At times he may not have been the most loved person in the world, but he has certainly been one of the most controversial. Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50, having collapsed at his home in Los Angeles. He was taken to hospital in a coma, where he was announced dead. Jackson’s entertaining life spanned almost forty years.
The Jackson’s seventh child, Michael became entertainer extraordinaire, businessman and recording artist. His whose sensational singing voice was discovered when he was a mere 6 years old. He later became known as the ‘King of Pop’, just as Elvis Presley became the ‘King of Rock and Roll’. Some people have likened his unique dancing style to Fred Astaire and in particular Jackson’s ‘Moon Walk’.
Jackson created a revolution in the world of music, when he produced musical videos. Music was no longer just an audio experience. Jackson also became the first African-American entertainer to successfully break the racial barriers of MTV, an American music cable television network, based in New York. Jackson’s very distinctive high tenor vocal style heavily influenced hip hop, pop, as well as numerous contemporary artists.
Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for benefits, both through his own charity and 39 other charities. The interview by Oprah Winfrey of Jackson in 1993 became the most-viewed non-sport program in the history of the U.S
Drastically damaging his public image, Jackson changed his appearance to a lighter skin, narrower nose, and at times bizarre and controversial behavior in his private life. Reports began in 2006 of the singer suffering financial difficulties, after the child sex abuse trials of 2005. Jackson had succeeded in kicking a morphine and Demerol addiction, but experienced health difficulties since the early 1990’s.
Having fathered three children and twice married, Jackson another wave of controversy. His closest companion was a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles. Elizabeth Taylor has long been a high profile friend of Jackson.
Jackson is one of the very few artists who has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jackson also has several entries in the Guiness World Book of Records, including an entry as the ‘Most Successful Entertainer Of All Time’ and the biggest selling album of all time.
Sales for the tickets to concerts from July 13, 2009 – March 6 2010 broke several records. Jackson was to perform concerts to over one million people, at London’s arena. The first ten concerts alone would have netted the singer approximately $100 million.
