Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958), commonly known as MJ as well as the "King of Pop", is an United States musician, entertainment, and pop icon whose Records and achievements by Michael Jackson and Michael Jackson controversies have been a part of Popular culture for almost 40 years.

Michael Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest entertainers and most popular recording artists in history, displaying complicated physical techniques, such as the Robot (dance) and the Moonwalk (dance), that have redefined mainstream dance and entertainment. His achievements in the music industry have included a revolutionary transformation of music videos, establishing high-profile album releases and sales as a new trend for record companies to generate profits, dominating popular music during the 1980s, and becoming the first black entertainer to amass a strong following on MTV while leading the relatively young channel out of obscurity. His distinctive style, moves, and vocals have inspired, influenced, and spawned a whole generation of Hip hop music, pop music, and Rhythm and blues artists. He has been named the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by Guinness World Records.

Jackson began his musical career at the age of seven as the lead singer of The Jackson 5. He released his first solo recording, Got to Be There, in 1971, while remaining a member of the group. In his solo career, Jackson recorded and co-produced the List of best-selling albums worldwide, Thriller (album), which has worldwide sales exceeding 104 million. After Thriller, Jackson continued to release internationally chart-topping albums like Bad (album) (1987), Dangerous (album) (1991), HIStory (1995), and Invincible (album) (2001), his latest album of fully original material. Michael Jackson has received thirteen Grammy Awards and charted thirteen List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.) J in the United States, more than any other male artist in the Billboard Hot 100 era. In November 2006, the World Music Awards announced that Michael Jackson had sold over 750 million units worldwide and given United States dollar300 million to charity, making Jackson one of the best-selling music artists and one of the most charitable humanitarians of all time, whose efforts on the latter front have been acknowledged with a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his Neverland Ranch property, where he built an amusement park and private zoo that was frequently attended by disadvantaged and Terminal illness children. Rumours of sleepover parties received negative media coverage after it was revealed that children frequently slept in his bed or bedroom. These first came to light when 1993 child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson's relationship with children was brought into the spotlight again in 2003 when the TV documentary Living with Michael Jackson aired. This resulted in Jackson being People v. Jackson, of more child molestation allegations and several other charges in 2005. Since then, Michael Jackson has lived in countries such as Bahrain and Ireland, but has since returned to the United States. Jackson is putting the "finishing touches on his new music" to be released next year.

Career

1958–1979: Early life and career with The Jackson 5/The Jacksons

Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, Indiana to a working-class family. He was the second-youngest brother of seven and the eighth of ten children of Joseph Jackson (Joe) and Katherine Jackson. Katherine, a Jehovah's Witnesses, raised the children in that faith, while Joe, who initially started studying with the Witnesses, eventually decided not to join. Jackson's father, a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B band called "The Falcons" with his brother Luther, was a strict disciplinarian. Many of the Jackson children recall being spanked or whipped by their father for misbehaving. Jackson showed musical talent early on and joined his brothers when they formed a group in 1964.

During this period, the boys toured Indiana extensively, and after winning a major local talent show in 1966 with a rendition of The Temptations' "My Girl (The Temptations song)", led by Michael, they began playing professional gigs in Chicago, Illinois, Illinois and across the mid-eastern U.S. Many of these gigs were in a string of black clubs and venues collectively known as the "chitlin' circuit," and the young kids sometimes had to open for strip teasers and other adult acts in order to earn money. The young Jackson had taken co-lead singing duties with brother Jermaine Jackson when the group's name changed from "The Jackson Brothers" to "The Jackson 5" in 1966.

