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Thriller (Michael Jackson album)

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"Thriller (album)" redirects here. For albums of the same name, see Thriller.

Thriller

Studio album by Michael Jackson

Released
November 30, 1982
Recorded
April 14 – November 8, 1982
Studio
Westlake Recording Studios
 (West Hollywood, California)
Genre
Post-disco ·
 pop ·
 R&B ·
 rock ·
 funk
 
Length
42:19
Label
Epic
Producer
Quincy Jones ·
 Michael Jackson (co-producer)
 
Michael Jackson chronology

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
 (1982) Thriller
 (1982) Farewell My Summer Love
 (1984)


Singles from Thriller
1."The Girl Is Mine"
 Released: October 18, 1982
2."Billie Jean"
 Released: January 2, 1983
3."Beat It"
 Released: February 14, 1983
4."Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
 Released: May 8, 1983
5."Human Nature"
 Released: July 3, 1983
6."P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
 Released: September 19, 1983
7."Thriller"
 Released: November 12, 1983

Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records, as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including pop, R&B, rock, post-disco, funk, and adult contemporary music.[1][2][3] Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones.
Of the album's nine tracks, four were written by Jackson. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three of the singles had music videos released. "Baby Be Mine" and "The Lady in My Life" were the only tracks that were not released as singles. In just over a year, Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time, with sales over 65 million copies worldwide according to various sources.[4][5][6]T In the United States, it also tied with the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) as the best-selling album at 29 million units shipped.[7] The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including for Album of the Year.
Thriller enabled Jackson to break down racial barriers in pop music via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President of the United States Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools—the videos for "Thriller", "Billie Jean", and "Beat It" all received regular rotation on MTV. In 2001, a special edition issue of the album was released, which contains additional audio interviews, demo recordings and the song "Someone in the Dark", which was a Grammy-winning track from the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook.[8] In 2008, the album was reissued again as Thriller 25, containing re-mixes that feature contemporary artists, a previously unreleased song, and a DVD, which features the short films from the album and the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean". That same year the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame along with Jackson's Off The Wall LP.
Thriller was ranked number 20 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003,[9] and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three in its "Definitive 200" albums of all time. The Thriller album was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry of culturally significant recordings, and the Thriller video was included in the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films". In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at number one on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s".[10]


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Recording
3 Composition
4 Release and reception
5 Influence and legacy 5.1 Music industry
5.2 Music videos and racial equality
5.3 Contemporary appeal
6 Reissues and catalog sales
7 Track listing
8 Personnel
9 Chart performance
10 Charts 10.1 Year-end charts
10.2 Decade-end charts
11 Certifications
12 See also
13 Notes
14 References
15 External links

Background[edit]
Jackson's previous album Off the Wall (1979) received strong critical acclaim[11][12] and was also a commercial success, eventually selling over 20 million copies worldwide.[13] The years between Off the Wall and Thriller were a transitional period for the singer, a time of increasing independence.[14] The period saw the singer become deeply unhappy; Jackson explained, "Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends ... I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home."[15] When Jackson turned 21 in August 1979, he hired John Branca as his manager.[16]
Jackson confided in Branca that he wanted to be the biggest star in show business and "the wealthiest". The singer was upset about what he perceived to be the under-performance of Off the Wall, stating, "It was totally unfair that it didn't get Record of the Year and it can never happen again."[17] He also felt undervalued by the music industry; in 1980 when Jackson asked the publicist of Rolling Stone if they would be interested in doing a cover story on him, the publicist declined, to which Jackson responded, "I've been told over and over that black people on the cover of magazines doesn't sell copies ... Just wait. Someday those magazines are going to be begging me for an interview. Maybe I'll give them one, and maybe I won't."[17]
Recording[edit]



Quincy Jones continued his collaboration with Jackson by producing Thriller
Jackson reunited with Off the Wall producer Quincy Jones to record his sixth studio album. The pair worked together on 30 songs, nine of which were eventually included.[18] Thriller was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000. The recording for Thriller commenced on April 14, 1982 at 12:00 noon with Jackson and Paul McCartney recording "The Girl Is Mine", and the album was completed with the final day of mixing on November 8, 1982.[19] Several members of the band Toto were also involved in the album's recording and production.[18] Jackson wrote four songs for the record: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "The Girl Is Mine", "Beat It", and "Billie Jean".[20] Unlike many artists, Jackson did not write these songs on paper. Instead, he would dictate into a sound recorder; when recording he would sing from memory.[21][22]
The relationship between Jackson and Jones became strained during the album's recording. Jackson spent much of his time rehearsing dance steps alone.[22] When the album's nine songs were completed, both Jones and Jackson were unhappy with the result and remixed every song, spending a week on each.[22]
Jackson was inspired to create an album where "every song was a killer", and developed Thriller with that in mind.[23][24] Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton gave detailed accounts of what occurred for the 2001 reissue of the album. Jones discussed "Billie Jean" and why it was so personal to Jackson, who struggled to deal with a number of obsessed fans. Jones wanted the long introduction on the song to be shortened; however, Jackson insisted that it remain because it made him want to dance.[20] The ongoing backlash against disco made it necessary to move in a different musical direction from the disco-heavy Off the Wall.[24] Jones and Jackson were determined to make a rock song that would appeal to all tastes and spent weeks looking for a suitable guitarist for the song "Beat It". Eventually, they found Eddie Van Halen of the rock band Van Halen.[20][22]
When Rod Temperton wrote the song "Thriller", he originally wanted to call it "Starlight" or "Midnight Man", but settled on "Thriller" because he felt the name had merchandising potential.[22] Always wanting a notable person to recite the closing lyrics, Jones brought in actor Vincent Price who was an acquaintance of Jones' wife, who completed his part in just two takes. Temperton wrote the spoken portion in a taxi on the way to the recording studio. Jones and Temperton said that some recordings were left off the final cut because they did not have the "edginess" of other album tracks.[20]
Songs recorded by Jackson for consideration included "Carousel" (written by Michael Sembello), "Nite Line" (written by Glen Ballard), "Trouble" (aka "She's Trouble", written by Terry Britten, Bill Livsey and Sue Shifrin), and "Hot Street" (written by Rod Temperton, and aka "Slapstick"). Jackson also cut a version of "Starlight". Demos of all these songs exist and have leaked onto the internet. "Carousel" and "Hot Street" were completed, but left off the final version of the album. A short clip of "Carousel" appeared as a bonus track on the 2001 reissue of the album; the full version was later released on iTunes in 2013 as part of The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection.
Composition[edit]




"Thriller"







Excerpt of the album's title track, and one of Jackson's signature pieces, "Thriller", released as a single in 1984. Jackson uses cinematic sound effects, horror film motifs and vocal trickery to convey a sense of danger.[25]


"Human Nature"







"Human Nature", a top ten hit single in the US. It is the most notable ballad on the album, praised for its moody, introspective lyrics and sound.


"Billie Jean"







"Billie Jean", a number one hit single in many countries. The song was written and co-produced by Jackson. The track mixed uptempo funk and disco with the somber themes of paranoia and obsession.[26]

Problems playing these files? See media help.
Thriller is a post-disco album.[27] According to Steve Huey of AllMusic, it refined the strengths of Jackson's previous album Off the Wall; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.[28] The album includes the ballads "The Lady in My Life", "Human Nature", and "The Girl Is Mine"; the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"; and the disco set "Baby Be Mine" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"[1][26][28][29] and has a similar sound to the material on Off the Wall. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is accompanied by a bass and percussion background and the song's centerpiece, a climaxing African-inspired chant (often misidentified as Swahili, but actually syllables based on Duala),[30] gave the song an international flavor.[31] "The Girl Is Mine" tells of two friends' fight over a woman, arguing over who loves her more and concludes with a spoken rap.[22][31] The album's songs have a tempo ranging from 80 beats per minute on "The Girl is Mine", to 138 on "Beat It".[32]
Despite the light pop flavor of these two records, Thriller, more so than Off the Wall, displayed foreshadowings of the contradictory thematic elements that would come to characterize Jackson's subsequent works.[33] With Thriller, Jackson would begin his association with the subliminal motif of paranoia and darker themes, including supernatural imagery in the album's title track.[26] This is evident on the songs "Billie Jean", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Thriller".[1] In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers; in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossips and the media.[26][28] In the former song, Jones had Jackson sing vocal overdubs through a six-foot-long cardboard tube, and brought in jazz saxophonist Tom Scott to play a rare instrument, the lyricon, a wind-controlled analog synthesizer. Bassist Louis Johnson ran through his part on a Yamaha bass guitar. The song opens with a long bass-and-drums introduction.[34] In the song "Thriller", sound effects such as creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard.[22]
The anti-gang-violence "Beat It" became a homage to West Side Story, and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece.[28][35] Jackson later said of "Beat It", "the point is no one has to be the tough guy, you can walk away from a fight and still be a man. You don't have to die to prove you're a man".[31] "Human Nature", co-written by Steve Porcaro of the band Toto,[36] is moody and introspective, as conveyed in lyrics such as, "Looking out, across the morning, the City's heart begins to beat, reaching out, I touch her shoulder, I'm dreaming of the street".[31]
By the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded; Allmusic described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist".[11] Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly".[12] With the release of Thriller, Jackson could sing low—down to a basso low C—but he preferred to sing higher because pop tenors have more range to create style.[37] Rolling Stone was of the opinion that Jackson was now singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".[38] "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", credited to James Ingram and Quincy Jones, and "The Lady in My Life" by Rod Temperton, both gave the album a stronger R&B direction; the latter song was described as "the closest Jackson has come to crooning a sexy, soulful ballad after his Motown years" by Taraborrelli.[31] The singer had already adopted a "vocal hiccup" which he continued to implement in Thriller. The purpose of the hiccup—somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping—is to help promote a certain emotion, be it excitement, sadness or fear.[39]
Release and reception[edit]
Thriller was released on November 30, 1982, and sold one million copies worldwide per week at its peak.[37] Seven singles were released from the album, including "The Girl Is Mine"—which was seen as a poor choice for the lead release and led some to believe that the album would be a disappointment, and to suggestions that Jackson was bowing to a white audience.[31] "The Girl Is Mine" was followed by the hit single "Billie Jean", which made Thriller a chart-topper.[40][41] Success continued with the single "Beat It", which featured guitarists Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather.[42] The album's title track was released as a single and also became a hit internationally.[31]
Thriller was well received by most critics. Christopher Connelly in a January 1983 review in Rolling Stone gave it four out of five stars and described it as "a zesty LP" with a "harrowing, dark message".[26] Comparing the songs on the album with the life challenges that the 24-year old Jackson had faced since Off the Wall, Connelly remarks that he has "dropped the boyish falsetto" and is facing his "challenges head-on" with "a feisty determination" and "a full, adult voice".[26] John Rockwell in a December 1982 review in The New York Times also commented on Jackson's age, comparing his youth with his experience as an entertainer, feeling that perhaps he is a "sometimes too practiced ... performer", and that at times Quincy Jones may "depersonalize his individuality" with his "slightly anonymous production", and that Jackson may be hiding his true emotions behind "layers of impenetrable, gauzy veils".[43] The bulk of Rockwell's review concentrated on how he felt that the album was helping breach "the destructive barriers that spring up regularly between white and black music", especially as "white publications and radio stations that normally avoid black music seem willing to pretend he isn't black after all".[43] He feels that Thriller is "a wonderful pop record, the latest statement by one of the great singers in popular music today", and that there are "hits here, too, lots of them".[43]
In his consumer guide for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau gave the album an A– rating and commented that "this is virtually a hits-plus-filler job, but at such a high level it's almost classic anyway".[44] He later revised it to an A,[44] and commented in retrospect, "what we couldn't know is how brilliantly every hit but 'P.Y.T.' would thrive on mass exposure and public pleasure."[45] A year after the album's release, Time summed up the three main singles from the album, saying, "The pulse of America and much of the rest of the world moves irregularly, beating in time to the tough strut of "Billie Jean", the asphalt aria of "Beat It", the supremely cool chills of "Thriller".[37]
The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year. Jackson won seven of the Grammys for the album while the eighth Grammy went to Bruce Swedien.[46][47] That same year, Jackson won eight American Music Awards, the Special Award of Merit and three MTV Video Music Awards.[48] Thriller was recognized as the world's best-selling album on February 7, 1984, when it was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records.[49] It is one of four albums to be the best-seller of two years (1983–1984) in the US.[50]
On August 21, 2009 Thriller was certified 29× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of at least 29 million copies in the US.[51][52] The album topped the charts in many countries, sold 4.2 million copies in the UK,[53] 2.5 million in Japan,[54] and was certified 15× Platinum in Australia.[55] Still popular today, Thriller sells an estimated 130,000 copies in the US per year; it reached number two in the US Catalog charts in February 2003 and number 39 in the UK in March 2007.[48] Outside the US, the album has sold over 20 million copies.[56]
Influence and legacy[edit]
Music industry[edit]



Thriller platinum record on display at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood in Universal City, California.
Blender described Jackson as the "late twentieth century pre-eminent pop icon", while The New York Times gave the opinion that he was a "musical phenomenon", and that "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else".[34][57] Jackson changed the way the industry functioned: both as an artistic persona, and as a financial, profitable entity. His attorney John Branca observed that Jackson achieved the highest royalty rate in the music industry to that point: approximately $2 for each album sold. As a result, Jackson earned record-breaking profits from compact disc sales, and from the sale of copies of the documentary, The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, produced by Jackson and John Landis. Funded by MTV, the film sold over 350,000 copies in its first few months. In a market then driven by singles, Thriller raised the significance of albums, yet its multiple hit singles changed perceived notions as to the number of successful singles that could be taken from an individual album.[58] The era saw the arrival of novelties like the Michael Jackson doll, that appeared in stores in May 1984 at a price of $12.[37] Thriller retains a position in American culture; biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli explains, "At some point, Thriller stopped selling like a leisure item—like a magazine, a toy, tickets to a hit movie—and started selling like a household staple".[59]
At the time of the album's release, a press statement from Gil Friesen, the then President of A&M Records, read that, "The whole industry has a stake in this success".[37] Time magazine speculated that "the fallout from Thriller has given the [music] business its best years since the heady days of 1978, when it had an estimated total domestic revenue of $4.1 billion".[37] Time summed up Thriller's impact as a "restoration of confidence" for an industry bordering on "the ruins of punk and the chic regions of synthesizer pop". The publication described Jackson's influence at that point as, "Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too".[37]
When Thriller and "Billie Jean" were searching to reach their market demographic, MTV and cable TV had a smaller market share than the much larger reach of broadcast television stations in the United States. A national broadcast TV audience on ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliate stations, as well as major independent TV stations, was desired by CBS/Epic Records to promote Thriller. The national broadcast TV premiere of the Thriller album's first video, "Billie Jean", was during the week of Halloween in October 1984 and was the idea of Video Concert Hall executive producers Charles Henderson and Jerry Crowe.[60][61] Video Concert Hall, the first nationwide music video TV network, taped the one-hour special in Hollywood and Atlanta, where the TV studios of Video Concert Hall were located.[62][63][64][65] The Thriller TV special was hosted by Thriller video co-star Vincent Price, distributed by Henderson-Crowe Syndications, Inc., and aired in the top 20 TV markets and much of the United States, including TV stations WNEW (New York), WFLD (Chicago), KTTV (Los Angeles), WPLG (Miami), WQTV (Boston), and WXIA (Atlanta), for a total of 150 TV stations.[60][61]
Music videos and racial equality[edit]



Thriller‍ '​s music videos, and singles—including the Paul McCartney duet "The Girl Is Mine"—are credited with helping promote racial equality in the United States
Before the success of Thriller, many felt Jackson had struggled to get MTV airing because he was black.[66] In an effort to attain air time for Jackson, CBS Records President Walter Yetnikoff pressured MTV and declared, "I'm not going to give you any more videos and I'm going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don't want to play music by a black guy."[34]
His position persuaded MTV to begin airing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", which led to a long partnership and later helped other black music artists to gain mainstream recognition.[67] MTV denies claims of racism in their broadcasting.[68] The popularity of his videos, such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean", helped to place the young channel "on the map", and MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and R&B.[67][69] Jackson transformed the medium of music video into an art form and promotional tool through the use of complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and cameo appearances by well known personalities.[28] When the 14-minute-long Thriller video aired, MTV ran it twice an hour to meet demand.[70] The short film marked an increase in scale for music videos and has been routinely named the best music video ever.[58] The popularity of the video sent the album back to number one in the album chart, but Jackson's label did not support the release of the third music video from the album. They were already pleased with its success, so Jackson convinced MTV to fund the project.[22][70] Author, music critic and journalist Nelson George wrote in 2004, "It's difficult to hear the songs from Thriller and disengage them from the videos. For most of us the images define the songs. In fact it could be argued that Michael is the first artist of the MTV age to have an entire album so intimately connected in the public imagination with its imagery".[25] Short films like Thriller largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat It" has been frequently imitated.[20] The choreography in Thriller has become a part of global pop culture, replicated everywhere from Bollywood to prisons in the Philippines.[71][72]
For a black artist in the 1980s to that point, Jackson's success was unprecedented. According to The Washington Post, Thriller paved the way for other African-American artists to achieve mainstream recognition, such as Prince.[73] "The Girl Is Mine" was credited for getting interracial love on the radio.[74] Time noted, "Jackson is the biggest thing since The Beatles. He is the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley. He just may be the most popular black singer ever".[37]
Contemporary appeal[edit]
Today, Thriller is still viewed in a positive light by critics some three decades later. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album the maximum five stars and wrote that the record had something to interest everyone. He believed it showcased harder funk and hard rock while remaining "undeniably fun". He went on to compliment "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and said, "The record's two best songs: 'Billie Jean, ...and the delirious 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'‍ '​, the freshest funk on the album [but] the most claustrophobic, scariest track Jackson ever recorded." Erlewine gave the opinion that it was an improvement on the artist's previous album, although Allmusic was critical of the title track, describing it as "ridiculous" and as having the effect of "arriving in the middle of the record and sucking out its momentum".[1] Slant Magazine gave the album five stars and, like the Allmusic review and the original Rolling Stone review, paid compliment to the lyrics of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".[29] Giving it five stars in The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004), Rolling Stone journalist Jon Pareles commented that Jackson "doubled his ambitions and multiplied his audience" with the album and wrote of its legacy, "Thriller had extramusical help in becoming the best-selling noncompilation album of all time: Jackson's dancing feet and dazzling stage presence, amplified by the newfound promotional reach of music video and the Reagan era's embrace of glossy celebrity. But especially in the album's seven hit singles (out of nine songs), the music stands on its own."[75]
Culture critic Nelson George wrote that Jackson "has educated R. Kelly, Usher, Justin Timberlake and countless others with Thriller as a textbook".[76] As a sign of the album's longevity, in 2003 Thriller was ranked at number 20 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three of the "Definitive 200" albums of all time.[77][78] In 2008, 25 years after its release, the record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and, a few weeks later, was among 25 recordings preserved by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry as "culturally significant".[79][80] In 2009, music critics for MTV Base and VH1 both listed Thriller as the best album released since 1981.[81] Thriller, along with other critic favorites were then polled by the public. 40,000 people found Thriller to be the Best Album of all time by MTV Generation, gaining a third of all votes.[81][82]
Reissues and catalog sales[edit]
Thriller was reissued on October 16, 2001, in an expanded set titled Thriller: Special Edition. The original tracks were remastered, and the album included a new booklet and bonus material, including the songs "Someone in the Dark", "Carousel", and Jackson's original "Billie Jean" demo, as well as audio interviews with Jones and Temperton discussing the recording of the album.[20][83] Sony also hired sound engineer and mixer Mick Guzauski[84][85] to work with Jackson on creating 5.1-channel surround sound mixes of Thriller, as well as all his other albums, for release on the then-new Super Audio CD format. Despite numerous retries, the artist never approved any of the mixes.[86] Consequently, Thriller was issued on SACD only in a stereo version.[87]
In February 2008, Epic Records released Thriller 25; Jackson served as executive producer.[52] Thriller 25 appeared on CD, USB and vinyl with seven bonus tracks, a new song called "For All Time", a snippet of Vincent Price's voice-over, and five remixes featuring American artists Fergie, will.i.am, Kanye West, and Akon.[52][88][89] It also included a DVD featuring three music videos, the Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance, and a booklet with a message from Jackson.[52] The ballad "For All Time" supposedly dates from 1982, but is often credited as being from Dangerous sessions.[90] Two singles were released from the reissue: "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008".
Thriller 25 was a commercial success and did particularly well as a reissue. It peaked at number one in eight countries and Europe. It peaked at number two in the US, number three in the UK and reached the top 10 in over 30 national charts. It was certified Gold in 11 countries including the UK, received a 2× Gold certification in France and received platinum certification in Poland.[91][92][93] In the United States, Thriller 25 was the second best-selling album of its release week, selling one hundred and sixty six thousand copies, just fourteen thousand short of reaching the number one position. It was ineligible for the Billboard 200 chart as a re-release but entered the Pop Catalog Charts at number one (where it stayed for ten non-consecutive weeks),[94] with the best sales on that chart since December 1996.[95][96][97] With the arrival of Halloween that November, Thriller 25 spent an eleventh non-consecutive week atop the US catalog chart. This brought US sales of the album to 688,000 copies, making it the best selling catalog album of 2008.[98] This was Jackson's best launch since Invincible in 2001, selling three million copies worldwide in 12 weeks.[99]
After Jackson's death in June 2009, Thriller set additional records. It sold more than 100,000 copies, placing it at number two on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart. Songs from Thriller also helped Jackson become the first artist to sell more than one million song downloads in a week.[100] According to Nielsen Soundscan, Thriller was the 14th best selling album of 2009 in the United States with 1.27 million copies sold.[101]
Track listing[edit]

No.
Title
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Length

1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"   Michael Jackson
Quincy Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  6:03
2. "Baby Be Mine"   Rod Temperton Jones 4:20
3. "The Girl Is Mine" (duet with Paul McCartney) Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  3:42
4. "Thriller" (featuring. Vincent Price) Temperton Jones 5:57
5. "Beat It" (featuring. Eddie Van Halen) Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  4:18
6. "Billie Jean"   Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  4:54
7. "Human Nature"  
Steve Porcaro ·
 John Bettis
  Jones 4:06
8. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"  
James Ingram ·
 Jones
  Jones 3:59
9. "The Lady in My Life"   Temperton Jones 5:00
Total length:
 42:19 

[show]2001 special edition bonus tracks









   
 


