The Great One - The King Of Pop

Not just one of the music artists, he is arguably the most famous. Michael Jackson, the king of pop. He started singing and dancing at the age of 5(doesn't this remind you of a tamil proverb?! lol). He is known for doing James Brown's moves at the age of 5. He started his career in music as eleven-year old frontman of the Jackson 5 which comprised of Michael and his four brothers - Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tido, and produced the catchiest tunes of the Motown history. After a six year tenure, the Jackson 5 left the Motown and signed with Sony and changed the band name to the Jacksons as the name Jackson 5 was registered with Motown. Michael Jackson released his first solo album, 'Off The Wall' in 1979 when he was 21 years old. Off The Wall was a great debut. At the age of 25, in 1983, Michael released the album 'Thriller' which is the biggest success in the music business history with the hits 'Wanna Be Starting Something', 'Thriller', 'Beat It', 'Billie Jean', 'Human Nature', 'The Lady In My Life'.. Sold over 125 million albums, took a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the biggest selling album of all time. Making of Thriller is the best selling video ever. Mike impressed in his every video in that album with Thriller, Billie Jean(no one could have possibly not be wondering what he was doing after seeing the moonwalk in Billie Jean Motown 25 Performance)and Beat It. In the 1980's, Michael had the most #1's than any other artist. He also became the highest-paid commercial spokesperson as Pepsi paid $12 million for 4 commercials. In a live performance of the song he sung in the commercial was the beginning of all the change in his appearance, though he got his nose done a little in the album 'Thriller'. When Mike enters the stage, they arranged it like it'll blast fire behind Mike and then he'll enter. But due to technical failure, it put Mike's hair to fire. It needed many plastic surgeries to get his appearance back. Then the skin disease vitiligo turned him white. Mike was with his new appearance in his 1987 album 'Bad'. The appearance didn't matter. Mike still produced a lot of hits in that album including 'Bad', 'Smooth Criminal', 'The Way You Make Me feel', 'Liberian Girl', 'Man In The Mirror' and 'Dirty Diana'. It won him many grammys. And in Smooth Criminal music video, Michael performing had become legendary. In 1980, with his album Thriller at #1 and Bad at #2 of the year, Mike was awarded 'The Entertainer Of The Decade'. Bad tour got into the Guinness Book Of World Records with a gross revenue of over $124 million. He donated millions to charity. He released his 4th solo album, 'Dangerous' which increased the number of world records of Mike as the album entered at #1 directly! That is the first and only album to have debuted in the #1 position. In 1995 he released the album HIStory which contained all his previous hits and new tracks as a two disc album which made up 150 minutes of music! Next album was 'Blood On The Dance Floor' which released in 1997 which was equally successful. Then the case on Mike, child molestation. Spent a few years in jail, and proved himself innocent. Then came out of jail and made the album 'Invincible' which contained the song 'Invincible' which spoke to all those who sent him to jail. It didn't become a big hit as Sony wasn't interested in promoting 'Invincible' which was clearly seen after 'You Rock My World' single was released. Mike's next album was 'Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition' which was released in 2008. It contained the original songs in the thriller album and contained songs with the big names in the charts today, like Akon, Will.i.am, Fergie, Kanye West etc. and a previously unreleased track 'For All Time'. He is said to be doing an album with Will.i.am and Akon which will be released next year. Mike said in an interview that his best is yet to come!! In spite of being the most successful person in the music business. Well, all the best in what ever you do, Mike. We fans are always there for you. Special thanks to Kaavya who reminded me that I have a blog and made me wanna write on something. Well, here go Michael's records..

Most Successful Concert Series - Guiness Book Of World Records
Michael Jackson sold out for seven nights at Wembley Stadium, London, England in the summer of 1988. A total of 504,000 people saw Michael perform July 14-16, 22-23, and August 26-27, 1988.

Biggest Selling Album Of All Time - Guiness Book Of World Records
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" Album is the biggest selling album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. Thriller is also the biggest selling U.S album with sales of 25 million copies.

80's Most #1 Hits
By The End of the 1980's MIchael Jackson had more #1 hits than any other artist for the decade.

Awards
Michael has more awards than any other artist.

Entertainer Of The Decade
With the #1 (Thriller)and #2 (Bad) ranked albums in the world Michael was the 1980's Entertainer Of The Decade.

Most Grammy Awards - Guiness Book Of World Records
Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy Awards in 1984, more than any other artist in one year.

Largest Contracts - Guiness Book Of World Records
$890 million (Sony Music) Contract, with prospective earnings of $1 billion.

Greatest Audience - Guiness Book Of World Records
The highest-ever viewership was 133.4 million viewers watching the NBC transmission of Super Bowl XXVII on June 31, 1993. Michael was spotlighted during the half-time peformance.

Highest-Paid Commercial Spokesperson - Guiness Book Of World Records
Pepsi paid Michael Jackson $12 million to do 4 TV commercials.

Bad Tour - Guiness Book Of World Records
Michael Jackson's world tour brought in a record gross revenue of over $124 million during September 1987-December 1988.

100 Million Records
Michael has sold over 100 million singles and albums outside of the U.S.

Billboard Charts
Michael Jackson is the first person in the 37 year history of the chart to enter at # 1, with his single "You Are Not Alone". Michael broke his previous redord held by his single "Earth Song" which debuted at #5.

Biggest Selling Video
Michael Jackson's "The Making Of Thriller" is the biggest selling video to be released by an artist.

Billboard "Hot 100" Singles Chart
Most #1 Hits by Male Artist (13)

#1 Debuts
Michael's "Bad", "Dangerous", and "HIStory" albums all debuted at #1.

Consecutive #1 Singles
Jackson 5 were the first group to ever have four consecutive #1 singles.

#1 On Charts
In 1983 Michael became the first artist to simultaneously hold the number one spots on Billboard's rock albums and rock singles charts, as well as the R&B albums and singles charts.

First Video
Michael Jackson was the first black artist to have a video aired on MTV.