Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMusical genius vs. Megalomaniac Musical genius vs. Megalomaniac

entertainerentertainer

OutlineOutline

1. Introduction1. Introduction

2. Childhood2. Childhood A. Early childhood years in Gary/IndianaA. Early childhood years in Gary/Indiana B. Jackson Five B. Jackson Five C. Breaking up with Jackson Five and the start of his C. Breaking up with Jackson Five and the start of his

solo career solo career

OutlineOutline

3. A legend is born3. A legend is born A. Breakthrough („Thriller“)A. Breakthrough („Thriller“) B. Becoming the „King of Pop“B. Becoming the „King of Pop“

4. Personal life4. Personal life A. RelationshipsA. Relationships

A.1. Jacksons‘ marriages and childrenA.1. Jacksons‘ marriages and children

B. CharityB. Charity B.1. USA for AfricaB.1. USA for Africa B.2.Various donations (Neverland Ranch) B.2.Various donations (Neverland Ranch)

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5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“ A. Rumours (Interview with O. Winfrey/1993)A. Rumours (Interview with O. Winfrey/1993) B. child abuse caseB. child abuse case

6. Conclusion6. Conclusion

1. Introduction1. Introduction

Michael Joseph JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson

Gary/Indiana (USA)Gary/Indiana (USA)

29.08.195829.08.1958

one of nine childrenone of nine children

2. Childhood2. ChildhoodA. Early years in Gary/IndianaA. Early years in Gary/Indiana

Father: Joseph JacksonFather: Joseph Jackson worked in a steel mill worked in a steel mill enthusiastic about musicenthusiastic about music

→ → hobby musicianhobby musician strict rules:strict rules:

forced his children to play forced his children to play musicmusic

locked them up at homelocked them up at home beat them up with his beltbeat them up with his belt

Mother: Katherine JacksonMother: Katherine Jackson in contrast to Joseph:in contrast to Joseph:

sensitivesensitive different point of view different point of view

concerning religious educationconcerning religious education→ → Jehovah‘s WitnessesJehovah‘s Witnesses→ → door-to-door evangelismdoor-to-door evangelism

Overall heOverall henever had a typical childhoodnever had a typical childhood

2. Childhood2. ChildhoodB. Jackson Five B. Jackson Five

1962: „The Jackson Brothers“ 1962: „The Jackson Brothers“ 1964: Michael started playing congas and tambourine1964: Michael started playing congas and tambourine 1966: „The Jackson Five“1966: „The Jackson Five“ 1967: Michael became lead singer only aged eight 1967: Michael became lead singer only aged eight In the same year the Jackson 5 got their first record contract In the same year the Jackson 5 got their first record contract

(Steeltown label)(Steeltown label) Berry Gordy (head of Motown records) bought them out of their Berry Gordy (head of Motown records) bought them out of their

contractcontract→ → family moved to Los Angelesfamily moved to Los Angeles

→ → were launched into the public spotlight by Diana Ross (became a were launched into the public spotlight by Diana Ross (became a longtime friend) in 1969longtime friend) in 1969

14 albums, including smash hits like „ABC“ and „I want you back“14 albums, including smash hits like „ABC“ and „I want you back“

2. Childhood2. ChildhoodC. Breaking up with Jackson Five and the start of C. Breaking up with Jackson Five and the start of

his solo careerhis solo career

Jackson Five signed a contract with another label Jackson Five signed a contract with another label → → they were not they were not allowed to use the name „Jackson Five“ anylongerallowed to use the name „Jackson Five“ anylonger

from now on: „The Jacksons“ from now on: „The Jacksons“ → performed until 1980→ performed until 1980

Michael and Marlon left the band → success immediately declined Michael and Marlon left the band → success immediately declined („The Jacksons“ only existed until 1990)(„The Jacksons“ only existed until 1990)

1979: album „Off the wall“ → global success1979: album „Off the wall“ → global success

3. A legend is born3. A legend is bornA. BreakthroughA. Breakthrough

1982: „Thriller“ was one of a kind, being the best-selling 1982: „Thriller“ was one of a kind, being the best-selling record of all times record of all times

→ → first black artist being shown on a regular basis on MTVfirst black artist being shown on a regular basis on MTV

the production of music clips was revolutionized by movielike videos the production of music clips was revolutionized by movielike videos such as „Thriller“, „Billie Jean“ and „Beat it“such as „Thriller“, „Billie Jean“ and „Beat it“