 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 
   
Personnel[edit]
Brian Banks – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Michael Boddicker – keyboards, synthesizers
N'dugu Chancler – drums
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
David Foster – keyboards, synthesizers
Gary Grant – trumpet and flügelhorn
Eddie Van Halen – guitar solo on "Beat It"
Jerry Hey – trumpet and flügelhorn
Michael Jackson – co-producer, lead and background vocals, drum case beater, bathroom stomp board, vocal, drum, horn and string arrangement
Paul Jackson – guitar
Louis Johnson – bass guitar
Quincy Jones – producer
Steve Lukather – guitar, bass guitar
Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming
Paul McCartney – vocals on "The Girl Is Mine"
David Paich – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Dean Parks – guitar
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Jeff Porcaro – drums, horn and string arrangements
Steve Porcaro – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Vincent Price – voice-over on "Thriller"
Bill Reichenbach – trombone
Bruce Swedien – recording engineer, mixer
Chris Shepard  – vibraslap on "Beat It"
Rod Temperton – keyboards, synthesizers
David Williams – guitar
Larry Williams – saxophone and flute
Bill Wolfer – keyboards, synthesizers
La Toya Jackson – background vocals on "PYT"
Janet Jackson – background vocals on "PYT"
Greg Smith – synthesizers
Chart performance[edit]
Thriller was one of the best-selling albums in many countries during 1983 to 1984, topping the charts in United States,[102] United Kingdom, Germany,[103] Japan,[104] France,[105] Canada,[106] Australia,[107] Sweden,[108] New Zealand,[109] and the Netherlands.[110]
Charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
Original release
Chart (1983)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
1
Austrian Albums Chart[111]
1
Canadian Albums Chart[112]
1
Dutch Albums Chart[113]
1
French Albums Chart[114]
1
Italian Albums Chart[115]
1
Japanese Albums Chart[116]
6
UK Albums Chart[117]
1
US Billboard Year-end[118]
1
West German Albums Chart[119]
2
Chart (1984)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
2
Austrian Albums Chart[120]
3
Canadian Albums Chart[121]
4
Dutch Albums Chart[122]
4
Japanese Albums Chart[123]
1
Swiss Albums Chart[124]
1
UK Albums Chart[117]
6
US Billboard Year-end[125]
1
 Reissue
Chart (2009)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[126]
32
German Albums Chart[127]
40
US Billboard Comprehensive Albums[128]
16
US Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums[128]
2
US Billboard Top Internet Albums[128]
2
Chart (2010)
Position

Australian Catalog Albums Chart[129]
47
US Billboard 200[130]
137
US Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums[130]
7

Decade-end charts[edit]

Chart (1980–89)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
3
Austrian Albums Chart[131]
1
Japanese Albums Chart[132]
2
UK Albums Chart[117]
3
Certifications[edit]

Region
Certification
Sales/shipments


Argentina (CAPIF)[133]
Diamond 500,000x
Australia (ARIA)[134]
16× Platinum 1,150,000[135]
Austria (IFPI Austria)[136]
8× Platinum 400,000x
Brazil (ABPD)[137]
5× Platinum 1,250,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[138]
2× Diamond 2,400,000[139]
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[140]
Platinum 119,061[140]
France (SNEP)[141]
Diamond 2,366,700[141]
Germany (BVMI)[142]
3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[143]
Platinum 20,000*
Italy (FIMI)[144]
Platinum 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[145]
Gold 2,500,000[146]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[147]
2× Platinum+Diamond+Gold 1,600,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[148]
8× Platinum 1,400,000[149]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[150]
12× Platinum 180,000^
Portugal (AFP)[151]
Platinum 40,000x
South Korea
 50,000[152]
Sweden (GLF)[153]
4× Platinum 400,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[154]
6× Platinum 300,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[155]
11× Platinum 4,274,000[156]
United States (RIAA)[157]
29× Platinum 29,000,000^
Summaries

Europe (IFPI)[158]
For sales in 2009
Platinum 1,000,000*
*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone


See also[edit]
Book icon Book: Thriller (album)


Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
List of best-selling albums
List of best-selling albums in Australia
List of best-selling albums in France
List of best-selling albums in Germany
List of best-selling albums in Japan
List of best-selling albums in New Zealand
List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
List of best-selling albums in the United States
List of number-one dance singles of 1983 (U.S.)
Notes[edit]

TAlthough sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 110 million copies,[159] these sales figures are unreliable.[160][161][162][163]
References[edit]
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148.Jump up ^ "Dutch album certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
149.Jump up ^ "Een ster in het land van lilliputters". Trouw.nl. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
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154.Jump up ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Michael Jackson; 'Thriller')". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
155.Jump up ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 19, 2010. Note: User needs to enter "Michael Jackson" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
156.Jump up ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a379720/adele-overtakes-michael-jacksons-thriller-in-all-time-uk-sales.html#~oLG4udG7r5X8H1
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158.Jump up ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2009". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
159.Jump up ^ Durchholz, Daniel (November 30, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' At 30: Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
160.Jump up ^ Bill Wyman (January 4, 2013). "Did "Thriller" Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies?". The New Yorker (Condé Nast). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
161.Jump up ^ Carl Bialik (2009). "Spun: The Off-the-Wall Accounting of Record Sales". The Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company (News Corporation)). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
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163.Jump up ^ David Lara (May 12, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Bad' Gets a Revamp and More Inflated Sales!". Impre (ImpreMedia). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
BibliographyGeorge, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
External links[edit]
Thriller (Adobe Flash) at Radio3Net (streamed copy where licensed)


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Thriller (Michael Jackson album)

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"Thriller (album)" redirects here. For albums of the same name, see Thriller.

Thriller

Studio album by Michael Jackson

Released
November 30, 1982
Recorded
April 14 – November 8, 1982
Studio
Westlake Recording Studios
 (West Hollywood, California)
Genre
Post-disco ·
 pop ·
 R&B ·
 rock ·
 funk
 
Length
42:19
Label
Epic
Producer
Quincy Jones ·
 Michael Jackson (co-producer)
 
Michael Jackson chronology

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
 (1982) Thriller
 (1982) Farewell My Summer Love
 (1984)


Singles from Thriller
1."The Girl Is Mine"
 Released: October 18, 1982
2."Billie Jean"
 Released: January 2, 1983
3."Beat It"
 Released: February 14, 1983
4."Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
 Released: May 8, 1983
5."Human Nature"
 Released: July 3, 1983
6."P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
 Released: September 19, 1983
7."Thriller"
 Released: November 12, 1983

Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records, as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including pop, R&B, rock, post-disco, funk, and adult contemporary music.[1][2][3] Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones.
Of the album's nine tracks, four were written by Jackson. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three of the singles had music videos released. "Baby Be Mine" and "The Lady in My Life" were the only tracks that were not released as singles. In just over a year, Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time, with sales over 65 million copies worldwide according to various sources.[4][5][6]T In the United States, it also tied with the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) as the best-selling album at 29 million units shipped.[7] The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including for Album of the Year.
Thriller enabled Jackson to break down racial barriers in pop music via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President of the United States Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools—the videos for "Thriller", "Billie Jean", and "Beat It" all received regular rotation on MTV. In 2001, a special edition issue of the album was released, which contains additional audio interviews, demo recordings and the song "Someone in the Dark", which was a Grammy-winning track from the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook.[8] In 2008, the album was reissued again as Thriller 25, containing re-mixes that feature contemporary artists, a previously unreleased song, and a DVD, which features the short films from the album and the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean". That same year the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame along with Jackson's Off The Wall LP.
Thriller was ranked number 20 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003,[9] and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three in its "Definitive 200" albums of all time. The Thriller album was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry of culturally significant recordings, and the Thriller video was included in the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films". In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at number one on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s".[10]


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Recording
3 Composition
4 Release and reception
5 Influence and legacy 5.1 Music industry
5.2 Music videos and racial equality
5.3 Contemporary appeal
6 Reissues and catalog sales
7 Track listing
8 Personnel
9 Chart performance
10 Charts 10.1 Year-end charts
10.2 Decade-end charts
11 Certifications
12 See also
13 Notes
14 References
15 External links

Background[edit]
Jackson's previous album Off the Wall (1979) received strong critical acclaim[11][12] and was also a commercial success, eventually selling over 20 million copies worldwide.[13] The years between Off the Wall and Thriller were a transitional period for the singer, a time of increasing independence.[14] The period saw the singer become deeply unhappy; Jackson explained, "Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends ... I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home."[15] When Jackson turned 21 in August 1979, he hired John Branca as his manager.[16]
Jackson confided in Branca that he wanted to be the biggest star in show business and "the wealthiest". The singer was upset about what he perceived to be the under-performance of Off the Wall, stating, "It was totally unfair that it didn't get Record of the Year and it can never happen again."[17] He also felt undervalued by the music industry; in 1980 when Jackson asked the publicist of Rolling Stone if they would be interested in doing a cover story on him, the publicist declined, to which Jackson responded, "I've been told over and over that black people on the cover of magazines doesn't sell copies ... Just wait. Someday those magazines are going to be begging me for an interview. Maybe I'll give them one, and maybe I won't."[17]
Recording[edit]



Quincy Jones continued his collaboration with Jackson by producing Thriller
Jackson reunited with Off the Wall producer Quincy Jones to record his sixth studio album. The pair worked together on 30 songs, nine of which were eventually included.[18] Thriller was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000. The recording for Thriller commenced on April 14, 1982 at 12:00 noon with Jackson and Paul McCartney recording "The Girl Is Mine", and the album was completed with the final day of mixing on November 8, 1982.[19] Several members of the band Toto were also involved in the album's recording and production.[18] Jackson wrote four songs for the record: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "The Girl Is Mine", "Beat It", and "Billie Jean".[20] Unlike many artists, Jackson did not write these songs on paper. Instead, he would dictate into a sound recorder; when recording he would sing from memory.[21][22]
The relationship between Jackson and Jones became strained during the album's recording. Jackson spent much of his time rehearsing dance steps alone.[22] When the album's nine songs were completed, both Jones and Jackson were unhappy with the result and remixed every song, spending a week on each.[22]
Jackson was inspired to create an album where "every song was a killer", and developed Thriller with that in mind.[23][24] Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton gave detailed accounts of what occurred for the 2001 reissue of the album. Jones discussed "Billie Jean" and why it was so personal to Jackson, who struggled to deal with a number of obsessed fans. Jones wanted the long introduction on the song to be shortened; however, Jackson insisted that it remain because it made him want to dance.[20] The ongoing backlash against disco made it necessary to move in a different musical direction from the disco-heavy Off the Wall.[24] Jones and Jackson were determined to make a rock song that would appeal to all tastes and spent weeks looking for a suitable guitarist for the song "Beat It". Eventually, they found Eddie Van Halen of the rock band Van Halen.[20][22]
When Rod Temperton wrote the song "Thriller", he originally wanted to call it "Starlight" or "Midnight Man", but settled on "Thriller" because he felt the name had merchandising potential.[22] Always wanting a notable person to recite the closing lyrics, Jones brought in actor Vincent Price who was an acquaintance of Jones' wife, who completed his part in just two takes. Temperton wrote the spoken portion in a taxi on the way to the recording studio. Jones and Temperton said that some recordings were left off the final cut because they did not have the "edginess" of other album tracks.[20]
Songs recorded by Jackson for consideration included "Carousel" (written by Michael Sembello), "Nite Line" (written by Glen Ballard), "Trouble" (aka "She's Trouble", written by Terry Britten, Bill Livsey and Sue Shifrin), and "Hot Street" (written by Rod Temperton, and aka "Slapstick"). Jackson also cut a version of "Starlight". Demos of all these songs exist and have leaked onto the internet. "Carousel" and "Hot Street" were completed, but left off the final version of the album. A short clip of "Carousel" appeared as a bonus track on the 2001 reissue of the album; the full version was later released on iTunes in 2013 as part of The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection.
Composition[edit]




"Thriller"







Excerpt of the album's title track, and one of Jackson's signature pieces, "Thriller", released as a single in 1984. Jackson uses cinematic sound effects, horror film motifs and vocal trickery to convey a sense of danger.[25]


"Human Nature"







"Human Nature", a top ten hit single in the US. It is the most notable ballad on the album, praised for its moody, introspective lyrics and sound.


"Billie Jean"







"Billie Jean", a number one hit single in many countries. The song was written and co-produced by Jackson. The track mixed uptempo funk and disco with the somber themes of paranoia and obsession.[26]

Problems playing these files? See media help.
Thriller is a post-disco album.[27] According to Steve Huey of AllMusic, it refined the strengths of Jackson's previous album Off the Wall; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful.[28] The album includes the ballads "The Lady in My Life", "Human Nature", and "The Girl Is Mine"; the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"; and the disco set "Baby Be Mine" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"[1][26][28][29] and has a similar sound to the material on Off the Wall. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is accompanied by a bass and percussion background and the song's centerpiece, a climaxing African-inspired chant (often misidentified as Swahili, but actually syllables based on Duala),[30] gave the song an international flavor.[31] "The Girl Is Mine" tells of two friends' fight over a woman, arguing over who loves her more and concludes with a spoken rap.[22][31] The album's songs have a tempo ranging from 80 beats per minute on "The Girl is Mine", to 138 on "Beat It".[32]
Despite the light pop flavor of these two records, Thriller, more so than Off the Wall, displayed foreshadowings of the contradictory thematic elements that would come to characterize Jackson's subsequent works.[33] With Thriller, Jackson would begin his association with the subliminal motif of paranoia and darker themes, including supernatural imagery in the album's title track.[26] This is evident on the songs "Billie Jean", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Thriller".[1] In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers; in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossips and the media.[26][28] In the former song, Jones had Jackson sing vocal overdubs through a six-foot-long cardboard tube, and brought in jazz saxophonist Tom Scott to play a rare instrument, the lyricon, a wind-controlled analog synthesizer. Bassist Louis Johnson ran through his part on a Yamaha bass guitar. The song opens with a long bass-and-drums introduction.[34] In the song "Thriller", sound effects such as creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard.[22]
The anti-gang-violence "Beat It" became a homage to West Side Story, and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece.[28][35] Jackson later said of "Beat It", "the point is no one has to be the tough guy, you can walk away from a fight and still be a man. You don't have to die to prove you're a man".[31] "Human Nature", co-written by Steve Porcaro of the band Toto,[36] is moody and introspective, as conveyed in lyrics such as, "Looking out, across the morning, the City's heart begins to beat, reaching out, I touch her shoulder, I'm dreaming of the street".[31]
By the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded; Allmusic described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist".[11] Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly".[12] With the release of Thriller, Jackson could sing low—down to a basso low C—but he preferred to sing higher because pop tenors have more range to create style.[37] Rolling Stone was of the opinion that Jackson was now singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".[38] "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", credited to James Ingram and Quincy Jones, and "The Lady in My Life" by Rod Temperton, both gave the album a stronger R&B direction; the latter song was described as "the closest Jackson has come to crooning a sexy, soulful ballad after his Motown years" by Taraborrelli.[31] The singer had already adopted a "vocal hiccup" which he continued to implement in Thriller. The purpose of the hiccup—somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping—is to help promote a certain emotion, be it excitement, sadness or fear.[39]
Release and reception[edit]
Thriller was released on November 30, 1982, and sold one million copies worldwide per week at its peak.[37] Seven singles were released from the album, including "The Girl Is Mine"—which was seen as a poor choice for the lead release and led some to believe that the album would be a disappointment, and to suggestions that Jackson was bowing to a white audience.[31] "The Girl Is Mine" was followed by the hit single "Billie Jean", which made Thriller a chart-topper.[40][41] Success continued with the single "Beat It", which featured guitarists Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather.[42] The album's title track was released as a single and also became a hit internationally.[31]
Thriller was well received by most critics. Christopher Connelly in a January 1983 review in Rolling Stone gave it four out of five stars and described it as "a zesty LP" with a "harrowing, dark message".[26] Comparing the songs on the album with the life challenges that the 24-year old Jackson had faced since Off the Wall, Connelly remarks that he has "dropped the boyish falsetto" and is facing his "challenges head-on" with "a feisty determination" and "a full, adult voice".[26] John Rockwell in a December 1982 review in The New York Times also commented on Jackson's age, comparing his youth with his experience as an entertainer, feeling that perhaps he is a "sometimes too practiced ... performer", and that at times Quincy Jones may "depersonalize his individuality" with his "slightly anonymous production", and that Jackson may be hiding his true emotions behind "layers of impenetrable, gauzy veils".[43] The bulk of Rockwell's review concentrated on how he felt that the album was helping breach "the destructive barriers that spring up regularly between white and black music", especially as "white publications and radio stations that normally avoid black music seem willing to pretend he isn't black after all".[43] He feels that Thriller is "a wonderful pop record, the latest statement by one of the great singers in popular music today", and that there are "hits here, too, lots of them".[43]
In his consumer guide for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau gave the album an A– rating and commented that "this is virtually a hits-plus-filler job, but at such a high level it's almost classic anyway".[44] He later revised it to an A,[44] and commented in retrospect, "what we couldn't know is how brilliantly every hit but 'P.Y.T.' would thrive on mass exposure and public pleasure."[45] A year after the album's release, Time summed up the three main singles from the album, saying, "The pulse of America and much of the rest of the world moves irregularly, beating in time to the tough strut of "Billie Jean", the asphalt aria of "Beat It", the supremely cool chills of "Thriller".[37]
The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year. Jackson won seven of the Grammys for the album while the eighth Grammy went to Bruce Swedien.[46][47] That same year, Jackson won eight American Music Awards, the Special Award of Merit and three MTV Video Music Awards.[48] Thriller was recognized as the world's best-selling album on February 7, 1984, when it was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records.[49] It is one of four albums to be the best-seller of two years (1983–1984) in the US.[50]
On August 21, 2009 Thriller was certified 29× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of at least 29 million copies in the US.[51][52] The album topped the charts in many countries, sold 4.2 million copies in the UK,[53] 2.5 million in Japan,[54] and was certified 15× Platinum in Australia.[55] Still popular today, Thriller sells an estimated 130,000 copies in the US per year; it reached number two in the US Catalog charts in February 2003 and number 39 in the UK in March 2007.[48] Outside the US, the album has sold over 20 million copies.[56]
Influence and legacy[edit]
Music industry[edit]



Thriller platinum record on display at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood in Universal City, California.
Blender described Jackson as the "late twentieth century pre-eminent pop icon", while The New York Times gave the opinion that he was a "musical phenomenon", and that "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else".[34][57] Jackson changed the way the industry functioned: both as an artistic persona, and as a financial, profitable entity. His attorney John Branca observed that Jackson achieved the highest royalty rate in the music industry to that point: approximately $2 for each album sold. As a result, Jackson earned record-breaking profits from compact disc sales, and from the sale of copies of the documentary, The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, produced by Jackson and John Landis. Funded by MTV, the film sold over 350,000 copies in its first few months. In a market then driven by singles, Thriller raised the significance of albums, yet its multiple hit singles changed perceived notions as to the number of successful singles that could be taken from an individual album.[58] The era saw the arrival of novelties like the Michael Jackson doll, that appeared in stores in May 1984 at a price of $12.[37] Thriller retains a position in American culture; biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli explains, "At some point, Thriller stopped selling like a leisure item—like a magazine, a toy, tickets to a hit movie—and started selling like a household staple".[59]
At the time of the album's release, a press statement from Gil Friesen, the then President of A&M Records, read that, "The whole industry has a stake in this success".[37] Time magazine speculated that "the fallout from Thriller has given the [music] business its best years since the heady days of 1978, when it had an estimated total domestic revenue of $4.1 billion".[37] Time summed up Thriller's impact as a "restoration of confidence" for an industry bordering on "the ruins of punk and the chic regions of synthesizer pop". The publication described Jackson's influence at that point as, "Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and color too".[37]
When Thriller and "Billie Jean" were searching to reach their market demographic, MTV and cable TV had a smaller market share than the much larger reach of broadcast television stations in the United States. A national broadcast TV audience on ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliate stations, as well as major independent TV stations, was desired by CBS/Epic Records to promote Thriller. The national broadcast TV premiere of the Thriller album's first video, "Billie Jean", was during the week of Halloween in October 1984 and was the idea of Video Concert Hall executive producers Charles Henderson and Jerry Crowe.[60][61] Video Concert Hall, the first nationwide music video TV network, taped the one-hour special in Hollywood and Atlanta, where the TV studios of Video Concert Hall were located.[62][63][64][65] The Thriller TV special was hosted by Thriller video co-star Vincent Price, distributed by Henderson-Crowe Syndications, Inc., and aired in the top 20 TV markets and much of the United States, including TV stations WNEW (New York), WFLD (Chicago), KTTV (Los Angeles), WPLG (Miami), WQTV (Boston), and WXIA (Atlanta), for a total of 150 TV stations.[60][61]
Music videos and racial equality[edit]



Thriller‍ '​s music videos, and singles—including the Paul McCartney duet "The Girl Is Mine"—are credited with helping promote racial equality in the United States
Before the success of Thriller, many felt Jackson had struggled to get MTV airing because he was black.[66] In an effort to attain air time for Jackson, CBS Records President Walter Yetnikoff pressured MTV and declared, "I'm not going to give you any more videos and I'm going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don't want to play music by a black guy."[34]
His position persuaded MTV to begin airing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", which led to a long partnership and later helped other black music artists to gain mainstream recognition.[67] MTV denies claims of racism in their broadcasting.[68] The popularity of his videos, such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean", helped to place the young channel "on the map", and MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and R&B.[67][69] Jackson transformed the medium of music video into an art form and promotional tool through the use of complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and cameo appearances by well known personalities.[28] When the 14-minute-long Thriller video aired, MTV ran it twice an hour to meet demand.[70] The short film marked an increase in scale for music videos and has been routinely named the best music video ever.[58] The popularity of the video sent the album back to number one in the album chart, but Jackson's label did not support the release of the third music video from the album. They were already pleased with its success, so Jackson convinced MTV to fund the project.[22][70] Author, music critic and journalist Nelson George wrote in 2004, "It's difficult to hear the songs from Thriller and disengage them from the videos. For most of us the images define the songs. In fact it could be argued that Michael is the first artist of the MTV age to have an entire album so intimately connected in the public imagination with its imagery".[25] Short films like Thriller largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat It" has been frequently imitated.[20] The choreography in Thriller has become a part of global pop culture, replicated everywhere from Bollywood to prisons in the Philippines.[71][72]
For a black artist in the 1980s to that point, Jackson's success was unprecedented. According to The Washington Post, Thriller paved the way for other African-American artists to achieve mainstream recognition, such as Prince.[73] "The Girl Is Mine" was credited for getting interracial love on the radio.[74] Time noted, "Jackson is the biggest thing since The Beatles. He is the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley. He just may be the most popular black singer ever".[37]
Contemporary appeal[edit]
Today, Thriller is still viewed in a positive light by critics some three decades later. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album the maximum five stars and wrote that the record had something to interest everyone. He believed it showcased harder funk and hard rock while remaining "undeniably fun". He went on to compliment "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and said, "The record's two best songs: 'Billie Jean, ...and the delirious 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'‍ '​, the freshest funk on the album [but] the most claustrophobic, scariest track Jackson ever recorded." Erlewine gave the opinion that it was an improvement on the artist's previous album, although Allmusic was critical of the title track, describing it as "ridiculous" and as having the effect of "arriving in the middle of the record and sucking out its momentum".[1] Slant Magazine gave the album five stars and, like the Allmusic review and the original Rolling Stone review, paid compliment to the lyrics of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".[29] Giving it five stars in The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004), Rolling Stone journalist Jon Pareles commented that Jackson "doubled his ambitions and multiplied his audience" with the album and wrote of its legacy, "Thriller had extramusical help in becoming the best-selling noncompilation album of all time: Jackson's dancing feet and dazzling stage presence, amplified by the newfound promotional reach of music video and the Reagan era's embrace of glossy celebrity. But especially in the album's seven hit singles (out of nine songs), the music stands on its own."[75]
Culture critic Nelson George wrote that Jackson "has educated R. Kelly, Usher, Justin Timberlake and countless others with Thriller as a textbook".[76] As a sign of the album's longevity, in 2003 Thriller was ranked at number 20 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three of the "Definitive 200" albums of all time.[77][78] In 2008, 25 years after its release, the record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and, a few weeks later, was among 25 recordings preserved by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry as "culturally significant".[79][80] In 2009, music critics for MTV Base and VH1 both listed Thriller as the best album released since 1981.[81] Thriller, along with other critic favorites were then polled by the public. 40,000 people found Thriller to be the Best Album of all time by MTV Generation, gaining a third of all votes.[81][82]
Reissues and catalog sales[edit]
Thriller was reissued on October 16, 2001, in an expanded set titled Thriller: Special Edition. The original tracks were remastered, and the album included a new booklet and bonus material, including the songs "Someone in the Dark", "Carousel", and Jackson's original "Billie Jean" demo, as well as audio interviews with Jones and Temperton discussing the recording of the album.[20][83] Sony also hired sound engineer and mixer Mick Guzauski[84][85] to work with Jackson on creating 5.1-channel surround sound mixes of Thriller, as well as all his other albums, for release on the then-new Super Audio CD format. Despite numerous retries, the artist never approved any of the mixes.[86] Consequently, Thriller was issued on SACD only in a stereo version.[87]
In February 2008, Epic Records released Thriller 25; Jackson served as executive producer.[52] Thriller 25 appeared on CD, USB and vinyl with seven bonus tracks, a new song called "For All Time", a snippet of Vincent Price's voice-over, and five remixes featuring American artists Fergie, will.i.am, Kanye West, and Akon.[52][88][89] It also included a DVD featuring three music videos, the Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance, and a booklet with a message from Jackson.[52] The ballad "For All Time" supposedly dates from 1982, but is often credited as being from Dangerous sessions.[90] Two singles were released from the reissue: "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008".
Thriller 25 was a commercial success and did particularly well as a reissue. It peaked at number one in eight countries and Europe. It peaked at number two in the US, number three in the UK and reached the top 10 in over 30 national charts. It was certified Gold in 11 countries including the UK, received a 2× Gold certification in France and received platinum certification in Poland.[91][92][93] In the United States, Thriller 25 was the second best-selling album of its release week, selling one hundred and sixty six thousand copies, just fourteen thousand short of reaching the number one position. It was ineligible for the Billboard 200 chart as a re-release but entered the Pop Catalog Charts at number one (where it stayed for ten non-consecutive weeks),[94] with the best sales on that chart since December 1996.[95][96][97] With the arrival of Halloween that November, Thriller 25 spent an eleventh non-consecutive week atop the US catalog chart. This brought US sales of the album to 688,000 copies, making it the best selling catalog album of 2008.[98] This was Jackson's best launch since Invincible in 2001, selling three million copies worldwide in 12 weeks.[99]
After Jackson's death in June 2009, Thriller set additional records. It sold more than 100,000 copies, placing it at number two on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart. Songs from Thriller also helped Jackson become the first artist to sell more than one million song downloads in a week.[100] According to Nielsen Soundscan, Thriller was the 14th best selling album of 2009 in the United States with 1.27 million copies sold.[101]
Track listing[edit]

