Michael Jackson was a true artist who was no stranger to both controversy and applause. From The Jackson 5, to “Thriller,” Michael Jackson started as a naive and skinny 11-year-old who would eventually go on to capture the hearts of the world.
With his record-breaking hits and noteworthy talent, the music industry was completely remodeled after he “moonwalked” onto the scene and soon enough, he became an entire generation’s idol.
01. Michael Jackson was born on a street that was named ‘Jackson Street’
It’s hard to believe that the proclaimed “King of Pop” wasn’t born on a different planet that breeds icons, but he was indeed brought up from humble beginnings on planet Earth. Before “Michael Jackson” became a household name, he was Michael Joseph Jackson, and he was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958.
It seems as though life has a very punny sense of humor, as he grew up on Jackson Street. It seemed as though he was destined to become a musical figure seeing as his mother, Katherine Esther Jackson, played clarinet and piano, and his father, Joe Jackson, played guitar with a local rhythm and blues band.
02. Jackson and his siblings had a turbulent and abusive relationship with their father
Michael grew up with three sisters and five brothers, and instead of creating a small child army, their parents decided to wrangle the children to the forefronts of Motown, a favorite music genre at the time. Looking back, Michael often acknowledged the troubled relationship he had with his father and said that he and his siblings were often the targets of physical and emotional abuse.
In 1965, “The Jackson 5” was born, and from 1966 to 1968, the children toured the Midwest, playing at cocktail lounges and clubs for older audiences. Their talent became the talk of the town amongst other artists and record labels, and in 1969, they landed a deal with Motown. Once they signed with Motown, the hits kept rolling, blessing us with the likes of classics such as “I Want You Back” (1969), “ABC” (1970), and “I’ll Be There” (1970).
03. The first dance move that Michael Jackson popularized as ‘the robot’
“Soul Train” was an incredibly famous and long-running television program that featured live R&B music and showed viewers amazing dance moves from different artists. The Jackson 5 appeared on the show and performed the song “Dancing Machine.” During the song, Michael performed “the robot” dance on live television, which people immediately became enamored with.
The complicated and complex dance was first popularized by Charles Washington in the late 1960s, although it was originally performed in the 1920s, and used for theatrical miming techniques. Michael’s performance of the dance began a fad that could only be telling of his future in the entertainment world.
04. Michael Jackson quit The Jackson 5 because he didn’t want to be known as a ‘teenybopper’
When Michael Jackson turned 21 in 1979, he found himself dueling with his inner creative being. At this point, he had been the frontman for “The Jackson 5” for ten years, and he began to recognize a stirring in himself and would come to realize he had a growing hunger for fame and superstardom.
Jackson decided to shed himself from his status as a child star turned teenybopper, and began his journey to the top. He had a set plan for how he wanted his career to turn out, and at the pace, he was going, it seemed nothing would stop him from furiously curating his path.
05. His first album completely exceeded expectations, winning him a Grammy
His first matter of importance on his trailblazing path was to establish an image and a sound. He teamed up with legendary producer Quincy Jones, to help steer him in the right direction, and the two came out with “Off The Wall.” “Off The Wall” was the brainchild of both Jones and Jackson, and the album featured three original songs that Jackson hoped would put him on the map with other popular R&B singers.
Jackson became a noted artist after four singles from his solo album peaked at No. 1 on the “Billboard Hot 100” chart. It wasn’t long before the young Jackson won his first Grammy for his single “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” Little did this starry-eyed boy know that this would be the first of many awards he would receive throughout his career.
06. The music video for ‘Thriller’ is the only music video preserved by the Library of Congress
The album entitled “Thriller” is often referred to as the blueprint for the upcoming pop era, and it would go on to set the standard for pop artists for decades to come. “Thriller” was Jackson’s sixth studio album, released on November 30, 1982, and it featured the same kind of musical roots that he had displayed on his first album, “Off The Wall.”
A year after the album was released, it had become the world’s best-selling album and reached 30x platinum. Gone were the amateur days of receiving one Grammy per album, as Jackson had won EIGHT Grammy Awards for “Thriller” alone, one of them being Album of the Year.
07. ‘Thriller’ was initially called ‘Starlight’
Yes, before we were thrown into an eternal Halloween through the ghouls and wolves in the “Thriller” video, the original idea was far more cheerful. However, Michael believed that this new and uplifting song would be overlooked by the younger demographic, who Michael was trying to appeal to the most.
Regardless, a “Starlight” demo was birthed into existence by Michael and Rod Temperton. Amid its production, Jackson took a darker turn with the song, and soon it became the creepy jam we all know and love. Likely, you can still find a demo of the original song by scouring the Internet.
08. His first showing of ‘The Moonwalk’ lasted for two and a half seconds
During this era, Michael Jackson began to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with when it came to performing live. It was during his solo performance on “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” that we first gazed upon the strange and unfamiliar movements that would become one of the most recognizable dance moves in pop culture history.
