Michael Joseph Jackson
"King of Pop"
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
I was at home when the news broke of Michael Jackson's death. The windows were wide open and overlooked a major city artery. Every car that went by had their windows rolled down, allowing the loud volume to play anything Michael Jackson. "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" were the most common. The intense honor lasted through the early evening.
With that said, there is not much to say that is already known. So in this post, I am noting highlights defined by the absolute one and only.
One of the most significant figures of the 20th Century
Genres considered - Pop, Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Rock, Disco, Post disco, Dance pop, New jack swing
Street dance moves made popular
The most successful performer of all time. - Guinness World Records
39 Guinness World Records
Influences - James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross, Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Kelly, and David Ruffin (of The Temptations) ... James Brown ultimately but Little Richard also had a major impact ... West Side Story was an inspiration for such music videos as "Beat It" and "Bad."
Michael Jackson is the best-selling solo music artist of all time - over 500 million records sold worldwide.
13 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles
First artist to have a Top-10 single on Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades.
Hollywood Walk of Fame with the Jackson 5
Hollywood Walk of Fame as a solo artist
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice
(Jackson 5 & Solo)
Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
(posthumous)
Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame (only recording artist to be inducted)
Inaugural inductee into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
(posthumous)
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (Fisk University, 1988)
"Thriller" is the only music video to be preserved in the National Film Registry ... the most successful music video ever made - Guinness World Records
"Scream" video received 11 MTV Video Music Award nominations & 3 wins ... earned a Grammy award ... most expensive video ever made at $7 million
"You Rock My World" 2001 music video won an NAACP Image Award in 2002
"Black or White" video premiered in November 1991 and aired in 27 countries with an audience of 500 million
One of the most awarded artists in popular music
13 Grammy Awards
Grammy Legend Award
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
26 American Music Awards
Artist of the Century & Artist of the 1980s
6 Brit Awards
3 Presidential Honors
Artist of the Decade
12 World Music Awards
Millennium Award
Founded the Heal the World Foundation in 1992
Donated $500 million to charity
Half of Michael Jackson's music catalog was sold to Sony for $600 million (2024)
Upon news of Michael Jackson's death, there was a surge in sales of his albums.
Over 2.5 billion viewers tuned into Michael Jackson's televised memorial service.
In conclusion and believe it or not, Wikipedia has more to tell. Follow the link to listen. This entry is a mere glimpse into the profound success amassed by Michael Jackson when alive and after his passing.
Michael - You will be forever missed.
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