Jun 26, 2009 09:25 PM
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(Updated Jun 26, 2009 09:27 PM)
Michael Jackson - King of pop
Michael Jackson, revered as the "King of Pop" died due to sudden cardiac arrest just weeks before his much awaited comeback 'This Is It.'
At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13.
Michael Jackson's star power was unmatched. The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it. He's literally the king of pop.''
When I first heard the sad news I couldn’t believe my ears and immediately switched on the television. We all grew up listening to him. He was a rage in every country, everybody wanted to dress and dance like him. Most of my cousins & friends wanted to sing and dance like MJ.He was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented singer. He was an innovator, he was a genius at what he did.
In India, The only English singer after Elvis Presley that people knew until some years ago was Michael Jackson. He was a true icon. People like him are rare, there has been no star like him and will never be.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson in Indiana on August 29, 1958. He was the seventh of nine children from a well-known musical family. The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Indiana. Among their No. 1 hits were I Want You Back, ABC and I'll Be There. He began a solo career in 1971.
He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.
Jackson was one of the few artistes to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. His other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy awards and the sales of his over 750 million albums worldwide, which included 'Forever, Michael', 'Of the Wall' 'Thriller' 'Dangerous' and 'History. His last studio album, ``Invincible,'' was released in 2001
MJ’s Album "Thriller," became the top-selling album of all time, with sales exceeding 41 million.
Few other artists of his era reached the peaks that he did, both in terms of sales and critical acclaim
MJ's 13 No. 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey.
Elevated to the stardom level of the Beatles and Elvis, he also introduced a new level of mega-stardom through his music and clothes, his dance moves, and his massive live concert tours.
He raised consciousness about the plight of Africa with the super group recording "We Are the World" in 1985.
Al Sharpton, the black leader said "Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of colour - way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama. Michael did with music what they did in sport politics and music. No controversy will erase his impact.
Everybody faces problems in life and so did he, but he had to pay a huge price just because of his star status. It's not easy to live under the scanner all the time.
He was one of the most incredible pop icons. It is sad that world's most unbelievable live performer is no more with us. His music has been an inspiration to the whole world. With his sudden demise, a musical void has been created which can never be filled.
Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim. Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories.
May his soul rest in peace.
( Forever Michael - It's Michael Forever ... please Ignore the space)
