Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) [2]

was an American recording artist,

entertainer, and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene
at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group.
Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums are among the world's best-
selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to
amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It",
"Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—
helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an
enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of
physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and
vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements
include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13
Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—
and the sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Cited as one of the world's most famous men, Jackson's highly
publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four
decades.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.

Biography

1958–1975: Early life and The Jackson 5

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana (an industrial suburb of Chicago, Illinois) to a working-class
family on August 29, 1958.[3] The son of Joseph Walter "Joe" and Katherine Esther (née Scruse),[3] he was the
seventh of nine children. His siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet.[3]
Joseph Jackson was a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B band called The Falcons with his
brother Luther.[3] Jackson was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses by his devout mother.[3]

From a young age Jackson was physically and mentally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals,
whippings and name-calling. Jackson's abuse as a child affected him throughout his grown life.[4] In one altercation
—later recalled by Marlon Jackson—Joseph held Michael upside down by one leg and "pummeled him over and
over again with his hand, hitting him on his back and buttocks".[5] Joseph would often trip up, or push the male
children into walls.[5] One night while Jackson was asleep, Joseph climbed into his room through the bedroom
window. Wearing a fright mask, he entered the room screaming and shouting. Joseph said he wanted to teach his
children not to leave the window open when they went to sleep. For years afterward, Jackson suffered nightmares
about being kidnapped from his bedroom.[5]

Jackson first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said that during
his childhood he often cried from loneliness and would sometimes get sick or start to regurgitate upon seeing his
father.[6][7][8][9] In Jackson's other high profile interview, Living with Michael Jackson (2003), the singer covered his
face with his hand and began crying when talking about his childhood abuse.[5] Jackson recalled that Joseph sat in a
chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear
you up, really get you."[10]

Jackson showed musical talent early in his life, performing in front of classmates and others during a Christmas
recital at the age of five.[3] In 1964, Jackson and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers—a band formed by brothers
Jackie, Tito and Jermaine—as backup musicians playing congas and tambourine, respectively. Jackson later began
performing backup vocals and dancing; at the age of eight, he and Jermaine assumed lead vocals, and the group's
name was changed to The Jackson 5.[3] The band toured the Midwest extensively from 1966 to 1968. The band
frequently performed at a string of black clubs and venues collectively known as the "chitlin' circuit", where they
often opened for stripteases and other adult acts. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of
Motown hits and James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)", led by Michael.[11]

The Jackson 5 recorded several songs, including "Big Boy", for the local record label Steeltown in 1967 and signed
with Motown Records in 1968.[3] Rolling Stone magazine later described the young Michael as "a prodigy" with
"overwhelming musical gifts", noting that Michael "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer" after he
began to dance and sing with his brothers.[12] Though Michael sang with a "child's piping voice, he danced like a
grown-up hoofer and sang with the R&B/gospel inflections of Sam Cooke, James Brown, Ray Charles and Stevie
Wonder".[12] The group set a chart record when its first four singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You
Save" and "I'll Be There") peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] During The Jackson 5's early years,
Motown's public relations team claimed that Jackson was nine years old—two years younger than he actually was
—to make him appear cuter and more accessible to the mainstream audience.[13] Starting in 1972, Jackson released a
total of four solo studio albums with Motown, among them Got to Be There and Ben. These were released as part of
the Jackson 5 franchise, and produced successful singles such as "Got to Be There", "Ben" and a remake of Bobby
Day's "Rockin' Robin". The group's sales began declining in 1973, and the band members chafed under Motown's
strict refusal to allow them creative control or input.[14] Although the group scored several top 40 hits, including the
top 5 disco single "Dancing Machine" and the top 20 hit "I Am Love", the Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975.[14]

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

The Jackson 5 signed a new contract with CBS Records in June 1975, joining the Philadelphia International
Records division, later Epic Records.[14] As a result of legal proceedings, the group was renamed The Jacksons.[15]
After the name change, the band continued to tour internationally, releasing six more albums between 1976 and
1984. From 1976 to 1984, Michael Jackson was the lead songwriter of the group, writing hits such as "Shake Your
Body (Down to the Ground)", "This Place Hotel" and "Can You Feel It".[11]

In 1978, Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz.[16] The musical scores were arranged by Quincy
Jones, who formed a partnership with Jackson during the film's production and agreed to produce the singer's next
solo album Off the Wall.[17] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a complex dance routine. His subsequent
rhinoplasty surgery was not a complete success; he complained of breathing difficulties that would affect his career.
He was referred to Dr. Steven Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's second rhinoplasty and other subsequent
operations.[18]

Jones and Jackson jointly produced Off the Wall. Songwriters included Jackson, Heatwave's Rod Temperton, Stevie
Wonder and Paul McCartney. Released in 1979, it was the first album to generate four US top 10 hits, including the
chart-topping singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[19] Off the Wall reached number three
on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified for 7 million shipments in the US and eventually sold over 20
million copies worldwide.[20][21] In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the American Music Awards for his solo
efforts: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop
'Til You Get Enough".[19] That year, he also won Billboard Music Awards for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album
and a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough").[19] Despite its
commercial success, Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to
exceed expectations with his next release.[22] In 1980, Jackson secured the highest royalty rate in the music industry:
37% of wholesale album profit.[23]

1982–1985: Thriller, Motown 25, We Are the World and business career

In 1982, Jackson contributed the song "Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the film E.T. the Extra-
Terrestrial; the record won a Grammy for Best Album for Children.[24] That year Jackson issued his second Epic
album, Thriller. The album remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks and 37 of those
weeks at the peak position. It was the first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including "Billie
Jean", "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".[25] Thriller was certified for 28 million shipments by the RIAA,
giving it Double Diamond status in the US.[21][26] It is often cited as the best-selling album of all time, with
worldwide sales between 47 million and 109 million copies.[27][28][29]