The group eventually auditioned for, and signed a contract with, Motown Records in 1968. They hit stardom with their first four singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC (song)", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There", which charted at 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time ever a group had pulled off that feat. When this became apparent to Motown Records, they sued the group for breach of contract. They changed their name to "The Jacksons", featuring youngest brother Randy Jackson (musician) in Jermaine's place, and continued their successful career, touring internationally and releasing six more albums between 1976 and 1984, with Jermaine eventually re-joining in 1983, making them a sextet. From 1976 to 1984, Michael was the lead songwriter of the group, laying down such hits as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "This Place Hotel", and "Can You Feel It". In 1978, Jackson starred as the scarecrow in The Wiz with former-label mate Diana Ross playing Dorothy. The songs for the Musical film were arranged by Quincy Jones, who established a partnership with Jackson during the film's production and agreed to produce his first solo album in four years. Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson jointly produced the album, with lyrics and music by Jackson, Heatwave (band)'s Rod Temperton, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney, among others. The album signaled the arrival of a new Michael Jackson, one not reliant upon his brothers to further his career. Off the Wall, buoyed by its catchy dance rhythms and avoidance of the "shallow excesses...of the period's disco," eventually sold some 20 million copies worldwide. Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt the album should have made a much bigger impact and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release.

In January 1980, Jackson won his first awards for his solo efforts at the American Music Awards. He won "Favorite Soul/R&B Album" (for Off the Wall), "Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist" and Favorite Soul/R&B Single (for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"). Rolling Stone ranked it 68 in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

1982: Thriller

In June 1995, Jackson released HIStory, making it the greatest selling multiple-disc album of all time.

The first disc, HIStory Begins, was a fifteen-track greatest hits album (this disc was later released as Greatest Hits - HIStory Vol. I, in 2001 selling an estimated 3 million copies). The second disc, HIStory Continues, contained fifteen new songs. The first single released from HIStory was "Scream/Childhood," sung and performed with his sister Janet Jackson. The single had the best ever debut at 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Scream" is one of his most critically acclaimed winning three MTV awards in 1995 and a Grammy in 1996. "You Are Not Alone" was the second single released from HIStory and would become the first song ever to debut at 1 on the Hot 100, beating his previous single "Scream". It reached 1 in various international markets, including Britain. The video caused mild controversy in the U.S. as a result of media skepticism regarding the relationship between Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley as well as displays of semi-nudity.

"Earth Song" was the third single released from HIStory and was accompanied by one of the most expensive and lavish videos of Jackson's career. The song topped the U.K. singles chart for six weeks over Christmas in 1995 and sold one million copies there, making it his most successful U.K. single, surpassing the success of Billie Jean. At the 1996 BRIT Awards Jackson was awarded as the Artist of A Generation. At the ceremony Jackson performed the track "Earth Song", dressed in white and surrounded by children and an actor portraying a rabbi. During the performance it was alleged that Jackson was making Christ-like poses while being lifted into the air by a crane (machine). Pulp (band) lead singer Jarvis Cocker and his friend Peter Mansell mounted a stage invasion in protest. Cocker leapt onstage, pretended to expose his rear and danced around. In the ensuing scuffle to remove Cocker from the stage, it was claimed that up to three children received minor injuries. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI), who ran the awards, qualified this by stated that "We are extremely concerned that Jarvis Cocker's actions last night resulted in injury to three children who were performing with Michael Jackson". The short film, written by Michael Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston, features many special effects and dance moves choreographed to original music written by Jackson. The music video for "Ghosts" is over 35 minutes long and is currently the World's Longest Music Video. Jackson dedicated the album to Elton John, who reportedly helped him through his addiction to analgesic and tranquilizers.

2001: Invincible

In October 2001, Invincible was released and debuted at number-one in thirteen countries. Invincible went on to sell nearly 8 million copies worldwide. The album spawned three singles: "You Rock My World," "Cry (Michael Jackson song)," and "Butterflies (Michael Jackson song)." Around the same time that Invincible came out, Jackson and 35 other artists recorded a charity benefit single entitled "What More Can I Give", designed to raise money for September 11, 2001 attacks victims, which was never released.

