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8 months ago 04th Jul 08:15
The life and times of Michael Jackson - For All That He Means
While controversy and conspiracies theories still surround the shock death of arguably the world's greatest ever performer, one fact remains the same - Michael Jackson's musical legacy will live on forever.
Following the tragic news of last week, fans around the world clamoured to get their hands on any of the self-styled King of Pop's music and in Sunday's UK charts (28.06.09), his singles occupied 43 slots out of the top 200, while his 'Number Ones' LP topped the album countdown.
British retailer HMV said it had experienced an 80-fold increase in demand for Michael's music "almost overnight" since his death - the biggest one-day rise in sales seen for any artists, including Elvis Presley and John Lennon.
Even in death, Michael continues to make headlines, rack up impressive sales and generally be the biggest star the world has ever seen.
So how did this young boy from a working class black American family become a musical legend and an icon of our times?
It all started on August 29 1958, when Michael Joseph Jackson was born the seventh of eight children, in Gary, Indiana, an industrial suburb of Chicago.
His parents Joe and Katherine soon noticed their son's precoci
ous talent and from the age of seven, Michael appeared alongside his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon in the Jackson 5.
The group's first four singles - 'I Want You Back', released in 1969, and 1970 hits 'ABC', 'The Love You Save' and 'I'll Be There' - all peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. As the loveable youngest member of the group, Michael soon became the star and was continually praised for his voice and dancing prowess.
In 1972, he embarked on a solo career while he was still part of the band, but it was with his debut 1979 solo album 'Off The Wall' that Michael proved he was destined to be a successful stand alone artist. The record went on to sell 15 million copies worldwide.
However, it was the iconic 1982 'Thriller' album which cemented Michael's position as one of the world's greatest pop stars. The record sat at the top of the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks and remained in the chart for 80 consecutive weeks, prompting the New York Times newspaper to comment: "In the world of pop music, there is a Michael Jackson and there is an everybody else."
As well as a string of top 10 singles and the iconic 'Thriller' music video, the album also unleashed Michael's dancing skills on the world. While performing on a TV special in 1983, Michael wowed the audience with what his signature move - the 'moonwalk', in which he appeared to slide backwards across the surface of the stage.
Although he would never match the dazzling heights of 'Thriller' - which, to date, has sold over 100 million copies worldwide - Michael went on to enjoy huge success with his 1987 'Bad' album, which sold an impressive 30 million.
Michael matched his albums' success with his spectacular live shows, which featured his incredible dance moves and would often see hysterical fans carried out of the stadiums after fainting at the sight of their idol.
Although controversy grew around the star's seemingly changing appearance, including his skin appearing whiter - an issue he blamed on skin disease vitiligo and treatment for burns suffered after his hair caught on fire while filming a TV commercial in 1984 - and cosmetic surgery on his nose, Michael's next album, 1991's 'Dangerous', was also well received. It enjoyed a number one single around the world in 'Black Or White' and earned rave reviews.
In the world of pop music, there is a Michael Jackson and there is an everybody else.
However, the world tour in support of the album didn't go well and was abandoned before its conclusion. This marked a turning point in the star's career, as his erratic behaviour began to attract more headlines than his music.
Throughout his life, Michael struggled to find friends and during the peak of his fame his closest companion was Bubbles - a loveable and energetic chimpanzee. Bubbles slept in a crib besides Michael's bed, would accompany him on tour and the pair would often dress in matching outfits. Although this eccentric behaviour earned him the nickname Wacko Jacko, fans and critics were willing to ignore it as he was still producing fantastic music.
It was his friendships with young children which caused a lot of the world to turn against him, especially after he revealed he allowed youngsters to stay overnight as his Neverland ranch in California - the mansion complete with a zoo and theme park.
In 1993, Michael's fantasy fairytale lifestyle was turned upside down when Jordan Chandler - 13-year-old boy who had spent a lot of time with Michael - accused him of sexual abuse.
Through their lawyers, Michael and the Chandler family's lawyer attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach a financial agreement. Jordan then made further accusations to a psychiatrist and later police, prompting a full scale investigation to take place.
As the stress of the allegations grew, Michael became increasingly dependant on painkillers and eventually checked into rehab.
In January 1994, Michael settled out of court with the Chandler family for $22 million. Although he was never charged with a crime, the damage to the singer's reputation was irreparable.
Later that year, Michael married Lisa Marie Presley but the press branded the relationship a stunt to boost Michael's ailing career. The pair divorced less than two years later.
In 2003, he was once again accused of child molestation, although this time the case did make it to trial.
In what has been dubbed the 'trial of the century' the singer faced a total of 10 charges, including molesting his accuser Gavin Arvizo, intoxicating a minor with alcohol and plotting to hold his family captive.
Prior to the trial, Michael was examined by mental health professional Dr. Stan Katz who eventually claimed the singer was a regressed 10-year-old who did not fit the profile of a paedophile.