1987: „Bad“ 1987: „Bad“ → second-best-selling album in music history→ second-best-selling album in music history

„„Bad World Tour“: his second world tourBad World Tour“: his second world tour

first artist who managed to have five number-one hits off one albumfirst artist who managed to have five number-one hits off one album

3. A legend is born3. A legend is bornB. Becoming the „King of Pop“B. Becoming the „King of Pop“

1991: „Dangerous“ , including smash hit „Black or White“1991: „Dangerous“ , including smash hit „Black or White“ → → several celebrities acting in his music clips several celebrities acting in his music clips

1992: „Dangerous“ world tour (huge success all over the world) 1992: „Dangerous“ world tour (huge success all over the world)

1993:1993: honoured as „living legend“ at the Grammy Award show and honoured as „living legend“ at the Grammy Award show and won several WMA‘s won several WMA‘s

1995: „HIStory Past, Present and Future Book I“1995: „HIStory Past, Present and Future Book I“ →→ promotion of this album cost a fortunepromotion of this album cost a fortune

→→ music video „Scream“ was/is the most expensive clip of all music video „Scream“ was/is the most expensive clip of all times (8 million $ budget)times (8 million $ budget)

3. A legend is born3. A legend is born B. Becoming the „King of Pop“B. Becoming the „King of Pop“

1996/1997: „HIStory“ world tour 1996/1997: „HIStory“ world tour →→ the biggest and most expensive the biggest and most expensive show of all times show of all times

2001: musical comeback: „You rock my world“ 2001: musical comeback: „You rock my world“ →→ worldwide hit worldwide hit single single

September 2001: celebrating his 30 years stage anniversary September 2001: celebrating his 30 years stage anniversary

2002: - was inducted into the famous „ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame“2002: - was inducted into the famous „ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame“ - appeared at the American Music Awards - appeared at the American Music Awards →→ received the received the

„Artist Of The Century“ Award„Artist Of The Century“ Award - received the „Bambi“ for his life´s work

4. Personal life4. Personal lifeA. Relationships – Jacksons‘ marriages and childrenA. Relationships – Jacksons‘ marriages and children

was seen with a lot of famous and attractive women, such as was seen with a lot of famous and attractive women, such as Brooke Shields, Sheryl Crow and Madonna Brooke Shields, Sheryl Crow and Madonna

1994: marriage between Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley 1994: marriage between Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley → → was criticized and after two years as a couple they split up was criticized and after two years as a couple they split up

11/1996: married Deborah J. Rowe 11/1996: married Deborah J. Rowe → → son, named Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. („Prince“) and a son, named Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. („Prince“) and a daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson [divorced in 1999]daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson [divorced in 1999]

2002: „Prince Michael II“ was born (surrogate mother)2002: „Prince Michael II“ was born (surrogate mother)

many discussions about his children → people could not believe many discussions about his children → people could not believe that Michael is the biological father of Prince and Paristhat Michael is the biological father of Prince and Paris

4. Personal life4. Personal lifeB. Charity – USA for AfricaB. Charity – USA for Africa

2000: Guiness Book of World Records 2000: Guiness Book of World Records → most charities supported → most charities supported by a popstar by a popstar

e.g. in 1992: set up the Heal the World Foundatione.g. in 1992: set up the Heal the World Foundation

→ → focuses on children‘s rights around the worldfocuses on children‘s rights around the world often used his music for charitiesoften used his music for charities „ „We are the World“ (1985) → wrote this song for „USA for Africa“ We are the World“ (1985) → wrote this song for „USA for Africa“ → → raised about 50 million $ for famine relief raised about 50 million $ for famine relief USA: USA: UUnited nited SSupport of upport of AArtist rtist raised money to fight AIDS, cancer, famine and povertyraised money to fight AIDS, cancer, famine and poverty supported child help supported child help

4. Personal life4. Personal lifeB. Charity – Various donations (Neverland Ranch)B. Charity – Various donations (Neverland Ranch)

acquired the ranch in 1988acquired the ranch in 1988 most famous home most famous home value approximately 120 million $value approximately 120 million $ 11 km²11 km² divided into 2 parts:divided into 2 parts:

→ → amusement park and zooamusement park and zoo named after the fictional island in „Peter Pan“named after the fictional island in „Peter Pan“ entertained children at Neverland entertained children at Neverland has also special rooms for sick and terminally ill children to stay has also special rooms for sick and terminally ill children to stay

overover children are allowed to do whatever they wantchildren are allowed to do whatever they want

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“A. RumoursA. Rumours

MJ ashamed of his black skin??MJ ashamed of his black skin??

