A Hubber's Tribute To Michael Jackson King of Pop

June 25, 2009 Michael Joseph Jackson Died at Age 50.

The day Michael died is probably one of the saddest days of my life and I think you as a Michael Jackson fan probably feel the same way. I was at work when I first learned of the tragic loss. At first, I was in a state of shock and I refused to believe the reports from coworkers and emails circulating in my office.

However, as I turned on the radio in my car on the way home, I learned that Michael's death was true, nearly every radio station reported or confirmed, that the King of Pop had really and truly passed away.

After I arrived home I went right to work preparing to post a tribute to the late Michael Jackson the King of pop.

I am sending a special message out to Michael Jackson's immediate family, closest friends and of course his international fan base, that you have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies and I am grieving with you. This is a Great Loss to all who knew and loved Michael Jackson the King of Pop and enjoyed his spectacular performances.

When I think of Michael Jackson, the very first thing that comes to my mind is when he did the moon walk. That one move literally blew my mind as a young kid watching him glide across the floor. The next day, I literally spent hours trying to perfect that move to no avail.

As far as I am concerned Michael Jackson was the Greatest Entertainer, Singer, Dancer, and International Artist or Performer who has ever walked on the face of this earth. In my opinion, Michael Jackson the King of Pop was even Greater than Elvis Presley!

After making the aboved-mentioned statement, I found myself debating with other coworkers, who contended that Elvis Presley was the Greatest Performer of our time. In addition, there were some who contended the Beatles, Frank Sinatra or James Brown as the Greatest Performer of our time.

In this hub or article I will present the facts of Michael Jackson's life, starting with the beginning of his illustrious career and compare them to other Great Performers and their genres.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born into a musical family in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. He was the seventh of nine children for parents Katharine and Joe, and the youngest of five brothers. The Jackson kids were singers and Michael, as it turned out, was a gifted and creative musical prodigy.

Michael was the lead singer of the group, which went on to produce four consecutive number one hit singles. His future, it seemed, was bright and sure. Even then, it was obvious that Michael Jackson’s star was going all the way to the top.

The 1970’s was a busy and changing time for the group. They were topping the charts with songs like, I Want You Back and ABC while at the same time, Michael was spreading his wings and venturing into solo recordings. His first single, Got to Be There was released in 1971.

The Jackson 5 continued making music together with the original family members throughout the first half of the seventies. In 1976, the group changed their name to The Jacksons and began appearing in their own television show.

The launch of his Off the Wall album in 1979 sold over nineteen million copies worldwide. Quincy Jones produced the record, which shot Michael Jackson from star to superstar. His career skyrocketed.

The eighties were Michael Jackson’s years, it was his decade, and he owned it. The release of Thriller in 1982 was such a phenomenal success that he was dubbed, “The King of Pop”. It was a title he would carry for the rest of his life.

Thriller earned Michael eight Grammy Awards and ten major hits, including Billie Jean and Beat It. It is still considered the best selling album of all time with over fifty million copies sold worldwide.

In 1983, Michael performed his famous moonwalk for the first time. There isn’t anyone who was around at the time who doesn’t know about it, wouldn’t recognize it, or who didn’t try in vain to copy the steps.

Continuing to create his special brand of music, Michael Jackson went on to release albums throughout the 1990’s. His way of combining soul and R & B with hip-hop and rock appealed to a wide range of audiences across the globe. He toured countries around the world and was loved everywhere he went.

On May 26, 1994, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop married Lisa Marie Presley, Princess of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The marriage lasted eighteen months and sparked a slew of comparisons between the King of Pop and Lisa Marie’s father, Elvis Presley, known as the King (of rock and roll).

Both Elvis and Jackson Fans were noting the differences, as well as the similarities between the two musical giants, taking into account their moves, singing styles and statistics.

Nickname: The King

Estate Name: Graceland

Addictions: Prescription meds

Official Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrhythmia

Worldwide Record Sales: (current) More than 1 billion units

Number of #1 Hits: 18

Number of Tours: 52

Grammy Awards: 3

Age at Death: 42

Net Worth at Death: Est. $5-7 million

* Sources: Elvis.com, AllMichaelJackson.com, Altweeklies.com, FinanceManilla.com, thefrisky.com

After his relationship with Lisa Marie Presley ended, Michael Jackson married again in 1996. He and Debbie Rowe had two children together before divorcing in 1999. Michael retained custody of son Prince Michael and daughter, Paris. While Michael had a third child, Prince Michael II with another woman, the mother’s name has never been revealed.