Jackson's attorney John Branca noted that Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point;
approximately $2 for every album sold. He was also making record breaking profit from compact discs or the sale
of The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller; a documentary produced by Jackson and John Landis. Funded by
MTV, the documentary sold over 350,000 copies in a few months of sale. The era saw the arrival of novelties like
dolls modeled after Michael Jackson, that appeared in stores in May 1984 at a price of $12.[30] Thriller retains a
position in American culture. Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli explains, "At some point, Thriller stopped selling
like a leisure item—like a magazine, a toy, tickets to a hit movie—and started selling like a household staple."[31]

Gil Friesen, president of A&M Records, said "the whole industry has a stake in this success".[30] Thriller raised the
importance of albums, but multiple hits also changed notions about the number of singles to release.[32] Time
magazine explained that "the fallout from Thriller has given the [music] business its best years since the heady days
of 1978, when it had an estimated total domestic revenue of $4.1 billion".[30] Time summed up Thriller's impact as a
"restoration of confidence" for an industry bordering on "the ruins of punk and the chic regions of synthesizer pop".
The publication described Jackson's influence at that point as "Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue
team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the
street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too".[30] The New York Times called him a
"musical phenomenon", saying that "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody
else".[33] According to the The Washington Post, Thriller paved the way for other acts such as Prince.[34]

On March 25, 1983, Jackson performed live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special, both
with The Jackson 5 and on his own singing "Billie Jean". Debuting his signature dance move—the moonwalk—his
performances during the event were seen by 47 million viewers during its initial airing, and drew comparisons to
Elvis Presley's and the The Beatles' appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.[35] The New York Times said, "The
moonwalk that he made famous is an apt metaphor for his dance style. How does he do it? As a technician, he is a
great illusionist, a genuine mime. His ability to keep one leg straight as he glides while the other bends and seems
to walk requires perfect timing".[36]

Jackson suffered a setback on January 27, 1984. While filming a Pepsi Cola commercial at the Shrine Auditorium
in Los Angeles, Jackson suffered second degree burns to his scalp after pyrotechnics accidentally set his hair on
fire. Happening in front of a full house of fans during a simulated concert, the incident was the subject of heavy
media scrutiny and elicited an outpouring of sympathy.[37] PepsiCo settled a lawsuit out of court, and Jackson gave
his $1.5 million settlement to the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" which was a piece of new technology to help
people with severe burns.[37] Jackson had his third rhinoplasty shortly afterward and grew self conscious about his
appearance.[18]

On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by American President
Ronald Reagan. The award was given for Jackson's support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and
drug abuse.[38] Jackson won eight awards during the 1984 Grammy Awards. Unlike later albums, Thriller did not
have an official tour to promote it, but the 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by The Jacksons, showcased much of
Jackson's new solo material to more than two million Americans.[39] He donated his $5 million share from the
Victory Tour to charity.[40]

Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid
the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 music celebrities who performed on the record. The single became
one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to
famine relief.[41]
While working with Paul McCartney on the two hit singles "The Girl Is Mine" and "Say Say Say", the pair became
friendly, occasionally visiting one another. In one discussion, McCartney told Jackson about the millions of dollars
he had made from music catalogs; he was earning approximately $40 million a year from other people's songs.
Jackson then began a business career buying, selling and distributing publishing rights to music from numerous
artists. Shortly afterward, Northern Songs—a music catalog holding thousands of songs, including The Beatles'
back catalog—was put up for sale.[42][43]

Jackson took immediate interest in the catalog but was warned that he would face strong competition. Excited, he
skipped around saying, "I don't care. I want those songs. Get me those songs Branca [his attorney]". Branca then
contacted the attorney of McCartney, who clarified that his client was not interested in bidding; "It's too pricey".
After Jackson had started negotiations, McCartney changed his mind and tried to persuade Yoko Ono to join him in
a joint bid, she declined, so he pulled out. Jackson eventually beat the rest of the competition in negotiations that
lasted 10 months, purchasing the catalog for $47.5 million. When McCartney found out he said, "I think it's dodgy
to do things like that. To be someone's friend and then buy the rug they're standing on". Reacting to that statement,
biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli observed that McCartney made millions of dollars from the music of other people.
He had more money than Jackson at that point so could have made a substantial bid for his own music and would
not have suffered financial difficulties from Jackson owning the catalog.[42][44]

1986–1990: Tabloids, appearance, Bad, autobiography and films

In 1986, the tabloid press ran a story claiming that Jackson slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to slow the aging
process; he was pictured lying down in a glass box. Although the claim was untrue, Jackson disseminated the
fabricated story himself. The singer was promoting his upcoming movie Captain EO and wanted to promote a
science fiction image of himself.[45][46] Jackson had a fourth rhinoplasty and, wanting masculine features, had a cleft
put in his chin.[18] Then he starred in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed 3-D film Captain EO. It was the most
expensive film produced on a per-minute basis at the time, and was later hosted in Disney theme parks. Disneyland
featured the film in its Tomorrowland area for nearly 11 years, while Walt Disney World screened the film in its
Epcot theme park from 1986 to 1994.[47]

Jackson bought and befriended a pet chimpanzee called Bubbles, an act which extended his eccentric persona. In
2003 the singer claimed that Bubbles shared his toilet, and cleaned his bedroom.[46] Later it was reported that
Jackson bought the bones of The Elephant Man. Although untrue, it was a story that Jackson again disseminated to
the tabloid press.[45][46] These stories inspired the pejorative nickname "Wacko Jacko", which Jackson acquired the
following year. He would eventually come to despise the nickname. Realizing his mistake, he stopped leaking
untruths to the press. However due to the profit being made, the media began making up their own stories.[46][48]

