Nomusa dhlomo biography of michael jackson
Joseph pushed his children hard to succeed, making them rehearse five hours a day after school, and was reportedly known to become violent with them. He was said to beat them with a belt buckle or electric kettle cord and to order them to break a branch off a tree if they got a dance step wrong so he could hit them with it. Joseph molded his sons into a musical group in the early s that would later become known as the Jackson 5.
He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions. They officially became the Jackson 5 when older brother Marlon joined the group. Watch This Is It , the dramatic documentary with rare behind-the-scenes footage of Michael creating and preparing for his sold out shows that would have taken place in London's O2 Arena.
Jackson and his brothers spent endless hours rehearsing and polishing their act. At first, the Jackson 5 played local gigs and built a strong following. Many of these performers were signed to the legendary Motown record label, and the Jackson 5 eventually caught the attention of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Impressed by the group, Gordy signed the group to his label in early Jackson and his brothers moved to Los Angeles, where they lived with Gordy and with Diana Ross of the Supremes as they got settled.
The group became so popular that it even had its own self-titled cartoon show, which ran from to The group officially severed ties with Motown in , though Jermaine remained with the label to pursue his solo career. Now calling themselves the Jacksons, the group signed a new recording deal with Epic Records. By the release of its third album for the label, Destiny , the brothers had emerged as talented songwriters.
Jackson began his solo career while simultaneously performing with the Jackson 5. He released his debut solo album at age 13 with Got to Be There , making the charts with the title track. He had his first solo No. Jackson followed those albums with Music and Me and Forever, Michael , the latter of which was his last album with Motown Records. Jackson achieved his solo career breakthrough with Off the Wall , his first album with Epic Records and his first produced by Quincy Jones , whom he met while working on The Wiz.
Critics felt the album moved Jackson from the pop music of his youth into a more complex sound, and some have called it one of the best pop albums ever made. Jackson was still performing with his brothers at this time, and the overwhelmingly positive response to Off the Wall helped the Jacksons as a group. Their album Triumph sold more than 1 million copies, and the brothers went on an extensive tour to support the recording.
At the same time, Jackson continued exploring more ways to branch out on his own. In , Jackson embarked on his final tour with his brothers to support the album Victory Jackson achieved unparalleled success with the release of his six solo album Thriller , which as of August was still recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling album of all time, having sold 67 million copies worldwide and 34 million units in the United States alone.
By the late s, Michael was increasingly looking to pursue a solo career. The album was a great success, eventually selling over 20 million copies. The album gained much critical acclaim, and Michael secured the highest royalty rate in the music industry. His second solo album, Thriller , launched Michael Jackson into a position as the most famous pop singer in the world.
With little commercial advertising and promotion, Thriller rose to number one on album sales and remained at the number one spot for a total of 37 weeks. Thriller included number one hits such as Beat It, Billie Jean. He performed his distinctive and memorable dance move — the Moonwalk. In the dance routine, he effortlessly moves backwards with seemingly keeping one leg perfectly straight.
His performance made him a global icon of not just music, but dance. Michael Jackson pioneered the importance of music video in promoting a pop artist.
Nomusa dhlomo biography of michael jackson
His final album was Invincible In , the group signed with the label and relocated to Los Angeles. Michael's charismatic stage presence and exquisite dance moves, inspired by his idols like Jackie Wilson and James Brown, captivated audiences. Despite his success, he endured his father's constant criticism, particularly regarding his appearance.
In , Michael declared his independence and released his debut solo album, "Off the Wall. His fame reached unprecedented heights with the release of "Thriller" in It topped the Billboard for nine months, holding the record for the best-selling album of all time, with over million copies sold worldwide. The groundbreaking music video for the title track, directed by John Landis, became a cultural phenomenon.
Michael's signature dance move, the "moonwalk," which he debuted at the 25th anniversary of Motown in , became synonymous with his innovative style. It has sold an estimated 67 million copies worldwide and maintained a record-breaking week run at No. By utilizing the platforms of MTV and innovative marketing techniques, Jackson not only propelled his career but transformed the music video landscape itself, making "Thriller" a cultural phenomenon that continues to influence artists today.
Michael Jackson's personal life includes two notable marriages. This high-profile union received widespread media attention but lasted only two years, culminating in their divorce in Many speculated that their marriage was partly a publicity strategy to help restore Jackson's image, which had been tarnished by allegations of child molestation.
Despite their separation, Presley and Jackson maintained a connection, and she supported him during challenging times. Later in , Jackson married Debbie Rowe, a nurse whom he met while receiving treatment for skin issues. Rowe and Jackson had two children together through artificial insemination: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. Prince , born in , and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, born in The couple divorced in , but Jackson gained full custody of their children.
Throughout his life, Jackson's love for his children was evident, as he often expressed his desire to provide them with a loving and protective environment. Conrad Murray. Jackson suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, and despite CPR attempts, he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The aftermath of Jackson's death was marked by widespread media coverage and public grief.
His passing resulted in numerous memorials worldwide, including a televised tribute at the Staples Center, which drew an audience of over a billion viewers. In , the Jackson family launched a wrongful death lawsuit against AEG Live, the promoter of Jackson's never-completed comeback concerts, alleging failure to protect him while he was under Murray's care.
Although the jury ruled that AEG was not responsible for his death, the legal battles surrounding Jackson's legacy continued to create headlines in the years following his death. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, left an indelible mark on the music industry and popular culture before his untimely death in His memorial service, held on July 7, , at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was attended by approximately 17, fans, while an estimated 1 billion people watched the event worldwide.