album Ben
o
o
o
o
. .- .
... CIOCkwise
from/ar left:
QUliICJ' Jone Michael with
s whoProd
and Thril ler; uced
the starfoun OffThe Wall
and I1CI'er d his hom e
felt more on stage
was Petj"o conl/ortable
rming; the than when
instantly singe r SOOn he
recognisable beco me an
disco hil. Mus icon; Mich
cles,jor Dian aellVrole a
a Ross
n 1982, Michael released his Michael became the first black and in 1984 h e was given a star
into the biggest star in the world Michael would take Bubbles
to parties and press conferences
and he even taught him how to
di.rector John Landis, who had also earned him an Emmy award. do the Moonwalk.
written and directed the cult movie In February 1984, at the age of But even before Bubbles, Michael
An Americoll We rewolfIn LondOIl 25, Michael swept the boards at had always had a love for animals.
two years earlier. the Grammy Awards and took his In an interview in 1983 he said: 'I
The Thriller video featured place as the King of Pop - a title love animals. I've got a llama. two
Michael dancing with zombies in later coined for him by close friend, deer, a sheep called Mr Ted and I've
a horror film parody and lasted 14 Elizabeth Taylor. got all kinds of birds and swans. And
minutes. It was the most extensive Michael's total of eight Grammy a snake called Muscles.'
pop promo of its time, with a budget wins in one night broke all records He also said: 'I think nature and
of £400,000 - an unprecedented at the time. animals are very inspirational to my
figure at the time. His achievements were work. The majority of my success
This was also the era that recognised in other ways, too, comes from that. 1 just play off Life.'
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ive years after the fantastic than 4.4 million people. Seven
F
regularly linked to a string
success of Thriller, fans sell-out shows to 500,000 fans at of beauties. Michael was reportedly
braced themselves for the Wembley Stadium earned him a dating Tatiana Thumbtzen, star
much-hyped release of Michael's Guinness world record, as did the of the 1987 video for The Way You
seventh studio album. £75 million the tour raked in. Make Me Feel.
Following its release on 31 August Ever devoted to children's causes, Beating off stiff competition from
1987, Bad spawned an all-time Michael invited underprivileged the likes of Prince and Robert de
record breaking five No I singles on youngsters to watch for free and gave Niro, Michael shared a first public
the Billboard's Hot 100 chart with millions in donations to hospitals, kiss with Tatiana and said: 'I
the hits, J Just Can't Slop Loving You, orphanages and other charities. love her because she's warm,
Bad, The Way YOti Make Me Fee/, From 1985 to 1990, he donated caring and exciting.'
Man [n The Mirror and Dirty Diana. £300,000 to the United Negro Michael took his first steps into a
Despite lower sales, Rolling Storie College Fund, and all of the profits Peler Pan world with the building of
magazine rated it morc highly than from his single Man Tn The Mirror his Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez,
California in March 1988.
At a cost of £10 million, the 2,700-
It was only because of Thriller that acre property came complete with
its own Ferris wheels, zoo, movie
Bad's sales were less impressive. It theatre and 40 security staff. It was
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Naomi Campbelljealured in the 1992
vide% r In The Closet; Michael still kept
in louch with actress Brooke Shields.
pictured here in November 1991; Michael
withjirst wife Lisa Marie Presley; with
actorfriend Macaulay Culkin and an
orang-Ulan. Michael and Macaulay
remainedflrmfriends; the slar on
US chat show Oprah in 1993
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www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
1995 -2000
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ichael Jackson returned in
2001, to much excitement, with
Invincible - his first studio
album in six years.
But, despite spending much of the late
90s out of the public eye, Michael still had
his finger firmly on the musical pulse and
collaborated with Biggie Smalls on the thei.rgreatest hits,
track Unbreakable and Jay-Z for the remix inciudingABG. I Want You Back, Call
of the first single, YOIi Rock My World. You Feel It and The Love You Save.
Invincible sold around 8 million copies It was the first time Michael had
worldwide and went double-platinum appeared onstage with them since 1984.
in the US. But sales for the album were The second concert, on 10 September
disappointing compared to Michael's 2001, finished just hours before the
previous releases - due in part to a label terrorist attacks on the World Trade
dispute with Sony. Centre. Michael then helped organise the
To promote the album, Michael United We Stand: What More Can I Give?
organised a 30th Anniversary Special benefit concert in memory of 9/11 victims
concert at New York's Mtldison Square in Washington DC on 21 October.
Gardens, m:lrking Michael's three decades 2002 saw the birth of Michael's third
as a solo artist. Tickets to the two tribute child, Prince Michael II, known
ichacl married Lisa Marie Presley, 'J cried when he was born and cut the
daughter of music icon Elvis, on umbilical cord: Michael admitted.
26 May 1994. Michael loved being a father and spent
The ceremony was held in secret in La most of his time caring for Prince Michael
Vega, Dominican Republic, and the world at Neverland, while Debbie lived 100 miles
only learned of it two months later. away in a Los Angeles flat.