Jackson's skin was a medium-brown color for the entire duration of his youth, but starting in the early 1980s, his
skin gradually grew paler. This change gained widespread media coverage, including rumors that Jackson was
bleaching his skin.[6] In the mid-1980s, Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus; the latter was in remission in
Jackson's case, and both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight. The treatments he uses for his condition further
lighten his skin tone, and, with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he could appear very
pale.[49] The structure of his face changed as well; several surgeons have speculated that Jackson had undergone
multiple nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips and a cheekbone surgery.[50] Changes to his face were, in part,
due to periods of significant weight loss.[15] Jackson lost weight in the early 1980s because of a change in diet and a
desire for "a dancer's body".[51] Witnesses reported that Jackson was often dizzy and speculated that he was
suffering from anorexia nervosa; periods of weight loss would become a recurring problem for the singer later in
life.[52] Some medical professionals have publicly stated their belief that the singer had body dysmorphic disorder, a
psychological condition whereby the sufferer has no concept of how they are perceived by others.[49]

"Why not just tell people I'm an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo
dance at midnight. They'll believe anything you say, because you're a reporter. But if I, Michael
Jackson, were to say, 'I'm an alien from Mars and I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at
 midnight,' people would say, 'Oh, man, that Michael Jackson is nuts. He's cracked up. You can't
believe a damn word that comes out of his mouth.'"[53]

—Michael Jackson

With the industry expecting another major hit, Jackson's first album in five years, Bad (1987), was highly
anticipated.[54] Bad had lower sales than Thriller, but was still a substantial commercial success. In the US, it
spawned seven hit singles, five of which ("I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel",
"Man in the Mirror" and "Dirty Diana") reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, more than any other
album.[55] As of 2008, the album sold 30 million copies worldwide, including eight million shipments in the
US.[56][57]

The Bad World Tour began on September 12, 1987, and finished on January 14, 1989.[58] In Japan alone, the tour
had 14 sellouts and drew 570,000 people, nearly tripling the previous record of 200,000 in a single tour.[59] Jackson
broke a Guinness World Record when 504,000 people attended seven sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. He
performed a total of 123 concerts to a total audience of 4.4 million people, and gained a further Guinness World
Record when the tour grossed him $125 million. During the trip he invited underprivileged children to watch for
free and gave donations to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.[58]

In 1988, Jackson released his first autobiography, Moon Walk, which took four years to complete. Jackson told of
his childhood, his experience in The Jackson 5 and the abuse he suffered as a child.[60] He also spoke of his plastic
surgery, saying he had two rhinoplastic surgeries and the surgical creation of a cleft in his chin.[51] In the book, he
attributed the change in the structure of his face to puberty, weight loss, a strict vegetarian diet, a change in hair
style and stage lighting.[51] Moonwalk reached the top position on The New York Times best sellers' list.[61] The
musician then released a film called Moonwalker, which featured live footage, music videos, and a feature film that
starred Jackson and Joe Pesci. Moonwalker debuted atop the Billboard Top Music Video Cassette chart, staying
there for 22 weeks. It was eventually knocked off the top spot by Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues.[62]

In March 1988, Jackson purchased land near Santa Ynez, California to build Neverland Ranch at a cost of
$17 million. The 2,700-acre (11 km2) property had Ferris wheels, a menagerie, and a movie theater. A security staff
of 40 patrolled the grounds. In 2003, the property was valued at approximately $100 million.[12][63] In 1989, his
annual earnings from album sales, endorsements, and concerts was estimated at $125 million for that year alone.[64]
Shortly afterward, Jackson became the first Westerner to appear in a television advert for Russia.[62]

Jackson's success resulted in his being dubbed the "King of Pop", a nickname conceived by actress and friend
Elizabeth Taylor when she presented Jackson with an "Artist of the Decade" award in 1989, proclaiming him "the
true king of pop, rock and soul".[65][66] President George H. W. Bush presented the singer with The White House's
special "Artist of the Decade" award in recognition of Jackson's musical influence in the 1980s; Bush commended
Jackson for acquiring a "tremendous following" among other achievements.[67] From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated
$500,000 to the United Negro College Fund, and all of the profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to
charity.[68][69]

Jackson's live rendition of "You Were There" at Sammy Davis Jr. 60th birthday celebration received an Emmy
nomination.[62]

1991–1993: Dangerous and Super Bowl XXVII

In March 1991, Jackson renewed his contract with Sony for $65 million; a record breaking deal at the time.[63]
Jackson released his eighth album Dangerous in 1991. As of 2008, Dangerous has shipped 7 million copies in the
US and has sold 32 million copies worldwide; it is the most successful New Jack Swing album of all time.[56][70][71]
In the US, the album's first single "Black or White" was the album's biggest hit, reaching number one on the
Billboard Hot 100 and remaining there for seven weeks, with similar chart performances worldwide.[72] The album's
second single "Remember the Time" spent eight weeks in the top five in the US, peaking at number three on the
Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[73] In 1993, Jackson performed the song at the Soul Train Awards in a wheelchair,
saying he had suffered an injury in rehearsals.[74] In the UK and other parts of Europe, "Heal the World" was the
biggest hit from the album; it sold 450,000 copies in the UK and spent five weeks at two in 1992.[73]

Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged
children to Jackson's ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it.
The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. The
Dangerous World Tour began on June 27, 1992, and finished on November 11, 1993. Jackson performed to
3.5 million people in 67 concerts. All profits from the concerts went to the "Heal the World Foundation", raising
millions of dollars in relief.[73][75] He sold the broadcast rights to his Dangerous world tour to HBO for $20 million,
a record-breaking deal that still stands.[76] Following the illness and death of Ryan White, Jackson helped draw
public attention to HIV/AIDS, something that was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded with the
Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and
research.[77][78]

In a high-profile visit to Africa, Jackson visited several countries, among them Gabon and Egypt.[79] His first stop to
Gabon was greeted with a sizable reception of more than 100,000 people in "spiritual bedlam", some of them
carrying signs that read, "Welcome Home Michael".[79] In his trip to the Ivory Coast, Jackson was crowned "King
Sani" by a tribal chief.[79] He then thanked the dignitaries in French and English, signed official documents
formalizing his kingship and sat on a golden throne while presiding over ceremonial dances.[79]