Jackson performed “Billie Jean” during the celebration, and although the movement lasted for two and a half seconds, it left an impact on audiences all over the world that would last a lifetime. Thus, “The Moonwalk” was born. This would be a defining performance that would launch him into superstardom.
09. He came up with ‘Billie Jean’ while driving, and didn’t realize that his car had set on fire
We bet you didn’t know this little factoid about the famous tune! Jackson claimed that “Billie Jean” was based on groupies that The Jackson 5 had encountered while touring. Jackson would regularly receive letters claiming he was the father of multiple women’s children.
In his autobiography, “Moonwalk,” he writes, “One day during a break in a recording session, I was riding down the Ventura Freeway with Nelson Hayes. ’Billie Jean’ was going around in my head and that’s all I was thinking about. We were getting off the freeway when a kid on a motorcycle pulls up to us and says, ‘Your car’s on fire.’ Suddenly, we noticed the smoke and pulled over and the whole bottom of the Rolls-Royce was on fire.” Looks like Jackson brought the heat with this hit!
10. There was a particular reason behind his ‘one-glove’ look
During the same televised special where he “moonwalked” for the first time, Jackson also began a trend that snowballed into thousands of people imitating the singer. Jackson debuted the famous crystal glove that would go down in history as his most recognizable wardrobe staple.
So many children had decked themselves out in this new sensational trend, that in 1984, a New Jersey high school banned students from wearing gloves to school. What was unknown to the public at the time was that the idea to wear a single glove came to Jackson when vitiligo began to rear its ugly head, starting with his hand. Regardless, he was dubbed “The Gloved One.”
11. He lost all his hair because of a pyrotechnic accident gone wrong
When we think of Michael Jackson, we picture him with hair. As a young child, we recognized him from his Afro, and as an adult, we became familiar with flowing black locks. However, what you probably DON’T know was that every time he went into the public eye after 1984, he was wearing a wig.
While filming a Pepsi commercial made to look like a live concert, Michael got caught in a pyrotechnics incident, catching on fire. He suffered second- and third-degree burns to both his face and scalp. This resulted in the star having his hairline permanently tattooed with a wig attached. It is believed that it was the recovery from this incident that sparked Jackson’s painkiller addiction.
12. He was the first black artist to be featured on MTV’s rotation
Michael Jackson was dubbed the poster boy for black ascension and became the head figure known for breaking down racial barricades. Sylvia Rhone, president of Motown, told “Rolling Stone” that, “Throughout his career, his success dramatically affected my view of what was possible and open for African-Americans.”
He was noted for breaking the mold when his hits were added to MTV’s rotation (a station that referred to themselves as a primarily “rock” station). Jackson also made headlines in 2002 when it was reported that he was feuding with his record company, claiming during a public appearance that, “The recording companies do conspire against the artists—they steal, they cheat, they do everything they can. Especially against black artists.”
13. Michael Jackson used his platform to speak about difficult topics like racism and poverty
Michael Jackson would often use his platform as an artist to talk about subjects that people primarily avoided. In 1991, Jackson released the song “Black or White,” which immediately zoomed to number one on the “Billboard Hot 100,” where it lived for six weeks. The video for the song became the center of controversy as it featured Jackson as a black panther who then morphs into himself.
The video features African Zulu hunters, traditional Thai dancers, Native Americans, an Odissi dancer from India, and a group of Russians. With lyrics such as “It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white,” it’s clear what message Jackson was trying to convey to audiences. In the video for “Man in the Mirror,” he featured a montage of historic events, Martin Luther King Jr., and children in poverty. In 1985, he wrote the song “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie to support African famine relief.
14. Many people believe that Michael Jackson’s marriage to Lisa Marie Presley was a publicity stunt
Michael Jackson met his first wife, Lisa Marie Presley (yes, THAT Lisa Marie Presley) in 1974 when he was only 16 years old. After their first interaction, they became close friends who would often talk on the phone with each other. After hundreds of phone conversations, the two realized that they had a special relationship.
They realized that they both shared the same experiences being in the public eye and found they had a lot in common. On May 26th, 1994, the daughter of “The King” and the “King of Pop” were married at a very small ceremony in the Dominican Republic. The couple’s marriage didn’t last very long, as two years later, the legendary icons decided to divorce due to “irreconcilable differences.”
15. When Michael Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo, he began compulsively bleaching his skin
As Michael Jackson got older, fans began to notice an extreme change in his appearance, sparking hundreds of conspiracy theories and gossip columns. Throughout his youth, Jackson’s skin was a medium-brown color, but in the mid-1980s, he grew paler. It was discovered that the King of Pop was indeed human, meaning he was also plagued with diseases that he had to battle on display in the public eye.
