
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009),
known as the "King Of Pop", was an American musician, and one of the
most talented and celebrated artists in the history of music. His unique
contributions to popular music and dance, along with a highly publicized and often controversial personal life, made him a prominent
figure in popular culture for four decades.
In this section, we bring you some of the
most interesting historic facts about the life and music of the
phenomenon that is Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to an
African American family. His mother, Katherine Esther S cruse, was a
devout Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, a
steel mill worker who performed with an R&B band called The
Falcons.
Michael Jackson was born the Seventh of Nine Children. He had three
sisters, Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers, Jackie, Tito,
Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy.
Michael Jackson had a difficult relationship with his
father. He said that he was physically and emotionally abused during
rehearsals. He was whipped, and was called names. Joseph acknowledged in
2003 that he had whipped Jackson as a child. Michael Jackson though
credited his father's discipline for his success.
In 1964, Michael Jackson and brother Marlon joined the
Jackson Brothers, which was a band formed by brothers Jackie, Tito, and
Jermaine. They first joined as backup musicians playing congas and the
tambourine. Michael later began performing backup vocals and dancing,
and at the age of eight he and Jermaine assumed lead vocals, and the
group's name was changed to The Jackson 5.
Michael Jackson was 11 years old when he performed on television for the first time with The Jackson Five.
Jackson's pre-concert ritual included drinking Ricola
candy dissolved in hot water. He claimed the beverage helps to keep his
throat and his singing voice clear.

The "Scream" music video Jackson made with sister Janet is the most expensive promo ever made, costing more than $7 million.
Bubbles the chimp and Ben the rat are two of Jackson's
most famous pets, but he also befriended a ram called Mr. Tibbs, a
python called Crusher and Louie the llama.
MC Hammer once challenged Jackson to a dance-off. He was
told to "Beat It." Jackson reportedly responded, "I've seen your videos
and every single dance move you use, you got them of me."
Jackson has supported more charities than any other pop
singer - 39 charitable organizations either with monetary donations
through sponsorships of their projects or the participation in their
activities. The charities involved include AIDS Project L.A., American
Cancer Society, BMI Foundation, Inc., Child help USA, and United Negro College fund
In 1987, Michael Jackson bought a 2,800 acre property
north-west of Santa Barbara for $14.6m and named it Never land, after the
imaginary land in JM Barrie's novel Peter Pan. Within the grounds he
built a private zoo and a fairground with a roller coaster and a Ferris
wheel.

Michael Jackson is the first solo artist to generate 4 top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with Off the Wall.
Michael Jackson holds the record for most Grammys won in one year with 8 in 1984.
Thriller, bad, Dangerous, History and Off the wall were
michael's best selling albums with sales of 65, 32, 30, 22 and 20
million albums respectively.
Michael Jackson's first ever commercial record was
entitled 'Big Boy', written by Ed Silver for Steel Town records. The
song 'Big Boy' sold little over 10 000 records.
Michael Jackson famously donated the entire profits from
his arduous, and record breaking "Dangerous" World Tour from June 27,
1992 to November 11, 1993, to charity.
In 1984, a U.S. library accused Jackson of owing it over
$1 million in overdue book fines. Officials said they would scrap the
fines if he returned the books autographed.

In 1985, Michael Jackson co-wrote, sang and recorded the
best selling single 'We Are The World' raising 60 million dollars to
alleviate famine in Africa. In fact the profits from Michael Jacksons
'Man In The Mirror', 'Heal the World' and 'Earth Song' have all been
donated to charity.
Michael Jackson appeared on a postage stamp in the
Virgin Islands in the mid-1980s after locals voted him the superstar
they'd most like to honor.
It is a misconception that the title of King of Pop is
self-proclaimed. Elizabeth Taylor publicly coined the phrase first when
presenting Michael with an award in 1989, calling him the "true king of
pop, rock and soul". The award was the Heritage award, which was
presented to Michael by both Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Murphy.
In May 1994, Jackson married singer-songwriter Lisa Marie
Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. They had first met in 1975
during one of Jackson's family engagements at the MGM Grand Hotel and
Casino, and were reconnected through a mutual friend in early 1993.
Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley divorced less than
two years after their marriage in 1994, they remained on friendly
terms.
Michael Jackson received a Presidential Humanitarian
Award from Ronald Reagan in 1984 for his support of charities helping
people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.
David O. Selznick's 1940 Best Film Oscar for Gone with
the Wind (USA, 1939) was bought by Jackson for $1,542,000 on June 12,
1999, at Sotheby's, New York City. The pop star made his bid by phone.
It is the most expensive Oscar.

Jackson's performance during the 1993 SuperBowl half-time show drew the largest TV audience in American history.
for a charity event held at the Neverland Ranch in
September 2003, for the first time ever, Michael invited an artist from
the outside to perform there. It was Yannick Harrison, also known as Jay
Kid, from Denmark that performed a number of his interpretations of
Michael Jackson songs for the specially invited guests.
Michael Jackson's part feature film, part music video,
Ghosts (USA, 1996), is 38 minutes long and was based on an original
concept by horror writer Stephen King. Jackson plays five different
roles in the video, directed by Stan Winston. It is the longest music
video of all time.
In 1986 Jackson signed a $15 million deal with Pepsi - it was the largest ever endorsement for product pro
Jackson really is a King in West Africa - he was given a royal title by villagers in Gabon, Ivory Coast in 1992.