One of Jackson's most acclaimed performances came during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII. As the
performances began, Jackson was catapulted onto the stage as fireworks went off behind him. As he landed on the
canvass, he maintained a motionless "clenched fist, standing statue stance", dressed in a gold and black military
outfit and sunglasses; he remained completely motionless for several minutes while the crowd cheered. He then
slowly removed his sunglasses, threw them away and began to sing and dance. His routine included four songs:
"Jam", "Billie Jean", "Black or White" and "Heal the World". It was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures
increased during the half-time show, and was viewed by 135 million Americans alone; Jackson's Dangerous album
rose 90 places up the album chart.[6]

Jackson was given the "Living Legend Award" at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. "Black or
White" was Grammy nominated for best vocal performance. "Jam" gained two nominations: Best R&B Vocal
Performance and Best R&B Song.[73]

1993–1994: Sexual abuse accusations and marriage

Main article: 1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson

Jackson gave a 90-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 1993, his first television interview since 1979.
He grimaced when speaking of his childhood abuse at the hands of his father; he believed he had missed out on
much of his childhood years, admitting that he often cried from loneliness. He denied previous tabloid rumors that
he bought the bones of the Elephant Man or slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The entertainer went on to dispel
suggestions that he bleached his skin, admitting for the first time that he had vitiligo. The interview was watched by
90 million Americans, becoming the fourth most-viewed non-sport program in US history. It also started a public
debate on the topic of vitiligo, a relatively unknown condition before then. Dangerous re-entered the album chart
top 10, more than a year after its original release.[6][7][73]

Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by a 13-year-old child named Jordan Chandler and his father Evan
Chandler.[80] The friendship between Jackson and Evan Chandler broke down. Sometime afterward, Evan Chandler
was tape-recorded saying amongst other things, "If I go through with this, I win big-time. There's no way I lose. I
will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever...Michael's career will be over".[81] A year after they
had met, under the influence of a controversial sedative, Jordan Chandler told his father that Jackson had touched
his penis.[82] Evan Chandler and Jackson, represented by their legal teams, then engaged in unsuccessful
negotiations to resolve the issue in a financial settlement; the negotiations were initiated by Chandler but Jackson
did make several counter offers. Jordan Chandler then told a psychiatrist and later police that he and Jackson had
engaged in acts of kissing, masturbation and oral sex, as well as giving a detailed description of what he alleged
were the singer's genitals.[83]

An official investigation began, with Jordan Chandler's mother adamant that there was no wrongdoing on Jackson's
part. Neverland Ranch was searched; multiple children and family members denied that he was a pedophile.[83]
Jackson's image took a further turn for the worse when his older sister La Toya Jackson accused him of being a
pedophile, a statement she later retracted.[84] Jackson agreed to a 25-minute strip search, conducted at his ranch. The
search was required to see if a description provided by Jordan Chandler was accurate. Doctors concluded that there
were some strong similarities, but it was not a definitive match.[84] Jackson made an emotional public statement on
the events; he proclaimed his innocence, criticized what he perceived as biased media coverage and told of his strip
search.[80]

Jackson began taking painkillers, Valium, Xanax and Ativan to deal with the stress of the allegations made against
him. By the fall of 1993, Jackson was addicted to the drugs.[85] His health deteriorated to the extent that he canceled
the remainder of the Dangerous World Tour and went into drug rehabilitation for a few months.[86] The stress of the
allegations also caused Jackson to stop eating, losing a significant amount of weight.[87] With his health in decline,
Jackson's friends and legal advisers took over his defense and finances; they called on him to settle the allegations
out of court, believing that he could not endure a lengthy trial.[86][87]

Tabloid reaction to the allegations put Jackson in an unfavorable light.[88] Complaints about the coverage and media
included everything from bias against Jackson, accepting stories of alleged criminal activity for money to accepting
confidential leaked material from the police investigation in return for money paid.[89] On January 1, 1994, Jackson
settled with the Chandler family and their legal team out of court, in a civil lawsuit for $22 million. After the
settlement Jordan Chandler refused to continue with Police criminal proceedings. Jackson was never charged, and
the state closed its criminal investigation, citing lack of evidence.[90]

Later that year, Jackson married singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. They had first
met in 1975 during one of Jackson's family engagements at the MGM Grand, and were reconnected through a
mutual friend in early 1993.[88] They stayed in contact every day over the telephone. As child molestation
accusations became public, Jackson became dependent on Lisa Marie for emotional support; she was concerned
about his faltering health and addiction to drugs.[85] Lisa Marie explained, "I believed he didn't do anything wrong
and that he was wrongly accused and yes I started falling for him. I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it."[91]
In a phone call he made to her, she described him as high, incoherent and delusional.[85] Shortly afterward, she tried
to persuade Jackson to settle the allegations out of court and go into rehabilitation to recover—he subsequently did
both.[85] Jackson proposed to Lisa Marie over the telephone towards the fall of 1993, saying, "If I asked you to
marry me, would you do it?".[85] Presley and Jackson married in the Dominican Republic in secrecy; the parties
denied they had been married for nearly two months.[92] The marriage was, in her words, "a married couple's life ...
that was sexually active".[93] At the time, the tabloid media speculated that the wedding was a ploy to prop up
Jackson's public image in light of prior sexual abuse allegations.[92] Jackson and Presley divorced less than two
years later, remaining friendly.[94]

