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THE MICHAEL JACKSON IS A BIRD FOUND COMMONLY IN NEW YORK AND LAS VEGAS.
{{pp-semi-indef}}{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Other persons|Michael Jackson}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| Img = Michael Jackson 1984.jpg
| Img_capt = Jackson at the [[White House]] in 1984
| Img_size = 215
| Img_alt = A mid-twenties African American man wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He is walking while waving his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare.
| Landscape = no
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Michael Joseph Jackson
| Born = {{Birth date|1958|08|29|mf=yes}}<br />[[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], [[Indiana]], U.S.
| Died = {{Death date and age|2009|06|25|1958|08|29|mf=yes}}<br />[[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| Instrument = [[Vocals]], [[piano]], [[guitar]], [[drum kit|drums]], [[beatbox]]
| Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[disco]], [[dance music|dance]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk music|funk]], [[new jack swing]]
| Occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, dancer, choreographer, actor, author, businessman, philanthropist
| Years_active = 1964–2009
| Label = [[Motown Records|Motown]], [[Epic Records|Epic]], [[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]]
| Associated_acts = [[The Jackson 5]]
| URL = http://www.michaeljackson.com
}}
<!--Paragraph 1/4: Introduction to Jackson and summary of his notability:-->
'''Michael Joseph Jackson''' (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and philanthropist. Referred to as the [[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of Pop]],<!-- It has been stated that "This is not a legal alias nor an official stage name", and so should not be set in boldface. If you disagree, please discuss on the talk page before making any change. --> Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by [[Guinness World Records]]. His contribution to music, dance and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in [[popular culture]] for over four decades. The eighth child of the [[Jackson family]], Jackson debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of [[The Jackson 5]] in the mid-1960s, and began his solo career in 1971.
<!-- Please do not make changes to the lead without discussing them on the article's talk page.-->


THEY CAN BE SEEN WEARING FEDORAS AND SHOUTING THEIR BATTLE CRY, "SHAMOOOOOOONA"
<!--Paragraph 2/4: General/qualitative accomplishments:-->
In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in [[popular music]]. The [[music videos]] for his songs including "[[Beat It]]", "[[Billie Jean]]" and "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel [[MTV]] to fame. Videos such as "[[Black or White]]" and "[[Scream/Childhood|Scream]]" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of dance techniques, such as the [[robot (dance)|robot]] and the [[moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]]. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced numerous [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[pop music|pop]], [[contemporary R&B]] and [[Rock music|rock]] artists.
<!-- Please do not make changes to the lead without discussing them on the article's talk page.-->


TWICE THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ATTACK PEOPLE, THOUGH THEY ARE GENERALLY PEACEFUL BEINGS.
<!--Paragraph 3/4: Specific/quantitative accomplishments:-->
Jackson's 1982 album [[Thriller (album)|''Thriller'']] is the [[List of best-selling albums worldwide|best-selling album of all time]]. His other records, including ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'' (1979), ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987), ''[[Dangerous (album)|Dangerous]]'' (1991) and ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory]]'' (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] twice. Some of his other [[Records and achievements of Michael Jackson|achievements]] include multiple [[Guinness World Records]]; 13 [[Grammy Award]]s (as well as the [[Grammy Legend Award]] and the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]); 26 [[American Music Awards]] (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century"); 13 [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States#J|number-one singles in the United States]] in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] era); and the estimated sale of over 800&nbsp;million records worldwide. Jackson won [[List of awards received by Michael Jackson|hundreds of awards]], which have made him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of music. He was also a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for beneficial causes and supporting more than 39 charities.
<!-- Please do not make changes to the lead without discussing them on the article's talk page.-->


THEIRS NESTS CONSIST OF ROLLERCOASTERS AND HIPPO SKIN.
<!--Paragraph 4/4: Controversies and death:-->
Aspects of Jackson's personal life, including his changing [[Michael Jackson's health and appearance|appearance]], [[personal relationships of Michael Jackson|personal relationships]] and behavior, have generated controversy. In 1993, he was [[1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson|accused of child sexual abuse]], but the case was settled and no formal charges were brought. In 2005, he was [[People v. Jackson|tried and acquitted]] of further sexual abuse allegations and several other charges after the jury ruled him not guilty on all counts. While preparing for his concert series [[This Is It (Michael Jackson concerts)|''This Is It'']], Jackson [[Death of Michael Jackson|died]] on June 25, 2009, after suffering from [[cardiac arrest]]. Before his death, Jackson had reportedly been administered drugs such as [[propofol]] and [[lorazepam]]. The [[Los Angeles County Coroner's Office|Los Angeles County Coroner]] declared his death a [[homicide]], and his personal physician [[plea]]ded not guilty to charges of [[involuntary manslaughter]]. Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief, and as many as a billion people around the world may have watched his [[Michael Jackson memorial service|public memorial service]] on live television. In March 2010, [[Sony Music Entertainment]] signed a [[United States dollar|US$]]250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017, and to release seven posthumous albums over the decade following his death.
<!-- Please do not make changes to the lead without discussing them on the article's talk page.-->


IF YOU ARE A BIRDWATHCER, HERE ARE SOME OTHER TRAITS-
== Life and career ==
=== Early life and The Jackson 5 (1958–1975) ===
[[File:2300 Jackson Street Yuksel.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A house surrounded by yellow colored grass, flowers, trees, and a light blue colored sky can be seen. The house has white walls, two windows, a white door with a black door frame, and a black roof. In front of the house there is a walk way, yellow grass and multiple colored flowers and memorabilia. In the background, there are two tall trees and a light blue colored sky that has multiple clouds. |Jackson's childhood home in [[Gary, Indiana]], showing floral tributes after his death.]]
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the eighth of ten children to an African American working-class family, in [[Gary, Indiana]], an industrial suburb of Chicago. His mother, [[Katherine Jackson|Katherine Esther Scruse]], was a devout [[Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witness]], and his father, [[Joe Jackson (manager)|Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson]], a steel mill worker who performed with an R&B band called The Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: [[Rebbie Jackson|Rebbie]], [[La Toya Jackson|La Toya]], and [[Janet Jackson|Janet]], and five brothers: [[Jackie Jackson|Jackie]], [[Tito Jackson|Tito]], [[Jermaine Jackson|Jermaine]], [[Marlon Jackson|Marlon]], and [[Randy Jackson (musician)|Randy]].<ref name = "Nelson George overview 20">George, p. 20</ref> A sixth brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 14</ref>


1. Generally is sparkly
Jackson had a troubled relationship with his father, Joe.<ref name="MJ's secret childhood"/><ref name = "tara 20-22">Taraborrelli, pp. 20–22</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> Joseph acknowledged in 2003 that he regularly whipped Jackson as a child.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8121599.stm Can Michael Jackson's demons be explained?], BBC, June 27, 2009.</ref> Michael stated that he was physically and emotionally abused during incessant rehearsals, though he also credited his father's strict discipline with playing a large role in his success.<ref name="MJ's secret childhood">[http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/82010/episode_about.jhtml Michael Jackson's Secret Childhood], [[VH1]], June 20, 2008.</ref> Jackson first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in an interview with [[Oprah Winfrey]], broadcast in February 1993. He admitted that he had often cried from loneliness and he would vomit on the sight of his father. Jackson's father was also said to have verbally abused Jackson, saying that he had a fat nose on numerous occasions.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2719763.stm ''Jackson interview seen by 14m''], BBC News, (February 4, 2003)</ref> In fact, Michael Jackson's deep dissatisfaction with his appearance, his nightmares and chronic sleep problems, his tendency to remain hyper-compliant especially with his father, and to remain child-like throughout his adult life are in many ways consistent with the effects of this chronic maltreatment he endured as a young child.<ref>[[Daniel Schechter]], Erica Willheim (2009). The Effects of Violent Experience and Maltreatment on Infants and Young Children. In [[Charles Zeanah]] (Ed.). Handbook of Infant Mental Health—3rd Edition. New York: Guilford Press, Inc. pp. 197–214.</ref>
2. Can sing very well
3. Can dance when given a top hat and cane.
4. Is afraid of bikini models wearing JFK skin masks.
5. Can defeat a whole tower of sheep.
6. Does not like fancy dogs.
7. plop plop fizz fizz yum yum.
8. The. American cheese!


GO SEE IT
In an interview with [[Martin Bashir]], later included in the 2003 broadcast of ''[[Living with Michael Jackson]]'', Jackson acknowledged that his father hurt him when he was a child, but was nonetheless a "genius", as he admitted his father's strict discipline played a huge role in his success. When Bashir dismissed the positive remark and continued asking about beatings, Jackson put his hand over his face and objected to the questions. He recalled that Joseph sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed, and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up, really get you".<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 602</ref><ref name = "lewis 165-168">Lewis, pp. 165–168</ref>


In 1964, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers—a band formed by brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine—as backup musicians playing [[conga]]s and [[tambourine]]. Jackson later began performing backup vocals and dancing. When he was eight, Jackson began sharing the lead vocals with his older brother Jermaine, and the group's name was changed to [[The Jackson 5]].<ref name = "Nelson George overview 20"/> The band toured [[Midwestern United States|the Midwest]] extensively from 1966 to 1968, frequently performing at a string of black clubs known as the "[[chitlin' circuit]]", where they often opened [[striptease]]s and other adult acts. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of [[Motown Records|Motown]] hits and [[James Brown]]'s "[[I Got You (I Feel Good)]]", led by Michael.<ref name=RRHF>[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/the-jackson-five The Jackson Five], [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], accessed May 29, 2007.</ref>


The Jackson 5 recorded several songs, including "[[Big Boy (The Jackson 5 song)|Big Boy]]", for the local record label [[Steeltown Records|Steeltown]] in 1967, before signing with Motown Records in 1968.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 20"/> ''Rolling Stone'' magazine later described the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts," writing that he "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer."<ref name="rollingstone">[http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/biography Michael Jackson: Biography], Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2008.</ref> The group set a chart record when its first four singles ("[[I Want You Back]]", "[[ABC (song)|ABC]]", "[[The Love You Save]]", and "[[I'll Be There (The Jackson 5 song)|I'll Be There]]") peaked at number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name = "Nelson George overview 20"/> Between 1972 and 1975, Jackson released four solo studio albums with Motown, among them ''[[Got to Be There]]'' and ''[[Ben (album)|Ben]]'', released as part of the Jackson&nbsp;5 franchise, and producing successful singles such as "[[Got to Be There (song)|Got to Be There]]", "[[Ben (song)|Ben]]", and a remake of [[Bobby Day]]'s "[[Rockin' Robin (song)|Rockin' Robin]]". The group's sales began declining in 1973, and the band members chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow them creative control or input. Although they scored several top&nbsp;40 hits, including the top&nbsp;5 [[disco]] single "[[Dancing Machine]]" and the top&nbsp;20 hit "[[I Am Love]]", the Jackson&nbsp;5 left Motown in 1975.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 22">George, p. 22</ref>


=== Move to Epic and ''Off the Wall'' (1975–1981) ===
In June 1975, the Jackson 5 signed with [[Epic Records]], a subsidiary of [[Sony Music Entertainment|CBS Records]]<ref name = "Nelson George overview 22"/> and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Younger brother Randy formally joined the band around this time, while Jermaine left to pursue a solo career.<ref name = "tara 138–144">Taraborrelli, pp. 138–144</ref><!--if we say because of legal proceedings, we have to say a bit about what they were--> They continued to tour internationally, releasing six more albums between 1976 and 1984, during which Jackson was the lead songwriter, writing hits such as "[[Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)]]", "[[This Place Hotel]]," and "[[Can You Feel It]]".<ref name="RRHF" /> In 1978, he starred as the [[Scarecrow (Oz)|scarecrow]] in the musical, ''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'', a box-office disaster. It was here that he teamed up with [[Quincy Jones]], who was arranging the film's musical score. Jones agreed to produce Jackson's next solo album, ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]''.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 23">George, p. 23</ref> In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a complex dance routine. His subsequent [[rhinoplasty]] was not a complete success; he complained of breathing difficulties that would affect his career. He was referred to [[Steven Hoefflin|Dr. Steven Hoefflin]], who performed Jackson's second rhinoplasty<!--when?--> and subsequent operations.<ref name = "tara 205–210">Taraborrelli, pp. 205–210</ref>


Jones and Jackson produced the ''Off the Wall'' album together. <!--Out of context: "At the album's pre-release party, Michael stated that [[Little Richard]] had a "huge influence" on him."<ref name="Michael Jackson saved my life">{{cite web|url=http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/39Michael-Jackson-saved-my-life39.5407768.jp|publisher=scarborougheveningnews.co.uk|title=Michael Jackson saved my life|accessdate=June 28, 2009}}</ref>--> Songwriters for the album included Jackson, [[Rod Temperton]], [[Stevie Wonder]], and [[Paul McCartney]]. Released in 1979, it was the first album to generate four U.S. top&nbsp;10 hits, including the chart-topping singles "[[Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough]]" and "[[Rock with You (Michael Jackson song)|Rock with You]]".<ref name = "Nelson George overview 37-38"/> It reached number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and eventually sold over {{Nowrap|20 million}} copies worldwide.<ref name="Off the Wall {{Nowrap|20 million}}">[http://www.virginmedia.com/music/classicalbums/michaeljackson-offthewall.php Michael Jackson: Off the Wall], [[Virgin Media]]. Retrieved December 12, 2008.</ref> In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the [[American Music Awards]] for his solo efforts: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".<ref name="AMAs 1980">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=wYEsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0_oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6776,1201107&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Donna Summer and Michael Jackson sweep Annual American Music Awards |publisher=Lakeland Ledger |date= (January 20, 1980) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AMAs 1980 2">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=EaMkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Zf4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3100,419518&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Donna No. 1, Pop and Soul; Michael Jackson King of Soul |publisher=The Afro American |date= (February 2, 1980) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> That year, he also won [[Billboard Year-End]] for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album and a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, also for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".<ref name = "Nelson George overview 37-38">George, pp. 37–38</ref> Jackson again won at the American Music Awards in 1981 for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.<ref name="AMAs 1981">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=sPIcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3GcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6226,95260&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Few Surprises In Music Awards |publisher=Sarasota Herald |date= (February 1, 1981) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt ''Off the Wall'' should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 188</ref> In 1980, he secured the highest [[Royalties|royalty]] rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 191</ref>


=== ''Thriller'' and ''Motown 25'' (1982–83) ===
[[Image:Mjthriller.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead in the music video for Thriller]]
In 1982, Jackson contributed the song "Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the film ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''; the record won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children in 1984. In the same year he won another seven Grammys and eight American Music Awards (including the Award of Merit, the youngest artist to win it), making him the most awarded in one night for both award shows.<ref name = "MJ Grammy's">[http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Michael+Jackson&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Award Winners], [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Retrieved February 14, 2008.</ref><ref name="AMAs 1984">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=eQUbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E0gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5127,2841948&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Michael Jackson sweeps American Music Awards |publisher=Daily News |date= (January 17, 1984) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> These awards were thanks to the ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' album, released in late 1982, which was the 1983's best-selling album worldwide<ref name="Thriller best seller">{{cite web |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB296D5B072064E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=MICHAEL HE'S NOT JUST THE ROCK STAR OF THE YEAR, HE'S THE ROCK STAR OF THE '80S |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date= (December 20, 1983) |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Thriller best seller 1">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9EfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cdYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,4981079&dq=best+selling+album+1983+worldwide&hl=en |title=Cash register's ring sweet music to record industry |publisher=Gasden Times |date= (March 26, 1984) |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> and became the best-selling album of all time in the United States,<ref name="RIAA certification">[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblDiamond RIAA Diamond Awards], [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Retrieved October 28, 2009.</ref> as well as the [[List of best-selling albums worldwide|best-selling album of all time worldwide]], selling an estimated {{Nowrap|110 million}} copies so far.<ref name="Thriller {{Nowrap|110 million}} copies">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/china/learningenglish/specials/1430_jackson_photo/page7.shtml |title=Michael Jackson Photo Gallery 迈克•杰克逊影集 |publisher=[[BBC News|BBC China]] |accessdate=July 16, 2009 }}</ref> The album topped the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart for 37 weeks and was in the top&nbsp;10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to have seven ''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100 top&nbsp;10 singles, including "[[Billie Jean]]", "[[Beat It]]," and "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]."<ref>Lewis, p. 47</ref> ''Thriller'' was certified for 29&nbsp;million shipments by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], giving it [[List of music recording sales certifications|Double Diamond]] status in the United States. The album won also another Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical in 1984, awarding [[Bruce Swedien]] for his work.<ref name = "Bruce Grammy's">[http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Bruce+Swedien&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Award Winners], [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Retrieved February 14, 2008.</ref>
Jackson's attorney [[John Branca]] noted that Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point: approximately $2 for every album sold. He was also making record-breaking profits from sales of his recordings. The videocassette of the documentary ''The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller'' sold over 350,000 copies in a few months. The era saw the arrival of novelties like dolls modeled after Michael Jackson, which appeared in stores in May 1984 at a price of $12.<ref name=TIME>{{cite news |url= |last=Cocks |first=Jay |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950053-1,00.html |title=Why He's a Thriller |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=March 19, 1984 |accessdate=April, 25 2010}}</ref> Biographer [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]] writes that, "''Thriller'' stopped selling like a leisure item—like a magazine, a toy, tickets to a hit movie—and started selling like a household staple."<ref name="tara 226">Taraborrelli, p. 226</ref> In 1985, ''The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller'' won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Longform.<ref name = "MJ Grammy's"/> In December 2009, the music video for "Thriller" was selected for the [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]], "Thriller" is the first music video ever to be inducted.<ref name="Michael Jackson Thriller Induction">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/30/national.film.registry/index.html|work=CNN |date=December 30, 2009 |accessdate=April 17, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Reuters: U.S. registry 2009-12-30">{{cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews |title=Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry |author=Alex Dobuzinskis |date=December 30, 2009|work=[[Reuters]] |publisher=Thomas Reuters |accessdate=April 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/arts/music/31arts-THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html |title='Thriller' Video Added to U.S. Film Registry |author=Dave Itzkoff |work=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |date=2009-12-30 |accessdate=April 28, 2010}}</ref>