Michael denied all the charges brought against him and the case went to court in 2005. Although the star was eventually acquitted of all charges, the five-month trial took its toll. Such was the glare of publicity thrust upon him Michael became even more reclusive, choosing to move to Bahrain after the ordeal to avoid unwanted publicity.
But between the worst two moments of his life, Michael fulfilled a life-long dream and became a father.
In 1997, Michael's second wife - former nurse Debbie Rowe - gave birth to their son, Prince Michael, who was followed by daughter Paris Michael Katherine in 1998. Michael split with Debbie soon after Paris' birth, with Michael getting full custody.
In 2002, Michael's son Prince Michal Jackson II, who is also known as Blanket, was born. The identity of his mother has never been made public, with Michael only confirming he was conceived using artificial insemination.
Like the other areas of his life, Michael's take on fatherhood caused controversy - often dressing his children in veils and face masks to shield them from public view and famously dangled baby Blanket from his hotel balcony - but there was no doubting he loved them, in his own unique way.
Although Michael got joy from his children, he never fully recovered from the child abuse allegations. He was rarely seen since 2005, and the few times he was he seemed frail and was often being pushed in a wheelchair.
So it came as a great surprise when a fit-looking Michael - showing no signs of the rumoured flesh-eating skin disease, liver failure or partial blindness - appeared at London's O2 arena in March of this year to announce his comeback tour at the arena.
Walking to the stage unaided, he said: "I love you so much. Thank you all. This is it. I just want to say these will be my final show performances in London. This will be it, this is it and when I say this is it I really mean this is it. I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear.
"This is it. I mean, this is really it. This is the final curtain call and I'll see you in July and I love you. I really do and you have to know that. I love you so much, from the bottom of my heart. This is it and see you in July."
Fans were left hysterical at the news and the planned 10 gigs were
sold-out within hours. More were soon added, meaning the 50-year-old star would be playing 50 concerts from July 2009 to March 2010.
While this thrilled the fans who had loyally supported him, sources close to Michael have since claimed 50 dates were too much for him and he was struggling to cope with the pressure.
He had even postponed the opening night from July 8 to July 13 but promoters AEG live insisted he was in top condition and just needed extra time to rehearse because the routines were so complicated and elaborate.
He had been pictured in rehearsals, looking comfortable being back where he belongs - on the stage. Video footage has since been released which saw him moving comfortably around the stage and although he was nowhere near as energetic as in his heyday, he seems quite fit for a 50-year-old man.
But tragically no-one will ever get to see how the most anticipated concerts in recent history would turn out as just days later, Michael was rushed from his Los Angeles home to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
It is widely accepted he had suffered a cardiac arrest, although the official autopsy results are yet to be released.
But as the biggest star on the planet, Michael wouldn't be able to leave this earth quietly and huge speculation surrounds his death.
Some people close to him have claimed he was on a cocktail of lethal prescription drugs for years as he struggled to cope with the child abuse allegations, adding he was destined for an early grave. Following his death, police officers have allegedly recovered 20 types of drugs in his mansion, including heroin substitute methadone and painkillers Deremol or OxyContin
His father Joe has claimed his son was the victim of "foul play" and had surrounded himself with all the wrong people in the run-up to his death, while the Jackson family ordered a second autopsy to ensure they get the answers they are searching for.
Even his personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray - who was with the pop star when he died and administered CPR - has been questioned about Michael's death, but has insisted he is not a suspect and is merely helping with the police investigation.
Michael's death also raises the subject of who looks after his three children, who are the beneficiaries of his $500 million estate. Michael stated in a will made in 2002 he wanted his mother to have custody and if she was unable to he wanted close friend Diana Ross to look after them. But his ex-wife Debbie has come forward saying she wants custody of her two children with Michael, raising the possibility of a lengthy battle over Michael's offspring.
No matter how he died, the loss of Michael has had a huge impact on the showbiz world and celebrities were quick to pay tribute to him.
Madonna said: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
Britney Spears said: "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"
Beyonce Knowles also sent her condolences to Michael's family, saying: "This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day. The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be."
Such was his impact on music, several tribute shows have already been planned and a special event at the O2 arena is set to mark the date his residency would have started.
His funeral also looks like it will be one of the biggest the world has ever seen, even eclipsing Princess Diana's 1997 burial, but it seems only right Michael should be given an extraordinary send-off.
It had initially been reported he would be buried at his Neverland ranch so fans would always be able to pay their respects to him, but it is now thought he will have a private funeral with a public memorial to be held at Los Angeles Staples centre on Tuesday (07.07.09). Although Neverland was his beloved home, with all the controversies that went on there it seems only fitting a tribute should be paid to him where he really felt at home.
Despite the scandals in his life, Michael Jackson deserves his place in music's all-time greats list and the world will shed a tear knowing it will never witness someone of his talents again.
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