1995–1999: HIStory, second marriage and fatherhood

In 1995, Jackson merged his Northern Songs catalog with Sony's publishing division creating Sony/ATV Music
Publishing. Jackson retained half-ownership of the company, earned $95 million upfront as well as the rights to
even more songs.[43][95] He then released the double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The first disc,
HIStory Begins, was a 15-track greatest hits album, and was later reissued as Greatest Hits — HIStory Vol. I in
2001, the second disc, HIStory Continues, contained 15 new songs. The album debuted at number one on the charts
and has been certified for seven million shipments in the US.[96] It is the best-selling multiple-disc album of all-time,
with 20 million copies (40 million units) sold worldwide.[72][97] HIStory received a Grammy nomination for best
album.[98]

The first single released from the album was the double A-side "Scream/Childhood". "Scream" was a duet, sung
and performed with Jackson's youngest sister Janet. The single had the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at
number five, and received a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".[98] "You Are Not Alone"
was the second single released from HIStory; it holds the Guinness World Record for the first song ever to debut at
number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[64] It was seen as a major artistic and commercial success, receiving a
Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Vocal Performance".[98] In late 1995, Jackson was rushed to a hospital after
collapsing during rehearsals for a televised performance; the incident was caused by a stress related panic attack.[99]
"Earth Song" was the third single released from HIStory, and topped the UK singles chart for six weeks over
Christmas 1995; it sold a million copies, making it Jackson's most successful single in the UK.[98]

The HIStory World Tour began on September 7, 1996, and finished on October 15, 1997. Jackson performed 82
concerts in 58 cities to over 4.5 million fans. The show, which visited 5 continents and 35 countries, became
Jackson's most successful in terms of audience figures; he has not toured the world since.[58] During the Australian
leg of the HIStory World Tour, Jackson married dermatologist nurse Deborah Jeanne Rowe, with whom he fathered
a son, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as "Prince"), and a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.[94][100]
The pair first met in the mid-1980s, when Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo. She spent many years treating his
illness as well as providing emotional support. They built a strong friendship, then became romantically
involved.[101] Originally there were no plans to marry, but following Rowe's first pregnancy, Jackson's mother
intervened and persuaded them to do so.[102] After the couple divorced in 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights
of the children to Jackson, they remained friends.[103]

In 1997, Jackson released Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix, which contained remixes of hit singles
from HIStory and five new songs. Worldwide sales stand at 6 million copies as of 2007, making it one of the best
selling remix albums ever released. It reached number one in the UK, as did the title track.[104][105] In the US, the
album was certified platinum, but only reached number 24.[56][98] Forbes placed his annual income at $35 million in
1996 and $20 million in 1997.[63]

Throughout June 1999, Jackson was involved in a number of charitable events. He joined Luciano Pavarotti for a
benefit concert in Modena, Italy. The show was in support of the non-profit organization Warchild, and raised a
million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo, as well as additional funds for the children of Guatemala.[106] Later that
month, Jackson organized a set of "Michael Jackson & Friends" benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. Other
artists involved included Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman,
Prabhu Deva Sundaram, Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. The proceeds went to the
"Nelson Mandela Children's Fund", the Red Cross and UNESCO.[107]

2000–2002: Label dispute, Invincible and third child

In 2000, Jackson was listed in the book of Guinness World Records for his support of 39 charities, more than any
other entertainer or personality.[108] At the time, Jackson was waiting for the licenses to the masters of his albums to
revert back to him; this allowed him to promote his old material how he liked and prevented Sony from getting a
cut of the profit. Jackson expected this to occur early in the new millennium, however, due to the fine print and
various clauses in the contract, this revert date is still many years away. Jackson began an investigation, and it
emerged that the attorney who represented the singer in the deal was also representing Sony, creating a conflict of
interest.[105] Jackson was also concerned about another conflict of interest. For a number of years, Sony had been
pushing to buy all of Jackson's share in their music catalog venture. If Jackson's career or financial situation were to
deteriorate, he would have to sell his catalog. Thus, Sony had something to gain from Jackson's career failing.[109]
Jackson was able to use these conflicts as leverage to exit his contract early.[105] Just before the release of Invincible,
Jackson informed the head of Sony Music Entertainment, Tommy Mottola, that he was leaving Sony.[105] As a result,
all singles releases, video shootings and promotions concerning the Invincible album were canceled. Jackson made
allegations in July 2002 that Mottola was a "devil" and a "racist" who did not support his African-American artists,
using them merely for his own personal gain.[105] He charged that Mottola had called his colleague Irv Gotti a "fat
nigger".[110] Sony disputed claims that they had failed to promote Invincible with sufficient energy, maintaining that
Jackson refused to tour in the US.[111]

Six years after his last studio album and after spending much of the late 1990s to early millennium out of the public
eye, Jackson released Invincible in October 2001 to much anticipation. To help promote the album, a special 30th
Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden occurred in September 2001 to mark the singer's 30th year as a
solo artist. Jackson appeared onstage alongside his brothers for the first time since 1984.[112] The show also featured
performances by Mýa, Usher, Whitney Houston, 'N Sync, and Slash, among other artists.[27] In the wake of the
September 11, 2001 attacks, Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert
at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The concert was aired on October 21, 2001, and included performances from
dozens of major artists, including Jackson, who performed his song "What More Can I Give" as the finale.[109]
Invincible was a commercial success, debuting atop the charts in 13 countries and going on to sell approximately
10 million copies worldwide. It received double-platinum certification in the US.[56][72][109] However, the sales for
Invincible were notably low compared to his previous releases, due in part to a diminishing pop music industry, the
lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute.[109] The album spawned three singles, "You Rock
My World", "Cry" and "Butterflies", the latter did not have a music video.

Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) was born in 2002.[113] The mother's identity
has not been released by Jackson, but he has said the child was the result of artificial insemination from a surrogate
mother and his own sperm cells.[103] In November of that year, Jackson brought his new born son onto the balcony
of his hotel room in Berlin, as fans stood below. Holding him in his right arm, with a cloth loosely draped over the
baby's face, Jackson briefly extended the baby over the railing of the balcony, four stories above ground level,
causing widespread criticism in the media. Jackson later apologized for the incident, calling it "a terrible
mistake".[114]

2003–2007: Documentary, trial and business ventures

In 2003, Sony put out a compilation of Jackson's hits on CD and DVD. In the US, the album peaked at number 13
and was certified platinum by the RIAA, in the UK it was certified for shipments of at least 1.2 million units.[56][115]
In a Granada Television documentary titled Living with Michael Jackson, the singer was seen holding hands and
discussing sleeping arrangements with Gavin Arvizo, who would later accuse him of child sexual abuse.[116] In the
same documentary Jackson was observed spending large amounts of money in an apparently frivolous manner,
when he spent $6 million in a single store.[63] Shortly after the documentary aired, Jackson was charged with seven
counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in order to commit that felony;
all charges regarded the same boy, Gavin Arvizo, who was under 14 at the time of the alleged crime.[116]

Jackson denied the sexual abuse allegations, saying that the sleepovers were in no way sexual in nature. Jackson's
friend Elizabeth Taylor defended him on Larry King Live, saying that she had been there when they "were in the
bed, watching television. There was nothing abnormal about it. There was no touchy-feely going on. We laughed
like children and we watched a lot of Walt Disney. There was nothing odd about it."[117] During the investigation,
Jackson's profile was examined by mental health professional Dr. Stan Katz; the doctor spent several hours with the
accuser too. The assessment made by Katz, was that Jackson had become a regressed 10-year-old and did not fit the
profile of a pedophile.[118]

The People v. Jackson trial began in Santa Maria, California, two years after Jackson was originally charged.
During this period the singer became dependent on morphine and Demerol, a dependency which he subsequently
overcame. He also suffered from stress-related illnesses and severe weight loss, that would alter his appearance.
The trial lasted five months, until the end of May 2005, he was acquitted on all counts.[119][120][121] Jackson then
relocated to the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah.[122]
Sony BMG released Visionary: The Video Singles to the European market: a series of 20 of his biggest hit singles of
the 1980s and 1990s. Each single was issued weekly over a five-month period in DualDisc format (DVD video on
one side, CD audio on the other), and the whole group of discs was made available as a boxed set afterward.[123] The
box set was released in the US on November 14, 2006.[124]

Reports of financial problems for Jackson became frequent in 2006 after the closure of the main house on the
Neverland Ranch as a cost-cutting measure.[125] One prominent financial issue for him concerned a $270 million
loan secured against his music publishing holdings. After delayed repayments on the loan, a refinancing package
shifted the loans from Bank of America to debt specialists Fortress Investments. A new package proposed by Sony
would have had Jackson borrow an additional $300 million and reduce the interest rate payable on the loan, while
giving Sony the future option to buy half of Jackson's stake in their jointly owned publishing company (leaving
Jackson with a 25% stake).[95] Jackson agreed to a Sony-backed refinancing deal, although details were not made
public.[126] Despite these loans, according to Forbes, Jackson was still making as much as $75 million a year from
his publishing partnership with Sony alone.[127]

One of Jackson's first documented public appearances since his trial was in November 2006, when he visited the
London office of the Guinness World Records. He received eight records, among them "First Entertainer to Earn
More Than 100 Million Dollars in a Year" and "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time".[64] Jackson was awarded
the Diamond Award on November 15, 2006, for selling over 100 million albums, at the World Music Awards.[72]
Following the death of James Brown, Jackson returned to the US to pay his respects. He, along with more than
8,000 people, paid tribute during Brown's public funeral on December 30, 2006.[128] In late 2006, Jackson agreed to
share joint custody of his first two children with ex-wife Debbie Rowe.[129] Jackson and Sony bought Famous Music
LLC from Viacom in 2007. This deal gave him the rights to songs by Eminem, Shakira and Beck, among others.[130]

I've been in the entertainment industry since I was six-years-old... As Charles Dickens says, "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.[131]

—Michael Jackson

2008–2009: Milestones, real estate, planned return to live performance

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Thriller, Jackson issued Thriller 25, comprised of original material from the
album, re-mixes, the previously unreleased song "For All Time" and a DVD. Two singles were released to moderate
success: "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". Thriller 25 was a commercial success,
having done particularly well as a re-issue, peaking at number one in eight countries and Europe. It reached number
two in the US, number three in the UK and top 10 on over 30 national charts.[132][133][134] It was ineligible for the
Billboard 200 chart as a re-release, but entered atop the Pop Catalog chart, where it stayed for 11 non-consecutive
weeks and had the best sales on that chart since December 1996.[135][136][137] In 12 weeks Thriller 25 sold over three
million copies worldwide.[138] As of November 2008, US sales of Thriller 25 stood at 688,000 copies, making it the
best-selling catalog album of 2008.[137]

To celebrate Jackson's 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a compilation album called King of Pop in various
countries. These albums included tracks from Jackson's group and solo career, all voted for by fans. The albums had
different tracklists, according to how the fans of each nation voted.[139][140] Although it was not released in the US,
King of Pop did reach the top 10 in the vast majority of countries it was issued in. It also charted in other countries,
albeit lower, from imported sales.[141][142]

Fortress considered a foreclosure sale of Neverland Ranch to service a loan Jackson owed on the property, but
ultimately sold the loan to Colony Capital LLC. In November, Jackson transferred the title of Neverland Ranch to
Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC. Jackson still owns an unknown stake in the property—Sycamore Valley
Ranch is a joint venture between Jackson and Colony Capital LLC—the loan Jackson owed was cleared, he
acquired $35 million in the venture.[143][144][145]

Prior to his death, Jackson had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at
London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010. During a publicity press conference, Jackson made
suggestions of possible retirement.[146] Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, had stated that
the first 10 dates alone would have earned the singer approximately £50 million.[147]