Just before the release of Invincible, Jackson informed the head of Sony Music Entertainment, Tommy Mottola, that he was not going to renew his contract; Sony issued a statement stating that they found the allegations strange since Mottola was once married to Multiracial pop star Mariah Carey. Carey herself seemed nonchalant about Jackson's claims when asked about them by Larry King on Larry King Live. Though Jackson claimed that the albums sales were poor compared to previous ones (less than half of HIStory his previous least-commercial album with the exception of remix album Blood on the Dance Floor), no concerts since 1997 (and no American concerts since 1989) and the album's generally weak response from critics probably contributed also. Few reviews were actually negative, but most felt it was Jackson's least impressive effort yet. . Of those that were negative they were often unfair discussing the singers eccentric image rather than the music

On September 7 and September 10 2001, Jackson organized a special Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden for his 30th year of being a solo artist. Later, the show aired on November 13, 2001.

In 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.

2003–2006: Trial, acquittal, and aftermath (career put on hiatus)

In November 2003, Michael Jackson and Sony Records released a compilation of his number-one hits on Compact Disc and DVD titled Number Ones. The compilation has sold over six million copies worldwide. On the album's scheduled release date, while Michael Jackson was in Las Vegas filming the video for "One More Chance (Michael Jackson song)" (the only new song included in the Number Ones compilation), the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department searched the Neverland Ranch and issued an arrest warrant for Jackson on new charges of child molestation. Jackson was accused of sexual abuse by Gavin Arviso, who appeared in the Living with Michael Jackson documentary earlier that year.

After being acquitted of the allegations, Jackson relocated to the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain, where he reportedly bought a house formerly owned by a Bahrain MP. Jackson allegedly spent his time in the Persian Gulf writing new music. In September 2005, Jackson's spokesperson Raymone Bain announced that Jackson was busy producing an all-star charity single — called "I Have This Dream" — to help raise relief funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Some of the artists initially announced by Bain as involved were never confirmed, and were omitted from later mentions of participants. After many delays, the single remains unreleased.

2006–present: Visionary and new album

In February 2006, Jackson's label released Visionary: The Video Singles, a box set made up of twenty of his biggest hit singles, each of which were issued individually week by week over a five-month period.

Sony officially released the Visionary box set in the US on November 14, 2006. Jackson also visited the London office of the Guinness World Records. There, he received eight awards, among them the "First Entertainer to Earn More Than 100 million Dollars in a Year" and the "First Entertainer to Sell More Than 100 Million Albums Outside the US".

Michael Jackson was awarded the Chopard Diamond award on November 15, 2006, for selling over 100 million albums, at the World Music Awards. This was his second public appearance at an awards show since the trial of 2005. Despite tabloid rumors prior to the event, he did not perform "Thriller", instead joining a choir on stage for a verse of "We Are the World".

Following the death of James Brown, more than 8000 people – including family, friends and fans – watched as several artists, including Jackson, paid tribute to the 'Godfather of Soul' during his public funeral-turned-concert on December 30, 2006. Al Sharpton, who was close to Brown, delivered his sermon at the funeral, in which he stated that in the last conversation he had with Brown, he had said that artists like Jackson needed to continue to make positive music for all people. Teddy Riley (new jack swing), DJ Whoo Kid, Consequently, Jackson formed The Michael Jackson Company, Inc. which will oversee both his finances and the release of his new album. This would be his first live show since 2001 and first tour since 1997. Work began on the album in May of 2006.

Influence

As the biggest solo star since Elvis Presley, a person with "planetary influence," and the Bambi (prize)'s Pop Artist of the Millennium Award. He is a double-inductee of the Inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2001 (once as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and as a solo artist in 2001) and an inductee of the Inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame J. At his height, 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". In 1990, Vanity Fair (magazine) magazine named him the "Most Popular Artist in the History of Show Business". Jackson's work has influenced a wide variety of artists, including Mariah Carey, Usher (entertainer), Britney Spears, Omarion, Ne-Yo, and Chris Brown (singer), among others.