No.
Title
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Length

1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"   Michael Jackson
Quincy Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  6:03
2. "Baby Be Mine"   Rod Temperton Jones 4:20
3. "The Girl Is Mine" (duet with Paul McCartney) Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  3:42
4. "Thriller" (featuring. Vincent Price) Temperton Jones 5:57
5. "Beat It" (featuring. Eddie Van Halen) Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  4:18
6. "Billie Jean"   Jackson
Jones ·
 Jackson (co.)
  4:54
7. "Human Nature"  
Steve Porcaro ·
 John Bettis
  Jones 4:06
8. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"  
James Ingram ·
 Jones
  Jones 3:59
9. "The Lady in My Life"   Temperton Jones 5:00
Total length:
 42:19 

[show]2001 special edition bonus tracks









   
 


 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 
   
Personnel[edit]
Brian Banks – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Michael Boddicker – keyboards, synthesizers
N'dugu Chancler – drums
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
David Foster – keyboards, synthesizers
Gary Grant – trumpet and flügelhorn
Eddie Van Halen – guitar solo on "Beat It"
Jerry Hey – trumpet and flügelhorn
Michael Jackson – co-producer, lead and background vocals, drum case beater, bathroom stomp board, vocal, drum, horn and string arrangement
Paul Jackson – guitar
Louis Johnson – bass guitar
Quincy Jones – producer
Steve Lukather – guitar, bass guitar
Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming
Paul McCartney – vocals on "The Girl Is Mine"
David Paich – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Dean Parks – guitar
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Jeff Porcaro – drums, horn and string arrangements
Steve Porcaro – keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Vincent Price – voice-over on "Thriller"
Bill Reichenbach – trombone
Bruce Swedien – recording engineer, mixer
Chris Shepard  – vibraslap on "Beat It"
Rod Temperton – keyboards, synthesizers
David Williams – guitar
Larry Williams – saxophone and flute
Bill Wolfer – keyboards, synthesizers
La Toya Jackson – background vocals on "PYT"
Janet Jackson – background vocals on "PYT"
Greg Smith – synthesizers
Chart performance[edit]
Thriller was one of the best-selling albums in many countries during 1983 to 1984, topping the charts in United States,[102] United Kingdom, Germany,[103] Japan,[104] France,[105] Canada,[106] Australia,[107] Sweden,[108] New Zealand,[109] and the Netherlands.[110]
Charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
Original release
Chart (1983)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
1
Austrian Albums Chart[111]
1
Canadian Albums Chart[112]
1
Dutch Albums Chart[113]
1
French Albums Chart[114]
1
Italian Albums Chart[115]
1
Japanese Albums Chart[116]
6
UK Albums Chart[117]
1
US Billboard Year-end[118]
1
West German Albums Chart[119]
2
Chart (1984)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
2
Austrian Albums Chart[120]
3
Canadian Albums Chart[121]
4
Dutch Albums Chart[122]
4
Japanese Albums Chart[123]
1
Swiss Albums Chart[124]
1
UK Albums Chart[117]
6
US Billboard Year-end[125]
1
 Reissue
Chart (2009)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[126]
32
German Albums Chart[127]
40
US Billboard Comprehensive Albums[128]
16
US Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums[128]
2
US Billboard Top Internet Albums[128]
2
Chart (2010)
Position

Australian Catalog Albums Chart[129]
47
US Billboard 200[130]
137
US Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums[130]
7

Decade-end charts[edit]

Chart (1980–89)
Position

Australian Albums Chart[107]
3
Austrian Albums Chart[131]
1
Japanese Albums Chart[132]
2
UK Albums Chart[117]
3
Certifications[edit]

Region
Certification
Sales/shipments


Argentina (CAPIF)[133]
Diamond 500,000x
Australia (ARIA)[134]
16× Platinum 1,150,000[135]
Austria (IFPI Austria)[136]
8× Platinum 400,000x
Brazil (ABPD)[137]
5× Platinum 1,250,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[138]
2× Diamond 2,400,000[139]
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[140]
Platinum 119,061[140]
France (SNEP)[141]
Diamond 2,366,700[141]
Germany (BVMI)[142]
3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[143]
Platinum 20,000*
Italy (FIMI)[144]
Platinum 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[145]
Gold 2,500,000[146]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[147]
2× Platinum+Diamond+Gold 1,600,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[148]
8× Platinum 1,400,000[149]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[150]
12× Platinum 180,000^
Portugal (AFP)[151]
Platinum 40,000x
South Korea
 50,000[152]
Sweden (GLF)[153]
4× Platinum 400,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[154]
6× Platinum 300,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[155]
11× Platinum 4,274,000[156]
United States (RIAA)[157]
29× Platinum 29,000,000^
Summaries

Europe (IFPI)[158]
For sales in 2009
Platinum 1,000,000*
*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone


See also[edit]
Book icon Book: Thriller (album)


Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
List of best-selling albums
List of best-selling albums in Australia
List of best-selling albums in France
List of best-selling albums in Germany
List of best-selling albums in Japan
List of best-selling albums in New Zealand
List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
List of best-selling albums in the United States
List of number-one dance singles of 1983 (U.S.)
Notes[edit]

TAlthough sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 110 million copies,[159] these sales figures are unreliable.[160][161][162][163]
References[edit]
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148.Jump up ^ "Dutch album certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
149.Jump up ^ "Een ster in het land van lilliputters". Trouw.nl. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
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154.Jump up ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Michael Jackson; 'Thriller')". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
155.Jump up ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 19, 2010. Note: User needs to enter "Michael Jackson" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
156.Jump up ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a379720/adele-overtakes-michael-jacksons-thriller-in-all-time-uk-sales.html#~oLG4udG7r5X8H1
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158.Jump up ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2009". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
159.Jump up ^ Durchholz, Daniel (November 30, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' At 30: Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
160.Jump up ^ Bill Wyman (January 4, 2013). "Did "Thriller" Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies?". The New Yorker (Condé Nast). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
161.Jump up ^ Carl Bialik (2009). "Spun: The Off-the-Wall Accounting of Record Sales". The Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company (News Corporation)). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
162.Jump up ^ Carl Bialik (July 14, 2009). "How many albums did Michael Jackson Sell?". The Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company (News Corporation)). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
163.Jump up ^ David Lara (May 12, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Bad' Gets a Revamp and More Inflated Sales!". Impre (ImpreMedia). Retrieved January 10, 2013.
BibliographyGeorge, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
External links[edit]
Thriller (Adobe Flash) at Radio3Net (streamed copy where licensed)


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Thriller (song)

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"Thriller"

U.S. 12" vinyl

Single by Michael Jackson

from the album Thriller

B-side
"Things I Do for You" (live) (UK) / "Can't Get Outta the Rain"
Released
January 23, 1984
Format
7", 12", CD single, 3" CD single
Recorded
1982
Genre
Disco, funk[1]
Length
5:59 (LP Version)
 4:04 (7" Version)
Label
Epic
Writer(s)
Rod Temperton
Producer(s)
Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology

"P. Y. T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
 (1983) "Thriller"
 (1983) "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
 (1987)


Alternative UK and Japanese covers



Thriller track listing

"The Girl Is Mine"
 (3) "Thriller"
 (4) "Beat It"
 (5)

HIStory Begins track listing

"Man in the Mirror"
 (8) "Thriller"
 (9) "Beat It"
 (10)

This Is It track listing

"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
 (8) "Thriller"
 (9) "Beat It"
 (10)

Music video
"Thriller" on YouTube

"Thriller" is a song recorded by American recording artist Michael Jackson, composed by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album of the same name. It was released on November 12, 1983 in most countries and January 23, 1984 in the United States by Epic Records. The song has appeared on multiple greatest hits compilation albums from Jackson, including HIStory (1995), Number Ones (2003), The Essential Michael Jackson (2005), and Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) and it was remixed to the Immortal album in 2011. The song, which has a voice-over from actor Vincent Price had originally been titled "Starlight".
The song's instruments include a bassline and synthesizer. In the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard, and the lyrics contain frightening themes and elements. "Thriller" received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson's seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, while reaching the top of the charts in France and Belgium and the top ten in many other countries.
"Thriller" was adapted by American Werewolf In London director John Landis into a highly successful music video, known independently as Michael Jackson's Thriller. At fourteen minutes the video is substantially longer than the song, which ties together a narrative featuring Jackson and actress Ola Ray in a setting heavily inspired by horror films of the 1950s. In the video's most iconic scene, Jackson leads other actors costumed as zombies in a choreographed dance routine. Though it garnered some criticism for its occult theme and violent imagery, the video was immediately popular and received high critical acclaim, being nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 and winning three. In 2009 it was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, the first music video ever selected. Although the song itself was a huge success commercially, the video outshone its popularity.
"Thriller" has been covered by multiple recording artists since its release in 1983, including Henry Mancini (with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), Ian Brown, Ten Masked Men and Imogen Heap.


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Composition
3 Recording and production
4 Critical reception
5 Chart performance
6 Music video 6.1 Concept
6.2 Reception
7 Live performances
8 Cover versions
9 Appearances in other media
10 Personnel
11 Charts and certifications 11.1 Charts
11.2 Sales and certifications
12 Track listing
13 See also
14 References
15 External links

Background[edit]
"Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. "Thriller" was originally titled "Starlight",[2][3] contrary to other reports of the title "Starlight Love".[4] While the song was titled "Starlight", the song's hook lyrics were "Starlight! Starlight sun...", but after the song was changed to "Thriller" the hook was rewritten to "Thriller! In the night...".[5] Temperton commented,

Originally, when I did my Thriller demo, I called it Starlight. Quincy said to me, 'You managed to come up with a title for the last album, see what you can do for this album.' I said, 'Oh great,' so I went back to the hotel, wrote two or three hundred titles, and came up with the title 'Midnight Man'. The next morning, I woke up, and I just said this word... Something in my head just said, this is the title. You could visualise it on the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as 'Thriller'.[3]
While Temperton was writing "Thriller" he stated that he'd "always envisioned" a "talking section at the end" on the song, but did not really know what "to do with it", until deciding "to have somebody, a famous voice, in the horror genre, to do this vocal."[3] Jones' then-wife, Peggy Lipton, who knew Vincent Price, suggested Price for the vocal part, which Price agreed to do.[3]
Composition[edit]
"Thriller" is considered a disco-funk song.[1] Set in the key of C♯ Modern Dorian,[citation needed] its instrumentation consists of synthesizer, guitar, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, flute and trombone. The song has a moderate tempo of 118.31 beats per minute.[6] The lyrics and sound effects on "Thriller" pertain to frightful elements and themes.[7]
Recording and production[edit]



 Quincy Jones produced "Thriller".
"Thriller", along with other songs from Thriller, was recorded by Jackson over the course of eight weeks,[8] in 1982. Jackson recorded the song at Westlake Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.[3] Bruce Swedien, the song's engineer, said of the song being recorded,

When we started 'Thriller', the first day at Westlake, we were all there and Quincy [Jones, the producer] walked in followed by me and Michael and Rod Temperton and some of the other people. Quincy turned to us and he said, 'OK guys, we're here to save the recording industry.' Now that's a pretty big responsibility – but he meant it. And that's why those albums, and especially 'Thriller', sound so incredible. The basic thing is, everybody who was involved gave 150 percent … Quincy's like a director of a movie and I'm like a director of photography, and it's Quincy's job to cast [it]. Quincy can find the people and he gives us the inspiration to do what we do.[3]
Swedien and Jones stated that Vincent Price recorded his introduction and voice-over rap for the song in two takes; Jones, acknowledging that doing a voice-over for a song is "difficult", praised Price and described his recording takes as being "fabulous".[3] Swedien said of Jackson recording the song, that, "I tried all sorts of things with Michael – for instance, he would sing the main vocal part and we'd double it one time and then I'd ask him to step away from the mic and do it a third time and that really changed the acoustics in the room so it gave Michael's vocals a unique character … We recorded some of those background vocals in the shower stall at Westlake."[3]
Throughout the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard. Bruce Cannon, a sound effects editor for "Thriller", said that, "Things like the lightning may have come from old Hollywood movies – we'll never know which movies – but the best sound-effects editors do go out in the desert and find a coyote, so I have a feeling that was a real howl."[3]
The backing track, especially the bassline, has certain similarities to the 1981 number-one R&B hit "Give It to Me Baby" by Rick James.[9] The bass part was made from two modified Minimoogs playing in unison.[10]
Critical reception[edit]
"Thriller" received high acclaim reviews from contemporary music critics. Ashley Lasimone, of AOL's Spinner.com, noted that "Thriller" "became a signature for Jackson" and described "the groove of its bassline, paired with Michael's killer vocals and sleek moves" as having had "produced a frighteningly great single."[11] Jon Pareles, of The New York Times, noted that Thrillers tracks, "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "the movie in the song 'Thriller'", were the songs, unlike the "fluff" "P.Y.T.", that were "the hits that made Thriller a world-beater; along with Mr. Jackson's stage and video presence, listeners must have identified with his willingness to admit terror."[12]
Ann Powers, of the Los Angeles Times, described "Thriller" as being a song that was "adequately groovy" with a "funked-out beat" with lyrics that are "seemingly lifted from some little kid's 'scary storybook'".[13] After Jackson's death, AOL's Radio Blog released a list, titled "10 Best Michael Jackson Songs", which placed "Thriller" at number one.[4] In 2009 Melissa Cabrera, of AOL Radio Blogs, listed "Thriller" as being the fourth best song on their "Top 100 '80s Songs" list.[14] Eliot Glazer, AOL's Radio Blogs, placed "Thriller" at number one on a list titled "Top 1984 Songs".[5] "Thriller" was also listed at number two on the "10 Best Halloween Songs" and "10 Best Party Songs" lists by AOLs Radio Blog,[15][16] and at number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" list by Billboard.[17]
Chart performance[edit]
Prior to "Thriller"'s official airplay release, it charted and peaked at number one on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart in 1983.[18] Released on January 23, 1984, "Thriller" became Jackson's seventh and last Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single from his Thriller album. In "Thriller"'s second week of release, Billboard issue date February 11, 1984, the song charted at number 20 on the Hot 100.[19] The song entered the top ten the following week at number seven.[19] One week later, it reached number four, what would become its peak position.[20] The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 4, 1989, for sales of over one million physical units in the U.S. (the requirement for gold and platinum singles was lowered after 1989).[21][22][22] It has sold a further 3.6 million copies in digital downloads as of October 2014 in the US.[23]
For the issue date February 25, 1984, "Thriller" charted at number 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.[24] The following week, the song placed at number five.[24] On March 10, 1984, it charted at number 3, where it peaked.[25] "Thriller" peaked at number 24 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.[18] "Thriller" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on November 19, 1983 at number 24, and the following week charted at number ten, where it peaked; the song appeared on the chart for 25 weeks.[26] Beginning on February 5, 1984, "Thriller" peaked on the French Singles Chart at number one and topped the chart for four consecutive weeks.[27] "Thriller" also topped the Belgian VRT Top 30 Chart for two weeks in January 1984.[28]
Following Jackson's death, his music experienced a surge in popularity.[29] In the week of Jackson's death, "Thriller" was Jackson's best-selling track in the US, with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart.[29] On July 11, 2009, "Thriller" charted on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart at number two (its peak), and the song remained in the charts' top ten for three consecutive weeks.[30] In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 23 the week of Jackson's death.[31] The following week, the song reached its peak at number 12 on the UK Single Chart.[26] On July 12, 2009, "Thriller" peaked at number two on the Italian Singles Chart[32] and was later certified gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.[33] "Thriller" reached at number three on the Australian ARIA Chart and Swiss Singles Chart and topped the Spanish Singles Charts for one week.[34] The song also placed within the top ten on the German Singles Chart, Norwegian Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart, at number nine, number seven and number eight respectively.[34] "Thriller" also landed at number 25 on the Danish Singles Chart.[35] In the third week of July "Thriller" peaked at number 11 in Finland.[36] The song finished at #78 for the year on Billboard Hot 100 of 1984.
In 2013, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 42.[37]
Music video[edit]
Main article: Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)
In his 1988 book Moonwalk, Jackson expressed interest in having director John Landis, direct the music video for “Thriller.” Having seen Landis’ previous work on the horror film An American Werewolf in London, Jackson envisioned the main character of his short film to undergo similar transitions parallel to those of the characters in Landis’ horror film. Hence, John Landis was asked to direct the video seeing as Michael felt he would make the best fit towards properly conveying his personal concepts for the short feature film.[38] Landis accepted Jackson’s invitation and production began soon thereafter, filming in various locations in New York and Los Angeles.
Contrary to reports of $800,000[39] to $1 million production budgets, Landis stated that the music video was made for $500,000.[40] Within the same excerpt of Moonwalk, Jackson noted how he personally financed much the short film for “Thriller” out of his own pocket. Due to all the technical details of production and the nature of the video, the budget nearly doubled in costs. John Branca—Jackson’s attorney and advisor—suggested creating a documentary outlining the process of creating the short film. The behind-the-scenes documentary was aimed towards seeking a third-party sponsor to finance the project and thus alleviate some of the costs of the doubled budget. The documentary was entitled, “The Making of Thriller,” and achieved significant sales among audiences.[41]
Jackson also said of making the music video, in an interview that aired on December 11, 1999, for MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made:

My idea was to make this short film with conversation ... I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I'm very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it's an interpretation of the music. [...] It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, 'How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?' So I said, 'We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn't become something that you laugh at.' But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever.[42]
The music video of the song also included on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory, HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones, on the bonus DVD of Thriller 25 and Michael Jackson's Vision.
Following the release of the music video, a 45-minute documentary was released that provided candid glimpses behind the scenes of the music video's production.[40] Entitled Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, it, like the music video, was shown heavily on MTV for a time[40] and was the top-selling home-video release of all time at one point, with over nine million copies sold.[43] MTV paid $250,000 for the exclusive rights to show the documentary; Showtime paid $300,000 for pay-cable rights; and Vestron Video reportedly paid $500,000 to market the cassette, in a profit participation agreement.[40][44]
Concept[edit]
Set in the 1950s, Michael and his unnamed date (Ola Ray) run out of gas near a dark wooded area. They walk off into the forest, and Michael asks her if she would be his "girl"; she accepts and he gives her a ring. He warns her, however, that he is "different". A full moon appears, and Michael begins convulsing in agony, transforming into a werewolf.[39] His date runs away in terror, but the werewolf catches up to her, knocking her down and begins lunging at her with his claws. The scene then cuts to a modern-day movie theater where Michael and his date, along with a repulsed audience, are actually watching the scene unfold in a movie called Thriller.
Michael's date leaves the theater as Michael hands his popcorn to a stranger, catches up to her, and assures her that "It's only a movie". Some debate follows as to whether or not she was scared by the movie. They then walk down a foggy road as Michael teases her by singing the verses of "Thriller". They pass a nearby graveyard, in which zombies begin to rise out of their caskets as Vincent Price performs his soliloquy. The zombies corner Michael and his date threateningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and dance number,[39] followed by the main chorus of "Thriller" (during which Michael was reverted to human form), frightening his date to the point where she runs for cover.
Michael (turned back into a zombie) and his fellow corpses then back the frightened girl into the corner of a nearby abandoned house. Michael then reaches for his date's throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling scream, only to awake and realize it was all a dream. Michael then offers to take her home, and she happily obliges. As they walk out of the house, Michael eerily looks at the camera, thus revealing his yellow werewolf eyes, as we hear Vincent Price's haunting laugh.[39]
Reception[edit]
Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly commented on the music video, "Every aspect of the 14-minute horror musical, directed with creepy-comical zest by John Landis, is beyond iconic, from Michael's red leather ensemble to the immortal (no pun) herky-jerky zombie dance and bwah-ha-ha Vincent Price narration."[45] Though the video was met with widespread praise, it was also criticized for its content. In 1984, the National Coalition on Television Violence (NCTV) classified more than half of 200 MTV music videos surveyed as "too violent". Both "Thriller" and Jackson's duet with Paul McCartney, "Say, Say, Say" made the list.[2] The Los Angeles Times quoted Dr. Thomas Radecki, chairman of the NCTV, as saying, "It's not hard to imagine young viewers after seeing 'Thriller' saying, 'Gee, if Michael Jackson can terrorize his girlfriend, why can't I do it too?'[2]
The music video was nominated for six awards at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, winning three out of six of the nominations.[46] "Thriller" won Viewers Choice, Best Overall Performance and Best Choreography—but lost Best Concept Video, Best Male Video and Video of the Year.[46]
The music video was listed as the "Greatest Video" on VH1's "VH1: 100 Greatest Videos" in 2001.[47] MTV listed the music video as being the "Greatest Music Video Ever Made" on their list, "MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made" in 1999.[48] In July 2011, the music video was named one of "The 30 All-TIME Best Music Videos" by TIME magazine.[49]
Live performances[edit]
Jackson performed "Thriller" on all three of his solo world concert tours. From the Dangerous Tour onwards, half the song was always performed by a masked backup dancer as Jackson prepared for his next song as part of a stage illusion. Despite Jackson performing multiple songs from his Thriller album, "Thriller" was not included on The Jacksons set list during their Victory Tour in 1984, as Michael Jackson was not satisfied with the way the song sounded live.
Jackson performed "Thriller" during his first world tour as a solo artist, the Bad world tour, lasting sixteen months, from 1987 to 1989, for a total of 123 shows.[50] During the Bad tour, in both legs, the jacket had flashing lights in the middle of the song and at the end. An impersonator was only used for the introduction of the song; a masked dancer emerges from the costume tent at the side of the stage, and goes back in hiding while Jackson himself, also masked at first, swings down from a rope on the other side of the stage before taking off his mask.
"Thriller" was also performed during Jackson's second world tour, the Dangerous Tour, where stage illusions were used to transition between "Thriller" and "Billie Jean". In the middle of "Thriller", Jackson secretly switched places with a masked backup dancer who finishes the song appearing as Jackson prepares for Billie Jean. When the song ends, Jackson appears fully dressed on the upper floor as "Billie Jean" begins.
Jackson performed "Thriller"[51] for all of his 82 shows during his third, and final, world tour, the HIStory World Tour. Once again, a masked dancer posing as Jackson was used as a stage illusion, this time to the transition between "Thriller" and "Beat It". As with the Dangerous tour, Jackson switches with the background dancer in the middle of the song. At the end of Thriller, the masked dancer is taken by the zombie dancers into a coffin where it appears he is impaled with spikes and burned. Jackson would appear at the side of the stage in a cherry-picker, starting off "Beat It".
Jackson had planned to perform "Thriller" during his 50-show concert series, which would have been his fourth concert tour, entitled This Is It from 2009 to 2010.[52][53] For Jackson's performance of the song, he had planned for the stage that he was to perform on to be set up with a background that looked like a "graveyard" (which was a brief setting in the music video) with 3-D effects.[53][54][55] According to a setlist that was released in March 2009, "Thriller" was to close out the 16-song show,[56] although the film Michael Jackson's This Is It, which documents the concert series, lists 18 songs and "Man in the Mirror" as the closing song for the planned shows.[57][58][59]
Live versions of the song are available on the DVDs Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.
Cover versions[edit]
1980sIn 1984, English comedian Lenny Henry recorded a spoof video of Thriller, entitled "Thinner".
In 1989, American composer Henry Mancini and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded an orchestral version of the song.[60]
2000sIn 2000, British death metal band Ten Masked Men covered the song on their album Return of the Ten Masked Men.[60]
In 2001, American-born Australian singer Joe Dolce covered the song on a compilation album, Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge.[60]
In 2003, Scottish rock band Aereogramme recorded "Thriller" for their Livers & Lungs EP.[60]
In 2003, German a cappella group Maybebop covered the song for their album Heiße Luft.[61]
In 2004, English electronic music group The Prodigy sampled "Thriller" on their The Way It Is.[62]
In 2007, Ian Brown covered "Thriller".[63] Amos Barshad and Nick Catucci, of NYMag.com, commented that "before you dismiss" the song, if you "give it a listen", Brown’s "louche, drugged-out reinvention is actually pretty great."[63][64]
In 2008, German group Wise Guys recorded an a cappella version of the song as "Schiller" for their tenth album Frei!. The stage choreography based on Michael Jackson's music video and member Ferenc also recites a part of Friedrich Schiller's Die Bürgschaft.[65]
In 2008, "Thriller" was also covered by Ben Gibbard, lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service.[66]
In 2008, industrial metal band Gothminister covered Jackson's song for their album Happiness in Darkness.[60]
In October 2009, Imogen Heap covered "Thriller" for BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.[67]
2010sIn 2011, Patrick Stump covered the song in an a cappella mash-up tribute along with several other Michael Jackson songs over pre-recorded backing vocals.[68]
In 2012, Italian jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava released a version on his tribute album Rava on the Dance Floor.
In 2013, Jiordan Tolli covered an stripped-down slower version of song for fifth season of The X Factor Australia during week two. The cover was released as an single on September 3, 2013.[69] Tolli's performance of "Thriller" debuted at number 63 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[70]
In 2014 and 2015, Demi Lovato covered the song on her Demi World Tour. This version included a remixed dancing at the end, which Lovato would dance to with fellow background dancers.[71]
Appearances in other media[edit]
Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, particularly the songs dance routine in the video, have been referenced in television series and films including Donga (1985), Coming to America (1988), The Malibu Beach Vampires (1991), South Park (1997), Dead & Breakfast (2004), 13 Going on 30 (2004), Bo! in the USA (2006).[72][better source needed]
The Chemical Brothers said in a January 2002 interview that if their song "My Elastic Eye" is played on large speakers, the bass would resemble "Thriller".[73]
In 2011, the cast of American musical TV series Glee performed "Thriller" as a mash up with "Heads Will Roll" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs in episode "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle".[74][75]
Pop singer Britney Spears made a reference to "Thriller" in her music video for "I Wanna Go" (2011). In the ending of her video actor Guillermo Díaz leads Spears out of the room. He then turns to the camera with glowing red eyes and his laugh is heard, similar to Vincent Price.[76]
Personnel[edit]
Written and composed by Rod Temperton
Produced by Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals Featuring: Narration by Vincent Price (Not featured on original edited single version)
Greg Phillinganes, Rod Temperton & Brian Banks: Synthesizers
Anthony Marinelli: Synthesizer programming
David Williams: Guitar
 Jerry Hey, Gary Grant: Trumpets, flugelhorns
Larry Williams: Saxophone, flute
Bill Reichenbach: Trombone
Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien

Charts and certifications[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart (1983-1984)
Peak
 position

Australia (Kent Music Report)[77] 4
Belgian VRT Top 30[28] 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles[78] 3
France (SNEP)[27] 1
Germany (Official German Charts)[79] 9
Irish Singles Chart[80] 30
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[81] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[82] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 1
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[18][20] 4
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary[18] 1
US Billboard Hot Black Singles[18][25] 1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[18] 1


Chart (2005)
Peak
 position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[18] 1

Chart (2006)
Peak
 position

France (SNEP)[83] 35
Germany (Media Control Charts)[34] 9
Irish Singles Chart[80] 8
Italy (FIMI)[32] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[84] 34
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34] 1
Swiss (Swiss Hitparade)[34] 3

Chart (2007)
Peak
 position

Hot Canadian Digital Singles[18] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 20
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 57


Chart (2008)
Peak
 position

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[86] 55
Norway (VG-lista)[87] 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 53
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 35


Chart (2009)
Peak
 position

Australia (ARIA)[89] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[86] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Back Catalogue Singles Flanders)[90] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 30 Back Catalogue Singles Wallonia)[91] 2
Denmark (Tracklisten)[35] 25
European Hot 100 Singles[92] 16
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] 11
France (SNEP)[93] 3
Irish Singles Chart[34] 8
Italy (FIMI)[32] 2
Japan Singles Top 100 (Oricon)[34] 41
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[84] 9
New Zealand (RIANZ)[34] 12
Norway (VG-lista)[87] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[94] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 3
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 12
US Billboard Hot RingMasters[18] 1

Chart (2010)
Peak
 position

Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 68
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 68


Chart (2012)
Peak
 position

France (SNEP)[83] 143
Irish Singles Chart[80] 30
Japan Hot 100 Singles[18] 93
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 49
US Billboard Hot Digital Songs[18] 2
US Billboard Hot RingMasters[18] 1


Chart (2014)
Peak
 position

US Billboard Hot 100[95] 35

Sales and certifications[edit]

Region
Certification
Sales/shipments


Australia (ARIA)[96]
2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[97]
Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[98]
Platinum 975,000[99]
Italy (FIMI)[100]
Platinum 50,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[101]
Gold 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[102]
Gold 500,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[103]
Platinum (physical)
 Gold (digital)
 Gold (MT) 1,000,000 (physical)
 3,600,000[23]
 500,000 (ringtone)
*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone


Track listing[edit]
7" single'[104]
1."Thriller" (special edit) – 4:37
2."Things I Do for You" (live) – 3:31
7" single[104]
1."Thriller" – 5:57
2."Thriller" (instrumental) – 5:57
12" maxi[104]
1."Thriller" – 5:57
2."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:05
3."Things I Do for You" (live) – 3:31
 Mini CD single (Japan 1988 Bad tour)[105]
1."Thriller" - 4:08
2."Human Nature" - 3:47
CD single[104]
1."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:08
2."Can't Get Outta the Rain" – 4:09
DualDisc single[104]
CD side
1."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:09
2."Thriller" (album version) – 5:58
DVD side
1.Michael Jackson's Thriller – 13:40

See also[edit]

Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
List of best-selling singles
List of best-selling singles in the United States
List of most expensive music videos
"Michael Jackson's Thriller"
Thriller (viral video)
Thrill the World
References[edit]
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50.Jump up ^ Halstead 2003
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65.Jump up ^ "'Schiller' von Wise Guys – laut.de – Song". Laut.de. November 16, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
66.Jump up ^ Marvin Marks (June 28, 2009). "Michael Jackson Thriller Covers". MusicByDay.com. Music By Day. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
67.Jump up ^ Ashley Lasimone (October 28, 2009). "Clash of the Cover Songs: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
68.Jump up ^ "Patrick Stump Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson in Awesome A Cappella Medley". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
69.Jump up ^ "Thriller (X Factor Performance) - Single by Jiordan Tolli". https://itunes.apple.com/au/. iTunes. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
70.Jump up ^ Ryan, Gavin (September 7, 2013). "ARIA Singles: Katy Perry's Roar Spends Third Week at Number One". Noise11. Noise Network. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
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72.Jump up ^ "Thriller: Movie Connections". IMDb.com. IMDb.com Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
73.Jump up ^ "The Chemical Brothers - Remix Article". Planet Dust. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
74.Jump up ^ "'Glee' Super Bowl Episode Brings 'Thriller' to Football Fans". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
75.Jump up ^ "'Glee'-cap: 'Heads Will Roll' After Glee's Super Bowl 'Thriller!'" OK! Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
76.Jump up ^ "Britney Spears' 'I Wanna Go': A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet". MTV.com. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
77.Jump up ^ Kent, David (2003). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
78.Jump up ^ "Top Singles – Volume 40, No. 1, March 10, 1984". RPM. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
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80.^ Jump up to: a b c "Search Results: Thriller". IrishCharts.ie. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
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82.Jump up ^ "Charts.org.nz – Michael Jackson – Thriller". Top 40 Singles.
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88.^ Jump up to: a b c "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Thriller". Swiss Singles Chart.
89.Jump up ^ "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – Thriller". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
90.Jump up ^ "30 Back Catalogue Singles – July 18, 2009". UltraTop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
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92.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
93.Jump up ^ "Download Single Top 50 – 04/07/2009". Lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
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95.Jump up ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2014-11-15
96.Jump up ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
97.Jump up ^ "Canadian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller". Music Canada.
98.Jump up ^ "French single certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller" (in French). InfoDisc. Select MICHAEL JACKSON and click OK
99.Jump up ^ "Les Singles de Platine :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
100.Jump up ^ "Italian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Michael Jackson in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
101.Jump up ^ "Certificaciones – Michael Jackson" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.
102.Jump up ^ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Thriller in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
103.Jump up ^ "Gold and Platinum Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
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105.Jump up ^ Discogs.com Thriller Japanese Mini CD single
Bibliography
Brooks, Darren (2002). Michael Jackson: An Exceptional Journey. Chrome Dreams. ISBN 1-84240-178-5.
George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8.
Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
Halstead, Craig (2003). Michael Jackson The Solo Years. On-Line Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
External links[edit]
Michael Jackson - Thriller on YouTube
Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics


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Thriller (song)

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"Thriller"

U.S. 12" vinyl

Single by Michael Jackson

from the album Thriller

B-side
"Things I Do for You" (live) (UK) / "Can't Get Outta the Rain"
Released
January 23, 1984
Format
7", 12", CD single, 3" CD single
Recorded
1982
Genre
Disco, funk[1]
Length
5:59 (LP Version)
 4:04 (7" Version)
Label
Epic
Writer(s)
Rod Temperton
Producer(s)
Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology

"P. Y. T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
 (1983) "Thriller"
 (1983) "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
 (1987)


Alternative UK and Japanese covers



Thriller track listing

"The Girl Is Mine"
 (3) "Thriller"
 (4) "Beat It"
 (5)

HIStory Begins track listing

"Man in the Mirror"
 (8) "Thriller"
 (9) "Beat It"
 (10)

This Is It track listing

"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
 (8) "Thriller"
 (9) "Beat It"
 (10)

Music video
"Thriller" on YouTube

"Thriller" is a song recorded by American recording artist Michael Jackson, composed by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album of the same name. It was released on November 12, 1983 in most countries and January 23, 1984 in the United States by Epic Records. The song has appeared on multiple greatest hits compilation albums from Jackson, including HIStory (1995), Number Ones (2003), The Essential Michael Jackson (2005), and Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) and it was remixed to the Immortal album in 2011. The song, which has a voice-over from actor Vincent Price had originally been titled "Starlight".
The song's instruments include a bassline and synthesizer. In the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard, and the lyrics contain frightening themes and elements. "Thriller" received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson's seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, while reaching the top of the charts in France and Belgium and the top ten in many other countries.
"Thriller" was adapted by American Werewolf In London director John Landis into a highly successful music video, known independently as Michael Jackson's Thriller. At fourteen minutes the video is substantially longer than the song, which ties together a narrative featuring Jackson and actress Ola Ray in a setting heavily inspired by horror films of the 1950s. In the video's most iconic scene, Jackson leads other actors costumed as zombies in a choreographed dance routine. Though it garnered some criticism for its occult theme and violent imagery, the video was immediately popular and received high critical acclaim, being nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 and winning three. In 2009 it was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, the first music video ever selected. Although the song itself was a huge success commercially, the video outshone its popularity.
"Thriller" has been covered by multiple recording artists since its release in 1983, including Henry Mancini (with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), Ian Brown, Ten Masked Men and Imogen Heap.


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Composition
3 Recording and production
4 Critical reception
5 Chart performance
6 Music video 6.1 Concept
6.2 Reception
7 Live performances
8 Cover versions
9 Appearances in other media
10 Personnel
11 Charts and certifications 11.1 Charts
11.2 Sales and certifications
12 Track listing
13 See also
14 References
15 External links

Background[edit]
"Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. "Thriller" was originally titled "Starlight",[2][3] contrary to other reports of the title "Starlight Love".[4] While the song was titled "Starlight", the song's hook lyrics were "Starlight! Starlight sun...", but after the song was changed to "Thriller" the hook was rewritten to "Thriller! In the night...".[5] Temperton commented,

Originally, when I did my Thriller demo, I called it Starlight. Quincy said to me, 'You managed to come up with a title for the last album, see what you can do for this album.' I said, 'Oh great,' so I went back to the hotel, wrote two or three hundred titles, and came up with the title 'Midnight Man'. The next morning, I woke up, and I just said this word... Something in my head just said, this is the title. You could visualise it on the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as 'Thriller'.[3]
While Temperton was writing "Thriller" he stated that he'd "always envisioned" a "talking section at the end" on the song, but did not really know what "to do with it", until deciding "to have somebody, a famous voice, in the horror genre, to do this vocal."[3] Jones' then-wife, Peggy Lipton, who knew Vincent Price, suggested Price for the vocal part, which Price agreed to do.[3]
Composition[edit]
"Thriller" is considered a disco-funk song.[1] Set in the key of C♯ Modern Dorian,[citation needed] its instrumentation consists of synthesizer, guitar, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, flute and trombone. The song has a moderate tempo of 118.31 beats per minute.[6] The lyrics and sound effects on "Thriller" pertain to frightful elements and themes.[7]
Recording and production[edit]



 Quincy Jones produced "Thriller".
"Thriller", along with other songs from Thriller, was recorded by Jackson over the course of eight weeks,[8] in 1982. Jackson recorded the song at Westlake Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.[3] Bruce Swedien, the song's engineer, said of the song being recorded,

When we started 'Thriller', the first day at Westlake, we were all there and Quincy [Jones, the producer] walked in followed by me and Michael and Rod Temperton and some of the other people. Quincy turned to us and he said, 'OK guys, we're here to save the recording industry.' Now that's a pretty big responsibility – but he meant it. And that's why those albums, and especially 'Thriller', sound so incredible. The basic thing is, everybody who was involved gave 150 percent … Quincy's like a director of a movie and I'm like a director of photography, and it's Quincy's job to cast [it]. Quincy can find the people and he gives us the inspiration to do what we do.[3]
Swedien and Jones stated that Vincent Price recorded his introduction and voice-over rap for the song in two takes; Jones, acknowledging that doing a voice-over for a song is "difficult", praised Price and described his recording takes as being "fabulous".[3] Swedien said of Jackson recording the song, that, "I tried all sorts of things with Michael – for instance, he would sing the main vocal part and we'd double it one time and then I'd ask him to step away from the mic and do it a third time and that really changed the acoustics in the room so it gave Michael's vocals a unique character … We recorded some of those background vocals in the shower stall at Westlake."[3]
Throughout the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard. Bruce Cannon, a sound effects editor for "Thriller", said that, "Things like the lightning may have come from old Hollywood movies – we'll never know which movies – but the best sound-effects editors do go out in the desert and find a coyote, so I have a feeling that was a real howl."[3]
The backing track, especially the bassline, has certain similarities to the 1981 number-one R&B hit "Give It to Me Baby" by Rick James.[9] The bass part was made from two modified Minimoogs playing in unison.[10]
Critical reception[edit]
"Thriller" received high acclaim reviews from contemporary music critics. Ashley Lasimone, of AOL's Spinner.com, noted that "Thriller" "became a signature for Jackson" and described "the groove of its bassline, paired with Michael's killer vocals and sleek moves" as having had "produced a frighteningly great single."[11] Jon Pareles, of The New York Times, noted that Thrillers tracks, "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "the movie in the song 'Thriller'", were the songs, unlike the "fluff" "P.Y.T.", that were "the hits that made Thriller a world-beater; along with Mr. Jackson's stage and video presence, listeners must have identified with his willingness to admit terror."[12]
Ann Powers, of the Los Angeles Times, described "Thriller" as being a song that was "adequately groovy" with a "funked-out beat" with lyrics that are "seemingly lifted from some little kid's 'scary storybook'".[13] After Jackson's death, AOL's Radio Blog released a list, titled "10 Best Michael Jackson Songs", which placed "Thriller" at number one.[4] In 2009 Melissa Cabrera, of AOL Radio Blogs, listed "Thriller" as being the fourth best song on their "Top 100 '80s Songs" list.[14] Eliot Glazer, AOL's Radio Blogs, placed "Thriller" at number one on a list titled "Top 1984 Songs".[5] "Thriller" was also listed at number two on the "10 Best Halloween Songs" and "10 Best Party Songs" lists by AOLs Radio Blog,[15][16] and at number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" list by Billboard.[17]
Chart performance[edit]
Prior to "Thriller"'s official airplay release, it charted and peaked at number one on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart in 1983.[18] Released on January 23, 1984, "Thriller" became Jackson's seventh and last Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single from his Thriller album. In "Thriller"'s second week of release, Billboard issue date February 11, 1984, the song charted at number 20 on the Hot 100.[19] The song entered the top ten the following week at number seven.[19] One week later, it reached number four, what would become its peak position.[20] The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 4, 1989, for sales of over one million physical units in the U.S. (the requirement for gold and platinum singles was lowered after 1989).[21][22][22] It has sold a further 3.6 million copies in digital downloads as of October 2014 in the US.[23]
For the issue date February 25, 1984, "Thriller" charted at number 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.[24] The following week, the song placed at number five.[24] On March 10, 1984, it charted at number 3, where it peaked.[25] "Thriller" peaked at number 24 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.[18] "Thriller" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on November 19, 1983 at number 24, and the following week charted at number ten, where it peaked; the song appeared on the chart for 25 weeks.[26] Beginning on February 5, 1984, "Thriller" peaked on the French Singles Chart at number one and topped the chart for four consecutive weeks.[27] "Thriller" also topped the Belgian VRT Top 30 Chart for two weeks in January 1984.[28]
Following Jackson's death, his music experienced a surge in popularity.[29] In the week of Jackson's death, "Thriller" was Jackson's best-selling track in the US, with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart.[29] On July 11, 2009, "Thriller" charted on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart at number two (its peak), and the song remained in the charts' top ten for three consecutive weeks.[30] In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 23 the week of Jackson's death.[31] The following week, the song reached its peak at number 12 on the UK Single Chart.[26] On July 12, 2009, "Thriller" peaked at number two on the Italian Singles Chart[32] and was later certified gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.[33] "Thriller" reached at number three on the Australian ARIA Chart and Swiss Singles Chart and topped the Spanish Singles Charts for one week.[34] The song also placed within the top ten on the German Singles Chart, Norwegian Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart, at number nine, number seven and number eight respectively.[34] "Thriller" also landed at number 25 on the Danish Singles Chart.[35] In the third week of July "Thriller" peaked at number 11 in Finland.[36] The song finished at #78 for the year on Billboard Hot 100 of 1984.
In 2013, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 42.[37]
Music video[edit]
Main article: Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)
In his 1988 book Moonwalk, Jackson expressed interest in having director John Landis, direct the music video for “Thriller.” Having seen Landis’ previous work on the horror film An American Werewolf in London, Jackson envisioned the main character of his short film to undergo similar transitions parallel to those of the characters in Landis’ horror film. Hence, John Landis was asked to direct the video seeing as Michael felt he would make the best fit towards properly conveying his personal concepts for the short feature film.[38] Landis accepted Jackson’s invitation and production began soon thereafter, filming in various locations in New York and Los Angeles.
Contrary to reports of $800,000[39] to $1 million production budgets, Landis stated that the music video was made for $500,000.[40] Within the same excerpt of Moonwalk, Jackson noted how he personally financed much the short film for “Thriller” out of his own pocket. Due to all the technical details of production and the nature of the video, the budget nearly doubled in costs. John Branca—Jackson’s attorney and advisor—suggested creating a documentary outlining the process of creating the short film. The behind-the-scenes documentary was aimed towards seeking a third-party sponsor to finance the project and thus alleviate some of the costs of the doubled budget. The documentary was entitled, “The Making of Thriller,” and achieved significant sales among audiences.[41]
Jackson also said of making the music video, in an interview that aired on December 11, 1999, for MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made:

My idea was to make this short film with conversation ... I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I'm very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it's an interpretation of the music. [...] It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, 'How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?' So I said, 'We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn't become something that you laugh at.' But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever.[42]
The music video of the song also included on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory, HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones, on the bonus DVD of Thriller 25 and Michael Jackson's Vision.
Following the release of the music video, a 45-minute documentary was released that provided candid glimpses behind the scenes of the music video's production.[40] Entitled Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, it, like the music video, was shown heavily on MTV for a time[40] and was the top-selling home-video release of all time at one point, with over nine million copies sold.[43] MTV paid $250,000 for the exclusive rights to show the documentary; Showtime paid $300,000 for pay-cable rights; and Vestron Video reportedly paid $500,000 to market the cassette, in a profit participation agreement.[40][44]
Concept[edit]
Set in the 1950s, Michael and his unnamed date (Ola Ray) run out of gas near a dark wooded area. They walk off into the forest, and Michael asks her if she would be his "girl"; she accepts and he gives her a ring. He warns her, however, that he is "different". A full moon appears, and Michael begins convulsing in agony, transforming into a werewolf.[39] His date runs away in terror, but the werewolf catches up to her, knocking her down and begins lunging at her with his claws. The scene then cuts to a modern-day movie theater where Michael and his date, along with a repulsed audience, are actually watching the scene unfold in a movie called Thriller.
Michael's date leaves the theater as Michael hands his popcorn to a stranger, catches up to her, and assures her that "It's only a movie". Some debate follows as to whether or not she was scared by the movie. They then walk down a foggy road as Michael teases her by singing the verses of "Thriller". They pass a nearby graveyard, in which zombies begin to rise out of their caskets as Vincent Price performs his soliloquy. The zombies corner Michael and his date threateningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and dance number,[39] followed by the main chorus of "Thriller" (during which Michael was reverted to human form), frightening his date to the point where she runs for cover.
Michael (turned back into a zombie) and his fellow corpses then back the frightened girl into the corner of a nearby abandoned house. Michael then reaches for his date's throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling scream, only to awake and realize it was all a dream. Michael then offers to take her home, and she happily obliges. As they walk out of the house, Michael eerily looks at the camera, thus revealing his yellow werewolf eyes, as we hear Vincent Price's haunting laugh.[39]
Reception[edit]
Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly commented on the music video, "Every aspect of the 14-minute horror musical, directed with creepy-comical zest by John Landis, is beyond iconic, from Michael's red leather ensemble to the immortal (no pun) herky-jerky zombie dance and bwah-ha-ha Vincent Price narration."[45] Though the video was met with widespread praise, it was also criticized for its content. In 1984, the National Coalition on Television Violence (NCTV) classified more than half of 200 MTV music videos surveyed as "too violent". Both "Thriller" and Jackson's duet with Paul McCartney, "Say, Say, Say" made the list.[2] The Los Angeles Times quoted Dr. Thomas Radecki, chairman of the NCTV, as saying, "It's not hard to imagine young viewers after seeing 'Thriller' saying, 'Gee, if Michael Jackson can terrorize his girlfriend, why can't I do it too?'[2]
The music video was nominated for six awards at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, winning three out of six of the nominations.[46] "Thriller" won Viewers Choice, Best Overall Performance and Best Choreography—but lost Best Concept Video, Best Male Video and Video of the Year.[46]
The music video was listed as the "Greatest Video" on VH1's "VH1: 100 Greatest Videos" in 2001.[47] MTV listed the music video as being the "Greatest Music Video Ever Made" on their list, "MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made" in 1999.[48] In July 2011, the music video was named one of "The 30 All-TIME Best Music Videos" by TIME magazine.[49]
Live performances[edit]
Jackson performed "Thriller" on all three of his solo world concert tours. From the Dangerous Tour onwards, half the song was always performed by a masked backup dancer as Jackson prepared for his next song as part of a stage illusion. Despite Jackson performing multiple songs from his Thriller album, "Thriller" was not included on The Jacksons set list during their Victory Tour in 1984, as Michael Jackson was not satisfied with the way the song sounded live.
Jackson performed "Thriller" during his first world tour as a solo artist, the Bad world tour, lasting sixteen months, from 1987 to 1989, for a total of 123 shows.[50] During the Bad tour, in both legs, the jacket had flashing lights in the middle of the song and at the end. An impersonator was only used for the introduction of the song; a masked dancer emerges from the costume tent at the side of the stage, and goes back in hiding while Jackson himself, also masked at first, swings down from a rope on the other side of the stage before taking off his mask.
"Thriller" was also performed during Jackson's second world tour, the Dangerous Tour, where stage illusions were used to transition between "Thriller" and "Billie Jean". In the middle of "Thriller", Jackson secretly switched places with a masked backup dancer who finishes the song appearing as Jackson prepares for Billie Jean. When the song ends, Jackson appears fully dressed on the upper floor as "Billie Jean" begins.
Jackson performed "Thriller"[51] for all of his 82 shows during his third, and final, world tour, the HIStory World Tour. Once again, a masked dancer posing as Jackson was used as a stage illusion, this time to the transition between "Thriller" and "Beat It". As with the Dangerous tour, Jackson switches with the background dancer in the middle of the song. At the end of Thriller, the masked dancer is taken by the zombie dancers into a coffin where it appears he is impaled with spikes and burned. Jackson would appear at the side of the stage in a cherry-picker, starting off "Beat It".
Jackson had planned to perform "Thriller" during his 50-show concert series, which would have been his fourth concert tour, entitled This Is It from 2009 to 2010.[52][53] For Jackson's performance of the song, he had planned for the stage that he was to perform on to be set up with a background that looked like a "graveyard" (which was a brief setting in the music video) with 3-D effects.[53][54][55] According to a setlist that was released in March 2009, "Thriller" was to close out the 16-song show,[56] although the film Michael Jackson's This Is It, which documents the concert series, lists 18 songs and "Man in the Mirror" as the closing song for the planned shows.[57][58][59]
Live versions of the song are available on the DVDs Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.
Cover versions[edit]
1980sIn 1984, English comedian Lenny Henry recorded a spoof video of Thriller, entitled "Thinner".
In 1989, American composer Henry Mancini and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded an orchestral version of the song.[60]
2000sIn 2000, British death metal band Ten Masked Men covered the song on their album Return of the Ten Masked Men.[60]
In 2001, American-born Australian singer Joe Dolce covered the song on a compilation album, Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge.[60]
In 2003, Scottish rock band Aereogramme recorded "Thriller" for their Livers & Lungs EP.[60]
In 2003, German a cappella group Maybebop covered the song for their album Heiße Luft.[61]
In 2004, English electronic music group The Prodigy sampled "Thriller" on their The Way It Is.[62]
In 2007, Ian Brown covered "Thriller".[63] Amos Barshad and Nick Catucci, of NYMag.com, commented that "before you dismiss" the song, if you "give it a listen", Brown’s "louche, drugged-out reinvention is actually pretty great."[63][64]
In 2008, German group Wise Guys recorded an a cappella version of the song as "Schiller" for their tenth album Frei!. The stage choreography based on Michael Jackson's music video and member Ferenc also recites a part of Friedrich Schiller's Die Bürgschaft.[65]
In 2008, "Thriller" was also covered by Ben Gibbard, lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service.[66]
In 2008, industrial metal band Gothminister covered Jackson's song for their album Happiness in Darkness.[60]
In October 2009, Imogen Heap covered "Thriller" for BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.[67]
2010sIn 2011, Patrick Stump covered the song in an a cappella mash-up tribute along with several other Michael Jackson songs over pre-recorded backing vocals.[68]
In 2012, Italian jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava released a version on his tribute album Rava on the Dance Floor.
In 2013, Jiordan Tolli covered an stripped-down slower version of song for fifth season of The X Factor Australia during week two. The cover was released as an single on September 3, 2013.[69] Tolli's performance of "Thriller" debuted at number 63 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[70]
In 2014 and 2015, Demi Lovato covered the song on her Demi World Tour. This version included a remixed dancing at the end, which Lovato would dance to with fellow background dancers.[71]
Appearances in other media[edit]
Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, particularly the songs dance routine in the video, have been referenced in television series and films including Donga (1985), Coming to America (1988), The Malibu Beach Vampires (1991), South Park (1997), Dead & Breakfast (2004), 13 Going on 30 (2004), Bo! in the USA (2006).[72][better source needed]
The Chemical Brothers said in a January 2002 interview that if their song "My Elastic Eye" is played on large speakers, the bass would resemble "Thriller".[73]
In 2011, the cast of American musical TV series Glee performed "Thriller" as a mash up with "Heads Will Roll" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs in episode "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle".[74][75]
Pop singer Britney Spears made a reference to "Thriller" in her music video for "I Wanna Go" (2011). In the ending of her video actor Guillermo Díaz leads Spears out of the room. He then turns to the camera with glowing red eyes and his laugh is heard, similar to Vincent Price.[76]
Personnel[edit]
Written and composed by Rod Temperton
Produced by Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals Featuring: Narration by Vincent Price (Not featured on original edited single version)
Greg Phillinganes, Rod Temperton & Brian Banks: Synthesizers
Anthony Marinelli: Synthesizer programming
David Williams: Guitar
 Jerry Hey, Gary Grant: Trumpets, flugelhorns
Larry Williams: Saxophone, flute
Bill Reichenbach: Trombone
Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien

Charts and certifications[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart (1983-1984)
Peak
 position

Australia (Kent Music Report)[77] 4
Belgian VRT Top 30[28] 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles[78] 3
France (SNEP)[27] 1
Germany (Official German Charts)[79] 9
Irish Singles Chart[80] 30
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[81] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[82] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 1
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[18][20] 4
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary[18] 1
US Billboard Hot Black Singles[18][25] 1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[18] 1


Chart (2005)
Peak
 position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[18] 1

Chart (2006)
Peak
 position

France (SNEP)[83] 35
Germany (Media Control Charts)[34] 9
Irish Singles Chart[80] 8
Italy (FIMI)[32] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[84] 34
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34] 1
Swiss (Swiss Hitparade)[34] 3

Chart (2007)
Peak
 position

Hot Canadian Digital Singles[18] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 20
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 57


Chart (2008)
Peak
 position

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[86] 55
Norway (VG-lista)[87] 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 53
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 35


Chart (2009)
Peak
 position

Australia (ARIA)[89] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[86] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Back Catalogue Singles Flanders)[90] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 30 Back Catalogue Singles Wallonia)[91] 2
Denmark (Tracklisten)[35] 25
European Hot 100 Singles[92] 16
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] 11
France (SNEP)[93] 3
Irish Singles Chart[34] 8
Italy (FIMI)[32] 2
Japan Singles Top 100 (Oricon)[34] 41
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[84] 9
New Zealand (RIANZ)[34] 12
Norway (VG-lista)[87] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[94] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 3
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 12
US Billboard Hot RingMasters[18] 1

Chart (2010)
Peak
 position

Spain (PROMUSICAE)[85] 12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[88] 68
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 68


Chart (2012)
Peak
 position

France (SNEP)[83] 143
Irish Singles Chart[80] 30
Japan Hot 100 Singles[18] 93
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 49
US Billboard Hot Digital Songs[18] 2
US Billboard Hot RingMasters[18] 1


Chart (2014)
Peak
 position

US Billboard Hot 100[95] 35

Sales and certifications[edit]

Region
Certification
Sales/shipments


Australia (ARIA)[96]
2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[97]
Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[98]
Platinum 975,000[99]
Italy (FIMI)[100]
Platinum 50,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[101]
Gold 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[102]
Gold 500,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[103]
Platinum (physical)
 Gold (digital)
 Gold (MT) 1,000,000 (physical)
 3,600,000[23]
 500,000 (ringtone)
*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone


Track listing[edit]
7" single'[104]
1."Thriller" (special edit) – 4:37
2."Things I Do for You" (live) – 3:31
7" single[104]
1."Thriller" – 5:57
2."Thriller" (instrumental) – 5:57
12" maxi[104]
1."Thriller" – 5:57
2."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:05
3."Things I Do for You" (live) – 3:31
 Mini CD single (Japan 1988 Bad tour)[105]
1."Thriller" - 4:08
2."Human Nature" - 3:47
CD single[104]
1."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:08
2."Can't Get Outta the Rain" – 4:09
DualDisc single[104]
CD side
1."Thriller" (remixed short version) – 4:09
2."Thriller" (album version) – 5:58
DVD side
1.Michael Jackson's Thriller – 13:40

See also[edit]

Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
List of best-selling singles
List of best-selling singles in the United States
List of most expensive music videos
"Michael Jackson's Thriller"
Thriller (viral video)
Thrill the World
References[edit]
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61.Jump up ^ "Thriller by Maybebop from the album Heiße Luft". Audio Puzzle. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
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64.Jump up ^ "Ian Brown – Thriller (Michael Jackson Cover) | Video Youtube – NMETV Latest Music Videos and Clips". Nme.com. October 16, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
65.Jump up ^ "'Schiller' von Wise Guys – laut.de – Song". Laut.de. November 16, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
66.Jump up ^ Marvin Marks (June 28, 2009). "Michael Jackson Thriller Covers". MusicByDay.com. Music By Day. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
67.Jump up ^ Ashley Lasimone (October 28, 2009). "Clash of the Cover Songs: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
68.Jump up ^ "Patrick Stump Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson in Awesome A Cappella Medley". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
69.Jump up ^ "Thriller (X Factor Performance) - Single by Jiordan Tolli". https://itunes.apple.com/au/. iTunes. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
70.Jump up ^ Ryan, Gavin (September 7, 2013). "ARIA Singles: Katy Perry's Roar Spends Third Week at Number One". Noise11. Noise Network. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
71.Jump up ^ "WATCH: Demi Lovato Covers Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' on DEMI World Tour Opening Night". Music Times. September 8, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
72.Jump up ^ "Thriller: Movie Connections". IMDb.com. IMDb.com Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
73.Jump up ^ "The Chemical Brothers - Remix Article". Planet Dust. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
74.Jump up ^ "'Glee' Super Bowl Episode Brings 'Thriller' to Football Fans". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
75.Jump up ^ "'Glee'-cap: 'Heads Will Roll' After Glee's Super Bowl 'Thriller!'" OK! Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
76.Jump up ^ "Britney Spears' 'I Wanna Go': A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet". MTV.com. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
77.Jump up ^ Kent, David (2003). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
78.Jump up ^ "Top Singles – Volume 40, No. 1, March 10, 1984". RPM. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
79.Jump up ^ "Officialcharts.de – Michael Jackson – Thriller". GfK Entertainment.
80.^ Jump up to: a b c "Search Results: Thriller". IrishCharts.ie. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
81.Jump up ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
82.Jump up ^ "Charts.org.nz – Michael Jackson – Thriller". Top 40 Singles.
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91.Jump up ^ "30 Back Catalogue Singles – July 4, 2009". UltraTop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
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Bibliography
Brooks, Darren (2002). Michael Jackson: An Exceptional Journey. Chrome Dreams. ISBN 1-84240-178-5.
George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8.
Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
Halstead, Craig (2003). Michael Jackson The Solo Years. On-Line Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
External links[edit]
Michael Jackson - Thriller on YouTube
Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics


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Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)

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Michael Jackson's Thriller
Michael Jackson's Thriller title card.jpg
Title card used in the video

Directed by
John Landis
Produced by
George Folsey, Jr.
Michael Jackson
 John Landis
Written by
John Landis
 Michael Jackson
Starring
Michael Jackson
Ola Ray
Vincent Price
Music by
Michael Jackson
Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography
Robert Paynter, B.S.C.
Edited by
Malcolm Campbell
 George Folsey, Jr.

Production
 company

MJJ Productions
Optimum Productions

Distributed by
Epic Records
Vestron Video

Release dates
 December 2, 1983

Running time
 13:43
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$500,000[1]
Sales:
 9 million units

Music video
"Thriller" on YouTube
Michael Jackson's Thriller is an American 13-minute music video for the song of the same name released on December 2, 1983. It was directed by John Landis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Jackson.
It was MTV's first world premiere video. Voted as the most influential pop music video of all time,[2] Thriller proved to have a profound effect on popular culture,[3][4] and was named "a watershed moment for the [music] industry"[2] for its unprecedented merging of filmmaking and music. Guinness World Records listed it in 2006 as the "most successful music video", selling over nine million copies.[5] In 2009, the video was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, the first music video to ever receive this honor, for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant.[6] The track was also listed at number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" by Billboard.[7]
Co-starring with Jackson was former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. The video was choreographed by Michael Peters (who had worked with the singer on his prior hit "Beat It"), and Michael Jackson. The video also contains incidental music by film music composer Elmer Bernstein, who had previously worked with Landis on An American Werewolf in London. The video (like the song) contains a spoken word performance by horror film veteran Vincent Price. Rick Baker assisted in prosthetics and makeup for the production. "Thriller" was the third and final video for the Thriller album. The red jacket that Jackson wore was designed by John Landis' wife Deborah Landis to make him appear more "virile".[8]
To qualify for an Academy Award as a short subject, the film was shown in a theatrical screening along with the 1940 Disney animated feature Fantasia, in December 1983; however, the video failed to earn an Academy Award nomination.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Content
2 Credits
3 Awards 3.1 Grammy Award
3.2 MTV Award
4 Origins 4.1 Filming locations
4.2 Behind the scenes
5 Horror themes
6 Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
7 Broadway and litigation
8 Legacy
9 See also
10 Sources
11 References
12 External links

Content[edit]



 Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead.
Due to Jackson being a Jehovah's Witness at the time, the video begins with a disclaimer that reads:

Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult
—Michael Jackson
On a night set in the 1950s, a teenaged Michael and his unnamed girlfriend (Ola Ray), run out of gas while driving in a wooded area. They walk into the forest as they leave the car behind and Michael asks her to be his girlfriend. She accepts and he gives her a ring. However, he then tells her that he is "different" than other guys. She tells him that's the reason she likes him, but Michael insists that she doesn't understand what he means as his girlfriend asks what's he talking about. A full moon appears, and Michael begins transforming into a werecat,[2] growling at her to leave in the process. The girl shrieks and runs away, but the werecat catches up, knocks her down, lunges at her with his claws, and kills her (off-screen).
The scene then cuts to a movie theater where Michael and his unnamed girlfriend, along with an excitable audience, are actually watching the scene unfold in a Vincent Price horror movie titled "Thriller". Afraid, Michael's girlfriend leaves the theater. Michael hands his popcorn to another moviegoer, catches up to her, and tells her that, "It's only a movie." Some debate follows as to whether or not she was scared by the movie; she denies it, but Michael disagrees. They then walk down a foggy road as Michael teases her by singing the verses of "Thriller". They pass a nearby graveyard, in which the undead begin to rise out of their graves as Vincent Price's speech is heard.
The zombies corner the two main characters threateningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and dance number, followed by the main chorus of "Thriller" (during which Michael reverts to human form), frightening his date to the point where she runs for cover.
Michael (who has turned back into a zombie) and his fellow corpses chase the frightened girl into the room of a nearby abandoned house. While being cornered, Michael then reaches for the girl's throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling shriek, only to awake and realize it was all a nightmare. Michael then offers to take her home, and she happily accepts. As they walk out of the house, Michael turns to the camera with a sinister grin, revealing his yellow werecat eyes from the opening scene, as Vincent Price offers one last echoing laugh. As the credits are shown a reprise scene is shown and at the end of the credits the zombies dance back to their graves as a disclaimer appears saying that "Any similarity to actual events or persons living, dead, (or undead) is purely coincidental", the same disclaimer that appeared in An American Werewolf in London also directed by Landis. After that, one of the zombies gives a terrifying grimace as it fades to black.
Credits[edit]
Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: George Folsey, Jr., Michael Jackson & John Landis
Written by: John Landis & Michael Jackson
Starring: Michael Jackson
Co-starring: Ola Ray
Director of Photography: Robert Paynter, B.S.C.
Special Make-up Effects Designed & Created by: Rick Baker & EFX, Inc.
Choreography: Michael Peters & Michael Jackson
Edited by: Malcolm Campbell & George Folsey, Jr.
Art Director: Charles Hughes
Costume Designed by: Kelly Kimball & Deborah Nadoolman Landis
Production Manager: Dan Allingham
First Assistant Director: David Sosna
Scary Music by: Elmer Bernstein
ThrillerPerformed by: Michael Jackson
Featuring 'Rap' by: Vincent Price
Produced by: Quincy Jones
Written by: Rod Temperton
Recorded & Mixed by: Bruce Swedien
Available Now on CD & Cassette from Epic Records
Awards[edit]
In December 2009, it was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress along with 24 other films.[10] It was the first, ever (and to this day, only) music video to be selected.[11] The Registry titled Thriller as “the most famous music video of all time”.[12] The coordinator of the National Film Preservation Board, who decides upon candidates for inclusion in the National Film Registry, Steve Legett, said “The time is right” for Thriller to be included, because of the death of Jackson that year.[11]
Grammy Award[edit]

Year
Category
Result
Notes
1985 Best Video, Long Form Won "Thriller"
1984 Best Video Album Won Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
MTV Award[edit]

Year
Category
Result
1999 100 Greatest Music Videos of all Time [13] Won
1984 Best Overall Performance in a Video Won
1984 Best Choreography (Michael Peters) Won
1984 Viewer's Choice Won
Origins[edit]
In the summer of 1983, Thriller had begun to decline in sales. Walter Yetnikoff and Larry Stessel answered calls throughout the night from Jackson. "Walter, the record isn’t No. 1 anymore," Yetnikoff recalls Jackson saying. "What are we going to do about it?" 'We’re going to go to sleep and deal with it tomorrow,'" Yetnikoff remembered answering. Jackson manager Frank DiLeo first mentioned the idea of making a third video, and pressed Jackson to consider the album’s title track. "It’s simple—all you’ve got to do is dance, sing, and make it scary," DiLeo recalls telling Jackson.[14]
In early August, John Landis was contacted by Jackson to direct. At the time, commercial motion-picture directors did not direct music videos, but Landis was intrigued.[14]
Filming locations[edit]
The music video was filmed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the zombie dance sequence at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona Street in East Los Angeles and the final house scene in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue. All principal photography was done in mid-October 1983.[15]
Behind the scenes[edit]
In an interview that aired December 11, 1999, for MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made, Jackson spoke about the making of the video:

My idea was to make this short film with conversation ... in the beginning - I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I'm very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it's an interpretation of the music. It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, 'How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?' So I said, 'We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn't become something that you laugh at.' But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever.
—Michael Jackson[16]
Horror themes[edit]
According to Kobena Mercer, "the video is strewn with allusions to horror films".[17] The opening scene is a parody of 1950s B movie horror films, with the characters dressed in the fashions of 1950s teenagers. The metamorphosis of the polite 'boy next door' into a werewolf can be seen as a depiction of male sexuality. A sexuality that is depicted as naturally bestial, predatory, aggressive, violent and therefore monstrous.[17] Mercer perceived similarities with the werewolf depiction in The Company of Wolves (1984).[17]
The second metamorphosis of the video has Michael becoming a zombie. It serves as an introduction to a dance sequence which features dancing ghouls, corresponding to a song lyric mentioning a masquerade ball of the dead.[18] The scene calls attention to the macabre make-up of the ghouls. Jackson's own make-up casts "a ghostly pallor" over his skin and emphasizes the outline of his skull. The image itself serves as an allusion to the mask from The Phantom of the Opera (1925).[18]
According to Peter Dendle the zombie invasion sequence of the film is inspired by Night of the Living Dead (1968). The film manages to treat the sequence with enough seriousness to capture the feelings of claustrophobia and helplessness which are essential to the subgenre of zombie films.[19]
Making Michael Jackson's Thriller[edit]



 The Palace Theatre is featured in the music video.
Released in tandem with the video was an hour-long documentary providing candid glimpses behind the scenes of the production. Called Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, it, too, was shown heavily on MTV for a time and was the top-selling home-video release of all time at one point, with over 9 million copies sold. The VHS also included video clips from the songs "Can You Feel It", "Beat It", and the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean" as well as audio clips from Jackson's songs "Off the Wall" and "Workin' Day and Night".
MTV paid $250,000 for the exclusive rights to show the documentary; Showtime paid $300,000 for pay-cable rights; and Vestron Music Video reportedly put down an additional $500,000 to market the cassette, in "a profit participation."[20]
Rick Baker expected to have a few weeks to do the special effects make up for the zombies (which usually requires impressions to be taken of the actors face to base the prosthetics on) only to find out the dancers would not be cast until a few days before shooting began. It was decided to do generic make up for the dancers (using a combination of precast prosthetics) while members of Baker's crew in the more elaborate make up for shots that featured more closeups (like the zombie coming out of the manhole)
Broadway and litigation[edit]
In 2009, Jackson sold the rights of "Thriller" to the Nederlander Organization, to stage a Broadway musical based on the video.
Jackson was sued by Landis in a dispute over royalties for the video; Landis claims that he is owed four years worth of royalties.[21][22]
Ola Ray has also complained about difficulties collecting royalties. At first, Ray blamed Jackson, but then she apologized to him in 1997. However, Ray did sue Jackson on May 6, 2009 in a dispute to obtain uncollected royalties.[23] less than two months before Jackson's death on June 25. Eventually the Jackson Family Trust settled.[24]
Legacy[edit]



 Participants of the 2008 Thrill the World event in Austin, Texas.
Following the success of the "Thriller" video, a Hollywood production company reportedly began serious work on trying to turn Jackson's song "Billie Jean", which is also featured on Jackson's Thriller album, into a feature film, but no plans were ever completed.[25] Vinny Marino of ABC News commented that "Thriller"'s music video being selected as the "Greatest Video of All Time" was a "no-brainer" and remarked that, "Michael Jackson's "Thriller" continues to be considered the greatest video ever by just about everyone."[26] Gil Kaufman of MTV described the "Thriller" video as being "iconic" and felt that it was one of Jackson's "most enduring legacies".[27] Kaufman also noted that the music video was the "mini-movie that revolutionized music videos" and "cemented Jackson's status as one of the most ambitious, innovative pop stars of all time".[27] Steve Peake, of About.com, listed "Thriller" as being Jackson's eighth best song of the 1980s.[28] Patrick Kevin Day and Todd Martens, of The Los Angeles Times commented that,

"Thriller's" phenomenal success led to a breaking down of traditional racial barriers on FM radio at the time. New York's WPLJ, a "white" station, played Jackson's "Beat It" because of Eddie Van Halen's appearance on it. The song caused a wave of protests from some listeners who didn't want "black" music on their station. MTV also had a reputation for favoring white performers at the time, and its heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alleviate the criticism.[25]
Leaders in Michael Jackson's religion were not so pleased, by contrast. In spite of his disclaimer at the beginning of the video, Jackson made a public "apology" in the pages of the Awake! magazine by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. " 'I would never do it again!” says Jackson. “I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what’s right. I would never do anything like that again.” Why not? “Because a lot of people were offended by it,” explains Jackson. “That makes me feel bad. I don’t want them to feel that way. I realize now that it wasn’t a good idea. I’ll never do a video like that again!” He continues: “In fact, I have blocked further distribution of the film over which I have control, including its release in some other countries. There’s all kinds of promotional stuff being proposed on Thriller. But I tell them, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to do anything on Thriller. No more Thriller.’ ”[29]
In December 2009, the music video for "Thriller" was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, "Thriller" is the first music video to ever be inducted.[30] The Registry explained, "because of the way the recording industry is evolving and changing, we thought it would be good to go back to the development of an earlier seismic shift, which was the development of the music video"[27] and described the music video as being "the most famous music video of all time".[31] The coordinator of the National Film Preservation Board, who decides upon candidates for inclusion in the National Film Registry, Steve Legett, noted that the music video was considered for induction for years, but was chosen mainly due to Jackson's death that year.[32] In a poll conducted by Myspace in 2010, which asked over one thousand users on their site to name the most influential music video of all time from a list of twenty videos selected by music and entertainment critics, Michael Jackson's Thriller was voted the most influential video.[33]
In 2002 Lexington, Kentucky, became the first city to launch a "Thriller" reenactment as a Halloween festivity. The video’s storyline and dance sequences were faithfully recreated, beginning outside the historic Kentucky Theater and featuring hundreds of zombies who attend rehearsals at nearby Mecca Live Studio in the weeks leading up to the parade. Lexington’s 10th annual Thriller Parade was sponsored by Lexington Parks and Recreation, Mecca, and WRFL FM 88.1, and took place on October 30, 2011 for an audience of thousands, with Albert Ignacio playing the role of Michael Jackson.[34] Lexington’s March Madness Marching Band also performed in zombie attire.
See also[edit]
Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket
List of most expensive music videos
Return of the Living Dead Part II, the film features a dancing zombie resembling Michael Jackson from this video.
Thriller viral video featuring the CPDRC Dancing Inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, in the Cebu Province of the Philippines
Donga, the "Indian Thriller" internet meme
Thrill the World
Lenny Henry, Lenny made a spoof of the "Thriller" video, called "Thinner" in 1984.
Sources[edit]
Dendle, Peter (2001), "Thriller", The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia, McFarland & Company, ISBN 978-0786455201
Mercer, Kobena, "Monster Metaphors: Notes on Michael Jackson's Thriller", in Gledhill, Christine, Stardom: Industry of Desire, Psychology Press, ISBN 978-0415052177
Mercer, Kobena (2005), "Monster Metaphors: Notes on Michael Jackson's Thriller", in Frith, Simon; Goodwin, Andrew; Grossberg, Larence, Sound and Vision: The Music Video Reader, Routledge, ISBN 978-1134869237
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ "Director: Funds for "Thriller" almost didn't appear".
2.^ Jump up to: a b c Celizic, Mike (April 26, 2008). "'Thriller' still a classic after 25 years - TODAY Entertainment - TODAYshow.com". MSNBC. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
3.Jump up ^ "Sharon Stone | 50 Pop-Culture Moments That Rocked Fashion: The Top 25 | Photo 21 of 25". EW.com. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
4.Jump up ^ "A farewell to Michael Jackson". Manchester Evening News. June 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
5.Jump up ^ Guinness World Records (2006)
6.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson, the Muppets and Early Cinema Tapped for Preservation in 2009 Library of Congress National Film Registry". Library of Congress. December 30, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
7.Jump up ^ Trust, Gary; Letkemann, Jessica (October 15, 2013). "The Top 10 Halloween Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
8.Jump up ^ Lauren Goode (June 30, 2009). "Deborah Landis, Designer of the Red Jacket Michael Jackson Wore in "Thriller"". Wall Street Journal (Speakeasy). Retrieved July 4, 2009. "At the time, she says, the 25-year-old Jackson weighed only 99 lbs, with a 26-inch waist (“exactly the same height and weight as Fred Astaire”), and one of the challenges she faced was making the performer appear more “virile.”"
9.Jump up ^ "'Thriller' teams with Disney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 27, 1984. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
10.Jump up ^ Alex Dobuzinskis (December 30, 2009). "Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
11.^ Jump up to: a b "Michael Jackson's Thriller added to US film archive". BBC News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
12.Jump up ^ Itzkoff, Dave (December 30, 2009). "‘Thriller’ Video Added to U.S. Film Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
13.Jump up ^ MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made
14.^ Jump up to: a b Griffin, Nancy (July 2010). "The "Thriller" Diaries". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
15.Jump up ^ http://s12.postimg.org/3qxf19op9/image.jpg
16.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy: Global Superstar (1982-86)". VH1. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
17.^ Jump up to: a b c Mercer (2005), p. 85-89
18.^ Jump up to: a b Mercer (1991), p. 316-317
19.Jump up ^ Dendle (2001), p. 171
20.Jump up ^ Jay Cocks; Denise Worrell;Peter Ainslie; Adam Zagorin (December 26, 1982). "Sing a Song of Seeing". Time (magazine). Retrieved November 15, 2009.
21.Jump up ^ Grossberg, Josh (January 27, 2009). "A Legal Thriller: Michael Jackson Sued by John Landis". E! Online. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
22.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson sued by 'Thriller' director
23.Jump up ^ Dillon, Nancy (May 5, 2009). "Gloves are off! 'Thriller' co-star Ola Ray sues Michael Jackson for royalties,". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
24.Jump up ^ latimes.com
25.^ Jump up to: a b Patrick Kevin Day, Todd Martens (February 18, 2008). "25 'Thriller' facts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
26.Jump up ^ Vinny Marino (May 2, 2001). "VH1 Names '100 Greatest Videos of All Time'". ABCNews.com. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
27.^ Jump up to: a b c Gil Kaufman (December 30, 2009). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Added To National Film Registry". MTV.com. Viacom. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
28.Jump up ^ Steve Peake. "Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs of the '80s". 80Music.about.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
29.Jump up ^ Author Unknown (May 22, 1984). "Young People Ask..."What About Music Videos?"". Awake! (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).
30.Jump up ^ Alex Dobuzinskis (December 30, 2009). "Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
31.Jump up ^ Dave Itzkoff (December 30, 2009). "‘Thriller’ Video Added to U.S. Film Registry". NYTimes.com (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 2010-01-23.
32.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson's Thriller added to US film archive". BBC News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
33.Jump up ^ "‘Thriller’ voted most influential pop video". MSNBC. May 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
34.Jump up ^ http://www.kentucky.com/2009/10/30/997818/its-thriller-time-if-you-want.html
External links[edit]
Thriller at the Internet Movie Database
Michael Jackson's Thriller at AllMovie
"Thriller" official music video on YouTube


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1980s short films
Films set in the 1950s
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Michael Jackson
Music videos
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Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)

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  (Redirected from Thriller (music video))
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Michael Jackson's Thriller
Michael Jackson's Thriller title card.jpg
Title card used in the video

Directed by
John Landis
Produced by
George Folsey, Jr.
Michael Jackson
 John Landis
Written by
John Landis
 Michael Jackson
Starring
Michael Jackson
Ola Ray
Vincent Price
Music by
Michael Jackson
Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography
Robert Paynter, B.S.C.
Edited by
Malcolm Campbell
 George Folsey, Jr.

Production
 company

MJJ Productions
Optimum Productions

Distributed by
Epic Records
Vestron Video

Release dates
 December 2, 1983

Running time
 13:43
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$500,000[1]
Sales:
 9 million units

Music video
"Thriller" on YouTube
Michael Jackson's Thriller is an American 13-minute music video for the song of the same name released on December 2, 1983. It was directed by John Landis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Jackson.
It was MTV's first world premiere video. Voted as the most influential pop music video of all time,[2] Thriller proved to have a profound effect on popular culture,[3][4] and was named "a watershed moment for the [music] industry"[2] for its unprecedented merging of filmmaking and music. Guinness World Records listed it in 2006 as the "most successful music video", selling over nine million copies.[5] In 2009, the video was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, the first music video to ever receive this honor, for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant.[6] The track was also listed at number one on "The Top 10 Halloween Songs" by Billboard.[7]
Co-starring with Jackson was former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. The video was choreographed by Michael Peters (who had worked with the singer on his prior hit "Beat It"), and Michael Jackson. The video also contains incidental music by film music composer Elmer Bernstein, who had previously worked with Landis on An American Werewolf in London. The video (like the song) contains a spoken word performance by horror film veteran Vincent Price. Rick Baker assisted in prosthetics and makeup for the production. "Thriller" was the third and final video for the Thriller album. The red jacket that Jackson wore was designed by John Landis' wife Deborah Landis to make him appear more "virile".[8]
To qualify for an Academy Award as a short subject, the film was shown in a theatrical screening along with the 1940 Disney animated feature Fantasia, in December 1983; however, the video failed to earn an Academy Award nomination.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Content
2 Credits
3 Awards 3.1 Grammy Award
3.2 MTV Award
4 Origins 4.1 Filming locations
4.2 Behind the scenes
5 Horror themes
6 Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
7 Broadway and litigation
8 Legacy
9 See also
10 Sources
11 References
12 External links

Content[edit]



 Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead.
Due to Jackson being a Jehovah's Witness at the time, the video begins with a disclaimer that reads:

Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult
—Michael Jackson
On a night set in the 1950s, a teenaged Michael and his unnamed girlfriend (Ola Ray), run out of gas while driving in a wooded area. They walk into the forest as they leave the car behind and Michael asks her to be his girlfriend. She accepts and he gives her a ring. However, he then tells her that he is "different" than other guys. She tells him that's the reason she likes him, but Michael insists that she doesn't understand what he means as his girlfriend asks what's he talking about. A full moon appears, and Michael begins transforming into a werecat,[2] growling at her to leave in the process. The girl shrieks and runs away, but the werecat catches up, knocks her down, lunges at her with his claws, and kills her (off-screen).
The scene then cuts to a movie theater where Michael and his unnamed girlfriend, along with an excitable audience, are actually watching the scene unfold in a Vincent Price horror movie titled "Thriller". Afraid, Michael's girlfriend leaves the theater. Michael hands his popcorn to another moviegoer, catches up to her, and tells her that, "It's only a movie." Some debate follows as to whether or not she was scared by the movie; she denies it, but Michael disagrees. They then walk down a foggy road as Michael teases her by singing the verses of "Thriller". They pass a nearby graveyard, in which the undead begin to rise out of their graves as Vincent Price's speech is heard.
The zombies corner the two main characters threateningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and dance number, followed by the main chorus of "Thriller" (during which Michael reverts to human form), frightening his date to the point where she runs for cover.
Michael (who has turned back into a zombie) and his fellow corpses chase the frightened girl into the room of a nearby abandoned house. While being cornered, Michael then reaches for the girl's throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling shriek, only to awake and realize it was all a nightmare. Michael then offers to take her home, and she happily accepts. As they walk out of the house, Michael turns to the camera with a sinister grin, revealing his yellow werecat eyes from the opening scene, as Vincent Price offers one last echoing laugh. As the credits are shown a reprise scene is shown and at the end of the credits the zombies dance back to their graves as a disclaimer appears saying that "Any similarity to actual events or persons living, dead, (or undead) is purely coincidental", the same disclaimer that appeared in An American Werewolf in London also directed by Landis. After that, one of the zombies gives a terrifying grimace as it fades to black.
Credits[edit]
Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: George Folsey, Jr., Michael Jackson & John Landis
Written by: John Landis & Michael Jackson
Starring: Michael Jackson
Co-starring: Ola Ray
Director of Photography: Robert Paynter, B.S.C.
Special Make-up Effects Designed & Created by: Rick Baker & EFX, Inc.
Choreography: Michael Peters & Michael Jackson
Edited by: Malcolm Campbell & George Folsey, Jr.
Art Director: Charles Hughes
Costume Designed by: Kelly Kimball & Deborah Nadoolman Landis
Production Manager: Dan Allingham
First Assistant Director: David Sosna
Scary Music by: Elmer Bernstein
ThrillerPerformed by: Michael Jackson
Featuring 'Rap' by: Vincent Price
Produced by: Quincy Jones
Written by: Rod Temperton
Recorded & Mixed by: Bruce Swedien
Available Now on CD & Cassette from Epic Records
Awards[edit]
In December 2009, it was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress along with 24 other films.[10] It was the first, ever (and to this day, only) music video to be selected.[11] The Registry titled Thriller as “the most famous music video of all time”.[12] The coordinator of the National Film Preservation Board, who decides upon candidates for inclusion in the National Film Registry, Steve Legett, said “The time is right” for Thriller to be included, because of the death of Jackson that year.[11]
Grammy Award[edit]

Year
Category
Result
Notes
1985 Best Video, Long Form Won "Thriller"
1984 Best Video Album Won Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
MTV Award[edit]

Year
Category
Result
1999 100 Greatest Music Videos of all Time [13] Won
1984 Best Overall Performance in a Video Won
1984 Best Choreography (Michael Peters) Won
1984 Viewer's Choice Won
Origins[edit]
In the summer of 1983, Thriller had begun to decline in sales. Walter Yetnikoff and Larry Stessel answered calls throughout the night from Jackson. "Walter, the record isn’t No. 1 anymore," Yetnikoff recalls Jackson saying. "What are we going to do about it?" 'We’re going to go to sleep and deal with it tomorrow,'" Yetnikoff remembered answering. Jackson manager Frank DiLeo first mentioned the idea of making a third video, and pressed Jackson to consider the album’s title track. "It’s simple—all you’ve got to do is dance, sing, and make it scary," DiLeo recalls telling Jackson.[14]
In early August, John Landis was contacted by Jackson to direct. At the time, commercial motion-picture directors did not direct music videos, but Landis was intrigued.[14]
Filming locations[edit]
The music video was filmed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the zombie dance sequence at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona Street in East Los Angeles and the final house scene in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue. All principal photography was done in mid-October 1983.[15]
Behind the scenes[edit]
In an interview that aired December 11, 1999, for MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made, Jackson spoke about the making of the video:

My idea was to make this short film with conversation ... in the beginning - I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I'm very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it's an interpretation of the music. It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, 'How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?' So I said, 'We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn't become something that you laugh at.' But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever.
—Michael Jackson[16]
Horror themes[edit]
According to Kobena Mercer, "the video is strewn with allusions to horror films".[17] The opening scene is a parody of 1950s B movie horror films, with the characters dressed in the fashions of 1950s teenagers. The metamorphosis of the polite 'boy next door' into a werewolf can be seen as a depiction of male sexuality. A sexuality that is depicted as naturally bestial, predatory, aggressive, violent and therefore monstrous.[17] Mercer perceived similarities with the werewolf depiction in The Company of Wolves (1984).[17]
The second metamorphosis of the video has Michael becoming a zombie. It serves as an introduction to a dance sequence which features dancing ghouls, corresponding to a song lyric mentioning a masquerade ball of the dead.[18] The scene calls attention to the macabre make-up of the ghouls. Jackson's own make-up casts "a ghostly pallor" over his skin and emphasizes the outline of his skull. The image itself serves as an allusion to the mask from The Phantom of the Opera (1925).[18]
According to Peter Dendle the zombie invasion sequence of the film is inspired by Night of the Living Dead (1968). The film manages to treat the sequence with enough seriousness to capture the feelings of claustrophobia and helplessness which are essential to the subgenre of zombie films.[19]
Making Michael Jackson's Thriller[edit]



 The Palace Theatre is featured in the music video.
Released in tandem with the video was an hour-long documentary providing candid glimpses behind the scenes of the production. Called Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, it, too, was shown heavily on MTV for a time and was the top-selling home-video release of all time at one point, with over 9 million copies sold. The VHS also included video clips from the songs "Can You Feel It", "Beat It", and the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean" as well as audio clips from Jackson's songs "Off the Wall" and "Workin' Day and Night".
MTV paid $250,000 for the exclusive rights to show the documentary; Showtime paid $300,000 for pay-cable rights; and Vestron Music Video reportedly put down an additional $500,000 to market the cassette, in "a profit participation."[20]
Rick Baker expected to have a few weeks to do the special effects make up for the zombies (which usually requires impressions to be taken of the actors face to base the prosthetics on) only to find out the dancers would not be cast until a few days before shooting began. It was decided to do generic make up for the dancers (using a combination of precast prosthetics) while members of Baker's crew in the more elaborate make up for shots that featured more closeups (like the zombie coming out of the manhole)
Broadway and litigation[edit]
In 2009, Jackson sold the rights of "Thriller" to the Nederlander Organization, to stage a Broadway musical based on the video.
Jackson was sued by Landis in a dispute over royalties for the video; Landis claims that he is owed four years worth of royalties.[21][22]
Ola Ray has also complained about difficulties collecting royalties. At first, Ray blamed Jackson, but then she apologized to him in 1997. However, Ray did sue Jackson on May 6, 2009 in a dispute to obtain uncollected royalties.[23] less than two months before Jackson's death on June 25. Eventually the Jackson Family Trust settled.[24]
Legacy[edit]



 Participants of the 2008 Thrill the World event in Austin, Texas.
Following the success of the "Thriller" video, a Hollywood production company reportedly began serious work on trying to turn Jackson's song "Billie Jean", which is also featured on Jackson's Thriller album, into a feature film, but no plans were ever completed.[25] Vinny Marino of ABC News commented that "Thriller"'s music video being selected as the "Greatest Video of All Time" was a "no-brainer" and remarked that, "Michael Jackson's "Thriller" continues to be considered the greatest video ever by just about everyone."[26] Gil Kaufman of MTV described the "Thriller" video as being "iconic" and felt that it was one of Jackson's "most enduring legacies".[27] Kaufman also noted that the music video was the "mini-movie that revolutionized music videos" and "cemented Jackson's status as one of the most ambitious, innovative pop stars of all time".[27] Steve Peake, of About.com, listed "Thriller" as being Jackson's eighth best song of the 1980s.[28] Patrick Kevin Day and Todd Martens, of The Los Angeles Times commented that,