Musical style and performance

Themes and genres

Steve Huey of Allmusic asserts that throughout his solo career, Jackson's versatility allowed him to experiment with
various themes and genres.[148] As a musician, he ranged from Motown's dance fare and ballads to techno-edged
new jack swing to work that incorporates both funk rhythms and hard rock guitar.[12] Unlike many artists, Jackson
did not write his songs on paper. Instead he would dictate into a sound recorder; when recording he would sing
from memory.[18][149] Several critics observed Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco-pop, soul, soft rock, jazz and
pop ballads.[148][150][151] Prominent examples include the ballad "She's out of My Life", and the two disco tunes
"Workin' Day and Night" and "Get on the Floor".[150]

According to Huey, Thriller refined the strengths of Off the Wall; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive,
while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.[148] Notable tracks included the ballads "The Lady in
My Life", "Human Nature" and "The Girl Is Mine"; the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'"; and the disco set "Baby Be Mine" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)".[148][152][153][154] With Thriller,
Christopher Connelly of Rolling Stone commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal
theme of paranoia and darker imagery.[154] Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted this is evident on the songs
"Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".[153] In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who
alleges he has fathered a child of hers.[148] In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the
media.[154] The anti-gang violence rock song "Beat It" became a homage to West Side Story, and was Jackson's first
successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey.[12][148] He also observed that the title track "Thriller" began
Jackson's interest with the theme of the supernatural, a topic he revisited in subsequent years.[148] In 1985, Jackson
wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World"; humanitarian themes later became a central component of his life
and music.[148]

In Bad, Jackson's concept of the predatory lover can be seen on the rock song "Dirty Diana".[156] The lead single "I
Just Can't Stop Loving You" was a traditional love ballad, while "Man in the Mirror", an anthemic ballad of
confession and resolution, improved on his earlier "We Are the World".[54] "Smooth Criminal" was an evocation of
bloody assault, rape and likely murder.[54] Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that Dangerous presents
Jackson as a stark paradoxical individual.[157] He comments the album is more diverse than his previous Bad, as it
appeals to an urban audience while also attracting the middle class with anthems like "Heal the World".[157] The first
half of the record is dedicated to new jack swing, including songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time".[158] The
album is Jackson's first where social ills become a primary theme; "Why You Wanna Trip on Me", for example,
protests against world hunger, AIDS, homelessness and drugs.[158] Dangerous contains sexually charged efforts like
"In the Closet", a love song about desire and denial, risk and repression, solitude and connection, privacy and
revelation.[158] The title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire.[158] The second half
includes introspective, pop-gospel anthems such as "Will You Be There", "Heal the World" and "Keep the Faith";
these songs show Jackson finally opening up about various personal struggles and worries.[158] In the ballad "Gone
Too Soon", Jackson gives tribute to his friend Ryan White and the plight of those with AIDS.[159]

HIStory creates an atmosphere of paranoia.[160] Its content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson
went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing-funk-rock efforts "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie",
along with the R&B ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and
directs much of his anger at the media.[161] In the introspective ballad "Stranger in Moscow", Jackson laments over
his "fall from grace", while songs like "Earth Song", "Childhood", "Little Susie" and "Smile" are all operatic pop
pieces.[160][161] In the track "D.S.", Jackson launched a verbal attack against Tom Sneddon. He describes Sneddon as
an antisocial, white supremacist who wanted to "get my ass, dead or alive". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not
—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I’ve been told that it ends with the sound of a
gunshot".[162] Invincible found Jackson working heavily with producer Rodney Jerkins.[148] It is a record made up of
urban soul like "Cry" and "The Lost Children", ballads such as "Speechless", "Break of Dawn" and "Butterflies"
and mixes hip hop, pop and rap in "2000 Watts", "Heartbreaker" and "Invincible".[163][164]

Vocal style

Jackson sang since he was a child, and over time his voice and vocal style changed noticeably, either through
puberty or a personal preference to align his vocal interpretation to the themes and genres he chose to express.
Between 1971 and 1975, Jackson's voice "descended ever so slightly from boy soprano to his current androgynous
high tenor".[12] In the mid-1970s, the singer adopted a "vocal hiccup" as seen in "Shake Your Body (Down to the
Ground)". The purpose of the hiccup—somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping—was to help promote a certain
emotion, be it excitement, sadness or fear.[14] With the arrival of Off the Wall in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as
a vocalist were well regarded; Allmusic described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist".[150] At the time, Rolling
Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that
"Jackson's feathery-timbered tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used
very daringly".[151] 1982 saw the release of Thriller, and Rolling Stone were of the opinion that Jackson was then
singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".[154]

The release of "Bad" in 1987 displayed gritty lead vocals on the verse and lighter tones employed on the chorus.[17]
A distinctive deliberate mispronunciation used frequently by Jackson, occasionally spelt "cha'mone" or "shamone",
is also a staple in impressions and caricatures of him.[166] The turn of the 1990s saw the release of the introspective
album Dangerous; here Jackson used his vocals to intensify the split themes and genres described earlier. The New
York Times noted that on some tracks, "he gulps for breath, his voice quivers with anxiety or drops to a desperate
whisper, hissing through clenched teeth" and he had a "wretched tone".[158] When singing of brotherhood or self-
esteem the musician would return to "smooth" vocals.[158] "In the Closet" contained heavy breathing and a loop of
five scat-sung syllables, whereas in the album's title track, Jackson performs a spoken rap.[155][158] When commenting
on Invincible, Rolling Stone were of the opinion that—at the age of 43—Jackson still performed, "exquisitely
voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies".[167] Nelson George summed up Jackson's vocals by stating
"The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothness—that combination of
elements mark him as a major vocalist".[155]

Music videos and choreography

Steve Huey of Allmusic observed how Jackson transformed the music video into an art form and a promotional tool
through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameo appearances; simultaneously
breaking down racial barriers.[148] According to director Vincent Paterson, who collaborated with the singer on
several music videos, Jackson conceptualized many of the darker, bleak themes in his filmography.[168]