Music videos and MTV

Michael Jackson is widely regarded as being the first artist to elevate music videos to a meaningful art form,

Central to Michael Jackson’s success with music videos was the relatively young music channel MTV, created in 1981, which put Jackson’s videos in heavy rotation throughout the 1980s. Before the fruitful relationship materialized, however, Jackson struggled against the channel just to have his videos aired. In 1983, when Jackson came out with "Billie Jean", his first video from Thriller, MTV rarely aired videos by African-American performers and promptly refused Jackson’s requests for a running. Upon hearing the news, Columbia Records President Walter Yetnikoff went livid, denouncing MTV and warning, "I’m pulling everything we have off the air, all our product. I’m not going to give you any more videos. And I’m going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don’t want to play music by a black guy". Yetnikoff's harsh stance and rhetoric worked; MTV retreated and started giving "Billie Jean" heavy coverage, laying the groundwork for a dynamic partnership with Jackson that would last for years. When the 14-minute long music video for "Thriller" came out in December 1983, it took MTV by storm, running as often as twice within an hour at its height. True to its name, the video also had the feeling of a psychological thriller, reportedly scaring viewers across the United States, especially young children. "Thriller (music video)" marked the beginning of a new era in music videos and is often cited as the greatest music video of all time.

Michael Jackson is often credited for putting MTV, initially a struggling cable channel, on the map "with pioneering videos such as "Thriller", "Billie Jean Impact of song and music video", and "Beat It Music video and choreography"." In response to Jackson's influence, MTV shifted its musical focus as time went on, going from rock videos to more and more pop and R&B showings.

Legacy of Thriller

Released in 1982, Thriller became the most commercially successful album of all time and one of the most critically acclaimed, single-handedly transforming Jackson into his generation's Elvis or the Beatles and making him the "late 20th century's pre-eminent pop icon". The song was a crossover hit, buoyed by a "watch-my-fingers-fly guitar solo provided by Eddie Van Halen".

Apart from establishing Jackson's iconic status and a new pop sound, Thriller revolutionized the music industry, which was watching in anticipation as the juggernaut comfortably and steadily broke record after record. Gil Friesen, President of A&M Records, stated that "the whole industry has a stake in this success". At its height, Thriller was an industry in and of itself, with the Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, a videotape describing the secrets behind the new music video that was released in the Christmas of 1983, going on to sell 350,000 copies by March 1984.

The main influence Thriller had on the industry involved raising the importance of the album as a means of musical distribution. After Thriller, which, by posting seven top ten Hot 100 hits, had shattered traditional notions of how many singles an album could release before falling in popularity, record companies took an interest in following Michael Jackson's approach of releasing high-profile albums once every few years. Although the importance of singles relative to albums had started to wane before the 1980s, Thriller firmly established the album as the dominant force in the music industry, a status it retains to this day.

TIME magazine summed up the impact of Thriller as follows: "For a record industry stuck on the border between the ruins of punk and the chic regions of synthesizer pop, Thriller was a thorough restoration of confidence, a rejuvenation. Its effect on listeners, especially younger ones, was nearer to a revelation".

Style and performance

Among the most celebrated aspects of Michael Jackson's career have been his dance, fashion, and vocal styles, which have given rise to impersonators all over the world. In 1984, TIME magazine wrote the following on the singer's notable style: "His high-flying tenor makes him sound like the lead in some funked-up boys choir, even as the sexual dynamism irradiating from the arch of his dancing body challenges Government standards for a nuclear meltdown. His lithe frame, five-fathom eyes, long lashes might be threatening if Jackson gave, even for a second, the impression that he is obtainable". His dancing abilities, sometimes compared to past greats like Fred Astaire and Rudolf Nureyev, Jackson has also made the fedora hat something of a trademark in his exhibitions, and many modern artists pay tribute to the look.