"Thriller's" phenomenal success led to a breaking down of traditional racial barriers on FM radio at the time. New York's WPLJ, a "white" station, played Jackson's "Beat It" because of Eddie Van Halen's appearance on it. The song caused a wave of protests from some listeners who didn't want "black" music on their station. MTV also had a reputation for favoring white performers at the time, and its heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alleviate the criticism.[25]
Leaders in Michael Jackson's religion were not so pleased, by contrast. In spite of his disclaimer at the beginning of the video, Jackson made a public "apology" in the pages of the Awake! magazine by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. " 'I would never do it again!” says Jackson. “I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what’s right. I would never do anything like that again.” Why not? “Because a lot of people were offended by it,” explains Jackson. “That makes me feel bad. I don’t want them to feel that way. I realize now that it wasn’t a good idea. I’ll never do a video like that again!” He continues: “In fact, I have blocked further distribution of the film over which I have control, including its release in some other countries. There’s all kinds of promotional stuff being proposed on Thriller. But I tell them, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to do anything on Thriller. No more Thriller.’ ”[29]
In December 2009, the music video for "Thriller" was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, "Thriller" is the first music video to ever be inducted.[30] The Registry explained, "because of the way the recording industry is evolving and changing, we thought it would be good to go back to the development of an earlier seismic shift, which was the development of the music video"[27] and described the music video as being "the most famous music video of all time".[31] The coordinator of the National Film Preservation Board, who decides upon candidates for inclusion in the National Film Registry, Steve Legett, noted that the music video was considered for induction for years, but was chosen mainly due to Jackson's death that year.[32] In a poll conducted by Myspace in 2010, which asked over one thousand users on their site to name the most influential music video of all time from a list of twenty videos selected by music and entertainment critics, Michael Jackson's Thriller was voted the most influential video.[33]
In 2002 Lexington, Kentucky, became the first city to launch a "Thriller" reenactment as a Halloween festivity. The video’s storyline and dance sequences were faithfully recreated, beginning outside the historic Kentucky Theater and featuring hundreds of zombies who attend rehearsals at nearby Mecca Live Studio in the weeks leading up to the parade. Lexington’s 10th annual Thriller Parade was sponsored by Lexington Parks and Recreation, Mecca, and WRFL FM 88.1, and took place on October 30, 2011 for an audience of thousands, with Albert Ignacio playing the role of Michael Jackson.[34] Lexington’s March Madness Marching Band also performed in zombie attire.
See also[edit]
Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket
List of most expensive music videos
Return of the Living Dead Part II, the film features a dancing zombie resembling Michael Jackson from this video.
Thriller viral video featuring the CPDRC Dancing Inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, in the Cebu Province of the Philippines
Donga, the "Indian Thriller" internet meme
Thrill the World
Lenny Henry, Lenny made a spoof of the "Thriller" video, called "Thinner" in 1984.
Sources[edit]
Dendle, Peter (2001), "Thriller", The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia, McFarland & Company, ISBN 978-0786455201
Mercer, Kobena, "Monster Metaphors: Notes on Michael Jackson's Thriller", in Gledhill, Christine, Stardom: Industry of Desire, Psychology Press, ISBN 978-0415052177
Mercer, Kobena (2005), "Monster Metaphors: Notes on Michael Jackson's Thriller", in Frith, Simon; Goodwin, Andrew; Grossberg, Larence, Sound and Vision: The Music Video Reader, Routledge, ISBN 978-1134869237
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ "Director: Funds for "Thriller" almost didn't appear".
2.^ Jump up to: a b c Celizic, Mike (April 26, 2008). "'Thriller' still a classic after 25 years - TODAY Entertainment - TODAYshow.com". MSNBC. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
3.Jump up ^ "Sharon Stone | 50 Pop-Culture Moments That Rocked Fashion: The Top 25 | Photo 21 of 25". EW.com. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
4.Jump up ^ "A farewell to Michael Jackson". Manchester Evening News. June 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
5.Jump up ^ Guinness World Records (2006)
6.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson, the Muppets and Early Cinema Tapped for Preservation in 2009 Library of Congress National Film Registry". Library of Congress. December 30, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
7.Jump up ^ Trust, Gary; Letkemann, Jessica (October 15, 2013). "The Top 10 Halloween Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
8.Jump up ^ Lauren Goode (June 30, 2009). "Deborah Landis, Designer of the Red Jacket Michael Jackson Wore in "Thriller"". Wall Street Journal (Speakeasy). Retrieved July 4, 2009. "At the time, she says, the 25-year-old Jackson weighed only 99 lbs, with a 26-inch waist (“exactly the same height and weight as Fred Astaire”), and one of the challenges she faced was making the performer appear more “virile.”"
9.Jump up ^ "'Thriller' teams with Disney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 27, 1984. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
10.Jump up ^ Alex Dobuzinskis (December 30, 2009). "Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
11.^ Jump up to: a b "Michael Jackson's Thriller added to US film archive". BBC News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
12.Jump up ^ Itzkoff, Dave (December 30, 2009). "‘Thriller’ Video Added to U.S. Film Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
13.Jump up ^ MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made
14.^ Jump up to: a b Griffin, Nancy (July 2010). "The "Thriller" Diaries". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
15.Jump up ^ http://s12.postimg.org/3qxf19op9/image.jpg
16.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy: Global Superstar (1982-86)". VH1. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
17.^ Jump up to: a b c Mercer (2005), p. 85-89
18.^ Jump up to: a b Mercer (1991), p. 316-317
19.Jump up ^ Dendle (2001), p. 171
20.Jump up ^ Jay Cocks; Denise Worrell;Peter Ainslie; Adam Zagorin (December 26, 1982). "Sing a Song of Seeing". Time (magazine). Retrieved November 15, 2009.
21.Jump up ^ Grossberg, Josh (January 27, 2009). "A Legal Thriller: Michael Jackson Sued by John Landis". E! Online. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
22.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson sued by 'Thriller' director
23.Jump up ^ Dillon, Nancy (May 5, 2009). "Gloves are off! 'Thriller' co-star Ola Ray sues Michael Jackson for royalties,". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
24.Jump up ^ latimes.com
25.^ Jump up to: a b Patrick Kevin Day, Todd Martens (February 18, 2008). "25 'Thriller' facts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
26.Jump up ^ Vinny Marino (May 2, 2001). "VH1 Names '100 Greatest Videos of All Time'". ABCNews.com. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
27.^ Jump up to: a b c Gil Kaufman (December 30, 2009). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Added To National Film Registry". MTV.com. Viacom. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
28.Jump up ^ Steve Peake. "Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs of the '80s". 80Music.about.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
29.Jump up ^ Author Unknown (May 22, 1984). "Young People Ask..."What About Music Videos?"". Awake! (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).
30.Jump up ^ Alex Dobuzinskis (December 30, 2009). "Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
31.Jump up ^ Dave Itzkoff (December 30, 2009). "‘Thriller’ Video Added to U.S. Film Registry". NYTimes.com (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 2010-01-23.
32.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson's Thriller added to US film archive". BBC News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
33.Jump up ^ "‘Thriller’ voted most influential pop video". MSNBC. May 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
34.Jump up ^ http://www.kentucky.com/2009/10/30/997818/its-thriller-time-if-you-want.html
External links[edit]
Thriller at the Internet Movie Database
Michael Jackson's Thriller at AllMovie
"Thriller" official music video on YouTube


[show]
v ·
 t ·
 e
 
Michael Jackson: Thriller







































[show]
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Michael Jackson































































































































































































































Wikipedia book
Category
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Authority control
GND: 7672703-8
 

  


Categories: English-language films
1982 films
1982 horror films
1980s musical films
1980s short films
Films set in the 1950s
Films set in abandoned houses
Films set in a movie theatre
Michael Jackson
Music videos
Music videos directed by John Landis
United States National Film Registry films
Zombie films
Zombies and revenants in popular culture





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Michael Jackson's Ghosts

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Jump to: navigation, search


Michael Jackson's Ghosts
Ghosts MJ.jpg
Directed by
Stan Winston
Produced by
Michael Jackson
 Stan Winston
 David Nicksay
Written by
Michael Jackson
Stephen King
Starring
Michael Jackson
Music by
Michael Jackson
Nicholas Pike
Distributed by
Kingdom Entertainment

Release dates

December 12, 1996


Running time
 39:31
Country
United States
Language
English
Michael Jackson's Ghosts is a 1996 short film starring Michael Jackson, co-written by horror novelist Stephen King and directed by film director and special effects guru Stan Winston which could also be classified as a long-form music video. It was filmed and first screened in 1996 and released along with select prints of the film Thinner. It was released as promo a year later internationally on LaserDisc, VHS and Video CD. Jackson plays a total of five roles in the film.
The film tells the story of a scary Maestro with supernatural powers, who is being forced out of a small town by its mayor, pictured as a comically arrogant, plump man who bears more than a passing resemblance to Thomas Sneddon (the main prosecutor in Jackson's infamous child sexual abuse case from three years earlier). The movie includes a series of dance routines performed by Michael Jackson and his "family" of ghouls. Every song from the film was taken from Michael Jackson's albums: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix.


Contents  [hide]
1 Plot
2 Songs used in the film
3 Release and reception
4 Deluxe Collector Box Set 4.1 "On the Line"
4.2 Personnel
4.3 Track listing
5 References
6 External links

Plot[edit]


 This article reads more like a story than an encyclopedia entry. To meet Wikipedia's quality standards and conform to the neutral point of view policy, please help to introduce a more formal style and remove any personally invested tone. (July 2011)
The Maestro (Michael Jackson) lives alone in a creepy-looking mansion on top of a hill, overlooking the town of "Normal Valley". Occasionally, he entertains the local children with scary magic tricks. One of the children tells his mother, who alerts the Mayor (also Michael Jackson). He in turns organizes the townspeople to go to the Maestro's mansion and force him out of town. Some of them show reluctance to do so, but are pressured into joining the Mayor on his crusade. On a stormy night they go to the Maestro's mansion (which instead of a numbered address, is addressed "Someplace Else") holding flaming torches. When they arrive at the mansion, it is guarded by a large gate. They peer in through the gate, and by the haunting look of the mansion, have second thoughts about entering. The children assure the parents that the Maestro has done nothing wrong, and ask that they leave him alone. But the mayor remarks, "He's a weirdo. There's no place in this town for weirdos."
The front gate opens, frightening the townspeople, who make their way to the front door, which also opens by itself. The inside of the mansion appears to them even creepier than the outside, and the parents re-assure their children (and themselves) "there's no such thing as ghosts". They make their way into the house, and once they are all inside, the front door slams shut and locks itself. Two more large doors swing open revealing a large, darkened dance hall. Hesitantly, the townspeople make their way to the dance hall, where they are greeted by Maestro himself, who makes a scary yet comical entrance. The Mayor angrily confronts him, calling him "strange", "weird", and a "freak", and telling him that he's not welcome in their town. Maestro defends himself, and in response the Mayor threatens "Are you going to leave, or am I going to have to hurt you?" (The townspeople appear not to be as forceful in their position, but don't offer an objection).
To this Maestro replies, "You are trying to scare me. I guess I have no choice; I guess I have to scare you." He then makes a series of funny faces, which the mayor calls "ridiculous" and "not funny". In a change of tone, Maestro asks, "Is this scary?" and pulls his face sideways. Then he continues to stretch his face more by pulling his face down and stretches his mouth, and ultimately pulls off his face to reveal his skull and laughing maniacally. The frightened townspeople run for the doors, which Maestro shuts with his magical powers, after he smashes his skull with his fists, revealing his normal head. One man with glasses and black hair starts to cry after the doors have been shut.
Maestro then reminds the mayor he's not alone, and introduces his "family" of ghouls who, along with Maestro, perform extended dance routines to "2 Bad" and "Is It Scary" (both original songs composed by Michael Jackson) which alternately impresses and scares the townspeople. During this sequence, Maestro's acts include ripping his clothes off to reveal a skeletal body; possessing the mayor and making him dance (including the moonwalk); and transforming the mayor into an evil, horrific dragon while remarking, "Who's scary now? Who's the freak now? Freaky boy! Freak, circus freak. Who's scary?"
After Maestro's performance ends, he asks, "Do you still want me to go?". While the townspeople respond "no", the mayor says "Yes...yes!". Maestro quietly agrees by saying, "Fine...I'll go." He falls, and after smashing his hands and face into the floor, his face and body violently start to crumble into dust on the floor, which is then blown away by the wind. The townspeople are saddened by this, and somewhat sorry to see him go. The mayor however thinks he has come out victorious and heads for the doors saying, "I showed that freak." When he opens them he finds a monstrous-looking Maestro-demon head which says "HELLO" and terrifies him, and he runs away scared (leaving a comically Mayor-shaped hole in the glass door). The townspeople then turn back to the now open front doors to see the Maestro standing there, laughing. He asks if they all had a good time, and the townspeople realize they did. They figure he isn't so bad after all and make peace with him. The story ends with one of the children asking with a vicious look on his face, "Is this scary?"; he grips his lower face, and the camera moves to a long shot of the mansion while terrified screams are heard.
During the credits, backstage footage of Jackson's make-up sessions and green screen shots reveal how he was able to play five different roles within the film; indeed, the Cast list credits him as "Maestro", "Mayor" (which explains the mayor's impeccably Jacksonian dance moves), "Mayor Ghoul" (the horribly transformed mayor), "Super ghoul" (a giant and grotesquely deformed version of Jackson) and "Skeleton" (a CGI dancing skeleton, animated by Jackson through motion capture). The film also uses a boy that resembles young Michael Jackson from the time he was in The Jackson 5.
Songs used in the film[edit]
"2 Bad" (film version) Taken from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
"Is It Scary" (film version)* Taken from Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
"Ghosts"* Taken from Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
"Ghosts" and "Is It Scary" were not featured in the first version of the film, because they were not completed in time. In the original version, the audio from these dance segments was a sampled beat from "2 Bad". An unfinished version of "Ghosts" was used in the credits for the original version of the film, featuring an alternate bridge, different bass and sound effects, and an alternate ending.
Release and reception[edit]
The film was screened out of competition at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.[1] In 2002 the Guinness Book of World Records honored Ghosts as the longest music video in history. The original film version of Ghosts was also given multiple screenings at Hoyts Cinema in Sydney (together with a 75mm print of the HIStory teaser) the evening before the HIStory tour commenced its Australian leg (and the evening before Jackson's wedding to Debbie Rowe), and that print had the red background version of the SMPTE Universal Leader at the beginning.
Deluxe Collector Box Set[edit]

"On the Line"

Single by Michael Jackson

B-side
"Ghosts" (Mousse T's Radio Rock Singalong Remix)
 "Is It Scary" (DJ Greek's Scary Mix)
Released
January 11, 1997
Format
CD maxi single
Recorded
January 1996
Genre
R&B, pop, soul
Length
4:39 (short version)
 4:53 (long version)
Label
Epic Records, Sony Music
Writer(s)
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
 Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Babyface
Michael Jackson singles chronology

"They Don't Care About Us"
 (1996) "On the Line"
 (1997) "Blood on the Dance Floor"
 (1997)


The Ultimate Collection Disc 4 track listing

"Childhood"
 (4) "On the Line"
 (5) "Blood on the Dance Floor"
 (6)


In January 1997, while Michael Jackson's remix album Blood on the Dance Floor was being promoted, a Deluxe Collector Box Set of Ghosts was released in the UK (however, it was not released in the US). The box set included Jackson's Ghosts mini-movie on home video and his Blood on the Dance Floor album on CD, as well as a CD maxi single named the Limited Edition Minimax CD. "On the Line" was the first track on this single.[2] Since "On the Line" was the leading track of this single, some fans simply call the Limited Edition Minimax CD "On the Line".
"On the Line"[edit]
The song "On the Line" was co-written and produced by Babyface. Michael Jackson performs the track and is also credited in its writing (on the writing credits of The Ultimate Collection). It was originally recorded by Jackson for the Spike Lee movie Get on the Bus (1996), but it was not featured on the soundtrack.[2][3]
The full-length version of the song was released on November 16, 2004 as an album track of his limited edition box set The Ultimate Collection.[2][4]
Personnel[edit]
Written and composed by Babyface and Michael Jackson[5][6]
Produced by Babyface[5][6]
Solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson
Track listing[edit]
Limited Edition Minimax CD (EPC 665268 2)[7]
1."On the Line" – 4:37
2."Ghosts" (Mousse T's Radio Rock Singalong Remix) – 4:25
3."Is It Scary" (DJ Greek's Scary Mix) – 7:12
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ "Festival de Cannes: Ghosts". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
2.^ Jump up to: a b c Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. pp. 243–244. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6.
3.Jump up ^ "Amazon.com: Get On The Bus: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
4.Jump up ^ "Song info on Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
5.^ Jump up to: a b "Michael Jackson - Limited Edition Minimax CD (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
6.^ Jump up to: a b "Get on the Bus (1996) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
7.Jump up ^ "australian-charts.com - Michael Jackson - On The Line". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
External links[edit]
 Wikiquote has quotations related to: Michael Jackson's Ghosts
Michael Jackson's Ghosts at the Internet Movie Database


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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson%27s_Ghosts









Michael Jackson's Ghosts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search


Michael Jackson's Ghosts
Ghosts MJ.jpg
Directed by
Stan Winston
Produced by
Michael Jackson
 Stan Winston
 David Nicksay
Written by
Michael Jackson
Stephen King
Starring
Michael Jackson
Music by
Michael Jackson
Nicholas Pike
Distributed by
Kingdom Entertainment

Release dates

December 12, 1996


Running time
 39:31
Country
United States
Language
English
Michael Jackson's Ghosts is a 1996 short film starring Michael Jackson, co-written by horror novelist Stephen King and directed by film director and special effects guru Stan Winston which could also be classified as a long-form music video. It was filmed and first screened in 1996 and released along with select prints of the film Thinner. It was released as promo a year later internationally on LaserDisc, VHS and Video CD. Jackson plays a total of five roles in the film.
The film tells the story of a scary Maestro with supernatural powers, who is being forced out of a small town by its mayor, pictured as a comically arrogant, plump man who bears more than a passing resemblance to Thomas Sneddon (the main prosecutor in Jackson's infamous child sexual abuse case from three years earlier). The movie includes a series of dance routines performed by Michael Jackson and his "family" of ghouls. Every song from the film was taken from Michael Jackson's albums: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix.


Contents  [hide]
1 Plot
2 Songs used in the film
3 Release and reception
4 Deluxe Collector Box Set 4.1 "On the Line"
4.2 Personnel
4.3 Track listing
5 References
6 External links

Plot[edit]


 This article reads more like a story than an encyclopedia entry. To meet Wikipedia's quality standards and conform to the neutral point of view policy, please help to introduce a more formal style and remove any personally invested tone. (July 2011)
The Maestro (Michael Jackson) lives alone in a creepy-looking mansion on top of a hill, overlooking the town of "Normal Valley". Occasionally, he entertains the local children with scary magic tricks. One of the children tells his mother, who alerts the Mayor (also Michael Jackson). He in turns organizes the townspeople to go to the Maestro's mansion and force him out of town. Some of them show reluctance to do so, but are pressured into joining the Mayor on his crusade. On a stormy night they go to the Maestro's mansion (which instead of a numbered address, is addressed "Someplace Else") holding flaming torches. When they arrive at the mansion, it is guarded by a large gate. They peer in through the gate, and by the haunting look of the mansion, have second thoughts about entering. The children assure the parents that the Maestro has done nothing wrong, and ask that they leave him alone. But the mayor remarks, "He's a weirdo. There's no place in this town for weirdos."
The front gate opens, frightening the townspeople, who make their way to the front door, which also opens by itself. The inside of the mansion appears to them even creepier than the outside, and the parents re-assure their children (and themselves) "there's no such thing as ghosts". They make their way into the house, and once they are all inside, the front door slams shut and locks itself. Two more large doors swing open revealing a large, darkened dance hall. Hesitantly, the townspeople make their way to the dance hall, where they are greeted by Maestro himself, who makes a scary yet comical entrance. The Mayor angrily confronts him, calling him "strange", "weird", and a "freak", and telling him that he's not welcome in their town. Maestro defends himself, and in response the Mayor threatens "Are you going to leave, or am I going to have to hurt you?" (The townspeople appear not to be as forceful in their position, but don't offer an objection).
To this Maestro replies, "You are trying to scare me. I guess I have no choice; I guess I have to scare you." He then makes a series of funny faces, which the mayor calls "ridiculous" and "not funny". In a change of tone, Maestro asks, "Is this scary?" and pulls his face sideways. Then he continues to stretch his face more by pulling his face down and stretches his mouth, and ultimately pulls off his face to reveal his skull and laughing maniacally. The frightened townspeople run for the doors, which Maestro shuts with his magical powers, after he smashes his skull with his fists, revealing his normal head. One man with glasses and black hair starts to cry after the doors have been shut.
Maestro then reminds the mayor he's not alone, and introduces his "family" of ghouls who, along with Maestro, perform extended dance routines to "2 Bad" and "Is It Scary" (both original songs composed by Michael Jackson) which alternately impresses and scares the townspeople. During this sequence, Maestro's acts include ripping his clothes off to reveal a skeletal body; possessing the mayor and making him dance (including the moonwalk); and transforming the mayor into an evil, horrific dragon while remarking, "Who's scary now? Who's the freak now? Freaky boy! Freak, circus freak. Who's scary?"
After Maestro's performance ends, he asks, "Do you still want me to go?". While the townspeople respond "no", the mayor says "Yes...yes!". Maestro quietly agrees by saying, "Fine...I'll go." He falls, and after smashing his hands and face into the floor, his face and body violently start to crumble into dust on the floor, which is then blown away by the wind. The townspeople are saddened by this, and somewhat sorry to see him go. The mayor however thinks he has come out victorious and heads for the doors saying, "I showed that freak." When he opens them he finds a monstrous-looking Maestro-demon head which says "HELLO" and terrifies him, and he runs away scared (leaving a comically Mayor-shaped hole in the glass door). The townspeople then turn back to the now open front doors to see the Maestro standing there, laughing. He asks if they all had a good time, and the townspeople realize they did. They figure he isn't so bad after all and make peace with him. The story ends with one of the children asking with a vicious look on his face, "Is this scary?"; he grips his lower face, and the camera moves to a long shot of the mansion while terrified screams are heard.
During the credits, backstage footage of Jackson's make-up sessions and green screen shots reveal how he was able to play five different roles within the film; indeed, the Cast list credits him as "Maestro", "Mayor" (which explains the mayor's impeccably Jacksonian dance moves), "Mayor Ghoul" (the horribly transformed mayor), "Super ghoul" (a giant and grotesquely deformed version of Jackson) and "Skeleton" (a CGI dancing skeleton, animated by Jackson through motion capture). The film also uses a boy that resembles young Michael Jackson from the time he was in The Jackson 5.
Songs used in the film[edit]
"2 Bad" (film version) Taken from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
"Is It Scary" (film version)* Taken from Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
"Ghosts"* Taken from Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
"Ghosts" and "Is It Scary" were not featured in the first version of the film, because they were not completed in time. In the original version, the audio from these dance segments was a sampled beat from "2 Bad". An unfinished version of "Ghosts" was used in the credits for the original version of the film, featuring an alternate bridge, different bass and sound effects, and an alternate ending.
Release and reception[edit]
The film was screened out of competition at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.[1] In 2002 the Guinness Book of World Records honored Ghosts as the longest music video in history. The original film version of Ghosts was also given multiple screenings at Hoyts Cinema in Sydney (together with a 75mm print of the HIStory teaser) the evening before the HIStory tour commenced its Australian leg (and the evening before Jackson's wedding to Debbie Rowe), and that print had the red background version of the SMPTE Universal Leader at the beginning.
Deluxe Collector Box Set[edit]

"On the Line"

Single by Michael Jackson

B-side
"Ghosts" (Mousse T's Radio Rock Singalong Remix)
 "Is It Scary" (DJ Greek's Scary Mix)
Released
January 11, 1997
Format
CD maxi single
Recorded
January 1996
Genre
R&B, pop, soul
Length
4:39 (short version)
 4:53 (long version)
Label
Epic Records, Sony Music
Writer(s)
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
 Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Babyface
Michael Jackson singles chronology

"They Don't Care About Us"
 (1996) "On the Line"
 (1997) "Blood on the Dance Floor"
 (1997)


The Ultimate Collection Disc 4 track listing

"Childhood"
 (4) "On the Line"
 (5) "Blood on the Dance Floor"
 (6)


In January 1997, while Michael Jackson's remix album Blood on the Dance Floor was being promoted, a Deluxe Collector Box Set of Ghosts was released in the UK (however, it was not released in the US). The box set included Jackson's Ghosts mini-movie on home video and his Blood on the Dance Floor album on CD, as well as a CD maxi single named the Limited Edition Minimax CD. "On the Line" was the first track on this single.[2] Since "On the Line" was the leading track of this single, some fans simply call the Limited Edition Minimax CD "On the Line".
"On the Line"[edit]
The song "On the Line" was co-written and produced by Babyface. Michael Jackson performs the track and is also credited in its writing (on the writing credits of The Ultimate Collection). It was originally recorded by Jackson for the Spike Lee movie Get on the Bus (1996), but it was not featured on the soundtrack.[2][3]
The full-length version of the song was released on November 16, 2004 as an album track of his limited edition box set The Ultimate Collection.[2][4]
Personnel[edit]
Written and composed by Babyface and Michael Jackson[5][6]
Produced by Babyface[5][6]
Solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson
Track listing[edit]
Limited Edition Minimax CD (EPC 665268 2)[7]
1."On the Line" – 4:37
2."Ghosts" (Mousse T's Radio Rock Singalong Remix) – 4:25
3."Is It Scary" (DJ Greek's Scary Mix) – 7:12
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ "Festival de Cannes: Ghosts". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
2.^ Jump up to: a b c Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. pp. 243–244. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6.
3.Jump up ^ "Amazon.com: Get On The Bus: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
4.Jump up ^ "Song info on Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
5.^ Jump up to: a b "Michael Jackson - Limited Edition Minimax CD (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
6.^ Jump up to: a b "Get on the Bus (1996) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
7.Jump up ^ "australian-charts.com - Michael Jackson - On The Line". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
External links[edit]
 Wikiquote has quotations related to: Michael Jackson's Ghosts
Michael Jackson's Ghosts at the Internet Movie Database


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English-language films
Michael Jackson
1990s short films
Films directed by Stan Winston
Screenplays by Stephen King







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Edit links
This page was last modified on 26 May 2015, at 22:22.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
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Contact Wikipedia
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Mobile view
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Powered by MediaWiki
 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson%27s_Ghosts









Debbie Rowe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search


Debbie Rowe
MichaelJacksonDebbieRowe1.jpg
Deborah and Michael Jackson at their wedding in 1996.