[[File:MichaelJacksonMoonwalk.ogg|thumb|left|Jackson debuts the [[moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]] during his performance of Billie Jean on ''Motown 25'']]
''Time'' described Jackson's influence at that point as "Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too".<ref name=TIME/> ''The New York Times'' wrote that, "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else".<ref name="NYTimes">Pareles, John. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40F10FB3A5C0C778DDDA80894DC484D81 Michael Jackson at 25: A Musical Phenomenon], ''The New York Times'', January 14, 1984.</ref>


In March 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for a legendary live performance which was taped for a ''[[Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever]]'' television special. The show aired on May 16, 1983, to an audience of {{Nowrap|47 million}} viewers, and featured the Jacksons and a number of other Motown stars. It is best remembered for Jackson's solo performance of "Billie Jean". Wearing a distinctive black [[sequin]] jacket and golf glove decorated with rhinestones, he debuted his signature dance move, the [[moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]], which former [[Soul Train]] dancer and [[Shalamar]] member, [[Jeffrey Daniel]] had taught him three years before. The Jacksons' performance drew comparisons to [[Elvis Presley]]'s and [[The Beatles]]' appearances on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 238–241</ref> Anna Kisselgoff of ''The New York Times'' later wrote, "The moonwalk that he made famous is an apt metaphor for his dance style. How does he do it? As a technician, he is a great illusionist, a genuine mime. His ability to keep one leg straight as he glides while the other bends and seems to walk requires perfect timing."<ref name="Dancing feet of Michael Jackson">Kisselgoff, Anna. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DE1539F935A35750C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Dancing feet of Michael Jackson], ''The New York Times'', March 6, 1988.</ref>


=== Pepsi, "We Are the World" and business career (1984–85) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson with the Reagans.jpg|thumb|right|alt=In the center of the photo four people can be seen. To the farthest left a medium skin colored man wearing a black suit with a white shirt can be seen. Second to the left a Caucasian man wearing a black suit with a white shirt and brown tie has his head turned to the right. To the right of the Caucasian male there is an African American man wearing a white shirt with a blue jacket that has a yellow strap across his chest. He is raising his right hand, which is covered with a white glove. To the farthest right, a Caucasian female with short blonde hair, who is wearing a white outfit, can be seen. In the background a cream colored building with an opened green door can be seen. |Jackson at the White House South Portico with President [[Ronald Reagan]] and first lady [[Nancy Reagan]], 1984]]


On January 27, 1984, Michael and other members of the Jacksons filmed a Pepsi Cola commercial, overseen by executive [[Philip Dusenberry]],<ref name=nytt>{{cite news |first=Louise|last=Story|title=Philip B. Dusenberry, 71, Adman, Dies |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/business/media/31dusenberry.html |work=New York Times |publisher=|date=December 31, 2007 |accessdate=July 17, 2009}}</ref> from ad agency BBDO and Pepsi's Worldwide Creative Director, [[Alan Pottasch]] at the [[Shrine Auditorium]] in Los Angeles. In front of a full house of fans during a simulated concert, pyrotechnics accidentally set Jackson's hair on fire. He suffered second-degree burns to his scalp. Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars on his scalp, and he also had his third [[rhinoplasty]] shortly thereafter.<ref name = "tara 205–210"/> Jackson never recovered from this injury. Pepsi settled out of court, and Jackson donated his $1.5&nbsp;million settlement to the Brotman Medical Center in [[Culver City]], California, which now has a "Michael Jackson Burn Center" in honor of his donation.<ref name = "tara 279–287">Taraborrelli, pp. 279–287</ref>


IT IS ALSO A SAMMICH IN MY HOUSE
On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award from President [[Ronald Reagan]] for his support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 304–307</ref> Jackson won eight awards during the Grammys that year. Unlike later albums, ''Thriller'' did not have an official tour to promote it, but the 1984 [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons tour)|Victory Tour]], headlined by The Jacksons, showcased much of Jackson's new solo material to more than two million Americans. He donated all the funds (around {{Nowrap|$8 million}}) raised from the Victory Tour to charity.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 315–320</ref> He also co-wrote the charity single "[[We Are the World]]" in 1985 with [[Lionel Richie]], which was released worldwide to aid the poor in the U.S. and Africa. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 30&nbsp;million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief. In 1986, "We Are The World" won four Grammys (one for Jackson for Song of the Year). American Music Award directors removed the charity song from the competition because they felt it would be inappropriate, but recognised it with two special honors (one for the creation of the song and one for the [[USA for Africa]] idea). They are the only AMAs that Jackson won as non-solo artist.<ref name = "USA for Africa Grammy's">[http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=We+Are+The+World&winner=&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Award Winners], [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Retrieved February 14, 2008.</ref><ref name="AMAs 1986">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=MRgiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7aUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1658,3425033&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Bruce shows who's Boss |publisher=The Montreal Gazette |date= (January 28, 1986) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AMAs 1986 2">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=BVC9zltjf-EC&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114&dq=Michael+Jackson+won+American+Music+Awards+Appreciation&q=Michael%20Jackson%20won%20American%20Music%20Awards%20Appreciation |title=Michael Jackson: the King of Pop |author=Lisa D. Campbell |page=114 |accessdate=June 16, 2010 | isbn=9780828319577 | year=1993 | publisher=Branden Books}}</ref><ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 340–344</ref>

In 1985, ATV Music, a music publishing company owning thousands of music copyrights, including the [[Northern Songs]] catalogue that contained the majority of the [[Lennon/McCartney]] compositions recorded by [[The Beatles]], was put up for sale.<ref name = "tara 333-337">Taraborrelli, pp. 333–337</ref><ref name = "1995 music deal">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E7DD1439F93BA35752C1A963958260 Michael Jackson sells Beatles songs to Sony], ''The New York Times'', November 8, 1995.</ref> Jackson had become interested in owning music catalogs after working with Paul McCartney in the early 1980s: Jackson had learned McCartney made approximately $40&nbsp;million a year from other people's songs. McCartney's attorney assured Jackson's attorney that McCartney was not interested in bidding on ATV: McCartney reportedly said "It's too pricey". However, McCartney later changed his mind and tried to persuade John Lennon's widow [[Yoko Ono]] to join him in a joint bid. Ono declined, and McCartney pulled out. Jackson eventually beat the rest of the competition in negotiations that lasted 10 months, purchasing the catalog for {{Nowrap|$47.5 million}}.<ref name = "tara 333-337"/><ref name="Guardian document finances">[http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1506781,00.html Bad Fortunes], [[The Guardian]], June 15, 2005.</ref>

=== Appearance, tabloids, ''Bad'', autobiography and films (1986–87) ===
{{See also|Michael Jackson's health and appearance}}
Jackson's skin had been a medium-brown color for the entire duration of his youth, but starting in the mid 1980s, it gradually grew paler. The change gained widespread media coverage, including rumors that he was bleaching his skin.<ref name = "campbell (1995) 14-16">Campbell (1995), pp. 14–16</ref> According to [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]]'s biography, in 1986, Jackson was diagnosed with [[vitiligo]] and [[Systemic lupus erythematosus|lupus]]; the vitiligo partially lightened his skin, and the lupus was in [[remission (medicine)|remission]]; both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight. The treatments he used for his condition further lightened his skin tone, and, with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he could appear very pale.<ref name="Taraborrelli">Taraborrelli, pp. 434–436</ref> The structure of his face had also changed: several surgeons speculated that he had undergone various nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips, and cheekbone surgery—although Jackson denied this and insisted that he only had surgery on his nose.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Cosmetic/story?id=131910&page=1 Surgeon: Michael Jackson A 'Nasal Cripple'], [[ABC News]], February 8, 2003.</ref> Jackson claimed that he had only two rhinoplasties and no other surgery on his face, although at one point he mentioned having a dimple created in his chin.<ref name = "jackson 229-230">Jackson, pp. 229–230</ref> Jackson lost weight in the early 1980s because of a change in diet and a desire for "a dancer's body".<ref name = "jackson 229-230">Jackson, pp. 229–230</ref> Witnesses reported that he was often dizzy and speculated that he was suffering from [[anorexia nervosa]]; periods of weight loss would become a recurring problem later in life.<ref name = "tara 312–313">Taraborrelli, pp. 312–313</ref>

During the course of his treatment, Jackson made two close friends: his dermatologist, Dr. [[Arnold Klein]], and Klein's nurse [[Debbie Rowe]]. Rowe eventually became Jackson's second wife and the mother of his two eldest children. Long before becoming romantically involved with her, Jackson relied heavily on Rowe for emotional support. He also relied heavily on Klein, for medical and business advice. Recent claims by a male dermatology assistant that he and Jackson were sexually involved have notably drawn fury from those close to Jackson.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272631676.shtml
|title=Michael Jackson Secret Boyfriend Claims Draw Fury
|work=National Ledger
|date=May 8, 2010
|accessdate=May 12, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Michaeljackson (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=In the center for the photo, a light skinned male with black hair wearing a red shirt and blue cap can be seen. The male is smiling while titling his head to his right. Behind him, there is a black background and the shoulder of another person. |Jackson two years after he was diagnosed with [[vitiligo]], here in the early stages of the disease]]
He became the subject of increasingly sensational reports. In 1986, the tabloids ran a story claiming that Jackson slept in a [[hyperbaric medicine|hyperbaric oxygen chamber]] to slow the aging process; he was pictured lying down in a glass box. Although the claim was untrue, Jackson had disseminated the fabricated story himself.<ref name = "tara 355-361">Taraborrelli, pp. 355–361</ref><ref name="BBC, Jackson's image problems">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4584367.stm |title=Music's misunderstood superstar |publisher=BBC |date=June 13, 2005 |accessdate=July 14, 2008 }}</ref> When Jackson bought a chimpanzee called [[Bubbles (chimpanzee)|Bubbles]] from a laboratory, he was reported to be increasingly detached from reality.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first=1Michael |last2=Handelman |first2=David |title=Is Michael Jackson for Real? |work=Rolling Stone |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |date=September 24, 1987 |accessdate=May 25, 2010}}</ref> It was reported that Jackson had offered to buy the bones of [[Joseph Merrick]] (the "elephant man") and although untrue, Jackson did not deny the story.<ref name = "tara 355-361"/><ref name="BBC, Jackson's image problems"/> Although initially he saw these stories as opportunities for publicity, he stopped leaking untruths to the press as they became more sensational. Consequently the media began making up their own stories.<ref name="BBC, Jackson's image problems"/><ref name = "tara 370–373">Taraborrelli, pp. 370–373</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1080&Itemid=1 |title=Newswatch Magazine&nbsp;– The Man, His Weird Ways |publisher=Newswatchngr.com |date=July 5, 2009 |accessdate=October 24, 2009}}</ref> These reports became embedded in the public consciousness, inspiring the nickname "Wacko Jacko," which Jackson came to despise.<ref>{{cite interview|first=Michael|last=Jackson|interviewer=Barbara Walters|date=September 12, 1997|callsign=ABC|program=20/20}}</ref> Responding to the gossip, Jackson remarked to Taraborrelli:
{{quote|Why not just tell people I'm an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight. They'll believe anything ''you'' say, because ''you're a reporter''. But if I, Michael Jackson, were to say, "I'm an alien from Mars and I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight," people would say, "Oh, man, that Michael Jackson is ''nuts''. He's cracked up. You can't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth."<ref>Taraborrelli, p. vii</ref>}}
[[File:Michael Jackson's "Bad" Jacket and Belt.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A black jacket with five round golden medals on its left and right shoulders and a gold band on its left arm sleeve. The jacket has two belt straps on the right bottom sleeve. Underneath the jacket is a golden belt, with a round ornament in its center. There is a red light reflecting on the jacket and belt as well as a gold colored plate on the left side of the jacket and belt. |Jackson wore a gold-plated military style jacket with belt in the ''Bad'' era]]

Jackson collaborated with [[Francis Ford Coppola]] on the 17-minute [[3-D film]] ''[[Captain EO]]'', which debuted in September 1986 at both the original [[Disneyland]] and at [[EPCOT]] in Florida, and in March 1987 at [[Tokyo Disneyland]]. The $30,000,000 movie was a popular attraction at all three parks. A Captain EO attraction was later featured at [[Disneyland Park (Paris)|Euro Disneyland]] after that park opened in 1992. All four parks' Captain EO installations stayed open well into the 1990s: Tokyo's was the last one to close, in 1998.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 41">George, p. 41</ref> The attraction would later return to all four venues after Jackson's death in 2010.

In 1987, Jackson disassociated himself from the Jehovah's Witnesses, in response to their disapproval of the ''Thriller'' video.<ref name=ebony1>''Ebony'', Vol. 42, No. 11, September 1987, and Vol. 45, No. 12, October 1990.</ref> With the industry expecting another major hit, Jackson's first album in five years, ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987), was highly anticipated.<ref name="TIME2">Cocks, Jay. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965452-2,00.html The Badder They Come], ''Time'', September 14, 1987.</ref> It did not top ''Thriller'' as a commercial or artistic triumph, but ''Bad'' was still a substantial success in its own right.

The ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' album spawned seven hit singles in the U.S., five of which ("[[I Just Can't Stop Loving You]]", "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]", "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]", "[[Man in the Mirror]]" and "[[Dirty Diana]]") reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100 charts. This was a record for most number one Hot 100 singles from any one album, including ''Thriller.''<ref name="A life in the spotlight—cnn">{{cite news |first=Todd |last=Leopold |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/30/jackson.life/ |title=Michael Jackson: A life in the spotlight |publisher=CNN|date=June 6, 2005|accessdate=May 5, 2008}}</ref> Although the title track's video was arguably derivative of the video for the earlier single "[[Beat It]]", the [[Bad (Michael Jackson song)#Music video|"Bad" video]] still proved to be one of Jackson's iconic moments. It was a gritty but colorful epic set against the backdrop of the [[New York City subway]] system, with costuming and choreography inspired by ''[[West Side Story]].'' As of 2008, the album had sold 30&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref name="Bad {{Nowrap|30 million}} copies">Savage, Mark. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7448908.stm Michael Jackson: Highs and lows], BBC, August 29, 2008.</ref> Thanks to the ''Bad'' album, Bruce Swedien and [[Humberto Gatica]] won one Grammy in 1988 for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical and Michael Jackson won one Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form for ''[[Leave Me Alone]]'' in 1989.<ref name = "MJ Grammy's"/><ref name = "Bruce Grammy's"/> In the same year, Jackson won an Award of Achievement at the American Music Awards because ''Bad'' is the first album ever to generate five number one singles in the US, the first album to top in 25 countries and the best-selling album worldwide in 1987 and in 1988.<ref name="AMAs 1989">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=lZozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lTIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4477,3617735&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Michael, Travis top Music Award winners |publisher=''Lodi News-Sentinel'' |date= (January 30, 1989) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AMAs 1989 2">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mfIqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=39cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3513,3619658&dq=michael+jackson+american+music+awards&hl=en |title=American Music Awards Monday |publisher=The Modesto Bee |date= (January 27, 1989) |accessdate=June 18, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AMAs 1989 3">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=BVC9zltjf-EC&pg=PA251&dq=Michael+Jackson+Moonwalker+251&q=Michael%20Jackson%20Moonwalker%20251 |title=Michael Jackson: the King of Pop |author=Lisa D. Campbell |page=251 |accessdate=July 5, 2010 | isbn=9780828319577 | year=1993 | publisher=Branden Books}}</ref><ref name="Bad best seller">{{cite web |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB72CE855E5ADB3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=JACKSON TOUR ON ITS WAY TO U.S. |publisher=San Josè Mercury News |date= (January 12, 1988) |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> In 1988, "Bad" won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.<ref name="AMAs 1988">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=pqxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4496,2784310&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Winners of American Music Awards |publisher=''Lodi News-Sentinel'' |date= (January 26, 1988) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref>

The [[Bad World Tour]] began on September 12 that year, finishing on January 14, 1989.<ref name = "lewis 95-96"/> In Japan alone, the tour had 14 sellouts and drew 570,000 people, nearly tripling the previous record of 200,000 in a single tour.<ref name=WashPost>Harrington, Richard.[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73555081.html?dids=73555081:73555081&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+12%2C+1988&author=Richard+Harrington&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=b.03&desc=Jackson+to+Make+First+Solo+U.S.+Tour Jackson to Make First Solo U.S. Tour], ''The Washington Post'', January 12, 1988.</ref> Jackson broke a ''Guinness World Record'' {{citation}} when 504,000 people attended seven sold-out shows at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]]. He performed a total of 123 concerts to an audience of 4.4&nbsp;million people. The Bad Tour turned out to be the last of Jackson's concert tours to include shows in the continental United States, although later tours did make it to [[Hawaii]] and [[Mexico]].

