Remembering Michael Jackson – The King of Pop and A Forever Legend

Remembering Michael Jackson, a forever legend and the king of pop who will never have and will never be forgotten.

Not a lot of names demand as much attention and respect as it attracts controversy.

This eccentric personality not only changed his music with time, but he also changed his skin color too. The American singer was a singer, a dancer, a producer, a songwriter, and also a fashionista. And undoubtedly, one of the most popular and talented men of the 20th century

If there was one person who absolutely redefined dancing, it was our own MJ. Such is the popularity and fame associated with the name that every kid and adult alike knows him.

Called the King of Pop, he was one of the most popular entertainers in the world and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Jackson’s contributions to music, dance, and fashion along with his publicized personal life made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Remembering Michael Jackson – A Legendary Journey

Michael Jackson In His Early Days
Michael Jackson in His Early Days

On August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson was born to Joe and Kathy Jackson in Gary, Indiana in the United States.

He belonged to a middle-class African-American musical Jackson family who lived in a two-bedroom house. He was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family and was part of the group, Jackson 5.

Jackson 5 was a musical group of 5 talented Jackson brothers, formed by their father, Joseph Jackson. Other group members of the Jackson 5 were Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, and Marlon Jackson.

Every time you hear the phrase moonwalk, the memory of MJ coming down the ramp with a moonwalk in front of millions in his mind immediately comes into your head, right?

His ability to move so precisely, elegantly, and gracefully across a stage has influenced choreographers and creative dancers across all forms of dance and can be seen in many types of ballroom dances.

As he began transitioning into his solo career, he rapidly ascended through the ranks, becoming one of the most popular artists in the United States. His unique style, his singing, and his dancing quickly developed into an identity all of his own.

The eighth kid of the family, Michael overshadowed all his siblings. He was, in every sense of the word, Bad. He could never hold on to a good image in front of the media and the press, but the fans adored him nonetheless.

Michael Jackson - A Forever Legend
Michael Jackson – A Forever Legend

The sheer talent that this man possessed can be seen from the fact that he holds multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy Awards, 26 American Music Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Grammy Legend Award.

And if this was not enough, he’s recognized as the Most Successful Entertainer Of All Times by Guinness. And to top it all, he has been inducted in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, twice!!

His singing was great and contradictory to itself. It was mature, yet had a boyish naturalness to it. It was sad and melancholic, yet you could hear the excitement when he sang.

He had a natural falsetto, owing to his high tenor pitch. He could also let out a ferocious growl. And his singing wasn’t just limited to singing. He would gulp, give out a vocal hiccup, grunt and exclaim. He could do all this in the same song.

Michael was an extraordinary man whose expressions were just not limited to singing and dancing but went beyond that. Way beyond.

His music videos were not just videos but a whole spectacle in themselves. A typical MJ video would extend way beyond the song. It was a whole story packed in a video.

It was in the music video of Bad, that Michael first did his (in)famous crotch grab. Once it started, it became a trademark. It might be the norm today, but back in the ’90s, MJ was the one who had the balls to depict sexual innuendos in his videos.

Watch Michael Jackson Moonwalking His Way Through Our Hearts 

His live performances were no less a spectacle. Although it is quite a known fact that MJ would lip-sync in a majority of his concerts, it never hampered the experience for the fans. The MoonWalk wasn’t really his invention, but the world doesn’t care.

He was the one who made it famous. The King of Pop has been called the biggest thing since The Beatles, who were in turn, were “More popular than Jesus”. Michael Jackson dealt in a large domain of music genres, from Punk to Post-Disco, pop, soul, R&B.

The fascinating aspect of Jackson’s music production is that he wasn’t the one who would write songs on paper. That is for peasants. Peasants like you and me. MJ used to directly record his songs and would use beatboxes in place of instruments. Genius?  Yup. Not a doubt.

Controversies were not too far from the idol too. He was accused of sexually molesting kids a number of times. First in 1993, then in 2003-05. The first case was settled out of court for a whopping $22 million. In the second instance, he was acquitted of all the charges.

On June 25, 2009, the greatest American recording artist fell unconscious while lying in bed at his rented mansion. Attempts at resuscitating him by his personal physician were unsuccessful.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call at 12:22 pm, arriving three minutes later. Jackson was reportedly not breathing and CPR was performed. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm Pacific time.

Michael Jackson - The King Of Pop
Michael Jackson – The King of Pop

About a year before his death, a compilation album of Jackson songs, named “King of Pop” was released in remembrance of his 50th birthday in 2008. To date, the album King of Pop has been released in a total of 28 versions.

Not a lot of musicians’ death triggers an emotional out-pour on this large scale. But then, not a lot of musicians are Michael Jackson.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 most famous Albums of Michael Jackson.

Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. And he’s had few (few, mind you, not one) of the world’s best-selling albums including Off the Wall (1979)Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995). Musically, his high-pitched vocals were what filled fans with joy and energy.  

Thriller (1982)

Released in 1982, Thriller produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson is a 9-tracks’ album. Thriller earned Michael Jackson eight Grammy Awards and is still one of his most successful albums to date.

Bad (1987)

Bad was another hit album by Michael Jackson released in 1987 and produced by Quincy Jones. Bad comprises 9 popular singles which are no less than 9 short films.  

Dangerous (1991)

Watch this live performance on Dangerous from the 1997 Munich concert. Released in 1991, Dangerous was Jackson’s experimental work and was considered an artistic change for him. It became a commercial success in no time.

Off the Wall (1979)

Released in 1979 and produced by Qunicy Jones, it was a major breakthrough for Jackson.   

Got to Be There (1972)

Got to be There was Jackson’s debut solo studio album which had 4-singles. It was produced by Hal Davis, The Corporation, and Willie Hutch.  

HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book 1 (1995)

Scream is one of the most popular singles of the studio album, History: Past, Present, and Future, Book 1. HIStory topped the Billboard 200, chart of 200 most popular albums.  

Forever, Michael (1975)

One Day in Your Life is the most popular single of Forever, Michael which was released in 1981. It became the sixth best-selling album of 1981 in the UK.  

Michael (2010)

Michael is the first posthumous, and eleventh overall album of previously unreleased material by pop icon Michael Jackson.  

Invincible (2001)

It was Jackson’s last released album through Epic. Singles from Invincible album touched Billboard 100 and 200 charts.  

Ben (1972)

“Ben” was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Song.  

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”.  

Not only have his dance and singing styles been copied and emulated by fans, a deliberate mispronunciation of the phrase, “Come On” as “C’mon” is Jackson’s contribution to the English language.

20 Most Inspiring Quotes by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson Quotes
Michael Jackson Quotes

He was one of the most popular and successful artists of all time. Jackson broke numerous records and inspired people around the world with his music and dance. In remembrance of Michael Jackson, we have compiled a list of his most inspiring quotes.

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.

~ Michael Jackson 

We have to heal our wounded world. The chaos, despair, and senseless destruction we see today are a result of the alienation that people feel from each other and their environment.

~ Michael Jackson 

In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.

~ Michael Jackson 

The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.

~ Michael Jackson 

You can’t hurt me, I found peace within myself.

~ Michael Jackson 

When all life is seen as divine, everyone grows wings.

~ Michael Jackson 
Inspiring Michael Jackson Quotes
Inspiring Michael Jackson Quotes

When they say the sky’s the limit to me that’s really true.

~ Michael Jackson 

To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything living has a rhythm. Do you feel your music?

~ Michael Jackson 

When children listen to music, they don’t just listen. They melt into the melody and flow with the rhythm. Something inside starts to unfold its wings – soon the child and the music are one.

~ Michael Jackson 

Hope is such a beautiful word, but it often seems very fragile. Life is still being needlessly hurt and destroyed.

~ Michael Jackson 

I’m going to search for my star until I find it. It’s hidden in the drawer of innocence, wrapped in a scarf of wonder.

~ Michael Jackson 

Please go for your dreams. Whatever your ideals, you can become whatever you want to become.

~ Michael Jackson 

Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within your heart
Then ask – have you seen my childhood?

~ Michael Jackson 

Hope is such a beautiful word, but it often seems very fragile. Life is still being needlessly hurt and destroyed.

~ Michael Jackson 
Michael Jackson Quotes
Michael Jackson Quotes

To give someone a piece of your heart is worth more than all the wealth in the world.

~ Michael Jackson 

But I will never stop helping and loving people the way Jesus said to.

~ Michael Jackson 

If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and make a change.

~ Michael Jackson 

You can’t do your best when you’re doubting yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

~ Michael Jackson 

To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything living has a rhythm. Do you feel your music?

~ Michael Jackson 

In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.

~ Michael Jackson 

Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.

~ Michael Jackson 

Michael Jackson was an icon who transcended genres. His music ranged from dance to pop to R&B. It’s no surprise that he sold more than 1 billion records.

In conclusion, Michael Jackson was an incredible musician and artist. He will always be remembered for his contribution to music and for his amazing performances.

His music albums are a testament to his talent and his inspirational quotes show his wisdom and compassion. He was a true king of pop and a legend for all time.

Have you ever listened to any of his songs? What do you think of his legacy? Share your thoughts below!

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Editorial Team at TerraTale is a group of individuals and experts, who write about their experiences and learnings on a variety of subjects that anyone can connect with and reflect upon.

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