Michael Jackson, the celebrated "King Of Pop" who thrilled a generation of pop and R&B music fans with his music, his on-stage moonwalking dance moves and the celebrated best-selling album, "Thriller", died today (Thursday, June 25, 2009) at the age of 50. The circumstances surrounding his passing were extremely sketchy at presstime. It's believed Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles fire department paramedics arrived at his Los Angeles home at about 12:30 p.m. local time. He reportedly was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he eventually was pronounced dead. This writer initially heard of Jackson's passing a little past 3 p.m. Pacific time. At that time, two news sources reported his death but others were reporting that he was still alive but in a coma. An official announcement of his passing was relayed to the public by 4 p.m. Pacific time (or, 7 p.m. Eastern time). The Michael Jackson legacy is spelled out in a plethora of chart and sales feats. If you combined his solo, Jackson Five/Jacksons and duets on the Cash Box pop chart alone, it adds up to at least 21 #1's, 36 Top 10's, 56 Top 40's and 68 chart hits. His 1982 album release, "Thriller," ranks as the biggest selling album of all time with over 40 million copies sold. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), his records have sold over 61.5 million copies in the USA alone. In 1995, his "You Are Not Alone" became the first single release ever to debut at #1 on one principle pop chart. Michael Joe Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. His father, Joe Jackson Sr., had a music background as a member of the Falcons, who had a 1959 pop hit with "You're So Fine." Among the Falcons' members were Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett and Joe Stubbs, the brother of the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs. While working as a crane operator, Joe Jackson Sr. began forming and directing a family group/band in the late 1960's, starting with sons Tito, Jermaine and Jackie. Marlon and Michael would later join to form the Jackson Five. There are two significant facts that have been frequently misunderstood regarding the Jackson Five in the group's early years. First, it wasn't Diana Ross who discovered the group and recommended it to Motown Records. Instead, it was Bobby Taylor of the Vancouvers, who were a Motown act touring through Gary when it discovered the J-Five. Secondly, the Jackson Five did not reach #1 with their first six singles releases. That's because the group had a nationwide singles release around March, 1968, with "Big Boy" on the Steeltown label, an affiliate of Atlantic Records. "Big Boy" bombed as a single release. Nevertheless, the Jackson Five exploded onto the pop and R&B scene starting in late 1969. The group reached #1 on the Cash Box pop chart with its first six USA singles releases..."I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," "I'll Be There," "Mama's Pearl" and "Never Can Say Goodbye." The Jackson Five would also hit #1 with "Dancing Machine" in 1974. The Jackson Five became the Jacksons in 1977 and cranked out three more top 10's with "Enjoy Yourself," "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground" and "State Of Shock." Believe it or not, Michael Jackson sang lead vocals on seven #1 hits before becoming a teenager. That seventh #1 was Michael's first solo hit, "Got To Be There." He also had #1 solo 1970's hits with "Rockin' Robin" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." He helped usher in the 1980's with another chart-topper, "Rock With You." His late 1982 release, "Thriller" and his moonwalking antics on the Motown-25 TV special in the spring of 1983 when made him a superstar. His mid-80's #1's included "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and his duet with Paul McCartney, "Say Say Say" (which was American Top's choice as the #1 song of 1984). His "Bad" album netted five more #1's with "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man In The Mirror" and "Dirty Diana." He also had 1990's #1's with "Black Or White" and "Remember The Time." Sadly, Michael Jackson's immense fame was accompanied by controversy. He would eventually be cleared of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor in 2005 but not before having to pay the young teen's family millions of dollars to settle the case. Jackson's image took a huge hit and the millions he paid in attorney's fees and other expenses hurt him deeply financially. Meanwhile, his skin became whiter and his nose would narrow in size. Nevertheless, in spite of the many jokes told about him, Michael Jackson was still widely loved and admired by millions of fans. They'll remember him for his Neverland ranch in the Santa Barbara area, his pet chimp Bubbles and his music. Many of his fans flocked to the UCLA Medical Center, so much so that police had to rope off the area. In New York's Times Square, the crowd there let out a huge groan when word of Jackson's death was announced. Fans would text message to other friends and relatives. One of them, 36-year-old Michael Harris of New York City, said, "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died." |