=== Autobiography, changing appearance and Neverland (1988–1990) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson The Way You Make Me Feel.jpg|thumb|right|180px||alt=A male with black hair singing into a microphone. The male is wearing a blue jacket and a white shirt with black pants and a white belt. |Jackson performing "[[The Way You Make Me Feel]]"]]
In 1988, Jackson released his first and only autobiography, ''[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]]'', which took four years to complete and sold 200,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2009/06/27/writer_stephen_davis_remembers_michael_jackson |title=Remembering Michael |work=The Boston Globe |author=Shanahan, Mark and Golstein, Meredith |date=June 27, 2009 |accessdate=March 14, 2010}}</ref> Jackson wrote about his childhood, [[The Jackson 5]], and the abuse he had suffered.<ref>Jackson, pp. 29–31</ref> He also wrote about his facial appearance, saying he had had two rhinoplastic surgeries and a [[cleft chin|dimple]] created in his chin.<ref name = "jackson 229-230"/> He attributed much of the change in the structure of his face to [[puberty]], weight loss, a strict vegetarian diet, a change in hair style, and stage lighting.<ref name = "jackson 229-230"/> ''Moonwalk'' reached the top position on ''The New York Times'' best sellers' list.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 42">George, p. 42</ref> The musician then released a film called ''[[Moonwalker]]'', which featured live footage and short films that starred Jackson and [[Joe Pesci]]. The film was originally intended to be released to theaters but due to financial issues, the film was released [[direct to video]]. It debuted atop the ''Billboard'' Top Music Video Cassette chart, staying there for 22 weeks. It was eventually knocked off the top spot by ''Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues''.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 43-44"/>

In March 1988, Jackson purchased land near [[Santa Ynez, California]], to build [[Neverland Ranch]] at a cost of $17&nbsp;million. He installed [[Ferris wheel]]s, a [[menagerie]], and a [[movie theater]] on the {{convert|2700|acre|km2|sing=on}} property. A security staff of 40 patrolled the grounds. In 2003, it was valued at approximately $100&nbsp;million.<ref name="rollingstone"/><ref name="usatoday finances">{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-11-24-jackson-finances_x.htm |title=For Jackson, scandal could spell financial ruin |last=Gunderson, |first=Edna |work=[[USA Today]] |publisher=Gannett Co. Inc |date=February 19, 2007 |accessdate=March 14, 2010}}</ref> In 1989, his annual earnings from album sales, endorsements, and concerts was estimated at $125&nbsp;million for that year alone.<ref name="World Records"/> Shortly afterwards, he became the first Westerner to appear in a television ad in the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name = "Nelson George overview 43-44"/>

His success resulted in his being dubbed the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of Pop]]".<ref>Press references to Jackson as a music "king" appeared as early as 1984 after he swept the [[Grammy Award]]s, and "king of pop" appeared as early as 1987. MTV and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] used the title in joint press releases and ads for the "[[Black or White]]" video at Jackson's request, but MTV denied a report that VJs were required to use it on-camera. Writers described the title as self-proclaimed from then on.</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Yardena|last=Arar|date=February 29, 1984|title=Michael Jackson coronated latest king of rock 'n' roll|work=Boca Raton News|page=7A}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|date=July 27, 1987|title=Is the thrill gone for singer Michael Jackson?|work=Sacramento Bee|page=B3}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=David|last=Browne|date=November 29, 1991|title=Michael Jackson's Black or White Blues|journal=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>
The nickname was popularized by [[Elizabeth Taylor]] when she presented him with the Soul Train Heritage Award in 1989, proclaiming him "the true king of pop, rock and soul."<ref>Campbell (1993) pp. 260–263</ref> President [[George H. W. Bush]] designated him the White House's "Artist of the Decade".<ref name=georgebush>[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=18331 Remarks on the Upcoming Summit With President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union], April 5, 1990.</ref> From 1985 to 1990, he donated $500,000 to the [[United Negro College Fund]], and all of the profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity.<ref name="Blacks who give back">{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n5_v45/ai_8540117 |title=Blacks who give back' |work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |month=March |year=1990 |accessdate=March 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Taraborrelli, p. 382</ref> Jackson's live rendition of "You Were There" at [[Sammy Davis, Jr.|Sammy Davis Jr.'s]] 60th birthday celebration received an Emmy nomination.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 43-44"/>

=== ''Dangerous'', Heal the World Foundation and Super Bowl XXVII (1991–93) ===
In March 1991, Jackson renewed his contract with Sony for $100&nbsp;million, a record-breaking deal at the time, displacing [[Neil Diamond]]'s renewal contract with [[Columbia Records]].<ref name="Deal record">{{cite news |title=Robbie swings historic record deal with EMI |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/robbie-swings--historic-record-deal-with-emi-613061.html |publisher=[[The Independent]] |date=October 3, 2002 |accessdate=March 24, 2010 | location=London | first1=Chris | last1=Gray | first2=Saeed | last2=Shah}}</ref> He released his eighth album ''[[Dangerous (album)|Dangerous]]'' in 1991. As of 2008, ''Dangerous'' had shipped seven million copies in the U.S. and had sold 32&nbsp;million copies worldwide. The ''Dangerous'' album was co-produced by [[Teddy Riley (producer)|Teddy Riley]], one of the pioneers of "[[new jack swing]]" and it turned out to be the best-selling album associated with that movement.<ref name="RIAA certifications">{{cite web |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Michael%20Jackson&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=100
|title=Gold and Platinum |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=April 27, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Dangerous 32 million copies worldwide">{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson sulla sedia a rotelle |url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/entertainment/micheal-jackson110708.html |publisher=[[Affari Italiani]] |date=August 11, 2008 |accessdate=May 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name="New jack swing">{{cite news |first=Kelley L. |last=Carter |title=New jack swing |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-5-things-0810aug10,0,1329158.story |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=August 11, 2008 |accessdate=August 21, 2008}}</ref> In the United States, the album's first single "[[Black or White]]" was its biggest hit, reaching number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100 and remaining there for seven weeks, with similar chart performances worldwide.<ref name="KOP achievements"/> The album's second single "[[Remember the Time]]" spent eight weeks in the top five in the United States, peaking at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100 singles chart.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/> At the end of 1992, ''Dangerous'' was awarded 1992's best-selling album worldwide and "Black or White" was awarded 1992's best-selling single worldwide at the Billboard Music Awards. Additionally, he won an award as best-selling artist of the '80s.<ref name="Best 1992">{{cite news |title=Garth Brooks ropes in most Billboard awards |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w7QiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DbUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3124,2012493&dq=best+selling+album+1992+worldwide&hl=en |work=[[Allegheny Times]] |date=December 10, 1992 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> In 1993, Jackson performed the song at the [[Soul Train Awards]] in a chair, saying he had suffered an injury in rehearsals.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 459</ref> In the UK and other parts of Europe, "[[Heal the World]]" was the biggest hit from the album; it sold 450,000 copies in the UK and spent five weeks at number two in 1992.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/>

Jackson founded the "[[Heal the World Foundation]]" in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch to enjoy theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war, poverty, and disease. In the same year Jackson published his second book, the bestselling collection of poetry, ''[[Dancing the Dream]]''. While it was a commercial success and revealed a more intimate side to Jackson's nature, the collection was mostly critically unacclaimed at the time of release. In 2009, the book was republished by [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]] and was more positively received by some critics in the wake of Jackson's untimely death. The [[Dangerous World Tour]] grossed {{Nowrap|$100 million}}. The tour began on June 27, 1992, and finished on November 11, 1993. Jackson performed to 3.5&nbsp;million people in 67 concerts.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/><ref>{{Cite news | title = Jackson to Tour Overseas | work = The Washington Post | date = February 5, 1992 | author = Harrington, Richard |accessdate = December 5, 2008}}</ref> He sold the broadcast rights to his ''Dangerous'' world tour to [[HBO]] for $20&nbsp;million, a record-breaking deal that still stands.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 452–454</ref>

Following the illness and death of [[Ryan White]], Jackson helped draw public attention to [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]], something that was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded with the [[Presidency of Bill Clinton|Clinton Administration]] at [[Bill Clinton]]'s Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Stars line up for Clinton celebration | work = [[Daily News of Los Angeles]] | date = (January 19, 1993)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Facing the music and the masses at the presidential gala | work = [[The Boston Globe]] | date = January 20, 1992 | author = [[Patricia Smith|Smith, Patricia]]}}</ref> In a high-profile visit to Africa, Jackson visited several countries, among them [[Gabon]] and [[Egypt]].<ref name=Ebony>{{cite web |first= Robert| last= Johnson |url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n7_v47/ai_12288831| title= Michael Jackson: crowned in Africa |work=Ebony |month=May | year=1992 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> His first stop to Gabon was greeted with a sizable and enthusiastic reception of more than 100,000 people, some of them carrying signs that read, "Welcome Home Michael."<ref name=Ebony/> In his trip to [[Côte d'Ivoire]], Jackson was crowned "King Sani" by a tribal chief.<ref name=Ebony/> He then thanked the dignitaries in French and English, signed official documents formalizing his kingship and sat on a golden throne while presiding over ceremonial dances.<ref name=Ebony/>

In January 1993, Jackson made a memorable appearance at the halftime show at [[Super Bowl&nbsp;XXVII]]. The performance began with Jackson catapulting onto the stage as fireworks went off behind him. As he landed on the canvas, he maintained a motionless "clenched fist, standing statue stance", dressed in a gold and black military outfit and sunglasses; he remained completely motionless for a minute and a half while the crowd cheered. He then slowly removed his sunglasses, threw them away and sang four songs: "[[Jam (song)|Jam]]", "Billie Jean", "Black or White" and "Heal the World". It was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures increased during the half-time show, and was viewed by 135&nbsp;million Americans alone; Jackson's ''Dangerous'' album rose 90 places up the album chart.<ref name = "campbell (1995) 14-16"/> Jackson was given the "Living Legend Award" at the [[Grammy Awards of 1993|35th Annual Grammy Awards]] in Los Angeles. "Black or White" was Grammy-nominated for best vocal performance. "Jam" gained two nominations: Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/> The ''Dangerous'' album won a Grammy for Best Engineered – Non Classical, awarding the work of Bruce Swedien and Teddy Riley. In the same year, Michael Jackson won three American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Album (''Dangerous''), Favorite Soul/R&B Single ("[[Remember the Time]]") and was the first to win the International Artist Award, for his global performances and humanitarian concerns. This award will bear his name in the future.<ref name = "MJ Grammy's"/><ref name = "Bruce Grammy's"/><ref name="AMAs 1993">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=mBIVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,6756235&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Cyrus, Bolton please the fans |publisher=Toledo Blade |date= (January 27, 1993) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref>
{{-}}

{{anchor|First child sexual abuse allegations and first marriage (1993-94)}}

=== First child sexual abuse allegations and first marriage (1993–94) ===
{{Main|1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson}}

Jackson gave a 90-minute interview to [[Oprah Winfrey]] in February 1993, his second television interview since 1979. He grimaced when speaking of his childhood abuse at the hands of his father; he believed he had missed out on much of his childhood years, admitting that he often cried from loneliness. He denied tabloid rumors that he had bought the bones of [[Joseph Merrick|the Elephant Man]], slept in a [[hyperbaric]] oxygen chamber, or bleached his skin, stating for the first time that he had [[vitiligo]]. The interview was watched by an American audience of 90&nbsp;million. ''Dangerous'' re-entered the album chart in the top 10, more than a year after its original release.<ref name = "lewis 165-168"/><ref name = "campbell (1995) 14-16"/><ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/>

In the summer of 1993, Jackson was accused of [[child sexual abuse]] by a 13-year-old boy named Jordan Chandler and his father, Evan Chandler, a dentist.<ref name = "looking back on 1993">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/24/newsid_2512000/2512077.stm |title=1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse |date=(February 8, 2003)|publisher=BBC |accessdate=November 11, 2006}}</ref><ref name = "tara 485-486">Taraborrelli, pp. 485–486</ref><ref name = "tara 477-478">Taraborrelli, pp. 477–478</ref> The Chandler family demanded payment from Jackson, and the singer initially refused. Jordan Chandler eventually told the police that Jackson had sexually abused him.<ref name = "tara 496-498">Taraborrelli, pp. 496–498</ref>
Dr. Chandler was tape-recorded discussing his intention to pursue charges, saying, "If I go through with this, I win big-time. There's no way I lose. I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever&nbsp;... Michael's career will be over". Jordan's mother was, however, adamant that there had been no wrongdoing on Jackson's part.<ref name="tara 477-478"/> Jackson later used the recording to argue that he was the victim of a jealous father whose only goal was to extort money from the singer.<ref name = "tara 477-478"/>

Later on that year, Jackson's home was raided by the police, and Jackson even submitted to a 25-minute [[strip search]].<ref name = "tara 534-540"/> His friends said he never recovered from the humiliation. The investigation was inconclusive and no charges were ever filed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://site2.mjeol.com/pdf/important-article/photos-may-contradict-michael-s-accuser-1994.pdf |title=Photos May Contradict Michael's Accuser USA Today (pre-1997 Fulltext) – McLean, Va. Date: Jan 28, 1994 |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/55226686.html?did=55226686&FMT=ABS&FMTS=FT&desc=Photos+may+contradict+Michael%27s+accuser1 |title=Photos May Contradict Michael's Accuser USA Today (pre-1997 Fulltext) – McLean, Va. Date: Jan 28, 1994 |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=1994-01-28 |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> Jackson described the search in an emotional public statement, and proclaimed his innocence.<ref name = "looking back on 1993"/><ref name = "tara 534-540">Taraborrelli, pp. 534–540</ref><ref name = "campbell (1995) 47-50">Campbell (1995), pp. 47–50</ref> On January 1, 1994, Jackson's insurance carrier settled with the Chandlers out of court for $22&nbsp;million, after which time the Chandlers stopped co-operating with the criminal investigation.<ref name="subpoena-objection">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbscpublicaccess.org/docs/ctdocs/032205mjmemospprtobj.pdf|title=Objection to Subpoena of Settlement Document|author=Attorneys for Michael Jackson|publisher=Superior Court of California|date=March 22, 2005}}</ref><ref name = "tara 540-545">Taraborrelli, pp. 540–545</ref> The out-of-court settlement's documentation specifically stated Jackson admitted no wrongdoing and no liability; the Chandlers and their family lawyer Larry Feldman signed it without contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0616041jacko5.html |title=Michael Jackson's Big Payoff Agreed to pay {{Nowrap&#124;$15 million}&#125; to settle boy's 1993 sex abuse claim. The Smoking Gun, June 16 |publisher=Thesmokinggun.com |date= |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> The Chandlers' lawyer Mr. Feldman also explicitly stated "nobody bought anybody's silence".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-02-05/local/me-19273_1_santa-barbara/2 |title=Grand Jury to convene in Jackson Case Law: Sources close to the investigation say a panel in Santa Barbara will hear testimony next week about alleged molestation of boy. February 05, 1994&#124;Jim Newton, Times Staff Writer |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=1994-02-05 |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> A decade after the fact, during the second round of child abuse allegations, Jackson's lawyers would file a memo stating that the 1994 settlement was done without his consent.<ref name="subpoena-objection" />

[[File:Lisa Marie Presley at car race.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Lisa Marie Presley|Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley in 1994]]
In May 1994, Jackson married the daughter of [[Elvis Presley]], [[Lisa Marie Presley]]. They had first met in 1975, when a seven-year-old Presley attended one of Jackson's family engagements at the [[MGM Grand Hotel and Casino]], and were reconnected through a mutual friend in early 1993.<ref name = "tara 500-507">Taraborrelli, pp. 500–507</ref> They stayed in contact every day over the telephone. As the child molestation accusations became public, Jackson became dependent on Presley for emotional support; she was concerned about his faltering health and addiction to drugs.<ref name = "tara 518–520">Taraborrelli, pp. 518–520</ref> Presley explained, "I believed he didn't do anything wrong and that he was wrongly accused and yes I started falling for him. I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it."<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 510</ref> She eventually persuaded him to settle the allegations out of court and go into rehabilitation to recover.<ref name = "tara 518–520"/>

Jackson proposed to Presley over the telephone towards the fall of 1993, saying, "If I asked you to marry me, would you do it?"<ref name = "tara 518–520"/> They married in the [[Dominican Republic]] in secrecy, denying it for nearly two months afterwards.<ref name="MJ & Presley divorce"/> The marriage was, in her words, "a married couple's life&nbsp;... that was sexually active".<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 562–564</ref> At the time, the tabloid media speculated that the wedding was a ploy to prop up Jackson's public image.<ref name="MJ & Presley divorce">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9601/jacko_presley/ |title=She's Out Of His Life |publisher=CNN |date=(January 18, 1996) |accessdate=July 24, 2008}}</ref> The marriage lasted less than two years and ended with an amicable divorce settlement.<ref name = "tara 580–581">Taraborrelli, pp. 580–581</ref>

