Michael Joseph Jackson, an Afro American performer, was born on August 29, 1958 to Joseph Jackson and Katherine, in Indiana. Jackson entered the entertainment media at the age of eleven as a member of Jackson5, along with his four brothers. He later started to perform solo in 1971. His album ‘Thriller’ is the Guinness World Record’s most successful music video with a sale of 750 million records worldwide. He also is the “Most successful Entertainer of All Time” – 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career.

Michael Jackson revolutionized pop music, with wonderful music videos and his characteristic dance steps, namely the popular ‘moon walk’, ‘robot’ and ‘anti-gravity lean’. The Time magazine described Michael Jackson as “the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley’. Many fans compared his pelvic movements to that of Presley.

In 1994, Michael Jackson married Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley, but they divorced within two years. Michael Jackson later married his nurse Deborah Rowe, with whom he has a son, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as Prince) and a daughter Paris Jackson. The couple divorced in 1999, with Michael getting the custody of their kids. He also has a son, Prince Michael (also known as Blanket) from a surrogate mother whose name has not been released. Michael Jackson got himself into trouble when he displayed his then infant son Blanket from the balcony of his Berlin Hotel to his crazy fans.

Controversies and accusations continued to be a part of Michael Jacksons life. Jackson’s appearance too changed with time. From a light brown African skin, it changed to a pale white. He was criticized by his African fans for bleaching his skin, but Michael Jackson denied this. Finally in the Oprah show, Michael Jacksonrevealed that he was suffering from Vitiligo; a skin disorder. Michael Jackson also had subjected himself to a number of plastic surgeries on his nose, lips and cheeks.

On June 25, 2009 the world was shocked to hear the sudden news of Jackson’s death. At the age of 50, he was planning to make a comeback after celebrating the 25^th anniversary of his Thriller album in February, with a show “This is it” in London in July. Millions of his fans were awaiting the return of the Pop Star after years of controversies relating to child abuse. They were confident that Michael Jackson would emerge successful once again in spite of his tainted past and financial debts.

Michael Jackson was a true inspiration not just to the Africans but to the entire world alike. As a

• Singer
• Song writer
• Record producer
• Arranger
• Dancer
• Choreographer
• Actor
• Businessman
• Financier
• Philanthropist who organized lot of charity shows for the HIV patients and underprivileged kids (Heal the world Foundation)

Michael Jackson would still be in the minds of his million fans. His songs and dance movements would still influence and charm the music world for centuries to come. Michael Jackson is indeed the uncrowned King of Pop Music.

Long Live MJ .....................................