Themes and genres

Michael Jackson's musical palette has covered everything from disco and pop to rock and R&B. Jackson's musical themes have been equally varied, featuring material on typical pop subjects like love and joy as well as more mature works on social justice and his convoluted relationship with the media. Jackson's solo career with Motown in the 1970s was largely unimaginative, dominated as it was by label-backed songwriters and producers intent on giving the young performer typical ballads and other similarly-styled melodious tracks. In his two-decade career with Epic, however, Jackson displayed extensive creativity, gradually evolving from compositions with mild, non-controversial messages to songs dealing with increasingly solemn and darker themes, a reflection of his personal struggles and his status as an international icon.

Off the Wall and Thriller showcased a Michael Jackson primarily focused on making dance hits and ballads with catchy tunes and rhythms. While this preoccupation would continue in his future work, it would also be colored by various shifts and improvisations. Even in this early material, however, Jackson displayed notable paradoxes, mixing the melodious and comfortable sounds of "Lady in My Life" with the haunting and terrorized environments of "Billie Jean" and "Beat It", where women accused him of fathering their children and the outside world seemed strange and hostile. Bad was accused by some of not delivering the exciting lyrics evident in Thriller, being more intent on consolidating a traditional pop sound and defeating the records of Jackson's previous releases. and received more critical acclaim than his previous Bad album. Several things remained the same, with the title track to Dangerous ensuring another song about a "predatory lover". More and more of Jackson's music in the decade, like "Black or White (song)", "Heal the World", "They Don't Care About Us", and "Earth Song", started addressing sociopolitical issues around the world. The music in Dangerous, described as a "a sonic machine world" with "synthetic basslines, swooshing scratched records, [and] clanking metallic noises", reflected old influences while absorbing new trends, made all the more pressing by Jackson's habit of releasing albums once every four or so years, time periods that allowed for significant development in the sound of pop music. They divorced less than two years later, although still remain friends. Jackson's second wife Debbie Rowe spoke about the couple's post-marriage friendship amidst "stories about Michael having an affair with his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley", The Paternity (biology and medicine) of Michael Jackson's children has been heavily debated by the public. Both Jackson and Rowe have always maintained that his first two children were conceived naturally.

In November 2002, Jackson traveled to Berlin to accept an award for his humanitarian efforts. He was surrounded by fans outside his room at the Hotel Adlon who were chanting in approval of the singer. According to the pop star, they also called out to see his baby. In response, Jackson brought his son onto the balcony, holding him in his right arm with a cloth loosely draped over the baby's face in order to protect his identity from the media. Jackson briefly extended the baby over the railing of the balcony. This raised concern as some perceived his actions as Child abuse, although Jackson has vehemently denied these tabloid rumours, saying that he was holding the baby tightly. Jackson said that the media was wrong in their comments about him being irresponsible with his children, "I love my children," he explained. "I was holding my son tight. Why would I throw a baby off the balcony? That's the dumbest, stupidest story I ever heard."

The controversial documentary Living with Michael Jackson aired in February 2003 in the UK (on the 3rd) and in the US (on the 6th). The documentary included interviews with Jackson which included information on his private life. British journalist Martin Bashir and his film crew filmed Jackson for 18 months, also capturing his controversial behavior in Berlin. One particular part of the documentary, which stirred controversy and raised a significant level of concern, showed Jackson holding hands with a then 13-year-old cancer victim Gavin Arviso, and admitting to sharing his bedroom with him (but not in the same bed) as well as sharing his bed (non-sexually) with other children.

Jackson felt betrayed by Bashir and complained that the film gives a distorted picture. In response to the media scrutiny, two specials were aired: Michael Jackson: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See and Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies. Michael Jackson: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See which aired later in February showed uncut footage of the Living with Michael Jackson documentary. The Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies aired in April was a 2-hour special with footage of Michael Jackson's home videos and included commentary by Jackson.

