[b]Michael Joseph Jackson[/b] (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009), known as the "King of the pop"", was an American musician and one of the most [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists]commercially successful[/url] and influential entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music and dance, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture]popular culture[/url] for four decades.
He started a solo [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#][color:c896=#006600]career[/color][/url] in 1971, having made his debut in 1964 with his brothers as a member of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackson_5]The Jackson 5[/url]. His 1982 album [i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)]Thriller[/url][/i] remains the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums_worldwide]best-selling album[/url] of all time, with four others—[i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_the_Wall_(album)]Off the Wall[/url][/i] (1979), [i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_(album)]Bad[/url][/i] (1987), [i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_(album)]Dangerous[/url][/i] (1991), and [i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIStory:_Past,_Present_and_Future,_Book_I]HIStory[/url][/i] (1995)—among the best selling. He popularized several intricate dance moves, such as the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_(dance)]robot[/url] and the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonwalk_(dance)]moonwalk[/url]. He is widely credited with having transformed the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_video]music video[/url] from a promotional tool into an [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#][color:c896=#006600]art[/color][/url] form, with videos for his songs "[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Jean]Billie Jean[/url]", "[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_It]Beat It[/url]" and "[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(song)]Thriller[/url]" making him the first [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American]African American[/url] artist to amass a strong [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossover_(music)]crossover[/url] following on [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV]MTV[/url]. His [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#][color:c896=#006600]work[/color][/url] broke down cultural, racial and generation barriers and inspired subsequent generations of music artists.
Twice inducted into the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame]Rock and Roll Hall of Fame[/url], [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Records_and_achievements_of_Michael_Jackson]his other achievements[/url] feature multiple [i][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_World_Records]Guinness World Records[/url][/i]—including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award]Grammy Awards[/url], 17 [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artists_who_reached_number_one_in_the_United_States#J]number one singles[/url] (including the four as a member of the Jackson 5), and estimated sales between 350 million and 750 million records worldwide.[sup][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#cite_note-1][2][/url][/sup] He was also a notable [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropist]philanthropist[/url] and [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian]humanitarian[/url] who donated and raised millions of dollars through support of 39 charities and his own [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heal_the_World_Foundation]Heal the World Foundation[/url].
Jackson's personal life generated controversy for years. His [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson%27s_health_and_appearance]changing appearance[/url] was noticed from the late 1970s onwards, with changes to his nose and to the color of his skin drawing media publicity. He was accused of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_child_sexual_abuse_accusations_against_Michael_Jackson]child sexual abuse[/url] in 1993 though no charges were brought, and in 2005 he was [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_v._Jackson]tried and acquitted[/url] of second allegations. He married twice, first in 1994 and again in 1996, and brought up three children, one born to a [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogate_mother]surrogate mother[/url]. While preparing for the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_It_(Michael_Jackson_concerts)]This Is It[/url] concert tour in 2009, Jackson [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson]died at the age of 50[/url] after suffering from [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_arrest]cardiac arrest[/url]. He reportedly had been administered drugs such as [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propofol]propofol[/url] and [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam]lorazepam[/url], and his death was ruled a [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homicide]homicide[/url] by the Los Angeles County coroner. His [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_memorial_service]memorial service[/url] was broadcast live around the world, attracting a global audience of up to one billion people.
written by B.Zakhour
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