Actually in 1994, MJ was diagnosed by dermatolgist Dr.Arnold Klein Actually in 1994, MJ was diagnosed by dermatolgist Dr.Arnold Klein with with vitiligovitiligo

→ → Actually MJ’s grandfather also had suffered from Actually MJ’s grandfather also had suffered from vitiligovitiligo, a skin , a skin disorderdisorder

Why is MJ having an umbrella and always wearing long-sleeved Why is MJ having an umbrella and always wearing long-sleeved shirts in public?shirts in public?

→ → his dermatologist told him to avoid any exposure to the sunhis dermatologist told him to avoid any exposure to the sun

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“ A. RumoursA. Rumours

MJ obsessed with plastic operations??MJ obsessed with plastic operations??

→ → he claims to have had three operations:he claims to have had three operations: a) in 1979 to repair a broken nose resulting from a dancing accident in a) in 1979 to repair a broken nose resulting from a dancing accident in

the same yearthe same year

b) the second one in 1982 to correct imperfections of the first surgeryb) the second one in 1982 to correct imperfections of the first surgery

c) the surgical creation of a cleft in his chinc) the surgical creation of a cleft in his chin

he justified these operations by stating “to help me breathe better he justified these operations by stating “to help me breathe better and to hit higher notes”and to hit higher notes”

but MJ also did his nose operations, on account of feeling “ugly” but MJ also did his nose operations, on account of feeling “ugly” with it, and being made fun of by his family for having such a big with it, and being made fun of by his family for having such a big

nosenose

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“ A. RumoursA. Rumours

Why is MJ always surrounded by children??Why is MJ always surrounded by children??

→ → he states that he always loved and appreciated children’s he states that he always loved and appreciated children’s innocence, which in his opinion he lost too sooninnocence, which in his opinion he lost too soon

Let us therefore look at his lyrics from his song “Childhood”: Let us therefore look at his lyrics from his song “Childhood”:

““It’s been my fate to compensate for the childhood I’ve never It’s been my fate to compensate for the childhood I’ve never known”known”

Now let us take a short look at the most-watched television interview Now let us take a short look at the most-watched television interview of all times in 1993, where MJ talks to Oprah Winfrey about every of all times in 1993, where MJ talks to Oprah Winfrey about every single rumor about himsingle rumor about him

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“B. Child abuse caseB. Child abuse case

turning point in 1993turning point in 1993

suddenly had to cancel his “Dangerous World Tour”, when suddenly had to cancel his “Dangerous World Tour”, when allegations of child molestation had appeared against MJ in 1993allegations of child molestation had appeared against MJ in 1993

13-year-old Jordan Chandler pressed charges against MJ and 13-year-old Jordan Chandler pressed charges against MJ and accused him of sexually molestating himaccused him of sexually molestating him

Michael avoided having to go to court by paying 23 million US-Dollar Michael avoided having to go to court by paying 23 million US-Dollar to the accuserto the accuser

this was heavily criticized and people wanted to use that as a proof this was heavily criticized and people wanted to use that as a proof for Michael’s guilt for Michael’s guilt

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“ B. Child abuse caseB. Child abuse case

but in November 2005 Jackson’s lawyer T. Mesereau reports to but in November 2005 Jackson’s lawyer T. Mesereau reports to Harvard Law School students: Harvard Law School students:

the defence would have had a witness that would have confirmed the defence would have had a witness that would have confirmed that Jordan Chandler told him that he actually was not molestated that Jordan Chandler told him that he actually was not molestated and that he was extremely angry with his parents, on account of and that he was extremely angry with his parents, on account of them forcing him to press charges against MJthem forcing him to press charges against MJ

a proof: Chandler put an end to his relationship with his parents and a proof: Chandler put an end to his relationship with his parents and stopped talking to them for eleven yearsstopped talking to them for eleven years