Humanitarian efforts

Jackson began his charity work in 1984, following his burning accident with Pepsi the drinks manufacture gave Jackson a $1.5 million out of court settlement which he donated to the Michael Jackson Burn Centre set up in his Honour
. In July 1984 he donated his $5million share from the Victor tour to charity
. In 1985 Jackson co-wrote with Lionel Richie the hit song "We Are the World", and sung a featured solo on the charity Single (music). The record helped to raise money and awareness for the famine in East Africa and was one of the first instances where Jackson was seen as a Humanitarianism. All profits from his 1988 hit single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity.

From 1985–1990 Jackson had donated $500,000 to the United Negro College.
In 1992, Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" (named after his humanitarian Single (music) "Heal the World"). The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's Neverland Ranch, located outside Santa Ynez, California, California, to go on theme park rides which Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it in 1988. All profits from the Dangerous World Tour went to his foundation raising many millions of dollars in relief. Jacksons 1995 international 1 hit Earth Song showed a shift in his concerns to environmental issues and ends with a disclaimer asking for donations for his "Heal the World Foundation" however it is unknown exactly what proceeds went to charity. In 1998 Jackson was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. At the World Music Awards in 2006 Beyonce announced that Jackson had given $300 million dollars to charity and Jackson has been actively involved with 39 charity organisations around the world.

Physical appearance

Jackson's skin was a medium-brown color for the entire duration of his youth, but starting in 1982 his skin gradually became paler. This change became so noticeable that it gained widespread media coverage, with some tabloids claiming that he was bleaching his skin. The structure of his face has changed as well, and a number of surgeons claim that Jackson had undergone multiple nasal surgeries as well as a forehead lift, thinned lips and cheekbone surgery.

However, on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1993, Jackson said that the change in his skin color was due to the disease vitiligo. In the interview, Jackson became quite emotional, saying that: "I'm a black American, I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride and dignity... I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of my skin, it's something that I cannot help, OK? But when people make up stories that I don't want to be what I am it hurts me... It's a problem for me that I can't control."

Child molestation charges

Jackson was reported to be allowing children to sleepover at his Neverland ranch. This practice came under much media and public scrutiny, in 1993, when 1993 child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson were brought against Jackson by a child who had stayed with him on several occasions. That year, Jordan Chandler, the son of former Beverly Hills, California Dentistry Evan Chandler, represented by civil law (common law) Larry Feldman, accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. On December 22, Jackson responded to the allegations via satellite from his Neverland compound and claimed to be "totally innocent of any wrongdoing". To avoid court, on January 25 1994, Jackson settled out of court with the accuser for an undisclosed sum, reported to be United States dollar20 million. The family dropped the charges.

On December 18 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of Alcoholic beverage Legal considerations in order to commit that felony, all regarding the same boy, (Gavin Arvizo), under 14. The felony complaint stated that Jackson had committed seven lewd acts and two acts of administration of an intoxicating agent to enable the former accusations. Jackson denied these 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'd 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."

The People v. Jackson trial began in Santa Maria, California, California, on January 31, 2005, and lasted until the end of May 2005, with Jackson being acquitted on all counts in June. It was one of the largest and most documented trials in world history. About 2,200 media credentials to over 30 news organizations from around the world were issued to cover the trial, more than what was given for the trials of O. J. Simpson murder case and Scott Peterson combined. Jackson's popularity outside the United States ensured a distinctly international crowd of reporters. On top of the media, Santa Maria was also flooded with Jackson fans, 1,200 of whom heard and celebrated the ten not guilty verdicts right outside the courthouse.