Michael, then 35, had reportedly been But despite their long distance
dating mum-of-two Lisa Marie, then 26, relationship, Debbie gave birth to Michael's
since February, but they had managed to only daughter, Paris Michael Katherine, on
keep their relationship under wraps. 3 April 1998.
Only a handful of bodyguards, witnesses Michael threw himself into fatherhood
and lawyers werc present at the wedding, and when he and Debbie divorced 18
with Lisa later 3dmitting: 'We arc both very months later, he was given full custody of
private people.' the children.
She added: '( am very much in love with The star then appeared to remain single
Michael. I dedicate my life to being his wife. but in 2002, it was revealed he'd had a
I understand and support him. We both look second son, Prince Miclmcl lI - aka Blanket
forward to raising a family: - with an unnamed woman.
But in Jtmuary 1996, Lisa Maric filed for Michael later admitted hc'd been secretly
divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences'. dating Blanket's mum but claimed she did
However, the world W<lS in for another not want to be in the spotlight.
shock. Just II months later, Michael issued a 'We have a contractual agreement where
. ..
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he minute Michael took to the stage, showman who put on incredible
he transformed into the iconic circus performances during the 1800s,
showman his fans knew and loved. perfectionist Michael worked tirelessly on
His incredible routines, peppered each and every one of his shows, dennmding
with jaw-dropping dance moves and more and more from himself every time.
infamous crotch-grabbing, quickly He wanted to capture people's attention,
transformed Michael from a performer and leave them in awe of what he was doi.ng.
into an icon. With music videos Thriller and Smooth
With outrageous outfits, from silver Criminal, Michael didn't just perform his
spacesuits to animal masks, it was clear that songs. He created storylines and enthralling
Michael lived to perform. As soon as the dance routines that have been copied in
music started, he was transformed into the theatres, shows and school plays across the
ultimate showman. world ever since.
Even as a child, Michael felt comfortable Michael was the ultimate performer.
in front of an audience, shining in his A dancer, a singer and an all-round
very first public performance at a school entertainer. It was obvious to all that
recital when he was just five, and reducing Michael was born to be on the stage.
his mum to tears in the process. In comparison with his on-stage persona,
Looking back, the singer s::lid: 'On Michael often felt lonely in his personal
stage for me was home. I was most life. Being the most famous pop sttlr in
comfortable 011 stage: the world tended to leave Michael feeling
And as Michael's fame propelled him like an outsider in everyday life. But 011
• r
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leu
t was every child's dream. A giant garden memories, having been ransacked by police.
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IS or
toppers, including seven in the UK, about the environment just before
and continued to break records, the he died, and was said to be 'excited'
star never stopped striving to give about the message it contained.
his fans something new. Michael's music had the ability to
Michael's Thriller 25 album, transcend his personal struggles.
released in 2008, included remixes 'It's a mantra that soothes the
co-written and produced by soul,' he once said of the restorative
Michael with the likes of Akon, power of music. 'It's therapeutic.
Kanye West and will.i.am. It's something our body has to have,
Michael often talked about his like food.'
MICttaeL JaCKSOn
Bad
flC"leasro: 31 August 1987
UKjUS charl'l: 1/1
Worldwide salel lo date: 30 million
Notllhle for, Only album en'r to feature fh'(!
Billboard I\ot lOO No I singles in the US. Nine hit
ungk$ charted around the world.
Award$, Won a Grnmmy (Best Music Vi(k'Q
Short Form for LemY! Mr AIOo'lt!).
Singles:
IJIUt COIl't Stop Loving YOll
<rut Siedah Garrett) (No 1. 1981)
Rod (No 3, 1987)
f7te Way lOu MIlkt! Mr Fed(No 2. 1981)
Man In �Mirror (No 21. 1988)
Dir1J' Diana (No 4. 1988)
ARoIht!r Part OfMt! (No 15, 1988)
Smooth Crimnal i (No 8, 1988)
'-'.Y! Mt! AlOllt! (No 2. 1989)
LibrriOIl Girl (No 13, 1989)
'ilh Ste\oJe Wonder, reached
Also: (XIII. a dUd ....
No 37 in 1988.
A Singfn $oUloenir Pack was released in 1988 to
,th IUs Bud World Tour. pressed as
coincide ....
$pedal square-sru.ped picture discs.
The singles from Budwe!'\' promoted in the UK
via a ,.,.rielyofspecial limited editions. including
II. star-mobile pack for Li�rion Girland a pop-up
Singleii:
'nteCir/ 18 Mine (t'eat Paul Ml.Gutney)
(No 8. 1982)
BillicJean (No I, 1983)
Btolll (No 3. 1983)
\VWIIIU Be Startin Somethin'(No S. 1983)
'
Dangerous
Releawd: 26 NOl"\!mber 1991
UK!US charU: I/l
Singll!ll:
Invincible
)Wlulled.: 30 October 2001
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With his far-reaching I •
'ET reminds me
ofme... Who don't
wannajly?'
a deluded man who thought he was
Michael Jackson himself.