One of the illnesses Jackson was known to scuffle with was vitiligo, a skin condition in which patches of the skin lose their pigment, creating an uneven skin tone. As a result, Jackson began bleaching his skin to create an evener skin tone. His physical appearance was often at the butt of jokes and media coverage, and it triggered public outcry.
16. He claims that his facial structure changes were due to ‘puberty, a strict diet, weight loss, and lighting’
Along with Jackson’s skin, his facial structure began to change from that of the boy we had been familiar with for over a decade. By 1990, it was estimated that he had gone under the knife 10 different times. It was reported in his original biography, published in 1991, that he had undergone a total of six different nose surgeries.
In Jackson’s 1988 autobiography, he admitted to having only two rhinoplasties along with a dimple placed in his chin. Jackson claimed that the extreme changes in his face were due to “puberty, a strict diet, weight loss, and a change in hairstyle and lighting.”
17. Michael Jackson and his second wife never lived together
Debbie Rowe met Michael Jackson in the mid-80s while working as an assistant for dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein. Rowe would help care for Jackson’s vitiligo, and she was a huge supporter through his hurdles with the disease. The two were friends for years, and Rowe offered to give birth to a child for him, as Presley refused to carry his children (because what else are friends for?).
In 1996, just a few months after his divorce from Presley, it was discovered that Debbie Rowe was pregnant with his child. One of the most famous headlines during the time was one written by the “News of the World,” which read, “I’m Having Michael’s Baby.” The couple had a wedding on November 13, 1996, at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia.
18. Elizabeth Taylor married Larry Fortensky at Neverland Ranch, worth $24.5 million at the time
Hidden in the hills of Santa Ynez Valley was an estate that looked like something 3D printedright from a child’s dream. Before Neverland Ranch was Neverland Ranch, it was known as Zaca Laderas Ranch by the property developer, William Bone. Michael Jackson bought the Ranch from Bone in 1988 for what is believed to be $30 million. Jackson took the property and made it his home, as well as a private amusement park for him and guests to enjoy.
In Neverland Ranch, you regressed into a child as soon as you stepped inside, as you were greeted with a petting zoo, two railroads, a steam train, a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and an arcade. As if that weren’t impressive enough, Elizabeth Taylor deemed it to be so grand that she married Larry Fortensky at the ranch in 1991. To this day, Neverland Ranch is considered to be an iconic cultural location.
19. He had a pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, that knew how to moonwalk and would do chores around the mansion
If you followed Michael Jackson’s career, then you’re probably already familiar with his interesting companion. Bubbles were Jackson’s favorite chimpanzee (he had multiple), and he lived with him at Neverland Ranch. It was said that Bubbles knew how to use the toilet and knew how to complete house chores such as dusting and window cleaning.
Bubbles spent most of his time sleeping in a crib next to Jackson’s bed and eating candy in the Neverland movie theater. The chimp would often travel with Jackson, intriguing the public more about Jackson’s unique and eccentric personality. In 2003, Bubbles was sent to a California animal trainer and was moved to the Center for Great Apes, as he had become an unsuitable and aggressive companion as he grew into an adult.
20. He performed at the Super Bowl to help increase ratings during halftime
Michael Jackson played the halftime show of Super Bowl 27 on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The NFL had realized that the audience ratings would often diminish during the half time show. Their remedy for this issue? Get one of the biggest superstars in the world to play during that time.
This was the first Super Bowl where the ratings increased during halftime, and Michael Jackson became the first big solo superstar to perform during a halftime show. Playing hits like “Billie Jean” and “Black or White,” his “Dangerous” album flew up 90 positions on the “Billboard Hot 100” album chart after the performance.
21. His second wife did not want to be in their children’s lives
The first child of Jackson and Rowe was born Michael Jackson Jr. on February 13, 1997 (you probably know him as Prince Jackson). It was not until six weeks after his birth that Rowe held her son for the first time. After posing for photographs with her son and her “husband,” she claimed she did not want to become attached to Prince, and so she went on her way almost immediately after.
It was said that Rowe was not a significant person in her son’s life, and would only see him a few times during the beginning of his life. At Neverland Ranch, Prince was cared for by six nannies and six nurses.
22. Michael Jackson ran home carrying his daughter still covered in the placenta after she was born
On November 1997, it was announced that Rowe was pregnant with Jackson’s second child. Her name was Paris Jackson, and you can probably guess the meaning behind her name. Yes, it was confirmed by Jackson that she was named after the city she was conceived in. Paris Jackson grew up to be a well-known model, media personality, and actress.
Jackson claimed that he was so anxious after the birth of his daughter that he “snatched” her and ran straight home “with all the placenta and everything all over her.” Wouldn’t that have been a sight to see? It was later said that Jackson decided to have said placenta frozen.
