Jackson performing at the Wiener Stadion in Vienna, Austria on June 2, 1988 | |
Born | August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
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Died | June 25, 2009 (aged 50) |
Cause of death | Cardiac arrest induced by acute propofol and benzodiazepineintoxication |
Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S. |
Other names | Michael Joe Jackson |
Occupation |
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Spouse(s) | Debbie Rowe (m. 1996; div. 1999) |
Children | |
Parent(s) | Joe Jackson Katherine Jackson |
Family | Jackson family |
Awards | List of awards and nominations |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1964–2009 |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website | www.michaeljackson.com |
Signature |
Jackson's song 'Thriller', released as a single in 1984; Nelson George wrote that it uses cinematic sound effects, horror film motifs, and vocal trickery to convey a sense of danger.[392] A single from the album Bad, released 1988, 'Smooth Criminal' features digital drum sounds, keyboard bass, and other percussion elements; George said it gave the impression of a pulsing heart.[393] The lead single from Dangerous, 'Black or White' is a danceable rock song with hard rock elements.[394][395] | |
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In 1987, he left the Jehovah's Witnesses. There was strong opposition to his 'Thriller' video on the part of some Witnesses. Perhaps the controversy figured into his decision to leave. But I don't know that for a fact because I didn't talk to him about what he'd done. I couldn't. Witnesses do not discuss spiritual matters with a person who has disassociated himself from the Witnesses, including family members. But I want to stress that, contrary to published reports, I was not required to 'shun' my son. Our relationship is as loving today as it was when he was a Witness. I just can't ask him, 'Why, Michael?'
[A] highly placed source at MTV says the network was obligated to refer to Jackson on air as the King of Pop in order to be allowed to show 'Black or White.' An MTV spokeswoman denies that, but the phrase was part of MTV's ads for the video and was repeatedly used by its VJs. A source at Fox confirms that Jackson's people did request that Bart use the phrase 'King of Pop' in the video and that the phrase also be used in the network's press releases; 'King of Pop' also crops up in Fox's print ads for the video and in press releases by Jackson's publicists, Solters/Roskin/Friedman.
I've been in the entertainment industry since I was 6 years old, and as Charles Dickens would say, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career ... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me.
...and does not feature on the playlists of BBC Radio 2.
Not many artists could pull off such a variety of styles (funk, post-disco, rock, easy listening, ballads)...