Six years later, Michael played five
different characters in the supernatural
short film Ghosts.
He also landed a cameo role in the
Hollywood movie Men In Black /lin 2002.
But his talents didn't stop thcre.
Among a long list or other roles, Michael
also recorded thc audiotape for the
blockbuster movie ET- his favourite
film - and wrote and starred in the
computer gillllC Mool1walker.
n przn t
Michael :n
This story 0
d some
su�r slar battle
t ey
un!! friends a.'
yo \llan 10
' 1 Mr Big in his
e\'l
the
1
eh'ldre
n in the
o accompany the 1988 film Moonlllolker,
T
all tile
ens1a\'e
ugB·
Michael published a children's book, 'IIQrid....ithdr
Moonwalker: The Story Book, and his much
anticipated autobiography, MOOnlvalk.
Interest was so great that it was printed in
secret and originally given the code name 'Neil
Armstrong'. in the book, Michael talked frankly
about his rise to fame, his love life and cosmetic
surgery operations.
Taking a change of direction in 1992, Michael
. s
slar himscJ{ s,ensation I allegation
the about s,e1lU3
e\.\denee
.1\$\ Mitbwci.
obuok by �o" by
al Phfl/ chael Jock
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Mi
Gues� (2006
Ojfrci of
006)
Tire Trta
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Aly Wor\d''
The
ackSon (2 thi,s Lynton protest�
Michad J r's item, f � this
, dcred ' OOnecto
NoW consl
by",Ie
h,,1 reviews his umq
uC A favourite
the innoc
WIth
e�Ci! 0r ��
singer durin!!
s,
I,hotobook
\ tribulation
ryto gre alncSS. tna s and
career f\'Qrn
G a his man),
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I1ERMOT O'LEARY: 'It was
an honour to share the stage with
himfor a briefmoment and as
JlEYONCE: This is such a tragic loss a musicfan, I was saddened by
and a terrible day. Miehac/ Jackson has the loss ofa greatphenomenon.'
made a bigger impact than any other
artist in the history ofmusic. He was
magic. He was what we all strive to be.
He will always be the King ofPop!'
BROOKE SHIELDS:
'My hcart is ol"Crcome
with sadnessfor the
devastalinfl loss ofmy
IruejriendMichael./fe CIIEn: ·"fIe was a .qreat singer
was an extraordinary MC IIAMMER: '/ will be God gives YOll certain gijls, (lnd
ARNOLD
Fiend. arlisl and mourning myf r iend, brother, this child wasjllst an extraordinary
SCHWAIlZENEGGER: "lfe
conlributor to Ihe world. melltor and inspiration. He child touched by this ability. JIe
wus one oJthe most influential
Ijoin hisfamily and his gm'C me and myfamily hope. could sing like nobody else and he
and iconicfigllr"Cs in the mllsic
fans in celebrating I wOllld never have been me was able to connect with people.'
indllstry. Ollr hearts go Ollt to
his ncredible
i lIfe withollt him.' - lheJackson/amily, Michaelil
and mourning his children andfans worldwide.'
:1,�timelyfX1ssing.•
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MADONNA: 'I can't stop
crying over the sad news.
I've always admiredMichael
Jackson - the world has
lost one ofits ,greats, but his
music will live onforel'er. My
heart ,goes alit to his three
children and other members They were his friends, his peers and,
ofhisfamily. God bless:
for many, their inspiration. Here, some
of the world's stars pay tribute
STEVEN SI'IELUERG:
'Just os there will new�r
be another FredAstaire
or Chuc1.. Berry or Elvis
Presley, there will never
be onyone comp<1roble WYCLEF JEAN: LL COOL J; 'He wa!
JANE FONDA: 'I am to MichoelJockson.' 'Michael Jackson was my oneofmychildhood
stunned. Myfriend, musicalgod. He mode me idols. I soillteyou,
MichaelJockson, isdcad: believe that aff things ore KingofJ'cJp. You
possible. through real and made the whole world
positive music. Hecan Moonwulk together.'
lil'eforc'l'Cr. I 101'e Michael
Jackson. God bless him'
LINDSAY
LOIIAN:
'RIpMichael
DIONNE WARWICK: Jackson PETER ANDRE:
'\Ve've lost an icon in ollr QUINCY JONES: 'I'm absolutciy devastated. Mylol'eand 'Michael Jockson
industry and my heartfelt Divinity brought our souls together and allowed prayers flO out dying is absolutely
condolences go out to his liS to do what we collid do through the 80s. That totheJackson devastating, 10m
family and children. He will music isplayed in every corner of the world. and family. KYOII totolly shocked. AtJ,
lil'e on in my memory, and the reason is because he had it 011- talent, grace YOII're the best:
arenol
most definitciy through the andprofessionalism. I've lost my little brother alone"MJ.'
music he shared with so many.'
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today ondfWrt a/my so1l1 hos gone with him:
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