23. Debbie Rowe wanted a divorce from Jackson because she was ‘uncomfortable with their arrangement’
Rowe and Jackson got a divorce on October 8, 1999, with Rowe claiming that she was “uncomfortable with their arrangement.” Rowe often described herself as a very private person and she never gave interviews. She became too overwhelmed with the publicity she received being married to Michael Jackson. During their settlement, she received $10 million, and Jackson received full custody of their children.
She went on to say in the televised documentary “The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See,” “My kids don’t call me Mom because I don’t want them to. They’re Michael’s children. It’s not that they are not my children, but I had them because I wanted him to be a father.” Well, whatever helps you sleep at night.
24. His third son, Blanket, made headlines after Jackson dangled him over a balcony
You’re probably very familiar with Jackson’s third child, as he was the target of an infamous tabloid headline when Michael dangled him over the side of a balcony four stories up in 2002 when he was just 9 months old. The scandal blew up in the media and put Jackson’s fathering capabilities into question. A bodyguard revealed that after the incident, Michael locked himself in his room for a day after the photos were taken.
It was revealed that Prince Michael II (otherwise known as “Blanket”), was produced through artificial insemination with the use of a surrogate mother and Jackson’s sperm cells. It was reported that Michael did not have preferences in age or race, all that mattered to him was that he was healthy, intelligent, and had “uncorrected eyesight.”
25. You probably heard one of his songs before it was released, in a video game
If there’s one thing you need to know about Michael Jackson, it’s that he loved keeping fans on their toes and throwing curveballs. Michael and his keyboardist at the time, Brad Buxer, had been asked by SEGA Genesis to compose music for the popular Mega Drive game, “Sonic The Hedgehog 3.” Yes, if you played this nostalgic game back then, then you probably heard an early cut of “Stranger in Moscow,” and you probably didn’t even know it.
The song is still featured in the game’s credits, and the song ended up becoming a number four hit in 1996 and one of Michael’s favorite tracks. After years of fans speculating about the similarities between the game’s music and Jackson’s music, Brad Buxer finally confirmed the rumor in 2009.
26. He made The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, TWICE
We all know that Michael Jackson had an incredible resume under his belt, and he was rewarded accordingly. He was inducted twice into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the first time as a member of The Jackson 5 on May 9, 1997, and a second time as a solo artist on March 19, 2001.
In 1997, Motown founder Berry Gordon Jr. presented The Jackson five with the award, saying, “They not only had hit records; they were a cultural revolution. For the first time, young black kids had their heroes in their image to idolize and emulate.”
27. He went from ‘riches to rags’
Although Michael Jackson had somewhat of a Cinderella story, he quickly lost much of his wealth after pouring his money into legal fees for his various lawsuits. It was in 2006 that the first reports of his financial issues began. To cut costs, Jackson had to close Neverland Ranch in 2006, proving that the rumors were true.
Another economic problem that Jackson faced had to do with a $270 million loan against his publishing holdings. It was said that Jackson would also borrow tens of millions at a time from wealthy friends. At one point, Michael Jackson had been one of the richest pop stars in the world, worth a few hundred million throughout the 1990s.
28. The most controversial scandal in Jackson’s life severely threatened his career
This is probably the biggest scandal in Jackson’s life that threatened his reputation and career. In 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse, and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to commit a child abuse felony against Gavin Arvizo. Arvizo was a minor and was under 14 years old at the time.
Earlier on in the year, a documentary entitled “Living with Michael Jackson” was released, and it showed the artist holding hands and talking about sleeping arrangements with the young boy. Jackson rebutted, claiming that these sleepovers were in no way sexual in nature. Although he was proven not guilty, the scandal put a significant dent in his career.
29. His death brought boosted sales and spikes in his music
It was announced with a heavy heart that Michael Jackson had passed away of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication at his home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles on June 25th, 2009. Millions of souls broke when the news was announced, and his death triggered spiking sales of his music. On August 28th, 2009, it was concluded by the Los Angeles County Coroner report that Michael Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide.
Before his death, Jackson had been given propofol, along with two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines, lorazepam, and midazolam in his home. His physician, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011, and he served two years of his four-year prison sentence.
30. ‘Leaving Neverland’ caused outrage amongst fans and non-fans of the singer
“Leaving Neverland” is a 2019 HBO documentary that focuses on two men, Wade Robson, and James Safechuck, who claim that they were sexually abused as children by Michael Jackson. The documentary goes in-depth into the allegations and how the scandal affected the families of the young men. The reception of the documentary was split down the middle with audiences either hating it or applauding it.
Many media outlets claim that the documentary and the stories involved were “overwhelmingly powerful and convincing.” The Jackson estate issued a press release saying, “the two accusers testified under oath that these events never occurred. They have provided no independent evidence and absolutely no proof in support of their accusations.” In February 2019, the estate filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO.