Michael Jackson - The King of Pop
Michael Jackson was a remarkable entertainer with an unparalleled influence on music and popular culture around the world. Born on August 29, 1958 to an African-American working-class family in Gary, Indiana, Michael was the eighth of ten children.
Michael showed a passion for music from a very young age and remained a music lover throughout his life. His sheer influence and massive list of achievements are difficult to define. To state that Michael Jackson changed the music industry in numerous ways is a gross understatement.
Michael’s musical career began in the 1960s with the ‘Jackson 5’ – a group including Michael and his four brothers. As the youngest member, the charismatic Michael quickly emerged as the star and his solo career took off in the 1970s. He popularized music videos as an art form, especially with his groundbreaking video for "Thriller.” As an African-American, he broke racial barriers when his artistic videos were played in heavy rotation on MTV. His album sales, particularly for “Thriller,” were astronomical – in fact it remains the best-selling album of all time, known for its iconic music video.
Michael’s release of the hit song “Billie Jean” launched an era of mega-tours and blockbuster hits – and the debut of his overwhelmingly popular moonwalk during a live performance. This was followed by “Beat It” – known for its fusion of rock and pop. And “Man in the Mirror” – a reflective song about self-improvement. Then “Black or White” – a song promoting racial harmony with a music video featuring morphing faces from different ethnic backgrounds. From there Michael launched several successful world tours each attracting upwards of 3 million fans worldwide.
As one of the most famous individuals in the world, it’s estimated that billions of people knew Michael Jackson and his music. His impact truly transcends cultural and national boundaries and uniting people. His legacy is characterized by his innovative approach to music videos, his ability to transcend genres, and his unique vocal and dance styles.
Michael’s personal life was as fascinating as it was controversial. He had a complex relationship with his father, a strict disciplinarian who placed high expectations on Michael during his early years. Michael was married twice -- first to Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, then to Debbie Rowe, with whom he had two children. Michael also had a third child through a surrogate mother.
Michael experienced health issues throughout his life including vitiligo and lupus. These cause depigmentation of his skin, changes in his appearance, and sensitivity to sunlight. His health problems often became the subject of much unfair public speculation and media scrutiny.
His life was also marred by legal battles, including accusations of child sexual abuse. He was accused of abusing a 13-year-old boy, but the case was settled out of court. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child molestation charges. These allegations significantly impacted his career and public image.
Despite his struggles, Michael used his platform to go beyond music to promote peace, unity, and understanding. With thoughtful lyrics he challenged people to reflect on love and relationships, social issues like racism and discrimination, self-identity and self-improvement, and social empowerment.
Michael was deeply involved in philanthropic work and supported numerous charities and causes, especially those focused on helping children. In 1992, Michael founded the ‘Heal the World Foundation’ – an organization focused on improving the lives of children and global welfare. The organization's efforts center on child welfare, humanitarian relief, environmental awareness, and community empowerment.
Michael believed children are the only hope of our future and that many problems in the world arise from children having their childhood stolen from them in various ways. He felt he missed out on his own childhood by being thrust into the spotlight of fame so he created ‘Neverland Ranch’, his home which features an amusement park, a zoo, and a movie theater.
We too feel that the new generations to come are significantly important for the future of our world. In our writing we try to include ‘lessons learned’ so that future generations might take away more than just entertainment from our stories.
The main characters in our novels, Adam and Tariana, have both suffered the same fate of a stolen childhood. Adam was genetically engineered and lived under the rule of AI controlled bots from the moment he was born. He never new family or what it meant to be a child. Tariana lost her father to suicide at a young age and, as her family descended into chaos, her childhood was lost. As Adam and Tariana journey through the universe, Adam delights in Tariana’s childlike wonder at all they discover while he too learns to enjoy the fantastical setting around them.
Michael Jackson remains an eternal symbol of artistic creativity and excellence, and his influence continues to be felt to this day. With thoughtful lyrics about social issues, Michael attempted to influence social change for the better. His music and performances brought joy to countless fans around the world and his humanitarian efforts showed his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the stage.
Tragically, Michael passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, from a drug overdose. His death was a global event, as fans worldwide mourned the loss of a legend. While the loss of Michael Jackson is painful, we still have all his wonderful music that can inspire future generations. He leaves a legacy of positivity in a world that can often feel dark — just as we hope to do through our writing.