=== ''History'', second marriage and fatherhood (1995–99) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson Cannescropped.jpg|thumb|alt=A close-up image of a pale skinned man with black hair. He is wearing a black jacket with white designs on it. |160px|Michael Jackson at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival]]

In 1995, Jackson merged his ATV Music catalog with Sony's music publishing division creating [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]. Jackson retained half-ownership of the company, earned $95&nbsp;million upfront as well as [[List of Sony/ATV Music Publishing artists|the rights to even more songs]].<ref name = "1995 music deal"/><ref name="sonydeal">{{cite news |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/business/media/13music.html?ex=1302580800&en=45bff2f7a4da68fe&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |title=Michael Jackson Bailout Said to Be Close| publisher=The New York Times |date=April 13, 2006 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> He then released the [[double album]] ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book&nbsp;I]]''. The first disc, ''HIStory Begins'', was a 15-track greatest hits album, and was later reissued as ''Greatest Hits&nbsp;– HIStory Vol. I'' in 2001, while the second disc, ''HIStory Continues'', contained 15 new songs. The album debuted at number one on the charts and has been certified for seven&nbsp;million shipments in the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 Albums (Page 2)|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=tblTop100&action=|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America| accessdate=April 16, 2008}}</ref> It is the best-selling multiple-disc album of all-time, with 20&nbsp;million copies (40&nbsp;million units) sold worldwide.<ref name="KOP achievements"/><ref name="HIStory {{Nowrap|20 million}} copies">{{cite web |first=Laura |last=Putti |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/08/24/il-nuovo-michael-jackson-fa-un-tuffo.html |title=Il nuovo Michael Jackson fa un tuffo nel passato |publisher=[[La Repubblica]] |date=August 24, 2001 |accessdate=May 10, 2009}}</ref> ''HIStory'' received a Grammy nomination for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/>

The first single released from the album was the [[double A-side]] "[[Scream/Childhood]]". "Scream" was a duet, performed with Jackson's youngest sister [[Janet Jackson|Janet]]. The song fights against the media, mainly for what the media made him out to be during his 1993 child abuse allegations. The single had the highest debut on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;Hot&nbsp;100 at number five, and received a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50">George, pp. 48–50</ref> "[[You Are Not Alone]]" was the second single released from ''HIStory''; it holds the ''Guinness World Record'' for the first song ever to debut at number one on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;Hot&nbsp;100 chart.<ref name="World Records"/> It was seen as a major artistic and commercial success, receiving a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Vocal Performance".<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/> In late 1995, Jackson was rushed to a hospital after collapsing during rehearsals for a televised performance; the incident was caused by a stress-related [[panic attack]].<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 576–577</ref> "[[Earth Song]]" was the third single released from ''HIStory'', and topped the UK singles chart for six weeks over Christmas 1995; it sold a million copies, making it Jackson's most successful single in the UK.<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/> The track "[[They Don't Care About Us]]" became controversial when the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and other groups criticized its allegedly [[anti-Semitism|anti-Semitic]] lyrics. Jackson quickly put out a revised version of the song without the offending lyrics.<ref name="ADL">{{cite web |url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/2471_12.asp |title=ADL happy with Michael Jackson decision |publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]] |date=(June 22, 1995) |accessdate=July 1, 2008}}</ref> In 1996, Jackson won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form for "Scream" and an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.<ref name = "MJ Grammy's"/><ref name="AMAs 1996">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=LWUwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YzMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5552,8128572&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Brooks turns down award for favorite artist of the year |publisher=''Rome News-Tribune'' |date= (January 30, 1996) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref>

The album was promoted with the successful [[HIStory World Tour]]. The tour began on September 7, 1996, and finished on October 15, 1997. Jackson performed 82 concerts in 58 cities to over 4.5&nbsp;million fans, and grossed up a total of {{Nowrap|$165 million}}. The show, which visited five continents and 35 countries, became Jackson's most successful in terms of audience figures.<ref name = "lewis 95-96">Lewis, pp. 95–96</ref> During the tour, Jackson married his [[Personal relationships of Michael Jackson#Debbie Rowe|longtime friend]] [[Debbie Rowe|Deborah Jeanne Rowe]], a dermatology nurse, in an impromptu ceremony in [[Sydney, Australia]]. Rowe was approximately six months pregnant with the couple's first child at the time. Originally, Rowe and Jackson had no plans to marry, but Jackson's mother Katherine persuaded them to do so.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 570–586</ref> Michael Joseph Jackson Jr (commonly known as Prince) was born on February 13, 1997; his sister Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson was born a year later on April 3, 1998.<ref name = "tara 580–581"/><ref>Taraborrelli, p. 597</ref> The couple divorced in 1999, and Jackson got full custody of the children. The divorce was relatively amicable, but a subsequent custody suit was not settled until 2006.<ref name="tara 599-600"/><ref name="Jackson settles with Ex wife" />

In 1997, Jackson released ''[[Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix]]'', which contained remixes of hit singles from ''HIStory'' and five new songs. Worldwide sales stand at {{Nowrap|6 million}} copies as of 2007, it is the [[List of best-selling remix albums worldwide|best selling remix album ever released]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rojek |first=Chris |title=Cultural Studies |year=2007 |publisher=Polity |page=74 |isbn=0745636837 }}</ref> It reached number one in the UK, as did the [[Blood on the Dance Floor (song)|title track]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rojek |first=Chris |title=Cultural Studies |year=2007 |publisher=Polity |page=74 |isbn=0745636837}}</ref><ref name = "tara 610–611">Taraborrelli, pp. 610–612</ref> In the US, the album was certified platinum, but only reached number 24.<ref name="RIAA certifications"/><ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/> Forbes placed his annual income at $35&nbsp;million in 1996 and $20&nbsp;million in 1997.<ref name="usatoday finances"/> Throughout June 1999, Jackson was involved in a number of charitable events. He joined [[Luciano Pavarotti]] for a [[benefit concert]] in Modena, Italy. The show was in support of the [[non-profit organization]] [[War Child (charity)|War Child]], and raised a million dollars for the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|refugees of Kosovo]], as well as additional funds for the children of Guatemala.<ref name="Charity concert Italy">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1426933/19990505/carey_mariah.jhtml |title=Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Others To Join Pavarotti For Benefit
|publisher=VH1 |date=(May 5, 1999) |accessdate=May 30, 2008}}</ref> Later that month, Jackson organized a set of "Michael Jackson & Friends" benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. Other artists involved included [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]], [[Boyz II Men]], [[Luther Vandross]], [[Mariah Carey]], [[A. R. Rahman]], [[Prabhu Deva|Prabhu Deva Sundaram]], [[Shobana]], [[Andrea Bocelli]] and Luciano Pavarotti. The proceeds went to the "Nelson Mandela Children's Fund", the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]] and [[UNESCO]].<ref name="Jackson & Friends">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1429785/19990527/guns_n_roses.jhtml |title=Slash, Scorpions, Others Scheduled For 'Michael Jackson & Friends'
|publisher=VH1 |date=(May 27, 1999) |accessdate=May 30, 2008}}</ref>

=== Label dispute, ''Invincible'' and third child (2000–03) ===
At the turn of the century, the American Music Awards honored Jackson as Artist of the '80s.<ref name="AMAs Poll">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425174/20000118/backstreet_boys.jhtml |title=Lauryn Hill, Backstreet Boys, DMX Honored With American Music Awards |publisher=MTV |date= (January 18, 2000) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> Throughout 2000 and 2001, Jackson worked in the studio with Teddy Riley and [[Rodney Jerkins]], as well as other collaborators. These sessions would result in the album ''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'', released in October 2001. ''Invincible'' was Jackson's first full-length album in six years, and it would be the last album of new material he released while still alive. The release of the album was preceded by a dispute between Jackson and his record label, [[Sony Music Entertainment]]. Jackson had expected the licenses to the masters of his albums to revert to him sometime in the early 2000s. Once he had the licenses, he would be able to promote the material however he pleased and he would also be able to keep all the profits. However, due to various clauses in the contract, the revert date turned out to be many years away. Jackson discovered that the attorney who represented him in the deal was also representing Sony.<ref name = "tara 610–611"/> Jackson was also concerned about another conflict of interest. For a number of years, Sony had been pushing to buy all of Jackson's share in their music catalog venture. Jackson feared that Sony might have something to gain from Jackson's career failing, since if his career did fail he would have to sell his share of the catalog.<ref name = "tara 614–617"/> Jackson sought an early exit from his contract.<ref name = "tara 610–611"/> Just before the release of ''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'', Jackson informed the head of Sony Music Entertainment, [[Tommy Mottola]], that he was leaving Sony.<ref name = "tara 610–611"/> As a result, all singles releases, video shootings and promotions concerning the ''Invincible'' album were suspended.

In September 2001, two [[Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special|30th Anniversary concerts]] were held at Madison Square Garden to mark the singer's 30th year as a solo artist. Jackson appeared onstage alongside his brothers for the first time since 1984. The show also featured performances by [[Mýa]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Whitney Houston]], [['N Sync]], [[Destiny's Child]], [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]], Luther Vandross, and Slash, among other artists.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 50-53"/> The second of the two shows took place the night before the [[September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks]].<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|author=Branigan, Tania|title=Jackson spends £20m to be Invincible|publisher=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan|date=September 8, 2001|accessdate=July 23, 2008 | location=London}}</ref> After 9/11, Jackson helped organize the [[United We Stand: What More Can I Give]] benefit concert at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]] in Washington, D.C. The concert took place 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.<ref name = "tara 614–617"/> Jackson's solo performances were omitted from the televised version of the benefit concert, although he could still be seen singing background vocals. This somewhat odd omission happened because of contractual issues related to the earlier 30th Anniversary concerts: those concerts were boiled down into a two-hour TV special entitled "[[Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special|Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Solo Years]]" which debuted in November 2001.

In spite of the events preceding its release, ''Invincible'' came out in October 2001 to much anticipation. ''Invincible'' proved to be a hit, debuting atop the charts in 13 countries and going on to sell approximately 13&nbsp;million copies worldwide. It received double-platinum certification in the US.<ref name="RIAA certifications"/><ref name="KOP achievements"/><ref name="Invincible {{Nowrap|13 million}} copies">{{cite web |first=Tamara |last=Conniff |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tamara-conniff/we-killed-michael-jackson_b_272174.html |title=We Killed Michael Jackson |publisher=Huffington Post |date=August 30, 2009 |accessdate=August 30, 2009}}</ref> However, the sales for ''Invincible'' were lower than those of his previous releases, due in part to a lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute. The album also came out at a bad time for the music industry in general.<ref name = "tara 614–617"/> The album cost {{Nowrap|$30 million}} to record, not including promotional expenditures.<ref name="guardian-02-07-08" /> ''Invincible'' spawned three singles, "[[You Rock My World]]", "[[Cry (Michael Jackson song)|Cry]]" and "[[Butterflies (Michael Jackson song)|Butterflies]]", the latter without a music video. Jackson alleged in July 2002 that Mottola was a "devil" and a "racist" who did not support his African-American artists, using them merely for his own personal gain.<ref name = "tara 614–617">Taraborrelli, pp. 614–617</ref> He charged that Mottola had called his colleague [[Irv Gotti]] a "fat [[nigger]]".<ref>{{cite interview |last=Jackson |first=Jermaine |subjectlink=Jermaine Jackson |interviewer=[[Connie Chung]]| title=Interview with Jermaine Jackson |date=(December 31, 2002) |program=''[[Connie Chung Tonight]]'' |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/31/cct.00.html |accessdate=July 2, 2008 | work=CNN}}</ref> Sony refused to renew Jackson's contract, and claimed that a {{Nowrap|$25 million}} promotional campaign had failed because Jackson refused to tour in the United States.<ref name="guardian-02-07-08">{{cite news|author=Burkeman, Oliver|title=Jacko gets tough: but is he a race crusader or just a falling star?|publisher=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/jul/08/oliverburkeman|date=July 8, 2002|accessdate=July 23, 2008 | location=London}}</ref>

{{anchor|Blanket Jackson}}
In 2002, Michael Jackson won his 22nd American Music Award for Artist of the Century.<ref name="AMAs 2002">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=Oc40AAAAIBAJ&sjid=GyEGAAAAIBAJ&pg=5669,889435&dq=american+music+awards+michael+jackson&hl=en |title=Keys, Destiny's Child, McGraw win at American Music Awards |publisher=''Lodi-News Sentinel'' |date= (January 10, 2002) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> In the same year, Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson&nbsp;II (nicknamed "Blanket") was born.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/topics/michael-jackson/ |title=Michael Jackson |publisher=Daily Mirror |accessdate=May 29, 2009}}</ref> The mother's identity is unknown, but Jackson has said the child was the result of [[artificial insemination]] from a [[surrogacy|surrogate mother]] and his own sperm.<ref name="tara 599-600">Taraborrelli, pp. 599–600</ref> On November 20 of that year, Jackson brought his newborn son onto the balcony of his room at the [[Hotel Adlon]] in Berlin, as fans stood below, holding him in his right arm, with a cloth loosely draped over the baby's face. The baby was briefly extended over a railing, four stories above ground level, causing widespread criticism in the media. Jackson later apologized for the incident, calling it "a terrible mistake".<ref name="Balcony incident">{{cite web |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458799/20021120/jackson_michael.jhtml
|title=Michael Jackson Calls Baby-Dangling Incident A 'Terrible Mistake'|publisher=MTV|date=November 20, 2002|accessdate=March 3, 2009}}</ref> Sony released a compilation of Jackson's [[Number Ones (Michael Jackson album)|hits]] on CD and DVD. In the US, the album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA; in the UK it was certified six times platinum for shipments of at least {{Nowrap|1.2 million}} units.<ref name="RIAA certifications"/><ref name="BPI">{{cite news|title=BPI Searchable database—Gold and Platinum |publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]] |accessdate=January 25, 2009}}</ref>

=== Second child sexual abuse allegations (2003–05) ===
{{See|Living with Michael Jackson|People v. Jackson}}<!--note: we need to say more about the trial. A word or two about the potential ulterior motives of various parties may be in order, but any such mention would need to be kept in full compliance with [[WP:BLP]].-->
Beginning in May 2002, Jackson allowed a documentary film crew, led by British TV personality [[Martin Bashir]], to follow him around just about everywhere he went. Bashir's film crew was with Jackson during the "baby-dangling incident" in Berlin. The program was broadcast in March 2003 as ''Living with Michael Jackson'', and painted an extraordinarily unflattering portrait of the singer.

In a particularly controversial scene, Jackson was seen holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with a young boy.<ref name = "tara 640">Taraborrelli, p. 640</ref> As soon as the documentary aired, the Santa Barbara county attorney's office began a criminal investigation. Jackson was arrested in November 2003, and was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of [[Alcoholic beverage#United States of America|administering an intoxicating agent]] in relation to the 13 year old boy shown in the film.<ref name = "tara 640"/> Jackson denied the allegations, saying the sleepovers were not sexual in nature.<!--Significance unclear: "During the two years between the charges and the trial, Jackson reportedly became dependent on [[pethidine]] (Demerol), and lost a lot of weight."--> The ''[[People v. Jackson]]'' trial began on January 31, 2005, in [[Santa Maria, California]], and lasted five months, until the end of May. On June 13, 2005, Jackson was acquitted on all counts.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 661</ref><ref name="Michael Jackson health concerns">{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Davis |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4612897.stm |title=Michael Jackson health concerns |publisher=BBC |date=June 6, 2005|accessdate=April 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/story/0,15819,1505806,00.html|title=Michael Jackson jury reaches verdict |agency=Associated Press|date= June 13, 2005|accessdate=July 12, 2008 | work=The Guardian | location=London}}</ref> After the trial, in a highly publicized relocation he moved to the [[Persian Gulf]] island of [[Bahrain]], as a guest of [[Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa|Sheikh Abdullah]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Habib |last=Toumi |url=http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/01/23/10013403.html |title=Jackson settles down to his new life in the Persian Gulf |accessdate=November 11, 2006 |work= [[Gulf News]] |date= January 23, 2006}}</ref>

=== Final years (2006–09) ===
[[File:Michael Jackson2 2006 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=A group of adults and a child are shown in the photo. An African American female with short brown hair who is wearing a jean jacket and a light wash pair of jeans with a red shirt is seen holding a video camera, which is pointing forward. To the right of the female there is an opened black umbrella that is held above a light-skinned male with long black hair who is wearing all black clothes. In front of the male there is a child with black hair that is wearing a black cap with a blue shirt, a pair of white pants and black shoes. To the farthest right there are two Caucasian males with dark brown hair. In the background, trees, bushes and people can be seen. |Jackson with his children in [[Disneyland Paris]], 2006]]
In March 2006, the main house at the Neverland Ranch was closed as a cost-cutting measure.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNamara |first=Melissa |url=http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/17/people/main1414450.shtml |title=Jackson Closes Neverland House |work=CBS News |date=March 17, 2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2010}}</ref> There were numerous reports around that time that Jackson was having financial problems. Jackson had been deliquent on his repayments of a $270&nbsp;million loan secured against his music publishing holdings, even though those holdings were reportedly making him as much as {{Nowrap|$75 million}} a year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Ackman |title=Really Odd Facts About Michael Jackson |url=http://www.forbes.com/2005/06/14/jackson-celebrity-trial-cx_da_0614topnews.html |publisher=Forbes |date=June 14, 2005 |accessdate=October 7, 2009}}</ref> [[Bank of America]] sold the debt to [[Fortress Investment Group|Fortress Investments]]. Sony reportedly proposed a restructuring deal which would give them a future option to buy half of Jackson's stake in their jointly owned publishing company (leaving Jackson with a 25% stake).<ref name="sonydeal"/> Jackson agreed to a Sony-backed refinancing deal in April 2006, although the exact details were not made public.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4909412.stm |title=Jackson strikes deal over loans |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |date=April 14, 2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2010}}</ref> Jackson did not have a recording contract in place with Sony or any other major record label at the time.

