A Career of Michael Jackson, The King of Pop

Michael Joe Jackson once said, “Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation”. Jackson said these words during an interview in 1996 when reflecting on his own catastrophic events that had occurred in his life. Furthermore, he had been known for his charismatic qualities and eccentric, infamous personality. Jackson's legendary career began with 'The Jackson Five', was further strengthened by his solo work and was forever marred by his personal problems.

Starting out his life, Jackson was born on August 29th, 1958 in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. He did not grow up among the wealthiest of families. Living in a two-bedroom home while being the fifth of nine children was not the most ideal childhood. There was never a dull moment in the Jackson household. Being a musically talented family, there could be an instrument just about anywhere in their chaotic home. “The Jackson Five” was a musical group started by four of Jackson’s siblings. They reached success with their number one hit song called “I Want You Back”. This led to their fame in the spotlight, starting in 1964 and ending in 1972, when Jackson’s solo career took off. Since this moment in Jackson’s career, his life would never be the same.

November 30th, 1982, is the day Jackson released his single “Thriller”. To this date, “Thriller” is the best-selling album across the globe selling over one hundred million copies”. Before releasing this big hit, he signed a record label with “Motown Records”. This record deal gave a jumpstart to Jackson's career. His music only skyrocketed from his first album that gained success “Off the Wall”. Over the period of Jackson’s life, he has won more than 150 awards, thirteen of those being Grammy awards, along with nineteen nominations as well. All of these achievements have earned Jackson the title “King of Pop”.

After Jackson started slowing down his production of music in the 1980s, he moved to a ranch that spanned 2,700 acres. The expansive ranch was located in Santa Barbara County, California and Jackson named it “Neverland”, which contained a small amusement park inside of its gates. Jackson welcomed and invited sick or needy kids to his home every three weeks. The estate also contained a petting zoo and the main six bedroom house in which the pop star lived. In 1993, some controversial topics arose that would affect Jackson’s character forever. Allegations arose accusing Jackson of child molestation. A man named Evan Chandler accused Jackson of sexually abusing his son Jordan. Jackson denied these allegations but later was found not guilty for such charges as these.

All throughout Jackson’s life he had a substance control issue and a drinking problem. Being in the spotlight ever since a young age is not easy. He said he was “lonely all of his life and drugs were a way to cope with it”. Fans started to notice Jackson had a different looking appearance. Many assumptions were made saying he bleached his skin. “I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of my skin, it's something that I cannot help, OK?” said Jackson in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. In June of 2009, Jackson was found dead in his Santa Barbara ranch from a lethal overdose. The paramedics found him in cardiac arrest. He died at the age of fifty planning his “Welcome Back” tour.

Michael Jackson lived an extremely successful life. Although accusations affected his career and questioned his innocence, he changed many people's lives and is still changing them today. Fans always look up to their idols. The situation Jackson was in makes people question if using celebrities as a role model is a good idea. Every human is attached to sin. Looking up to stars will lead you to failure. Jackson put up this perfect persona for everyone to see even when conditions got troublesome. All of the pressure Jackson was under led to his substance abuse problem like many other stars in Hollywood. “But I will never stop helping and loving people the way Jesus said to.” Jackson proclaimed. Michael Jackson had astonishing talents which are beyond belief that will be remembered for the rest of time in music history.