Michael Joseph Jackson commonly known as MJ as well as ‘The King of Pop’ was an American musician, entertainer, and pop icon whose successful career and personal life has been a part of pop culture for almost 40 years. In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. He was born on August 29th, 1958. As the seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut onto the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and later began a solo career in 1971.What is it about his music that attracts the millions of fans to come miles, even fly from all over the world to see him? Why do all these people stand by him after all the bad press he has, and all the allegations? He has popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style has influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.
A few such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney Spears and R. Kelly, all stated in an article on Just-Eat. co. k that Michael Jackson has inspired them and they wouldn’t be the artists they are today, without his influences.Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities.
Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image. I think that he kept changing his appearance as he was never fully satisfied with the way he looked. This may have been because he liked the attention sometimes he got from the public and the media; like children like attention.Michael was very naive, and often used NVC as a way of expressing himself through dance, the way he dressed and his behaviour which caused his radical change of appearance. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged.
This whole situation could have been aberrantly decoded, which means people read messages wrong and created a whole new image on someone. Some parents would have suggested oh, he’s a pedophile, he shouldn’t be aloud children. While others would defend him and say he didn’t do anything wrong, we know he’s not like that.A poll conducted by Entertainment Weekly showed that only 12 percent of adults believed the allegations, and only eight percent of respondents indicated that they were less likely to buy a product endorsed by the entertainer.
Due to these allegations Jackson's commercial appeal and public image declined in the wake of the case and while further controversies damaged his image further, Jackson's sales remained relatively strong, if not quite the blockbuster numbers of Thriller, Bad and Dangerous. Some of Michaels fans still felt the need to follow him and hundreds would protest and stand outside the courts to plead his innocence.This shows that we they were willing to look past these allegations as they felt they knew Michael through his music, and that he would never hurt anyone. He has several ‘trademarks’ associated with his name. For example, the moonwalk, his silver sequined white glove, his crotch grabbing and the high pitched OW, which he starts most of his songs with. The style that Michael has sustained over the decades consists of black ankle swinger trousers, his crisp white socks and military style jacket.
Over the years these fashions have come back.This shows that Michael is looked up to and people still find his style individual and worth wearing. For example people are wearing white socks to create that indie vibe and military jackets are being work with jeans and are being made a statement item. His music and talent has inspired people to go out and show how they can dance. Many people take a chance and go onto reality TV shows, such as Britain’s got Talent or even X-Factor. Some take on the ‘role’ of Michael Jackson, and actually believe that they are as good as the King, but they really just create great entertainment for us.
This is called a sincere performance as you actually believe in what you’re doing. This is one of the aspects of Goffmans self presentation theory. Most men would say that they looked up to their father, but in Michael’s case, it wasn’t. I think this has had a huge effect on his self-esteem. He used to be abused by his dad, and openly talked about this for the first time on the Oprah Winfrey show in Feb 9.
I think this is why Jackson went out there to try and change, by looking ‘perfect’ for the star life.Joseph, his father, would often say he had a huge and fat nose, and this is why Michael went and repeatedly had cosmetic surgery to fix the ‘small’ problem. One of the most famous Michael Jackson impersonators is ‘Navi’. He is the only impersonator to have been formally invited to go to Michael’s home, Neverland.
Before he became the world’s most famous MJ he worked for Michael Jackson as a decoy. Some of the most recognised names in the entertainment industry have commented that Navis ability to deliver a truly world class performance is real.Simon Cowell ‘Wow- like the real one’ Michael Jackson- ‘You’re an amazing dancer, do you practice every day? ’ Peter Kay – ‘That’s flipp’in brilliant, that is’ On Britain's Got Talent 2008 a group called Signature auditioned. This consisted of British Pakistani Suleman Mirza and British Indian Madhu Singh performed to Nachna Onda Nei, by Tigerstyle featuring Kaka Bhainiwala - a bhangra tune mixed to the beat of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". They combined the Michael Jackson lyrics and style of dancing with traditional bhangra style music and created a comedy dance act.
Before the audition, Mirza said: "I don't think the judges will have ever seen an act like mine before... in this act there will be a lot of moon walking, but there is a twist, and if they weren't Michael Jackson fans before they may even turn into one. " This is a form of postmodernism.
This is called a parody, when people make videos that have already been done, and use elements of artists that are well known. Signature knew that if they combined their music with Michael Jackson that they were bound to get a brilliant reaction.The two starts to perform a Bhangra/Michael Jackson "dance off", bringing ith it a standing ovation from the audience and one of the judges, Amanda Holden. After their audition, Signature became one of the favourites to win, due to their popular crossover-style of dancing and mixing Bhangra with Michael Jackson and their ever growing "element of surprise".
Michael’s music is recognised around the world, and anyone can collaborate a cultured piece of music with his. Different cultures around the world know who Michael Jackson is and they respect his music and who he is. Generation to Generation are introduced to Michael Jackson, as it’s symbolically a way of life.Jackson styled himself in life as the real Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. He turned his home, Neverland Ranch, into a children’s paradise complete with fairground rides and collected artwork.
This whole atmosphere depicted the JM Barrie character of the fictional Peter Pan character. I think the public found it a little weird, especially after the allegations against child abuse. The fact he opened his home to children and wanted them there with him was questionable. During his residency there, Jackson brought groups of children and their families to the ranch as day visitors.
He also hosted various children overnight, a practice which came under inquest when Jackson was accused of sexual misconduct with minors at the ranch, first in 1993 and again in 2003. Sadly Michael Jackson past away On June 25, 2009. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills, Los Angeles. It was the week of Glastonbury when he died and the death of the King of Pop was the only topic of conversation.
According to some visitors the mood toned down tremendously. Here is a video I found of the ITV west country interviewing people at the festival about they felt.Some will remember him as the little boy from the Jackson 5 in the 60’s. Others will remember him as he performed his most famous song Thriller, which was a hit all over the world.
Younger generations will think of him and his hits such as the earth song and man in the mirror. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=_5bY88g6pxE Big brother contestants are normally not allowed to hear what is going on outside in the real world, but channel 4 felt that this news of Michaels death, needed to be shared. They were shocked, like the rest of the world.
After his death, his songs were played in shops and on the radio for months.His songs and albums were released and made it in to the charts again, like when he was alive. Since his death songs have been released such as ‘Hold my hand’ which features Akon and this was produced when Michael was alive. We still remember him for everything he was, especially his music. Michael Jackson will be remembered forever.
It doesn’t matter what age you are, it seems that Michael Jackson transcended many generations. He will always be part of the entertainment industry and we will always be hearing his music. He has had a huge impact on the culture of Pop and has influenced so many people.Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_child_sexual_abuse_accusations_against_Michael_Jackson#Public_reaction_prior_to_civil_suit_settlementhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#Early_life_and_The_Jackson_5_.281958.E2.80.931975.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signature_(dance_group)