In the spring of 2006, there was an announcement that Jackson had signed a contract with a [[Bahrain]]-based startup called Two Seas Records. However, nothing ever came of that deal, and the CEO of Two Seas, [[Gut Records|Guy Holmes]], later stated that the deal had never been finalized.<ref name="2seas-billboard">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002345673#/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002345673 |title=Michael Jackson Sails With Two Seas |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=April, 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="2seas-bbc">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5380654.stm |title=Jackson parts with Bahrain label |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |date=September 26, 2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2010}}</ref> Throughout 2006, Sony repackaged 20 singles from the 1980s and 1990s as the ''[[Visionary: The Video Singles|Michael Jackson: Visionary]]'' series, which subsequently became a [[boxed set]]. Most of those singles returned to the charts as a result. In September 2006, Jackson and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe confirmed reports that they had settled their long-running child custody suit. The terms were never made public. Jackson continued to be the custodial parent of the couple's two children.<ref name="Jackson settles with Ex wife">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5394792.stm |title=Jackson child custody battle ends |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |date=September 30, 2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2010}}</ref> In October 2006, [[FoxNews]] entertainment reporter Roger Friedman said that Jackson had been recording at a studio in rural [[County Westmeath|Westmeath, Ireland]]. It was not known at the time what Jackson might be working on, or who might be paying for the sessions, since his publicist had recently issued a statement claiming that he had left Two Seas.<ref name="2seas-bbc" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Friedman |first=Roger |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,222797,00.html |title=Who's Funding Jackson's Retreat to Irish Recording Studio? |publisher=FOX News |date=October 21, 2006 |accessdate=September 2, 2009}}</ref>

In November 2006, Jackson invited an ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' camera crew into the studio in Westmeath, and [[MSNBC]] broke the story that he was working on a new album, produced by [[will.i.am]] of the [[Black Eyed Peas]].<ref name="KOP achievements"/> Jackson performed at the [[2006 World Music Awards|World Music Awards]], in London on November 15, 2006, and accepted a Diamond Award for selling over {{Nowrap|100 million}} records.<ref name="KOP achievements"/><ref name="2006 World Music Awards">{{cite web| title = 2006 World Music Awards | publisher = Chiff | url = http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/world-music-awards.htm| accessdate =February 13, 2008}}</ref> Jackson returned to the United States after Christmas 2006 to attend [[James Brown]]'s funeral in [[Augusta, Georgia]]. He gave one of the eulogies, saying that "James Brown is my greatest inspiration."<ref name="jb">Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1549061/20061230/brown_james.jhtml James Brown Saluted By Michael Jackson at Public Funeral Service], MTV, December 30, 2006.</ref> In the spring of 2007, Jackson and Sony teamed up to buy yet another music publishing company: [[Famous Music|Famous Music LLC]], formerly owned by [[Viacom]]. This deal gave him the rights to songs by [[Eminem]], [[Shakira]] and [[Beck]], among others.<ref name="2007 music deal">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson buys rights to Eminem tunes and more, |work=Rolling Stone |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |date=May 31, 2007 |accessdate=May 25, 2010}}</ref> Jackson recorded extensively during this period in New York with songwriter and producer will.i.am and also in Las Vegas with producers [[Akon]] and [[RedOne]].<ref name="telegraph-june09">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5656918/Michael-Jackson-the-unreleased-album.html |title=Michael Jackson: the unreleased album |publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 27, 2009 |accessdate=March 19, 2010 | location=London | first=Murray | last=Wardrop}}</ref><ref name="telegraph-june09"/><ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_RedOne_Interview.html |title=Interview With RedOne |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=March 23, 2009 |accessdate=March 19, 2010}}</ref> In March 2007, Jackson gave a brief interview to the [[Associated Press]] in [[Tokyo]], where he said, "I've been in the entertainment industry since I was 6 years old, and as [[Charles Dickens]] would say, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career&nbsp;... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me."<ref>Talmadge, Eric. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-03-08-2208485574_x.htm Michael Jackson 'wouldn't change anything'], Associated Press, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2008.</ref>

In September 2007 Jackson was reportedly still working with will.i.am, but the album was apparently never completed.<ref>{{cite news |title= Will.i.am On Working With Michael Jackson |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |work=Rolling Stone |date=September 24, 2007 |accessdate=March 19, 2010}}</ref> However, in 2008, Jackson and Sony released ''[[Thriller 25]]'' to mark the 25th anniversary of the original ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''. This album featured the previously unreleased song "For All Time" (an outtake from the original sessions) as well as remixes, where Jackson collaborated with younger artists who had been inspired by his work.<ref name="National certifications for Thriller 25">{{cite web |url=http://zm.nu/detalle.php?base=zmnews&lay=cgi&form=detalle&tok4=notici&tok5=Noticias&id=17840 |title=Zona Musical |publisher=zm.nu |accessdate=April 5, 2008 |language=Spanish}}</ref> Two of the remixes were released as singles with only modest success: "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008]]" (with [[Akon]]) and "[[The Girl Is Mine 2008]]" (with will.i.am.) The second single was based on an early demo version, without [[Paul McCartney]]. The album itself was a hit, however.<ref name="National certifications for Thriller 25" /><ref name="Thriller 25 chart positions at digitalproducer">{{cite web |url=http://digitalproducer.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=312105&afterinter=true
|title=Thriller the best selling album of all time |publisher=digitalproducer |date=(February 20, 2008) |accessdate=April 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Thriller 25 chart positions">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Thriller+25&cat=a
|title=Michael Jackson Thriller 25 |publisher=ultratop.be |accessdate=April 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Worldwide shipments of T25">{{cite web |first=Roger |last=Friedman |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356282,00.html#3
|title=Jacko: Neverland East in Upstate New York |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |date=May 16, 2008|accessdate=May 22, 2008}}</ref> In anticipation of Jackson's 50th&nbsp;birthday, Sony BMG released a series of greatest-hits albums called ''[[King of Pop (album)|King of Pop]]''. Slightly different versions were released in various countries, based on polls of local fans.<ref name="KOP announced">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do;.tomcat2?newsId=20030829005656 |title=Choose The Tracks On Michael Jackson's 50th Birthday Album! |publisher=Sony BMG |date=(June 20, 2008)|accessdate=June 20, 2008}}</ref> ''King of Pop'' reached the top 10 in most countries where it was issued, and also sold well as an import in other countries (such as the United States.)<ref name="acharts KoP">{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/album/37399 |title=Michael Jackson—King of Pop |publisher=acharts.us |accessdate=September 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name = "KOP chart positions at ultratop">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=king+of+pop&cat=a |title=King of Pop |publisher=www.ultratop.be |accessdate=September 5, 2008}}</ref>

In the fall of 2008, Fortress Investments threatened to foreclose on [[Neverland Ranch]], which Jackson used as collateral for loans running into many tens of millions of dollars. However, Fortress opted to sell Jackson's debts to [[Colony Capital|Colony Capital LLC]]. In November, Jackson transferred Neverland Ranch's title to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, which was a [[joint venture]] between Jackson and Colony Capital LLC. This deal cleared Jackson's debt, and he reportedly even gained an extra {{Nowrap|$35 million}} from the venture. At the time of his death, Jackson still owned a stake in Neverland/Sycamore Valley, but it is unknown how large that stake was.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/people/neverland-peters-out-for-pops-peter-pan/2008/11/13/1226318822205.html |title=Neverland peters out for pop's Peter Pan |publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=(November 13, 2008) |accessdate=November 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>"Jacko gives up Neverland ranch deed". ''[[Press Association]]''. (November 16, 2008).</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Susan |last=Adams |url=http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/14/michael-jackson-auction-lifestyle-collecting-michael-jackson.html |title=Ten Most Expensive Michael Jackson Collectibles |publisher=Forbes |date=April 14, 2009 |accessdate=April 14, 2009}}</ref> In September 2008, Jackson entered negotiations with [[Julien's Auctions|Julien's Auction House]] to display and auction a large collection of memorabilia amounting to approximately 1390 lots. The auction was scheduled to take place between April 22 and April 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2009/michael-jackson/index.html |title=Michael Jackson Exhibition&nbsp;– 2009 |publisher=Juliensauctions.com |date=April 25, 2009 |accessdate=September 2, 2009}}</ref> An exhibition of the lots opened as scheduled on April 14, but the actual auction was eventually cancelled at Jackson's request.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/michael-jackson-auction-cancelled-after-lawsuit-1668969.html |title=Michael Jackson: The fantastic possessions revealed&nbsp;– Americas, World |publisher=The Independent |date=June 26, 2009 |accessdate=September 2, 2009 | location=London}}</ref>

In March 2009, Jackson held a press conference at London's [[The O2 arena (London)|O<sub>2</sub> arena]] and announced a series of comeback concerts titled "[[This Is It (Michael Jackson concerts)|This Is It]]." The shows would be Jackson's first major series of concerts since the HIStory World Tour finished in 1997. Jackson suggested possible retirement after the shows; he said it would be his "final curtain call". The initial plan was for a 10 concerts in London, followed by shows in [[Paris]], [[New York City]] and [[Mumbai]]. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, stated that the first 10 dates alone would earn the singer approximately {{Nowrap|£50 million}}.<ref>{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Foster |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5854735.ece |title=Michael Jackson grand finale curtain-raiser |publisher=The Times |date=March 6, 2009 |accessdate=March 24, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> The London residency was increased to 50 dates after record breaking ticket sales: over one million were sold in less than two hours.<ref name="Rolling Stone 50 dates, {{Nowrap|1 million}} tickets">{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson's "This Is It!" Tour Balloons to 50-Show Run Stretching Into 2010 |publisher=Jann Wenner LLC |work=Rolling Stone |date=March 12, 2009 |accessdate=March 24, 2009}}</ref> Jackson rehearsed in Los Angeles in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of choreographer [[Kenny Ortega]]. Most of these rehearsals took place at the [[Staples Center]], which was owned by AEG.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.life.com/image/88744450/in-gallery/29532/michael-jackson-the-last-rehearsal |title=Michael Jackson: The Last Rehearsal |publisher=Life |date=June 29, 2009 |accessdate=August 28, 2009}}</ref> The concerts would have commenced on July 13, 2009, and finished on March 6, 2010. Less than three weeks before the first show was due to begin in London and with all concerts being sold out, Jackson died after suffering cardiac arrest.<ref name="Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |title=Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest |publisher=CNN |date=June 25, 2009 |accessdate=August 31, 2009}}</ref>

Jackson's first posthumous single was a song entitled "[[This Is It (Michael Jackson song)|This is It]]" which Jackson cowrote in the 1980s with [[Paul Anka]]. It was not on the set lists for the concerts, and the recording was based on an old demo tape. The surviving brothers reunited in the studio for the first time since 1989 to record backing vocals. On October 28, 2009, a documentary film about the rehearsals entitled ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]'' was released.<ref>{{cite news | author=Joyce Eng | title=Judge Approves Michael Jackson Film | url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Michael-Jackson-Film-1008827.aspx | work=TV Guide | date=August 10, 2009 | accessdate=August 10, 2009}}</ref> Even though it ran for a limited two-week engagement, it became the highest grossing documentary or concert movie of all time, with earnings of more than {{Nowrap|$260 million}} worldwide.<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=michaeljacksonthisisit.htm|title=This is It (2009) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=January 16, 2010}}</ref> Jackson's estate received 90% of the profits. <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32360110 |title=Judge OKs Jackson performance film deal |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=2009-08-10 |accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref> The film was accompanied by a [[This Is It (Michael Jackson album)|compilation album of the same name]]. Two versions of the new song appear on the album, which also featured original masters of Jackson's hits in the order in which they appear in the movie, along with a bonus disc with previously unreleased versions of more Jackson hits as well as a [[spoken word]] poem entitled "Planet Earth."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/news/new-michael-jackson-song-album-due-in-october-1004015054.story |title=New Michael Jackson Song, Album Due In October |last=Herrera |first=Monica |date=September 23, 2009 |work=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 2009|2009 American Music Awards]] Jackson won four posthumous awards, two for him and two for his album ''Number Ones'', bringing his total American Music Awards total to 26.<ref name="AMAs MJ"/><ref name="AMAs 2009"/>

== Death and memorial ==
{{Main|Death of Michael Jackson|Michael Jackson memorial service}}
[[File:Michael Jackson Star on Hollywood Blvd (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=A pink star with the writing "Michael Jackson" and a gold colored rim. The star is surrounded by a metal silver colored barrier and flowers. There are also blue confetti and pink rose bud pedals on top of the star. |Jackson's fans paid tribute to him at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shortly after the announcement of his death.]]
On June 25, 2009, Jackson was found unconscious in bed at his rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the [[Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California|Holmby Hills]] district of Los Angeles. Attempts at resuscitating him by Conrad Murray, his [[personal physician]], were unsuccessful.<ref name="Times6580897">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece|title=Fans mourn artist for whom it didn't matter if you were black or white|first=Michael|last=Harvey|publisher=The Times|date=June 26, 2009|accessdate=June 26, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> [[Los Angeles Fire Department]] paramedics received a [[9-1-1|911]] call at 12:22 ([[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]], 19:22 UTC), arriving three minutes later at Jackson's location.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8121884.stm|title=Los Angeles Fire Department recording of the emergency phone call made from Michael Jackson's home|publisher=BBC|date=June 26, 2009|accessdate=June 27, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Transcript of 911 call|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=June 26, 2009|accessdate=June 27, 2009}}</ref> He was reportedly not breathing and [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]] was performed.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029?gt1=43001|title=Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50-Legendary pop star had been preparing for London comeback tour|publisher=MSNBC|date=June 25, 2009|accessdate=June 25, 2009}}</ref> Resuscitation efforts continued en route to the [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]], and for an hour after arriving there at 1:13 (20:13&nbsp;UTC). He was pronounced dead at 2:26 local time (21:26&nbsp;UTC).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5643916/Michael-Jackson-King-of-Pop-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-in-Los-Angeles.html|title=Michael Jackson, King of Pop, dies of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|first=Matthew|last=Moore|date=June 26, 2009|accessdate=June 27, 2009 | location=London}}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE55O6AK20090626|title=King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: official|first=Bob|last=Tourtellotte|publisher=Reuters|date=June 25, 2009|accessdate=June 25, 2009}}</ref> Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief.<ref name="Times6580897"/>

The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and [[Crash (computing)|crash]] from user overload. Both [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] and the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' suffered outages.<ref name=Rawlinson>Rawlinson, Linnie and Nick Hunt. [http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/index.html Jackson Dies, almost takes Internet With Him], CNN, June 27, 2009.</ref> [[Google]] initially believed that the input from millions of people searching for "Michael Jackson" meant that the search engine was [[Distributed denial-of-service attack|under attack]]. [[Twitter]] reported a crash, as did [[Wikipedia]] at {{Nowrap|3:15 p.m.}} PDT ({{Nowrap|6:15 p.m.}} EST).<ref>Shiels, Maggie. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8120324.stm Web slows after Jackson's death], BBC News, June 26, 2009.</ref> The [[Wikimedia Foundation]] reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, probably the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history.<ref>Phoebe. [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2009-06-29/News and notes|The King of Pop vs. Wikipedia]], ''The Wikipedia Signpost'', June 29, 2009; see {{Stats.grok.se|Michael Jackson|year=2009|month=6|text = October 2009 stats}}</ref> [[AOL Instant Messenger]] collapsed for 40 minutes. AOL called it a "seminal moment in Internet history", adding, "We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."<ref name=WoodJune27>Wood, Daniel B. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di], ''Christian Science Monitor'', June 27, 2009.</ref>