Before Thriller, Jackson struggled to receive coverage on MTV because he was African American.[169] Pressure
from CBS Records persuaded MTV to start showing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", leading to a lengthy
partnership with Jackson, also helping other black music artists gain recognition.[170] The popularity of his videos on
MTV helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map"; MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and
R&B.[170][171] Short films like Thriller largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat
It" has frequently been imitated.[172] The choreography in Thriller has become a part of global pop culture,
replicated everywhere from Bollywood to prisons in the Philippines.[173] The Thriller short film marked an increase
in scale for music videos, and has been named the most successful music video ever by the Guinness World
Records.[64]
In the 18-minute music video for "Bad"—directed by Martin Scorsese—Jackson began using sexual imagery and
choreography not previously seen in his work. He occasionally grabbed or touched his chest, torso and crotch.
While he has described this as "choreography," it garnered a mixed reception from both fans and critics; Time
magazine described it as "infamous". The video also featured Wesley Snipes; Jackson's videos would often feature
famous cameos roles in the future.[48][174] For "Smooth Criminal", Jackson experimented with an innovative "anti-
gravity lean" in his performances, for which he was granted US Patent No. 5,255,452.[175] Although the music video
for "Leave Me Alone" was not officially released in the US, in 1989, it was nominated for four Billboard Music
Video Awards, winning three; the same year it won a Golden Lion Award for the quality of the special effects used
in its production. In 1990, "Leave Me Alone" won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.[62]

The MTV Video Vanguard Artist of the Decade Award was given to Jackson to celebrate his accomplishments in
the art form in the 1980s; the following year the award was renamed in his honor.[73] "Black or White" was
accompanied by a controversial music video, which, on November 14, 1991, simultaneously premiered in 27
countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people, the largest viewing ever for a music video.[72] It
featured scenes construed as having a sexual nature as well as depictions of violence. The offending scenes in the
final half of the 14-minute version were edited out to prevent the video from being banned, and Jackson
apologized.[176] Along with Jackson, it featured Macaulay Culkin, Peggy Lipton and George Wendt. It helped usher
in morphing as an important technology in music videos.[177]

"Remember the Time" was an elaborate production, and became one of his longest videos at over nine minutes. Set
in ancient Egypt, it featured groundbreaking visual effects and appearances by Eddie Murphy, Iman and Magic
Johnson, along with a distinct complex dance routine.[178] The video for "In the Closet" was Jackson's most sexually
provocative piece to date. It featured supermodel Naomi Campbell in a courtship dance with Jackson. The video
was banned in South Africa because of its imagery.[73]

The music video for "Scream", directed by Mark Romanek and production designer Tom Foden, is one of Jackson's
most critically acclaimed. In 1995, it gained 11 MTV Video Music Award Nominations—more than any other
music video—and won "Best Dance Video", "Best Choreography", and "Best Art Direction".[179] The song and its
accompanying video are a response to the backlash Jackson received from the media after being accused of child
molestation in 1993.[180] A year later, it won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form; shortly afterward
Guinness World Records listed it as the most expensive music video ever made at a cost of $7 million.[98][181]

"Earth Song" was accompanied by an expensive and well-received music video that gained a Grammy nomination
for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The video had an environmental theme, showing images of animal
cruelty, deforestation, pollution and war. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, war ends and the
forests re-grow.[98][182] Released in 1997 and premiering at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival, Ghosts was a short film
written by Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston. The video for Ghosts is over 38 minutes long
and holds the Guinness World Record as the world's longest music video.[98][105][183][184]

Death

On the morning of June 25, 2009, Jackson reportedly collapsed at a rented home in west Los Angeles. Los Angeles
Fire Department paramedics responded to a 911 call at 12:21 pm local (Pacific) time[185] and arrived at 12:30 pm.
Jackson was reportedly not breathing and CPR was quickly performed.[186] He fell into a coma and died shortly after
being rushed to UCLA Medical Center.[187] The cause of death is reported to be cardiac arrest.[186] Jackson was
pronounced dead at about 2:26 pm local time.[188] Although there is no evidence of criminality, Los Angeles Police
Department detectives have opened an investigation into his death.[189] An autopsy is said to be scheduled for Friday,
June 26, 2009.[188]

Legacy and influence

Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984, Jackson has had a notable impact on music and culture
throughout the world. He broke down racial barriers, transformed the art of the music video and paved the way for
modern pop music in his own country. Jackson's work, distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced
hip hop, pop and R&B artists, including Mariah Carey,[12] Usher,[190] Britney Spears,[12] Justin Timberlake[109] and R.
Kelly.[155] For much of his career, he had an "unparalleled" level of worldwide influence over the younger
generation through his musical and humanitarian contributions.[191]

Throughout his career he received numerous honors and awards, including the World Music Awards' Best-Selling
Pop Male Artist of the Millennium, the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award and the Bambi Pop
Artist of the Millennium Award.[27][192] He was a double-inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a
member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001. Jackson was also an inductee of the Songwriters
Hall of Fame in 2002.[27] His awards include multiple Guinness World Records (eight in 2006 alone), 13 Grammy
Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and the sale
of over 750 million albums worldwide, making him the world's best selling male pop artist.[24][64][72][193][194][195]

He was characterized as "an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the tools to dominate the charts seemingly at
will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility and loads of sheer star
power".[148] In the mid-1980s, Time described Jackson as "the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley".[30] By
1990, Vanity Fair had already cited Jackson as the most popular artist in the history of show business.[62] Daily
Telegraph writer Tom Utley called him an "extremely important figure in the history of popular culture" and a
"genius".[196] His total lifetime earnings from royalties on his solo recordings and music videos, revenue from
concerts and endorsements have been estimated at $500 million; some analysts have speculated that his music
catalog holdings could be worth billions of dollars.[63][197] Cited as one of the world's most famous men, Jackson's
highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost
four decades.[72][198]