The District Attorney of Santa Barbara County in California, Tom Sneddon, has led two efforts against Jackson involving child molestation. The first incident, in 1993, resulted in no charges and the second, at the end of 2003, culminated in a trial two years later in which Jackson was acquitted on all counts. These repeated prosecutions have led to suggestions that Sneddon was motivated by a "mission" or "vendetta" against Jackson. Although Sneddon has a good track record, evidence to support Jacksons claim is quite strong, he joked about Jacksons greatest hits album being released on the same day as his arrest, called him "Wacko Jacko" and also shouted "we got him, we finally got him" to the world media when he had at the time minimal evidence. .

Discography

U.S. number one singles (13)

- 1972: "Ben (song)"
- 1979: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
- 1980: "Rock with You"
- 1983: "Billie Jean"
- 1983: "Beat It"
- 1983: "Say Say Say" (with Paul McCartney)
- 1987: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
- 1987: "Bad (Michael Jackson song)"
- 1987: "The Way You Make Me Feel"
- 1988: "Man in the Mirror"
- 1988: "Dirty Diana"
- 1991: "Black or White (song)"
- 1995: "You Are Not Alone"

Number ones in selected countries

- Spain (20)
- Zimbabwe (10)
- France (7)
- United Kingdom (7)
- Canada (5)
- Australia (4)

Studio albums

Motown Records releases:
- 1971: Got to Be There
- 1972: Ben (album)
- 1973: Music and Me
- 1975: Forever, Michael

Epic Records releases:
- 1979: Off the Wall
- 1982: Thriller (album)
- 1987: Bad (album)
- 1991: Dangerous (album)
- 1995: HIStory
- 1997: Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
- 2001: Invincible (album)

The Michael Jackson Company, Inc] releases:
- 2007: Michael Jackson's forthcoming studio album

Filmography

Notable music videos

- 1983: "Billie Jean"
- 1983: "Beat It"
- 1983: "Thriller (music video)"
- 1987: "Bad (Michael Jackson song)"
- 1987: "The Way You Make Me Feel"
- 1988: "Smooth Criminal"
- 1989: "Leave Me Alone (song)"
- 1991: "Black or White (song)"
- 1992: "Remember the Time"
- 1992: "In the Closet"
- 1995: "Scream/Childhood"
- 1995: "Earth Song"
- 1997: "Blood on the Dance Floor (song)"
- 2001: "You Rock My World"

Films

- 1978: The Wiz
- 1986: Captain EO
- 1988: Moonwalker
- 1997: Ghosts (Michael Jackson film)
- 2004: Men in Black II (Cameo appearance)
- 2004: Miss Cast Away (Cameo appearance)

Videos/DVDs

- 1984: Thriller (music video)
- 1988: Moonwalker
- 1993: Dangerous - The Short Films
- 1995: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory
- 1997: HIStory on Film, Volume II
- 2003: Number Ones (DVD)
- 2004: The One (DVD)
- 2005: Live In Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour

Television

- The Jacksons TV Show was a variety series that first aired on June 16 1976 and last aired on March 9 1977. It starred Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael, Randy Jackson (musician), Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, and Janet Jackson.
- The Simpsons, Season 3 Episode 1, "Stark Raving Dad". The episode first aired on September 19 1991. He was credited as John Jay Smith.

Video games

- Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is an arcade game that was ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and Sega Master System and various 16-bit home computers, including the Amiga, which sported more levels and better graphics.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 features sampled noises from Jackson and his instrument players who worked for him at the time. Due to his 1993 scandal some songs written by him were removed; however the original game still contains some content from him and his team although Jackson is uncredited. New Sega PC "retro" versions do not contain any of the material from Jackson or his team.
- Space Channel 5 for the Sega Dreamcast featured Michael Jackson in the later levels.
- Space Channel 5: Part 2, a Music video game for the PlayStation 2 and Sega Dreamcast also featured Michael Jackson in the later levels.
- Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is a fighting game for the PlayStation 2 and Sega Dreamcast featuring Michael Jackson as a hidden character.
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, Personal computer, and Xbox includes two songs by Michael Jackson: "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

Further reading

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