Around 15% of Twitter posts—or 5,000 [[Wiktionary:tweet#Noun|tweets]] per minute—reportedly mentioned Jackson after the news broke,<ref name=crash>Skok, David, [http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html Internet stretched to limit as fans flock for Michael Jackson news], ''The Vancouver Sun'', June 26, 2009.</ref><ref name=Wortham>Wortham, Jenna. [http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-tops-the-charts-on-twitter/ Michael Jackson Tops the Charts on Twitter], ''The New York Times'', June 25, 2009.</ref> compared to the 5% recalled as having mentioned the [[2009 Iranian election|Iranian elections]] or the [[2009 flu pandemic|flu pandemic]] that had made headlines earlier in the year.<ref name=Wortham/> Overall, [[web traffic]] ranged from 11% to at least 20% higher than normal.<ref name=crash/><ref>Krazit, Tim and McCullagh, Declan. [http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html Debate: Can the Internet handle big breaking news?], ''cnet.com'', June 26, 2009.</ref> [[MTV]] and [[Black Entertainment Television]] (BET) aired [[Marathon (television)|marathons]] of Jackson's music videos.<ref name=mtvjackson>Stelter, Brian. [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/?scp=2&sq=MTV&st=cse MTV's Jackson Marathon] ''The New York Times'', June 26, 2009.</ref> Jackson specials aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]'' added a last-minute scene, in which one character tells another about the news, to the June 26 episode.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jacko news spreads to Eastenders |work=[[MSN|MSN Entertainment]] |date=June 28, 2009 |accessdate=2010-04-01}}</ref> Jackson was the topic of every front-page headline in the daily British tabloid ''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'' for about two weeks following his death.<ref name="SunHeadlines">''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'', July 8, 2009, pp. 10–11.</ref> During the same period, the three major U.S. networks' evening newscasts—[[World News with Charles Gibson|ABC's World News]], [[CBS Evening News]], and [[NBC Nightly News]]—devoted 34 percent of their broadcast time to him.<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/07/10/jacko-telethon-primetime-broadcast-network-coverage-devotes-one-third-all Jacko Telethon: Primetime Broadcast Network Coverage Devotes One Third of All News to Pop Star's Death], ''newsbusters.org'', July 10, 2009.</ref> Magazines including ''[[Time Magazine|Time]]'' published commemorative editions.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288156,00.html Time Magazine to Publish Special Jackson Issue], ''People'', June 27, 2009.</ref> A scene that had featured Jackson's sister La Toya was cut from the film [[Brüno (film)|''Brüno'']] out of respect toward Jackson's family.<ref>Hill, Catey. [http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/06/26/2009-06-26_scene_with_michael_jackson_and_laytoya_jackson_cut_from_sacha_baron_cohens_bruno.html Scene with Michael Jackson, LaToya Jackson cut from Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno"], ''New York Daily News'', June 26, 2009.</ref>

Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)#Court of Liberty|Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty]]. Jackson's casket was present during the memorial but no information was released about the final disposition of the body. While some unofficial reports claimed a worldwide audience as high as one billion people<ref name = "bucci">Bucci, Paul and Wood, Graeme.[http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Michael+Jackson+billion+people+estimated+watching+gold+plated+casket+memorial+service/1767503/story.html Michael Jackson RIP: One billion people estimated watching for gold-plated casket at memorial service]. ''The Vancouver Sun'', July 7, 2009.</ref><ref>Leopold, todd. [http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/03/jackson.spectacle/index.html?eref=rss_latest Jackson spectacle likely a world event]. ''CNN'', July 6, 2009.</ref><ref>Bucci, Paul and Wood, Graeme. [http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Michael+Jackson+billion+people+estimated+watching+gold+plated+casket+memorial+service/1767503/story.html Michael Jackson RIP: One billion people estimated watching for gold-plated casket at memorial service]. ''The Vancouver Sun'', July 7, 2009.</ref> the U.S. audience was estimated by Nielsen to be 31.1 million, an amount comparable to the estimated {{Nowrap|35.1 million}} that watched the [[Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan|2004 burial of former president Ronald Reagan]], and the estimated {{Nowrap|33.1 million}} Americans who watched the [[Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales|1997 funeral for Princess Diana]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Scott |first=Andrew |url=http://television.aol.com/insidetv/2009/07/09/michael-jackson-memorial-earns-31-million-viewers/ |title=Michael Jackson Memorial Earns {{Nowrap|31 Million}} Viewers & More TV News&nbsp;– Inside TV Blog |publisher=Television.aol.com |date= |accessdate=September 2, 2009}}</ref>

[[Mariah Carey]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[John Mayer]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Jermaine Jackson]], and [[Shaheen Jafargholi]] performed at the event. [[Berry Gordy]] and [[Smokey Robinson]] gave eulogies, while [[Queen Latifah]] read, "We had him," a poem written for the occasion by [[Maya Angelou]].<ref>Allen, Nick. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5771156/Michael-Jackson-memorial-service-the-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html Michael Jackson memorial service: the biggest celebrity send-off of all time], ''The Daily Telegraph'', July 7, 2009.</ref> The Reverend [[Al Sharpton]] received a standing ovation with cheers when he told Jackson's children, "Wasn't nothing strange about your Daddy. It was strange what your Daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."<ref>[http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/07/there-was-nothing-strange-about-your-daddy/ Video of Sharpton's eulogy], ''Macleans'', July 7, 2009.</ref> Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Katherine, cried as she told the crowd, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine&nbsp;... I just wanted to say I love him&nbsp;... so much."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service], ''The Guardian'', July 7, 2009.</ref> Reverend Lucious Smith provided a closing prayer.<ref>[http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rev-Lucious-Smith-on-conducting-the-memorial-service-for-Michael-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/14351/Default.aspx Interview with Reverend Lucious Smith, one year since the death of Michael Jackson].</ref>

On August 24, several news outlets quoted anonymous sources as stating that the Los Angeles coroner had decided to treat Jackson's death as a homicide; this was later confirmed by the coroner on August 28.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6808546.ece|title=LA coroner to treat Michael Jackson's death as a homicide|publisher=The Times|date=August 24, 2009|accessdate=August 24, 2009|first=Kaya|last=Burgess | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8219362.stm|title=Jackson 'had lethal drug levels'|date=August 25, 2009|accessdate=August 25, 2009|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> At the time of death, Jackson had been administered [[propofol]], [[lorazepam]] and [[midazolam]].<ref name='WebMD'>{{cite news | first=Kathleen | last=Doheny | coauthors= Louise Chang, Hector Vila Jr |authorlink= | title=Propofol Linked to Michael Jackson's Death | date=August 24, 2009 | publisher=[[WebMD]] | url =http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20090824/propofol-linked-to-michael-jacksons-death | work = | pages = | accessdate = August 25, 2009 | language = }}</ref>
Law enforcement officials conducted a manslaughter investigation of his personal physician, Conrad Murray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/music/ap-source-coroner-rules-jacksons-death-homicide-263808.html|title= Michael Jackson Homicide Ruling|accessdate=August 24, 2009}}</ref> On February 8, 2010, Murray was charged with [[involuntary manslaughter]] by prosecutors in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8499143.stm |title= Michael Jackson's doctor charged with manslaughter |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |accessdate=February 8, 2010 | date=February 9, 2010}}</ref><!--The legal relevance of the following is unclear at this time. In the spirit of [[WP:BLP]] (and, to an extent, of [[WP:SYN]]), if this information is to be mentioned at all, it probably should not appear in a spot where it is prone immediately to sway the reader's sentiments regarding Dr. Murray: "An autopsy revealed that Jackson's arms were covered with punctures, his face and neck were scarred and he had tattooed eyebrows and lips."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6252204/Michael-Jackson-autopsy-reveals-tattooed-eyes-lips-and-scalp.html |title=Michael Jackson autopsy reveals tattooed eyes, lips and scalp at |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2009-10-01 |accessdate=2010-06-07 | location=London}}</ref>--> Jackson was entombed on September 3, 2009, at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6136376/Michael-Jackson-finally-laid-to-rest-in-Los-Angeles.html|title= Michael Jackson finally laid to rest in Los Angeles|accessdate=September 8, 2009 | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | date=September 4, 2009 | first=Mark | last=Coleman}}</ref>

=== Posthumous works ===
After his death, Jackson became the best-selling artist of 2009 in the United States selling over 8.2 million albums and had sold {{Nowrap|35 million}} albums worldwide in the 12 months that followed his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/news/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009-1004057203.story|title=Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle for 2009's Top-Selling Album| last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=January 6, 2010 |work=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=January 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |title=Jackson sells 35 million albums since death - Entertainment - Access Hollywood - TODAYshow.com |publisher=Today.msnbc.msn.com |date=2010-06-25 |accessdate=2010-06-30}}</ref> Following this surge in sales, Sony announced that they had extended their relationship with his material. The distribution rights held by Sony Music were due to expire in 2015.<ref name="wallstreet-sony">{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864.html|title=Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King' |date=March 16, 2010|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate={{Nowrap|17 March}} 2010}}</ref> On March 16, 2010, Sony Music Entertainment, in a move spearheaded by its [[Columbia/Epic Label Group]] division, signed a new deal with the Jackson estate to extend their distribution rights to his back catalogue until at least 2017, as well as to obtain permission to release ten new albums with previously unreleased material and new collections of released work. The first new album is reportedly due out in November 2010, and the final album before December 2017. The deal was unprecedented in the music industry as it is the most expensive music contract pertaining to a single artist in history; it reportedly involved Sony Music paying {{Nowrap|$250 million}} for the deal, with the Jackson estate getting the full sum as well as its share of royalties for all works released.<ref name="wallstreet-sony"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2010/03/100316_jackson_biz_music_deal.shtml |title=Michael Jackson in 'record' $200m music deal |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |date=2009-03-16 |accessdate=2010-03-17}}</ref> Video game developer Ubisoft announced it would release a new dancing-and-singing game featuring Michael Jackson the 2010 holiday season. The as-yet-unnamed game will be among the first to use [[Kinect]] and [[PlayStation Move]], the respective motion-detecting camera systems for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 due out later that year.<ref>{{cite web|author=Up for Discussion Jump to Forums |url=http://www.billboard.com/news/michael-jackson-fans-will-moonwalk-in-motion-1004098077.story#/news/michael-jackson-fans-will-moonwalk-in-motion-1004098077.story |title=Michael Jackson Fans Will Moonwalk In Motion-Sensing Game |publisher=Billboard.com |date=2009-09-14 |accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref>

== Artistry ==
=== Influences ===
[[File:Michael Jackson sculpture.jpg|thumb|upright|150px|alt=A silver colored statue of a male. The statue is placed standing up with its arms bent inward and both legs spaced apart. The statue's clothes have wrinkles and it is wearing heeled shoes. In the background, a tree and a light blue sky with multiple clouds can be seen. |One of many identical statues, positioned throughout Europe to promote ''HIStory'']]
Jackson's music took root in [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], pop and [[soul music|soul]]. He had been influenced by the work of contemporary musicians such as [[Little Richard]], [[James Brown]], [[Jackie Wilson]], [[Diana Ross]], [[David Ruffin]], [[Gene Kelly]], [[Fred Astaire]], [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]], [[The Isley Brothers]], and the [[Bee Gees]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=LuEPnk7irOMC&printsec=frontcover |title=Michael Jackson, the king of pop&nbsp;...&nbsp;– Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |year=2005 |accessdate=September 2, 2009 | isbn=9780974977904}}</ref> While Little Richard had a substantial influence on Jackson,<ref name="Michael Jackson saved my life">{{cite web|url=http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/39Michael-Jackson-saved-my-life39.5407768.jp|publisher=scarborougheveningnews.co.uk|title=Michael Jackson saved my life|accessdate=June 28, 2009}}</ref> James Brown was Jackson's greatest inspiration. In reference to Brown, Jackson declared: "Ever since I was a small child, no more than like six years old, my mother would wake me no matter what time it was, if I was sleeping, no matter what I was doing, to watch the television to see the master at work. And when I saw him move, I was mesmerized. I had never seen a performer perform like James Brown, and right then and there I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life because of James Brown."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/jackson%20attends%20browns%20public%20funeral_1017673 |title=James Brown&nbsp;– Jackson Attends Brown's Public Funeral&nbsp;– Contactmusic News |publisher=Contactmusic.com |date=January 2, 2007 |accessdate=September 2, 2009}}</ref>

The young Michael Jackson owed his vocal technique in large part to Diana Ross. In October 1969, it was decided{{Why|date=June 2010}}{{By whom|date=June 2010}} that Jackson would live with Ross. Not only a mother figure to him, she was often observed in rehearsal as an accomplished performer. He later expressed: "I got to know her well. She taught me so much. I used to just sit in the corner and watch the way she moved. She was art in motion. I studied the way she moved, the way she sang&nbsp;– just the way she was." He told her: "I want to be just like you, Diana." She said: "You just be yourself."<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 60</ref> But Jackson owed part of his enduring style&mdash;especially his use of the ''oooh'' interjection&mdash;to Ross. From a young age, Jackson often punctuated his verses with a sudden exclamation of ''oooh''. Diana Ross had used this effect on many of the songs recorded with [[The Supremes]].<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 64</ref>

=== Musical themes and genres ===
Unlike many artists, Jackson did not write his songs on paper. Instead he would dictate into a sound recorder, and when recording he would sing the lyrics from memory.<ref>Taraborrelli, pp. 209–210</ref> In most of his songs, such as "[[Who Is It (Michael Jackson song)|Who Is It]]", "Billie Jean" and "[[Tabloid Junkie]]", he would beatbox and imitate the instruments using his voice instead of playing the actual instruments, along with other sounds. Jackson noted that it is easier to sing a drum line, or sing a bass, instead of playing a drum line or a bass with an instrument. Several critics have said that Jackson's distinct voice is able to replace any instrument convincingly. Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] said that, throughout his solo career, Jackson's versatility allowed him to experiment with various themes and genres.<ref name=allmusic/> As a musician, he ranged from Motown's dance fare and ballads to [[techno]] and [[house music|house]]-edged [[new jack swing]] to work that incorporates both [[funk]] rhythms and [[hard rock]] guitar.<ref name="rollingstone"/>

According to Huey, ''Thriller'' refined the strengths of ''Off the Wall''; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.<ref name=allmusic/> Notable tracks included the ballads "The Lady in My Life", "Human Nature" and "[[The Girl Is Mine]]"; the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]"; and the disco set "Baby Be Mine" and "[[P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)]]".<ref name=allmusic/><ref name="Slant Thriller">{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Henderson |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=358
|title=Michael Jackson:Thriller |publisher=[[Slant Magazine]] |year=2003 |accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref><ref name="AMG Thriller"/><ref name="RS Thriller"/> With ''Thriller'', Christopher Connelly of ''Rolling Stone'' commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal theme of [[paranoia]] and darker imagery.<ref name="RS Thriller"/> Allmusic's [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] noted this is evident on the songs "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".<ref name="AMG Thriller">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A9kqog44ttvjz |title=Thriller Overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers.<ref name=allmusic/> In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the media.<ref name="RS Thriller">{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Connelly |title=Michael Jackson: Thriller |work=Rolling Stone |date=January 28, 1983 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> "Beat It" decried gang violence in an homage to ''[[West Side Story]]'', and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey.<ref name="rollingstone"/><ref name=allmusic/> He also observed that the title track "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" began Jackson's interest with the theme of the [[supernatural]], a topic he revisited in subsequent years.<ref name=allmusic/> In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the charity anthem "[[We Are the World]]"; humanitarian themes later became a recurring theme in his lyrics and public persona.<ref name=allmusic/>
{{Listen
|filename = Michael Jackson Thriller.ogg
|title = "Thriller"
|description = One of Jackson's signature pieces, "Thriller", released as a single in 1984, utilizes cinematic sound effects, horror film motifs and vocal trickery to convey a sense of danger.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 23"/>
|filename2 = Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson.ogg
|title2 = "Smooth Criminal"
|description2 = A single from the album ''Bad'', released 1988, "Smooth Criminal" features digital drum sounds, keyboard-created bass lines and other percussion elements designed to give the impression of a pulsing heart.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 24"/>
}}

In ''Bad'', Jackson's concept of the predatory lover can be seen on the rock song "[[Dirty Diana]]".<ref name="NYT Bad">{{cite news|first=Jon |last=Pareles |authorlink=Jon Pareles|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DC1F38F930A3575AC0A961948260&scp=5&sq=Michael+Jackson+Bad+review&st=nyt
|title=How good is Jackson's Bad? |work=The New York Times |date=September 3, 1987 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> The lead single "[[I Just Can't Stop Loving You]]" is a traditional love ballad, while "[[Man in the Mirror]]" is an anthemic ballad of confession and resolution.<ref name="TIME2"/> "[[Smooth Criminal]]" was an evocation of bloody assault, rape and likely murder.<ref name="TIME2"/> Allmusic's [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] states that ''Dangerous'' presents Jackson as a very paradoxical individual.<ref name="ALG Dangerous">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0hrsa9igb23u |title=Dangerous Overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> He comments the album is more diverse than his previous ''Bad'', as it appeals to an urban audience while also attracting the middle class with anthems like "[[Heal the World]]".<ref name="ALG Dangerous"/> The first half of the record is dedicated to new jack swing, including songs like "[[Jam (song)|Jam]]" and "[[Remember the Time]]".<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> The album is Jackson's first where social ills become a primary theme; "Why You Wanna Trip on Me", for example, protests against world hunger, [[AIDS]], homelessness and drugs.<ref name="NYT Dangerous">{{cite news|first=Jon |last=Pareles|authorlink=Jon Pareles |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D6143DF937A15752C1A967958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael |title=Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness |work=The New York Times |date=November 24, 1991 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> ''Dangerous'' contains sexually charged efforts such as the multifaceted love song, "[[In the Closet]]".<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> The title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire.<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> The second half includes introspective, pop-gospel anthems such as "[[Will You Be There]]", "Heal the World" and "Keep the Faith"; these songs show Jackson opening up about various personal struggles and worries.<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> In the ballad "[[Gone Too Soon]]", Jackson gives tribute to his friend [[Ryan White]] and the plight of those with AIDS.<ref name="TWP Dangerous">{{Cite news | title = Jackson's `Dangerous' Departures; Stylistic Shifts Mar His First Album in 4 Years | work = The Washington Post | date = November 24, 1991 | author = Harrington, Richard |accessdate = July 23, 2008}}</ref>