Nickname: Ol’ Blue Eyes

Worldwide Record Sales: 150 million

Grammy Awards: 20

Age at death: 82

*Sources: Sinatra.com

More Comparisons and Influences on Michael Jackson, King of Pop

Elvis Presley was not the only legendary singer that Michael Jackson was compared to during the course of his career. Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, James Brown and The Beatles were among the others that people held along the Gloved One for comparison. It was all done so fans of one particular star could attribute some aspect of the King of Pop’s success to their idol or prove that their favourite singer was better.

In the case of Michael Jackson, King of Pop versus Frank Sinatra, Ol’ Blue Eyes, style was a common point. Michael sported a fedora, just as Sinatra did before him and just like Ol’ Blue Eyes, the King of Pop was an iconic legend in the music industry.

Nickname: Godfather of Soul

Number of Recorded Albums: 70

Top 40 Hits (U.S.): 98

Number of Gold Records: 44

Grammy Awards: 2

Date of death: December 25, 2006

Age at death: 73

*Sources: Wikipedia.org, IMDB.com, funky-stuff.com

James Brown had a big influence on Michael’s creativity and choice of vocation. Speaking at Brown’s funeral, Michael said that the Godfather of Soul was his greatest inspiration and guiding force. Watching James Brown on television had stirred a desire in six year old Michael to become a performer.

When Michael was still quite young, Brown once brought him up out of an audience and onto the stage to have him sing a song. Brown’s intense singing talent, choreography and showmanship made an indelible impression on young Michael Jackson that would carry over into his own work later on.

Michael looked up to Brown and consulted him whenever he needed help or advice. In 2003, Michael Jackson had the honour of presenting James Brown with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.

Worldwide Record Sales: (Current) More than 1 billion units

Most no. 1 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 charts: 20

Most no. 1 albums in the Billboard Top 200 albums charts: 19

Grammy Awards: 11

*Sources: USA Today.com

Where The Beatles are concerned, it is hard to compare them to Michael Jackson. It would be like looking at apples and oranges and trying to find the similarities. What they do have in common is the most important thing of all and that is the impact that they made in the music world. Actually, it is more accurate to say music history. The Beatles revolutionized and changed rock and roll, combining British and American artistry, while Michael Jackson bridged black music with white. Michael’s music was uniquely appealing to all.

Paul McCartney worked with Michael Jackson on more than one occasion. Together, they wrote and recorded, Say, Say, Say and The Girl Is Mine. The pair was not so much alike as complimentary to each musically. In 1985, Michael bought the publishing rights to 250 of The Beatles songs, which caused some hard feelings on McCartney’s part but reports indicate that the animosity was laid to rest once McCartney realized that there was a legal means of getting his rights returned. That did not happen before Michael Jackson’s death.

Michael Jackson, King of Pop makes Guinness Book of Records

• Most Successful Entertainer of All Time
• Biggest Selling Album of All Time (Thriller) over 60 million sold world wide

Michael Jackson Special Awards

• Inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• American Music Award’s Artist of the Century
• Thriller album certified 28 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
• Gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1984
• Crowned ‘King Sani’ by a village in West Africa, 1992
• Grammy Legend Award, Feb. 24, 1993. Presented to him by his sister, Janet Jackson

Nickname: The King of Pop

Estate Name: Neverland

Addictions: Prescription meds

Official Cause of Death: Heart Attack

Worldwide Record Sales: (current) 750 million units

Number of #1 Hits: 13

Number of Tours: 30

Grammy Awards: 18

Age at Death: 50

Net Worth at Death: Est. $130 million- $450 million

Number of Recorded Albums: 86

Top 40 Hits (U.S.): 37

Number of Gold Records: 16

Most no. 1 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 charts: 13 (solo) + 4 (Jackson 5)

Most no. 1 albums in the Billboard Top 200 albums charts: 14

* Sources: USAToday.com

* Sources: Elvis.com, AllMichaelJackson.com, Altweeklies.com, FinanceManilla.com, thefrisky.com

* Sources: Wikipedia.org, IMDB.com, funky-stuff.com

Did you know?

Michael Jackson starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s, Captain EO in 1986.

In 1988 Michael Jackson published his autobiography, Moonwalk. He dedicated it to Fred Astaire, who considered Michael to be his dance descendent.

Michael Jackson’s movie, Moonwalker was released in 1988.

Michael Jackson changed pop culture just by doing what he was good at. His creative brilliance and drive was responsible for many achievements during his lifetime, as well as permanent changes to the music industry as a whole. Thanks to Jackson’s influence, the music world will never look back. Instead, it will build on the foundation that Michael Jackson, King of Pop laid out for future generations of artists.

Though he may be gone, the legacy that he has left us will last forever.

Without question, I would like to thank Shirley Anderson, who is a professional writer who we used to research, write and consult with on this project.

We highly recommend Shirley Anderson for her writing services. Click here!

We also, would like to thank www.GoDusty.com for their support.

Rare Photos of Michael Jackson

Sincerely, Emil Clemons