5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“5. Downfall of the „King of Pop“ B. Child abuse caseB. Child abuse case

in 2005 MJ was again facing allegations of child molestation by in 2005 MJ was again facing allegations of child molestation by Gavin ArvisoGavin Arviso

but on June 13, 2005 MJ was cleared of being inoccent of all ten but on June 13, 2005 MJ was cleared of being inoccent of all ten charges made against himcharges made against him

after the trial CNN reported that two jurors thought that MJ abused after the trial CNN reported that two jurors thought that MJ abused children sexually in the past, but this time there was not enough children sexually in the past, but this time there was not enough evidence to prove itevidence to prove it

6. Conclusion6. Conclusion

He used his influence like no other artist to help the poor and He used his influence like no other artist to help the poor and showed his enormous generosity through various donationsshowed his enormous generosity through various donations

MJ managed to break down the barriers of racism and MJ managed to break down the barriers of racism and revolutionized pop music in a very unique wayrevolutionized pop music in a very unique way

Nevertheless it is hard to judge over his personal life because it is Nevertheless it is hard to judge over his personal life because it is and always will remain mysteriousand always will remain mysterious

The „King of Pop“ is one of a kind and his fame is not comparable to The „King of Pop“ is one of a kind and his fame is not comparable to any other artist in terms of extreme obsessity and adorance of an any other artist in terms of extreme obsessity and adorance of an artist whether caused by himself or by the brutal and immoral media artist whether caused by himself or by the brutal and immoral media coveragecoverage

→ → you should always keep this in mind when you judge any of his you should always keep this in mind when you judge any of his seemingly „obscure“ and „megalomaniac“ actions and behaviourseemingly „obscure“ and „megalomaniac“ actions and behaviour

ConclusionConclusion

Ask yourself if it is more important for all of you Ask yourself if it is more important for all of you to take a closer look at only his private life e.g. to take a closer look at only his private life e.g. playing with his chimp „Bubbles“ and the various playing with his chimp „Bubbles“ and the various number of surgeries he has undergone or to number of surgeries he has undergone or to HONOUR and CHERISH his achievements HONOUR and CHERISH his achievements which everyone of us knows or at least has which everyone of us knows or at least has heard of…heard of…

7. Facts and curious stuff7. Facts and curious stuff

In 1992, Michael was crowned 'King Sani' in a West African village in Gabon, In 1992, Michael was crowned 'King Sani' in a West African village in Gabon, Ivory Coast Ivory Coast

He has won 13 Grammy Awards He has won 13 Grammy Awards To help keep his voice clear, Michael would normally put 2 Ricola drops in a cup To help keep his voice clear, Michael would normally put 2 Ricola drops in a cup

of hot water and drink thisof hot water and drink this 1984: Michael received two stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame 1984: Michael received two stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame the "Official Michael Jackson 1985 Calendar" was a huge seller but did not the "Official Michael Jackson 1985 Calendar" was a huge seller but did not

contain an acknowledgment of any holidays, because Jehovah's Witnesses, contain an acknowledgment of any holidays, because Jehovah's Witnesses, Jackson's religion at the time, do not celebrate holidaysJackson's religion at the time, do not celebrate holidays

When touring, Michael loses about 10 pounds of water weight during his When touring, Michael loses about 10 pounds of water weight during his performancesperformances

Jackson told an interviewer his famous moonwalk performance was a last-Jackson told an interviewer his famous moonwalk performance was a last-minute production and that he learned his trademark move from three street kidsminute production and that he learned his trademark move from three street kids

BibliographyBibliography

„„Michael Jackson“Michael Jackson“ URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#Personal_lifeURL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#Personal_life

(visited on Jan 15, 2006)(visited on Jan 15, 2006)

„„Michael Jackson Homepage“Michael Jackson Homepage“ URL: http://www.mjackson.de/mjfakten/index.htmURL: http://www.mjackson.de/mjfakten/index.htm

(visited on Dez 21, 2005)(visited on Dez 21, 2005) URL: http://www.allmichaeljackson.comURL: http://www.allmichaeljackson.com URL: http://www.eonline.com/On/Holly/Shows/Jackson/Facts/index.html URL: http://www.eonline.com/On/Holly/Shows/Jackson/Facts/index.html URL: http://www.mjfanclub.net/history/key_facts_2.html URL: http://www.mjfanclub.net/history/key_facts_2.html URL: http://www.michaeljackson.comURL: http://www.michaeljackson.com

(all visited on Jan 15, 2005)(all visited on Jan 15, 2005)