''HIStory'' creates an atmosphere of paranoia.<ref name="ALG HIStory">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rz60tr7qklkx |title=Michael Jackson HIStory Overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> Its content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing-funk-rock efforts "[[Scream/Childhood|Scream]]" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the R&B ballad "[[You Are Not Alone]]", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media.<ref name="RS HIStory">{{cite news|first=James |last=Hunter |title=Michael Jackson HIStory |work=Rolling Stone |date=August 10, 1995 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> In the introspective ballad "[[Stranger in Moscow]]", Jackson laments over his "fall from grace", while songs like "[[Earth Song]]", "[[Scream/Childhood|Childhood]]", "Little Susie" and "Smile" are all operatic pop pieces.<ref name="ALG HIStory"/><ref name="RS HIStory"/> In the track "[[D.S. (song)|D.S.]]", Jackson launched a verbal attack against [[Tom Sneddon]]. He describes Sneddon as an antisocial, white supremacist who wanted to "get my ass, dead or alive". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I've been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot".<ref name="Sneddon profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html |title=Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon, Jr.
|publisher=ndaa.org |accessdate=July 12, 2008}}</ref> ''Invincible'' found Jackson working heavily with producer Rodney Jerkins.<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Michael Jackson—Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifuxqe5ldae~T1 |publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=November 11, 2006}}</ref> It is a record made up of urban soul like "[[Cry (Michael Jackson song)|Cry]]" and "The Lost Children", ballads such as "[[Speechless (Michael Jackson song)|Speechless]]", "Break of Dawn" and "[[Butterflies (Michael Jackson song)|Butterflies]]" and mixes [[hip hop music|Hip-Hop]], pop and [[R&B]] in "2000 Watts", "Heartbreaker" and "Invincible".<ref name="ALG Invincible">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A0dq5g4hptv8z |title=Michael Jackson:Invincible |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=September 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NME Invincible">{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Beaumont |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/michael-jackson/5780|title=Michael Jackson: Invincible |work=[[NME]] |date=November 30, 2001 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref>

=== Vocal style ===
Jackson sang from childhood, and over time his voice and vocal style changed noticeably. Between 1971 and 1975, Jackson's voice descended from boy soprano to high tenor.<ref name = "brac 414">Brackett, pp. 414</ref> Jackson first used a technique called the "vocal hiccup" in 1973, starting with the song "It's Too Late to Change the Time" from [[the Jackson 5]]'s ''[[G.I.T.: Get It Together]]'' album.<ref>''The Complete Guide To The Music of Michael Jackson & The Jackson Family'' by Geoff Brown. 164 pages, Omnibus Press</ref> Jackson did not use the hiccup technique— somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping— fully until the recording of ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'': it can be seen in full force in the "[[Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)]]" promotional video.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 22"/> With the arrival of ''Off the Wall'' in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded. At the time, ''Rolling Stone'' compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling [[falsetto]] that's used very daringly".<ref name="AMG OTW">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A7cu1z85ajyv6 |title=Off the Wall Overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref><ref name="RS OTW">{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Holden |authorlink=Stephen Holden |title=Off the Wall: Michael Jackson |work=Rolling Stone |date=November 1, 1979 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> 1982 saw the release of ''Thriller'', and ''Rolling Stone'' was of the opinion that Jackson was then singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".<ref name="RS Thriller"/>

{{Listen |help = no |filename = Michael Jackson - Black Or White.ogg |title = "Black or White" |description = The lead single from ''Dangerous'', the danceable [[hard rock]] song "Black or White" was one of Jackson's most successful recordings.<ref name="SM Dangerous">{{cite web |author=Sony Music |url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=5044242000 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20051204230345/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=5044242000 |archivedate=December 4, 2005 |title=Michael Jackson Dangerous Review |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |year=2001 |accessdate=August 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Jeans |year=1993 |title=Michael Jackson: Un mito indescifrable (in Spanish) |publisher=Revista Jeans |page=7 |chapter=Peligroso regreso |accessdate=July 14, 2009 |quote=En "Black or white" Michael Jackson solicitó la participación del guitarrista de Guns N' Roses, Slash, para darle a esta canción de hard rock una línea más agresiva, además cuenta con la participación de Tim Pierce en la guitarra heavy metal; y el resultado es una mezcla de hard rock, dance y rap}}</ref><ref name="ramage; bean; johnson (2001) 491">{{cite book |last1=Ramage |first1=John D. |last2=Bean |first2=John C. |last3=Johnson |first3=June |title=Writing arguments: a rhetoric with readings |publisher=Allyn and Bacon |url=http://books.google.com/?id=nDnUQkn28lUC&q=%22black+or+white%22+%22rock+'n'+roll+dance+song%22+%22michael+jackson%22&dq=%22black+or+white%22+%22rock+'n'+roll+dance+song%22+%22michael+jackson%22 |year=2001 |isbn=0205317456 |page=491 |accessdate=July 14, 2009 |quote='Black or White', described by the record company as 'a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony'}}</ref> It contains many features of Jackson's vocal style, including the vocal hiccup he is known for.}}

A distinctive deliberate mispronunciation of "come on", used frequently by Jackson, occasionally spelt "cha'mone" or "shamone", is also a staple in impressions and caricatures of him.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rory |last=Lewarne |url=http://www.music-news.com/ShowReview.asp?nReviewID=363&nType=4 |title=Pink Grease |publisher=Music News |date=July 26, 2004 |accessdate=August 10, 2008}}</ref> The turn of the 1990s saw the release of the introspective album ''Dangerous''. ''The New York Times'' noted that on some tracks, "he gulps for breath, his voice quivers with anxiety or drops to a desperate whisper, hissing through clenched teeth" and he had a "wretched tone".<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> When singing of brotherhood or self-esteem the musician would return to "smooth" vocals.<ref name="NYT Dangerous"/> When commenting on ''Invincible'', ''Rolling Stone'' were of the opinion that—at the age of 43—Jackson still performed "exquisitely voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies".<ref name="RS Invincible">{{cite news |first=James |last=Hunter |title=Michael Jackson: Invincible |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=December 6, 2001 |accessdate=July 20, 2008}}</ref> Nelson George summed up Jackson's vocals by stating "The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothness—that combination of elements mark him as a major vocalist".<ref name="Nelson George overview 24">George, p.24</ref>

=== Music videos and choreography ===
Referred to as the King of Music Videos,<ref>Chery, Carl: ''XXL: Michael Jackson Special Collecters Edition'', page 95. American Press.</ref> Steve Huey of Allmusic observed how Jackson transformed the [[music video]] into an art form and a promotional tool through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameo appearances; simultaneously breaking down racial barriers.<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Michael Jackson—Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifuxqe5ldae~T1 |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=November 11, 2006}}</ref> Before ''Thriller'', Jackson struggled to receive coverage on MTV, allegedly because he was African American.<ref name=blender>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean," directed by Steve Barron, produced by Simon Fields & Paul Flattery, |date=October 2005 |accessdate=April 11, 2007 |work=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]}}</ref> Pressure from CBS Records persuaded MTV to start showing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", leading to a lengthy partnership with Jackson, also helping other black music artists gain recognition.<ref name="Jackson changes the rules of the music video">{{cite news |first=Edna |last=Gundersen |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-08-25-mtv_x.htm |title=Music videos changing places |work=USA Today |date=August 25, 2005 |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> MTV employees deny any racism in their coverage, or pressure to change their stance. MTV maintains that they played rock music, regardless of race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_14_110/ai_n16807343/ |title=Why it took MTV so long to play black music videos &#124; Jet &#124; Find Articles at BNET |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=October 9, 2006|accessdate=September 2, 2009}}</ref> The popularity of his videos on MTV helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map"; MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and R&B.<ref name="Jackson changes the rules of the music video"/><ref name=ABCNews>{{cite web |first=Bryan |last=Robinson |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/LegalCenter/story?id=464753&page=1|title=Why Are Michael Jackson's Fans So Devoted? |publisher=ABC News |date=February 23, 2005 |accessdate=April 6, 2007}}</ref> His performance on ''Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever'' changed the scope of live stage show; "That Jackson lip-synced 'Billie Jean' is, in itself, not extraordinary, but the fact that it did not change the impact of the performance is extraordinary; whether the performance was live or lip-synced made no difference to the audience" thus creating an era in which artists re-create the spectacle of music video imagery on stage.<ref name="MT25">{{Cite book|last=Inglis|first=Ian|title=Performance and popular music: history, place and time|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|pages=119, 127|year=2006|isbn=9780754640578|postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> Short films like ''[[Michael Jackson's Thriller|Thriller]]'' largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat It" has frequently been imitated.<ref name="The Thriller Special Edition Audio">Jackson, Michael. ''Thriller Special Edition'' Audio.</ref> The choreography in ''Thriller'' has become a part of global pop culture, replicated everywhere from [[Cinema of India|Indian films]] to [[Thriller (viral video)|prisons in the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6917318.stm|title=Philippine jailhouse rocks to Thriller |publisher=BBC |date=(July 27, 2007) |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> The ''Thriller'' short film marked an increase in scale for music videos, and has been named the most successful music video ever by the ''Guinness World Records''.<ref name="World Records"/>

In the 19-minute music video for "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]"—directed by [[Martin Scorsese]]—Jackson began using sexual imagery and choreography not previously seen in his work. He occasionally grabbed or touched his chest, torso and crotch. When asked by Oprah in the 1993 interview about why he grabbed his crotch, he replied, "I think it happens subliminally" and he described it as something that was not planned, but rather, as something that was compelled by the music. "Bad" garnered a mixed reception from both fans and critics; ''Time'' magazine described it as "infamous". The video also featured [[Wesley Snipes]]; in the future Jackson's videos would often feature famous cameo roles.<ref name="tara 370–373"/><ref name="Who's Bad? TIME">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Corliss|authorlink=Richard Corliss |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,979177,00.html?internalid=ACA |title=Who's Bad? |publisher=Time |date=September 6, 1993|accessdate=April 23, 2008}}</ref> For "[[Smooth Criminal]]", Jackson experimented with an innovative "anti-gravity lean" in his performances, for which he was granted U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452.<ref>{{Cite patent|US|5255452|Michael J. Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins: "Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion", filed June 29, 1992, issued Oct 26, 1993}}</ref> Although the music video for "[[Leave Me Alone]]" was not officially released in the US, in 1989, it was nominated for four ''Billboard'' Music Video Awards, winning three; the same year it won a Golden Lion Award for the quality of the special effects used in its production. In 1990, "Leave Me Alone" won a Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video|Best Music Video, Short Form]].<ref name = "Nelson George overview 43-44">George, pp. 43–44</ref>

The [[MTV Video Vanguard Award|MTV Video Vanguard Artist of the Decade Award]] was given to Jackson to celebrate his accomplishments in the art form in the 1980s; the following year the award was renamed in his honor.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46">George, pp. 45–46</ref> "[[Black or White]]" was accompanied by a controversial music video, which, on November&nbsp;14, 1991, simultaneously premiered in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500&nbsp;million people, the largest viewing ever for a music video.<ref name="KOP achievements"/> It featured scenes construed as having a sexual nature as well as depictions of violence. The offending scenes in the final half of the 14-minute version were edited out to prevent the video from being banned, and Jackson apologized.<ref name="''Dangerous'' on Film">Michael Jackson ''Dangerous'' on Film VHS/DVD</ref> Along with Jackson, it featured [[Macaulay Culkin]], [[Peggy Lipton]] and [[George Wendt]]. It helped usher in [[morphing]] as an important technology in music videos.<ref>Campbell (1993), p. 303</ref>
[[File:Michaeljanetscream.jpg|thumb|alt=A black and white photo of a woman with dark skin next to a man with light skin. Both have dark hair and dark clothing, and make angry facial expressions.|Jackson and sister Janet angrily retaliated against the media for misrepresenting them to the public. The acclaimed video for "[[Scream/Childhood#Scream music video|Scream]]" was shot primarily in black and white, and at a cost of {{Nowrap|$7 million}}.<ref name="Guinness World Records 2006">''Guinness World Records 2006''</ref>]]

"[[Remember the Time]]" was an elaborate production, and became one of his longest videos at over nine minutes. Set in [[ancient Egypt]], it featured groundbreaking [[visual effects]] and appearances by [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Iman (model)|Iman]] and [[Magic Johnson]], along with a distinct complex dance routine.<ref>Campbell (1993), pp. 313–314</ref> The video for "[[In the Closet]]" was Jackson's most sexually provocative piece. It featured supermodel [[Naomi Campbell]] in a courtship dance with Jackson. The video was banned in South Africa because of its imagery.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 45-46"/>

The music video for "[[Scream/Childhood|Scream]]", directed by [[Mark Romanek]] and production designer Tom Foden, is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed. In 1995, it gained 11 [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award Nominations]]—more than any other music video—and won "Best Dance Video", "Best Choreography", and "Best Art Direction".<ref name="TCI">{{Cite book |last=Boepple |first= Leanne |title = ''Scream: Space Odyssey, Jackson-Style.''(video production; Michael and Janet Jackson video) | page = 52 |volume=29 | publisher = Theatre Crafts International | date = November 1, 1995 |issn=1063-9497}}</ref> The song and its accompanying video are a response to the backlash Jackson received from the media after being accused of child molestation in 1993.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bark |first= Ed |title = Michael Jackson Interview Raises Questions, Answers | page = 06E | publisher = [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] | date = June 26, 1995}}</ref> A year later, it won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form; shortly afterwards ''Guinness World Records'' listed it as the [[List of most expensive music videos|most expensive music video ever made]] at a cost of $7&nbsp;million.<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/><ref name="Guinness World Records 2006"/>

"[[Earth Song]]" was accompanied by an expensive and well-received music video that gained a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The video had an environmental theme, showing images of animal cruelty, deforestation, pollution and war. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, wars end, and the forests re-grow.<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/><ref name="''HIStory'' on Film volume II">Michael Jackson ''HIStory'' on Film volume II VHS/DVD</ref> Released in 1997 and premiering at the 1996 [[Cannes Film Festival]], ''[[Ghosts (Michael Jackson film)|Ghosts]]'' was a short film written by Jackson and [[Stephen King]] and directed by [[Stan Winston]]. The video for ''Ghosts'' is over 38&nbsp;minutes long and holds the ''Guinness World Record'' as the world's longest music video.<ref name = "Ultimate booklet 48–50"/><ref name = "tara 610–611"/><ref>Lewis, pp. 125–126</ref><ref>''Guinness World Records 2004''</ref>

== Legacy and influence ==
{{See also|Records and achievements of Michael Jackson}}
[[File:MJ Star.jpg|thumb|alt=A pink star with a gold colored rim and the writing "Michael Jackson" in its center. The star is indented into the ground and is surrounded by a marble colored floor. |Jackson's star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], set in 1984]]
Jackson throughout his career transformed the art of the music video and paved the way for modern pop music. ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' writer [[Tom Utley]] described Jackson in 2003 as "extremely important" and a "genius."<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/02/08/do0801.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2003/02/08/ixopinion.html |author=[[Tom Utley|Utley, Tom]] |title=Of course Jackson's odd—but his genius is what matters |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 8, 2003 |accessdate=July 23, 2008 | location=London}}</ref> For much of his career, he had an "unparalleled" level of worldwide influence over the younger generation through his musical and humanitarian contributions.<ref name="ADL"/> Jackson's music and videos, such as ''Thriller'', [[MTV#Breaking the color barrier|fostered racial diversity]] in MTV's roster, helped to put the relatively new channel into public awareness, and steered the channel's focus from [[rock music|rock]] to pop music and [[R&B]], shaping the channel into a form that proved enduring. Jackson's work continues to influence numerous [[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[rock music|rock]], [[pop music|pop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] artists, including [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Beyoncé, Top Stars Tip Their Hats to Michael Jackson |url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288067,00.html|work=People |date=June 27, 2009 |accessdate=June 27, 2009}}</ref> [[Mariah Carey]],<ref name = "rollingstone 2">{{cite news |first=Antonio |last=Reid |title=Michael Jackson|accessdate=March 6, 2007 |publisher=Jann Wenner LLC |work=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]],<ref name=CNN>{{cite news |first=Rosemary |last=Jean-Louis |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/01/usher/|title=Usher, Usher, Usher: The new 'King of Pop'? |publisher=CNN |date=November 1, 2004|accessdate=March 6, 2007}}</ref> [[Green Day]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day Look Forward To Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute To Michael|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621362/20090913/green_day.jhtml|work=MTV |date=September 13, 2009 |accessdate=September 13, 2009}}</ref> [[Britney Spears]],<ref name = "rollingstone 2"/> [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson Is The Reason|url=http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/articles/2009/07/04/20090704madonna-inspired-by-jackson.html|work=AZcentral |date=July 4, 2009 |accessdate=July 4, 2009}}</ref> [[Justin Timberlake]],<ref name = "tara 614–617"/> [[Ludacris]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ludacris Says Michael Jackson Inspired Him to 'Shoot for the Sky'|url=http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/27/ludacris-says-michael-jackson-inspired-him-to-shoot-for-the-sky/|work=MTV |date=June 27, 2009 |accessdate=June 27, 2009}}</ref>

Allmusic's Steve Huey describes Jackson as "an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the skills to dominate the charts seemingly at will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility and loads of sheer star power".<ref name=allmusic /> In the mid-1980s, ''Time'' magazine's pop music critic, [[Jay Cocks]], noted "Jackson is the biggest thing since [[The Beatles]]. He is the hottest single phenomenon since [[Elvis Presley]]. He just may be the most popular black singer ever".<ref name=TIME/> In 1990, ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' cited Jackson as the most popular artist in the history of show business.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 43-44"/> In 2007, Jackson said, "Music has been my outlet, my gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever."<ref>{{cite news |first=Bryan |last=Monroe |title=Michael Jackson in His Own Words |format=Print/Magazine |publisher=''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' |date=December 2007}}</ref>

Shortly after Jackson's death, on June 25, 2009, MTV briefly returned to its original music video format to celebrate and pay tribute to his work.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brokes|title=A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/music/26jackson.html?ref=obituaries|work=New York Times|date=June 25, 2009|accessdate=July 12, 2009}}</ref> The channel aired many hours of Jackson's music videos, accompanied by live news specials featuring reactions from MTV personalities and other celebrities. The temporary shift in MTV's programming culminated the following week in the channel's live coverage of Jackson's memorial service.<ref>{{cite web|title=More adds, loose ends, and lament|url=http://altmusictv.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-adds-loose-ends-and-lament.html|work=The 120 Minutes Archive|date=July 25, 2009|accessdate=July 26, 2009}}</ref> At the memorial service on July 7, 2009, founder of [[Motown Records]] Berry Gordy proclaimed Jackson as "the greatest entertainer that ever lived."<ref>{{cite news |title=Farewell to a King|work=People |date=July 20, 2009 |accessdate=November 26, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Berry Gordy-Brings Mourners To Their Feet With Jackson Tribute |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/gordy-brings-mourners-to-their-feet-with-jackson-tribute_1108973|work=Contact Music |date=July 7, 2009 |accessdate=November 26, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson hailed as greatest entertainer, best dad|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5615KN20090708|work=Reuters UK |date=July 8, 2009 |accessdate=November 26, 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, two university [[librarian]]s found that Jackson's influence extended into [[academia]], and was detectable in scholarly literature pertaining to a range of subject matter.<ref name="Chandler"/><ref name="Hidalgo">{{cite journal |author=Hidalgo, Susan and Weiner, Robert G. |title=Wanna Be Startin' Somethin': MJ in the Scholarly Literature: A Selected Bibliographic Guide |year=2010 |journal=The Journal of Pan African Studies |volume=3 |issue=7 |pages=14–28 |url=http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol3no7/3.7MJ-Wanna-3.pdf}}</ref> The two researchers combed through various scholars' writings, and compiled an [[annotated bibliography]] of those writings that appeared to meet at least one of several criteria. Among these criteria were appearance in a [[peer-reviewed journal]], and the provision of insight into the nature of "popular icons including Jackson".<ref name="Hidalgo_15">Hidalgo and Weiner (2010), p. 15.</ref> The bibliography located references to Jackson in research reports concerning music, popular culture, and an array of other topics. The bibliographers identified as their most peculiar finding an argument that certain aspects of [[chemistry]] can be effectively taught by altering and imitating elements of Jackson's singing.<ref name="Hidalgo_25">Hidalgo and Weiner (2010), p. 25.</ref> One of the research librarians later reflected that "the fact that someone would take a Michael Jackson song and co-opt it as a means to convey chemistry concepts just shows the pervasiveness of Jackson's influence".<ref name="Chandler">{{cite web |author=Chandler, Cory |title=Librarians Prove Michael Jackson Was a Rock Star in Academic Literature |publisher=[[Texas Tech University]] |url=http://today.ttu.edu/2010/05/librarians-prove-michael-jackson-was-a-rock-star-in-academic-literature/ |accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>

== Honors and awards ==
{{See also|List of awards received by Michael Jackson}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F079012-0026, Berlin, Michael Jackson-Konzert, Wartende.jpg|thumb|alt=Multiple people standing in line before a wall plastered with Michael Jackson posters. There are three women with short blonde hair, a man with curly brown hair and a man wearing a navy cap. |Queues for a Michael Jackson concert in [[West Berlin]] in June 1988]]

Michael Jackson was inducted onto the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 1984. Throughout his career he received numerous honors and awards, including the [[World Music Awards]]' Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium, the [[American Music Award]]'s Artist of the Century Award and the [[Bambi (prize)|Bambi]] Pop Artist of the Millennium Award.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 50-53">George, pp. 50–53</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2002/11/22/michaeljackson/ |title=Michael Jackson and Halle Berry Pick Up Bambi Awards in Berlin |accessdate=November 11, 2006 |publisher=[[Hello!]] |date=(November 22, 2002) |accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> He was a double-inductee of the [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees#Performers|Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], once as a member of The Jackson&nbsp;5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001. Jackson was also an inductee of the [[Inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame#J|Songwriters Hall of Fame]] in 2002.<ref name = "Nelson George overview 50-53"/> His awards include many ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' (eight in 2006 alone),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/entertainment/music/article/24523--michael-jackson-named-most-successful-entertainer-of-all-time |title=Michael Jackson Named Most Successful Entertainer Of All Time |work=[[CityNews]] |publisher=Rogers Broadcasting Limited |date=November 15, 2006 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}</ref> 13 [[Grammy Award]]s (as well as the [[Grammy Legend Award]] and the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]), 26 [[American Music Awards]] (24 only as a solo artist, including the "Artist of the Century", but not the poll of "Artist of the '80s")—more than any artist—, 13 [[List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)#J|number one singles in the US]] in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/most-no1s-overall.shtml |title=Most No. 1s By Artist (All-Time) |work=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref>—and estimated sales of up to 750&nbsp;million records worldwide, making him the [[List of best-selling music artists|world's best selling male solo pop artist]].<ref name = "MJ Grammy's"/><ref name="World Records">{{cite web |url=http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/14112006/344/jackson-receives-world-records.html&e=l_news_dm |title=Jackson receives his World Records |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |date= (November 14, 2006) |accessdate=November 16, 2006}}</ref><ref name="KOP achievements">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15529981/ |title=The return of the King of Pop |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=(November 2, 2006) |accessdate=June 8, 2008}}</ref><ref name="AMAs Poll"/><ref name="AMAs MJ">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-dominate-american-music-awards-nominations.html |title=Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson dominate American Music Awards nominations (Updated) |publisher=Tribune Company |work=Los Angeles Times |date= October 13, 2009 |accessdate=October 14, 2009}}</ref><ref name="AMAs 2009">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/2009-american-music-awards-scorecard.html |title=2009 American Music Awards: Scorecard |publisher=Tribune Company |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 22, 2009 |accessdate=November 23, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Living Legend">{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Legends/ |title=Grammy Living Legend Award |publisher=[[Grammy]] |accessdate=December 11, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Lifetime Achievement">{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Lifetime_Awards/ |title=Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award |publisher=Grammy |accessdate=December 11, 2009}}</ref><ref name="AMAs Poll2">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=ZMwgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tmoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3529,2860414&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=List of American Music Awards winners |publisher=Sun Journal |date= (January 18, 2000) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AMAs Poll3">{{cite web |url=http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=essyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bskEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3817,2301247&dq=american+music+awards&hl=en |title=Santana wins top album honors at American Music Awards |publisher=Times Daily |date= (January 18, 2000) |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> On December 29, 2009, the American Film Institute recognized Jackson's passing as a "moment of significance" saying, "Michael Jackson's sudden death in June at age 50 was notable for the worldwide outpouring of grief and the unprecedented global eulogy of his posthumous concert rehearsal movie ''This is It''."<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's Death Among 2009's Major Moments |first=Jill |last=Serjeant |work=ABC News |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |date=December 29, 2009 |accessdate=March 3, 2010}}</ref> Jackson will be inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=927172&category=REGION |first=Joseph |last=Dalton |title=Jackson Dance hall of fame |publisher=Times union |date=May 2010|accessdate=January 1, 2010}}</ref>

== Lifetime earnings ==
His total lifetime earnings from [[royalties]] on his solo recordings and music videos, revenue from concerts and endorsements have been estimated at $500&nbsp;million; some analysts have speculated that his music catalog holdings could be worth billions of dollars.<ref name="usatoday finances"/><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155356,00.html | title = Witness: Jacko Lived Way Above Means | publisher = Fox News Channel| date = (May 3, 2005) | accessdate = May 30, 2007}}</ref> This speculation however is contradicted by financial documents obtained by the Associated Press, which showed that as of March 31, 2007, Jackson's 50 percent stake in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog (his most prized asset) was worth $390.6 million and Michael Jackson's net worth was {{Nowrap|$236 million}}.<ref name="cbsnews1">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/30/entertainment/main5125862.shtml "Family: Michael Jackson Had A Will"] CBS News (June 30, 2009). Retrieved on July 12, 2009.</ref> ''Billboard'' has estimated that Jackson has generated at least {{Nowrap|$1 billion}} in revenue in the year following his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/news/how-michael-jackson-made-1-billion-since-1004099450.story#/news/how-michael-jackson-made-1-billion-since-1004099450.story |title=How Michael Jackson Made {{Nowrap|$1 Billion}} Since His Death |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |accessdate=June 23, 2010 |date=June 21, 2010 |last=Christman |first=Ed, Ann Donahue, Gail Mitchell, Glenn Peoples and Ray Waddell}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Michael Jackson albums discography|Michael Jackson singles discography|Michael Jackson videography}}
{{See also|Jackson 5 discography}}
* ''[[Got to Be There]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Ben (album)|Ben]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Music & Me]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Forever, Michael]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Dangerous (album)|Dangerous]]'' (1991)
* ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book&nbsp;I]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'' (2001)

== Filmography ==
{{Main|Michael Jackson videography}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year!!Film!!Role!!Director!!class="unsortable"|Ref
|- style="text-align:center;"
||1978||''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]''||[[Scarecrow (Oz)|Scarecrow]]||{{Sortname|Sidney|Lumet}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name = "quincy">Jones, pp. 229, 259</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||1986||''[[Captain EO]]''||Captain EO||{{Sortname|Francis Ford|Coppola}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name = "tara 355-356">Taraborrelli, pp. 355–356</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||1988||''[[Moonwalker]]''||Himself||{{Sortname|Jerry|Kramer}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name = "tara 413-414">Taraborrelli, pp. 413–414</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||1997||''[[Ghosts (1997 film)|Ghosts]]''||Maestro/Mayor/Ghoul/Skeleton||{{Sortname|Stan|Winston}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name = "tara 610">Taraborrelli, p. 610</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||2002||''[[Men in Black II]]''||Agent M (cameo)||{{Sortname|Barry|Sonnenfeld}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Defending Earth, With Worms and a Talking Pug">{{cite news|first=A. O|last=Scott|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/03/movies/03BLAC.html?ex=1234155600&en=1e9c4a5a1eafc54f&ei=5070|title=Defending Earth, With Worms and a Talking Pug|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=February 7, 2009 | date=July 3, 2002}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||2004||''[[Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls]]''||Agent MJ (cameo)||{{Sortname|Bryan Michael|Stoller}}|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="'Miss Cast Away': You Know It's Bad">{{cite news|first=Jen|last=Chaney|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/18/AR2005071800641_pf.html|title='Miss Cast Away': You Know It's Bad|publisher=The Washington Post|date=July 19, 2005|accessdate=February 7, 2009}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
||2009||''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''||Himself||[[Kenny Ortega]]|| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Michael Jackson's ">{{cite web|first=Danny|last=Le|url=http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/news/michael-jacksons-it-be-presented-theaters-around-world|title='Michael Jackson's "This Is It," to be Presented In Theaters Around The World|publisher=MichaelJackson.com|date=August 11, 2009|accessdate=August 11, 2009}}</ref>
|}

== Tours ==
{{Main|List of Michael Jackson tours}}
* [[Bad World Tour]] (1987–89)
* [[Dangerous World Tour]] (1992–93)
* [[HIStory World Tour]] (1996–97)

== See also ==
{{Portal box|Michael Jackson|The Jackson Family}}
* [[List of awards received by Michael Jackson]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists in the United States]]
* [[List of unreleased Michael Jackson material]]
* [[List of honorific titles in popular music]]
* [[Records and achievements of Michael Jackson]]

== Notes ==
{{columns-list|2|
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{columns-list|3|
* {{cite book|last=Brackett|first=Nathan|authorlink=Nathan Brackett|coauthors=Christian Hoard|title=[[Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=Fireside|year=2004|isbn=0-7432-0169-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Lisa|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop|publisher=Branden|year=1993|isbn=082831957X}}
* {{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Lisa|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour|publisher=Branden|year=1995|isbn=0828320039}}
* [[Nelson George|George, Nelson]] (2004). ''[[Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection]]'' booklet. [[Sony BMG]].
* {{cite book |last=Guinness World Records |title=Guinness World Records 2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Guinness |isbn=1892051206}}
* {{cite book |last=Guinness World Records |title=Guinness World Records 2006 |year=2005 |publisher=Guinness |isbn=1-904994-02-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |title=Moon Walk |year=1988 |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0385247125}}
* {{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Jel |title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews! |year = 2005 |publisher=Amber Books Publishing|isbn=0-974977-90-X}}
*{{cite book |last1=Ramage |first1=John D. |last2=Bean |first2=John C. |last3=Johnson |first3=June | title=Writing arguments: a rhetoric with readings| publisher=Allyn and Bacon| year=2001| isbn=0205317456}}
*{{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |title=Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958–2009 |year=2009 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing, 2009 |location=Terra Alta, WV |isbn=0-446-56474-5, 9780446564748}}
}}

== Further reading ==
{{columns-list|3|
* {{cite book|last=Dineen|first=Catherine|title=Michael Jackson: In His Own Words|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|year=1993|isbn=0711932166}}
* {{cite book |last=Grant |first=Adrian |title=Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary |year=1994, 1997, 2002 and 2005 |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |isbn=1-84449-432-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |title=Moonwalk |year= 1988|publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0-434-37042-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |title=Dancing the Dream |year=1992 |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0-385-40368-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Michael |title=My World, The Official Photobook, Vol. 1 |year=2006 |publisher=Triumph International |isbn=0-9768891-1-0}}
*{{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |authorlink=J. Randy Taraborrelli |title=Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958–2009 |year=2009 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing, 2009 |location=Terra Alta, WV |isbn=0-446-56474-5, 9780446564748}}
* {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Bob|title=Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask|publisher=Select Books Inc|year=2005|isbn=1590790723}}
* {{cite book |last=Noonan |first=Damien |title=Michael Jackson |format= Audio book |year= 1994|publisher=Carlton Books |isbn=1-85797-587-1}}
}}

==External links==
{{Sisterlinks|n=Category:Michael Jackson|commons=Category:Michael Jackson|wikt=no|v=no|b=no|s=no}}
* {{Official|http://www.michaeljackson.com}}
* {{dmoz|Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/J/Jackson,_Michael/|Michael Jackson}}
* {{Discogs artist|artist=Michael+Jackson}}
* {{imdb name|name=Michael Jackson|id=0001391}}
* {{amg|label=Michael Jackson|id=11:m7uvad8kv8w5}}
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethanhein/3409364883/ Michael Jackson sample map], depicting the influence Jackson's work has had on other users.

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<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME=Jackson, Michael Joseph
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Jackson, Michael Joe; Jackson, Michael J.
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Singer
|DATE OF BIRTH= August 29, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], [[Indiana]], United States
|DATE OF DEATH= June 25, 2009
|PLACE OF DEATH= Los Angeles, California, United States
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Michael}}
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[[Category:Pop soul musicians]]
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[[Category:The Jackson 5 members|Michael Jackson]]
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Revision as of 23:34, 26 July 2010

THE MICHAEL JACKSON IS A BIRD FOUND COMMONLY IN NEW YORK AND LAS VEGAS.

THEY CAN BE SEEN WEARING FEDORAS AND SHOUTING THEIR BATTLE CRY, "SHAMOOOOOOONA"

TWICE THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ATTACK PEOPLE, THOUGH THEY ARE GENERALLY PEACEFUL BEINGS.

THEIRS NESTS CONSIST OF ROLLERCOASTERS AND HIPPO SKIN.

IF YOU ARE A BIRDWATHCER, HERE ARE SOME OTHER TRAITS-

1. Generally is sparkly 2. Can sing very well 3. Can dance when given a top hat and cane. 4. Is afraid of bikini models wearing JFK skin masks. 5. Can defeat a whole tower of sheep. 6. Does not like fancy dogs. 7. plop plop fizz fizz yum yum. 8. The. American cheese!

GO SEE IT






IT IS ALSO A SAMMICH IN MY HOUSE

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