Born
Deborah Jeanne Rowe
 December 6, 1958 (age 56)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Residence
Palmdale, California, U.S.
Education
Hollywood High School
Occupation
Dermatology nurse, horse breeder
Known for
Marriage to Michael Jackson
Spouse(s)
Richard Edelman (1982–1988; divorced)
 Michael Jackson (1996–1999; divorced; 2 children)
Children
Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (born February 13, 1997)
 Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (born April 3, 1998) [1]
Parent(s)
Gordon Rowe
 Barbara Chilcutt
Deborah Jeanne "Debbie" Rowe (born December 6, 1958)[2] is an American nurse known for her marriage to Michael Jackson, with whom she had two children. She lives in Palmdale, California.[3]


Contents  [hide]
1 Early life
2 Relationship with Michael Jackson 2.1 Children and marriage
2.2 Divorce
3 After Jackson's death
4 In popular culture
5 References
6 External links

Early life[edit]
Rowe was born in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Barbara Chilcutt and Gordon Rowe. Her father divorced her mother a few weeks before her second birthday. Rowe had a lonely childhood.[4] She was raised by her mother, a few aunts, and maternal grandmother. She has one half-sister named Loretta Scarlett Rowe who was born in 1961. She was raised in a middle class home, and was later adopted by a millionaire couple from Malibu, California.
Relationship with Michael Jackson[edit]
See also: Relationship of Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe
Rowe met Michael Jackson while working as a nurse in Dr. Arnold Klein's dermatology office, where Jackson was being treated for vitiligo.[5][6] She recalled that after Jackson's divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 1996, he was upset at the possibility that he might never become a father. Rowe, a longtime Jackson fan, proposed to bear his children.[7] In an interview with Playboy, Lisa Marie stated that she knew at the time that she and Jackson were married, that Rowe wanted to have his children and that Rowe had "a crush on him".[8]
Children and marriage[edit]



 Michael Jackson with his three children (the two oldest were born by Rowe), in Disneyland Resort Paris in 2006.
It was announced she was pregnant in 1996, and the two were later married on November 14, 1996, in Sydney, Australia. It was her second marriage, her first being to Richard Edelman in 1982.[6]
Three months after Rowe and Jackson's marriage she gave birth to a son, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.[1] (born February 13, 1997),[9] who was subsequently known as Prince.[10] The next year she gave birth to a daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson.[1] (born April 3, 1998).[11] Jackson took full responsibility for raising the children.[7][12]
Divorce[edit]
Rowe, who described herself as a private person and almost never gave interviews, was overwhelmed by the publicity that came with being married to Jackson.[7] The couple divorced on October 8, 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson. Rowe received an $8-million settlement, and a house in Beverly Hills, California.[13] Court documents indicated she had signed a prenuptial agreement and therefore could not obtain an equal division of community property under California law.[14]
In 2001, Rowe went to a private judge to have her parental rights for the two children terminated.[13] In 2004, after Jackson was charged with 10 counts of child abuse, she went to court to have the decision reversed.[15] According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Rowe, who is Jewish, sought the reversal in part because she feared the nanny and some of Jackson's siblings were exposing the children to teachings of the Nation of Islam.[16] Court documents from 2005 noted that "Because she is Jewish, Deborah feared the children might be mistreated if Michael continued the association."[17] On the stand, in the 2005 People v. Jackson case, she explained that she had been allowed limited visits to her children, for eight hours every 45 days.[18]
In 2005, Rowe sold her Beverly Hills house for $1.3 million, and bought a ranch in Palmdale.[19] In 2006, she sued Jackson for one immediate payment of $195,000 and one payment of $50,000 to pursue a child custody case.[15] Jackson was ordered to pay her $60,000 in legal fees.[20]
After Jackson's death[edit]
Following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, Rowe made statements through her attorney to deny a series of gossip reports, including reports that she was not the children's biological mother[21][22] and that she was attempting to bargain her parental rights for money.[23] Several gossip outlets reported that Debbie Rowe was the surrogate mother for the children and not their biological mother.[24]
In July, 2009, she filed a lawsuit for defamation and invasion of privacy against a source who handed over alleged private e-mails to the television entertainment news program Extra[25] and on March 3, 2010 she was successful in the defamation lawsuit. She was awarded $27,000 in damages, although she had originally sought $500,000.[26]
In August 2009, Rowe reached a settlement with Katherine Jackson, the children's guardian, under which she has rights to supervised visitations. Mrs. Jackson's attorney stated that the negotiations were "never about money" and the settlement was in the best interests of the children.[27]
In popular culture[edit]
Rowe was portrayed by April Telek in the 2004 film Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.[28]
Rowe was parodied in actress/comedian Tracey Ullman's series Tracey Ullman's State of the Union.
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c "Birth certificates" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
2.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe". nndb.com. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
3.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe: I won't see Jackson's children again, WaToday.com.au, 2009-06-29
4.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe Biography". Biography.Com. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
5.Jump up ^ Entertainment: Jackson to divorce again, BBC, 1999-10-08
6.^ Jump up to: a b Schneider, Karen S. (1996-12-02). "What Friends Are for". People. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
7.^ Jump up to: a b c The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See
8.Jump up ^ "Complete Lisa Marie Presley Playboy Interview". Playboy. 30 Jul 2003. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
9.Jump up ^ People – Manchild Has Boy Child, Time, February 24, 1997
10.Jump up ^ "Last Will Of Michael Joseph Jackson". The Smoking Gun. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
11.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe reaches out to Jackson family, MSNBC, 2009-06-30
12.Jump up ^ Living with Michael Jackson
13.^ Jump up to: a b Case Reopens Debate on Private Judges; Michael Jackson's clash with ex-wife heads for county court as officials seek to reform system., Los Angeles Times (archive), September 6, 2006
14.Jump up ^ Bruce Simon, Michael Jackson Divorce Details Revealed, Yahoo Music news, October 8, 1999.
15.^ Jump up to: a b Michael Jackson sued by ex-wife, BBC News, July 13, 2006
16.Jump up ^ Jackson kids' Jewish mother could regain custody, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 28, 2009.
17.Jump up ^ Rowe seeks parental rights over Nation of Islam, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, July 3, 2009.
18.Jump up ^ Jacko's Ex Rowe: Interview Wasn't Scripted, FoxNews, April 27, 2005
19.Jump up ^ Daly: Debbie Rowe continues to waffle on custody decision for Michael Jackson's kids, New York Daily News, July 2, 2009
20.Jump up ^ Jackson child custody fight ends, BBC News, September 30, 2006
21.Jump up ^ Lawyer: Debbie Rowe Is Biological Mom, US Weekly, 2009-06-30
22.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe, Dermatologist Respond To Reports Over Michael Jackson's Children, NBC New York, 2009-06-30
23.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe Sics Her Lawyers on the New York Post over Report She Sold Her Kids. Gawker.com (2009-07-14). Retrieved on 2012-04-09.
24.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe 'are not biological parents of any of his children', Daily Mail, July 1, 2009
25.Jump up ^ Goldman, Russell; Murphy, Eileen; Pearle, Lauren (2009-07-17). "Debbie Rowe Files Suit Over Custody Rumors". ABC News. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
26.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe wins judgment in defamation case". USA Today. Associated Press. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
27.Jump up ^ Showbiz :: Jackson's lawyer praises Rowe in custody case. Daily Express, (2009-08-04). Retrieved on 2012-04-09.
28.Jump up ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (7 February 2005). "Man in Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story". popmatters.com. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
External links[edit]
Debbie Rowe at the Internet Movie Database


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Debbie Rowe

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Jump to: navigation, search


Debbie Rowe
MichaelJacksonDebbieRowe1.jpg
Deborah and Michael Jackson at their wedding in 1996.

Born
Deborah Jeanne Rowe
 December 6, 1958 (age 56)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Residence
Palmdale, California, U.S.
Education
Hollywood High School
Occupation
Dermatology nurse, horse breeder
Known for
Marriage to Michael Jackson
Spouse(s)
Richard Edelman (1982–1988; divorced)
 Michael Jackson (1996–1999; divorced; 2 children)
Children
Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (born February 13, 1997)
 Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (born April 3, 1998) [1]
Parent(s)
Gordon Rowe
 Barbara Chilcutt
Deborah Jeanne "Debbie" Rowe (born December 6, 1958)[2] is an American nurse known for her marriage to Michael Jackson, with whom she had two children. She lives in Palmdale, California.[3]


Contents  [hide]
1 Early life
2 Relationship with Michael Jackson 2.1 Children and marriage
2.2 Divorce
3 After Jackson's death
4 In popular culture
5 References
6 External links

Early life[edit]
Rowe was born in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Barbara Chilcutt and Gordon Rowe. Her father divorced her mother a few weeks before her second birthday. Rowe had a lonely childhood.[4] She was raised by her mother, a few aunts, and maternal grandmother. She has one half-sister named Loretta Scarlett Rowe who was born in 1961. She was raised in a middle class home, and was later adopted by a millionaire couple from Malibu, California.
Relationship with Michael Jackson[edit]
See also: Relationship of Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe
Rowe met Michael Jackson while working as a nurse in Dr. Arnold Klein's dermatology office, where Jackson was being treated for vitiligo.[5][6] She recalled that after Jackson's divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 1996, he was upset at the possibility that he might never become a father. Rowe, a longtime Jackson fan, proposed to bear his children.[7] In an interview with Playboy, Lisa Marie stated that she knew at the time that she and Jackson were married, that Rowe wanted to have his children and that Rowe had "a crush on him".[8]
Children and marriage[edit]



 Michael Jackson with his three children (the two oldest were born by Rowe), in Disneyland Resort Paris in 2006.
It was announced she was pregnant in 1996, and the two were later married on November 14, 1996, in Sydney, Australia. It was her second marriage, her first being to Richard Edelman in 1982.[6]
Three months after Rowe and Jackson's marriage she gave birth to a son, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.[1] (born February 13, 1997),[9] who was subsequently known as Prince.[10] The next year she gave birth to a daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson.[1] (born April 3, 1998).[11] Jackson took full responsibility for raising the children.[7][12]
Divorce[edit]
Rowe, who described herself as a private person and almost never gave interviews, was overwhelmed by the publicity that came with being married to Jackson.[7] The couple divorced on October 8, 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson. Rowe received an $8-million settlement, and a house in Beverly Hills, California.[13] Court documents indicated she had signed a prenuptial agreement and therefore could not obtain an equal division of community property under California law.[14]
In 2001, Rowe went to a private judge to have her parental rights for the two children terminated.[13] In 2004, after Jackson was charged with 10 counts of child abuse, she went to court to have the decision reversed.[15] According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Rowe, who is Jewish, sought the reversal in part because she feared the nanny and some of Jackson's siblings were exposing the children to teachings of the Nation of Islam.[16] Court documents from 2005 noted that "Because she is Jewish, Deborah feared the children might be mistreated if Michael continued the association."[17] On the stand, in the 2005 People v. Jackson case, she explained that she had been allowed limited visits to her children, for eight hours every 45 days.[18]
In 2005, Rowe sold her Beverly Hills house for $1.3 million, and bought a ranch in Palmdale.[19] In 2006, she sued Jackson for one immediate payment of $195,000 and one payment of $50,000 to pursue a child custody case.[15] Jackson was ordered to pay her $60,000 in legal fees.[20]
After Jackson's death[edit]
Following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, Rowe made statements through her attorney to deny a series of gossip reports, including reports that she was not the children's biological mother[21][22] and that she was attempting to bargain her parental rights for money.[23] Several gossip outlets reported that Debbie Rowe was the surrogate mother for the children and not their biological mother.[24]
In July, 2009, she filed a lawsuit for defamation and invasion of privacy against a source who handed over alleged private e-mails to the television entertainment news program Extra[25] and on March 3, 2010 she was successful in the defamation lawsuit. She was awarded $27,000 in damages, although she had originally sought $500,000.[26]
In August 2009, Rowe reached a settlement with Katherine Jackson, the children's guardian, under which she has rights to supervised visitations. Mrs. Jackson's attorney stated that the negotiations were "never about money" and the settlement was in the best interests of the children.[27]
In popular culture[edit]
Rowe was portrayed by April Telek in the 2004 film Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.[28]
Rowe was parodied in actress/comedian Tracey Ullman's series Tracey Ullman's State of the Union.
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c "Birth certificates" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
2.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe". nndb.com. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
3.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe: I won't see Jackson's children again, WaToday.com.au, 2009-06-29
4.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe Biography". Biography.Com. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
5.Jump up ^ Entertainment: Jackson to divorce again, BBC, 1999-10-08
6.^ Jump up to: a b Schneider, Karen S. (1996-12-02). "What Friends Are for". People. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
7.^ Jump up to: a b c The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See
8.Jump up ^ "Complete Lisa Marie Presley Playboy Interview". Playboy. 30 Jul 2003. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
9.Jump up ^ People – Manchild Has Boy Child, Time, February 24, 1997
10.Jump up ^ "Last Will Of Michael Joseph Jackson". The Smoking Gun. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
11.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe reaches out to Jackson family, MSNBC, 2009-06-30
12.Jump up ^ Living with Michael Jackson
13.^ Jump up to: a b Case Reopens Debate on Private Judges; Michael Jackson's clash with ex-wife heads for county court as officials seek to reform system., Los Angeles Times (archive), September 6, 2006
14.Jump up ^ Bruce Simon, Michael Jackson Divorce Details Revealed, Yahoo Music news, October 8, 1999.
15.^ Jump up to: a b Michael Jackson sued by ex-wife, BBC News, July 13, 2006
16.Jump up ^ Jackson kids' Jewish mother could regain custody, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 28, 2009.
17.Jump up ^ Rowe seeks parental rights over Nation of Islam, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, July 3, 2009.
18.Jump up ^ Jacko's Ex Rowe: Interview Wasn't Scripted, FoxNews, April 27, 2005
19.Jump up ^ Daly: Debbie Rowe continues to waffle on custody decision for Michael Jackson's kids, New York Daily News, July 2, 2009
20.Jump up ^ Jackson child custody fight ends, BBC News, September 30, 2006
21.Jump up ^ Lawyer: Debbie Rowe Is Biological Mom, US Weekly, 2009-06-30
22.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe, Dermatologist Respond To Reports Over Michael Jackson's Children, NBC New York, 2009-06-30
23.Jump up ^ Debbie Rowe Sics Her Lawyers on the New York Post over Report She Sold Her Kids. Gawker.com (2009-07-14). Retrieved on 2012-04-09.
24.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe 'are not biological parents of any of his children', Daily Mail, July 1, 2009
25.Jump up ^ Goldman, Russell; Murphy, Eileen; Pearle, Lauren (2009-07-17). "Debbie Rowe Files Suit Over Custody Rumors". ABC News. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
26.Jump up ^ "Debbie Rowe wins judgment in defamation case". USA Today. Associated Press. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
27.Jump up ^ Showbiz :: Jackson's lawyer praises Rowe in custody case. Daily Express, (2009-08-04). Retrieved on 2012-04-09.
28.Jump up ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (7 February 2005). "Man in Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story". popmatters.com. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
External links[edit]
Debbie Rowe at the Internet Movie Database


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Joe Jackson (manager)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from Joseph Jackson (manager))
Jump to: navigation, search


Joe Jackson
JosephJackson2007(cropped).jpg
Jackson in 2007

Born
Joseph Walter Jackson
July 26, 1928 (age 86)
Fountain Hill, Arkansas
Nationality
American
Occupation
Talent manager
Years active
1960s–present
Spouse(s)
Katherine Scruse(m. 1949)
Children
11, See below
Parent(s)
Samuel Jackson (1893–1993)
Crystal Lee King (1907–1992)
Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson(born July 26, 1928) is a talent managerand the father of the Jackson familyof entertainers which includes music superstars Michael Jacksonand Janet Jackson.


Contents [hide]
1Early life
2The Jackson 5
3Public image
4Children
5References
6Bibliography
7External links

Early life[edit]
Jackson was born to Crystal Lee (née King; 1907–1992) and Samuel Jackson (1893–1993), a schoolteacher, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, on July 26, 1928.[1]Jackson was the eldest of five children, which included sisters Verna Mae and Lula Mae, and brothers Lawrence and Luther.
Jackson recalled from early childhood that his father was domineering and strict and he described himself as a "lonely child" in his memoirs, The Jacksons. Jackson's family moved to East Chicago, Indianawhile he was still a toddler. At eleven, his parents divorced and for a while he lived with his mother at their East Chicago home with a stepfather. In his teen years, he spent a few years in Oaklandwhere his father relocated. He returned to East Chicago where he eventually began working at East Chicago's Inland Steel Company, where he eventually became an overhead craneoperator. He also had a second job at the American Foundries food store.
Jackson first became acquainted with Katherine Scrusein 1948. Within a year, the couple married on November 5, 1949. In January 1950, they purchased a three-room house in Gary, Indiana. During the early 1950s, Jackson briefly performed with his own blues band, The Falcons, playing guitar. Despite their efforts, the Falcons failed to get a recording deal and subsequently broke up.
The Jackson 5[edit]
See also: The Jackson 5
Jackson began working with his sons' musical group in the early 1960s, first working with his three eldest sons, Jackie, Titoand Jermaine. Younger sons Marlonand Michaeleventually joined the backing band. At first, the group went under The Jackson Brothers. Following the inclusions of Marlon and Michael and Michael's increased vocal role in the group, their name was changed to the The Jackson Five.
After a couple years performing in talent contests and high school functions, Jackson had his sons perform on the chitlin' circuit, where they eventually performed at the Regal Theatreand the Apollo Theater.[2]After this success, Jackson began only working part-time at Inland Steel Company. In November 1967, The Jackson Fivesigned their first contract with Gordon Keith, an owner and producer of Steeltown Recordsin Gary, Indiana and released their first single "Big Boy" on January 30, 1968. Within the year, however, Jackson helped to land his sons an audition for Motown Recordsin Detroit. The Jackson Fivewere signed in March 1969.
The Jackson Fivebecame the Jackson 5 with the release of their first album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5in December 1969. The group eventually became crossover stars, scoring four consecutive number-one hits on the BillboardHot 100. The group also became international sensations. In 1973, wanting to reassure his role of control, Jackson had his family, including youngest son Randy, and daughters Rebbie, La Toyaand Janetperform at casinos and resorts in Las Vegas, inspired by the success of fellow family act, The Osmonds. In 1975, the Jackson 5, with the exception of Jermaine, left Motown and signed a lucrative deal with CBS Recordswithout alerting Motown of the deal, leading to a lawsuit against the family.
Public image[edit]
Joseph's image as a father became tarnished from the late 1980s onward, as the media reported stories told by his children that he was heavily abusivetowards them. When he managed his family, he ordered each of them to call him "Joseph", which contributed to several siblings being estranged from their father. Joseph is also alleged to have engaged in several extramarital affairs; one affair resulted in the birth of a daughter, Joh'Vonnie, born in 1974.
Michael Jackson claimed that from a young age he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling, but also admitting that his father's strict discipline played a large part in his success.[3]In one altercation—later recalled by Marlon Jackson—Joseph held Michael upside down by one leg and "pummeled him over and over again with his hand, hitting him on his back and buttocks."[4]Michael first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said that during his childhood he often cried from loneliness and would sometimes get sick or start to vomit upon seeing his father.[5][6][7][8]Michael recalled that Joseph sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as Michael and his siblings rehearsed and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up, really get you."[9]Joseph admitted to whipping his children with switches and belts as punishment, but said he did not do so at random, and claimed never to have used any hard object as he felt was implied by the word "beating."[10]Despite the much-publicized abuse, Michael honored his father with an annual "Joseph Jackson Day" at Neverland Ranch[11]and ultimately forgave him, noting that Joseph's deep-South upbringing during the Great Depressionand the Jim Crowyears and working-class adulthood hardened him emotionally and made him push his children to succeed as entertainers.[12]
In 2003, in an interview with Louis Therouxfor a BBC TVdocumentary called Louis, Martin & Michael, Joseph admitted to using physical punishment on his children.[10]In the same documentary, Joseph took advantage of the opportunity to promote his record label's new artists, even though the intention was to talk about Michael in the interview.[13]In the same interview, Joe Jackson expressed an extreme dislikeof gay people after Theroux asked if he'd like to see Michael settle down with a "partner".




Jackson at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Following Michael's death on June 25, 2009, Joseph attended the BET Awardson June 28. The event was hastily reorganized as a tribute to Michael following his sudden passing. Joseph appeared at the event, speaking to several reporters about Michael's death.[14]He struggled with CNNreporter Don Lemon's questions about his family, first appearing cheerful, then mournful, then asking a family spokesperson to read a prepared statement. After the statement was read, Joseph talked about his new hip-hop recording project. This exchange led to accusations of insensitivity from the press.[15]
Joseph Jackson was portrayed by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobsin the mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream& by Frederic Tucker in the 2004 VH1biopic Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.
Contrary to media rumors that Joseph and Katherine are estranged, Katherine denied this in a phone interview to Geraldo Riverain 2009. She also described rumors that Joe was banned from entering their house as something the media tried to "cook up". She went on to insist that Joe was a good grandfather to Michael's children and that she had "no idea" from where the rumors arose.[16][17][18]
In 2010 while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Katherine again reiterated her denial of the rumours that she and Joseph were separated.[19]
Children[edit]

Portal icon The Jackson Family portal
Jackson has had eleven children, ten with his wife Katherine Scruse.
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson(born May 29, 1950)
Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson(born May 4, 1951)
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson(born October 15, 1953)
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson(born December 11, 1954)
La Toya Jackson(born May 29, 1956)
Marlon Jackson(March 12, 1957, Marlon's twin, Brandon, died at birth)
Michael Joseph Jackson(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson(born October 29, 1961)
Janet Damita Jo Jackson(born May 16, 1966)
Jackson has a daughter born on August 30, 1974 named Joh'Vonnie Jackson who was born while Jackson was in a 25-year-long affair with a woman named Cheryl Terrell.[20]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^"Joe turns 80". Chicago Defender. 2008.
2.Jump up ^The Jackson Five And Johnny. indiana45s.com (August 28, 2010)
3.Jump up ^"Michael Jackson's Secret Childhood". VH1. Retrieved June 20,2008.
4.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, pp. 20–22
5.Jump up ^Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour. Branden. pp. 14–16. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
6.Jump up ^Lewis, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop;: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. pp. 165–168. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
7.Jump up ^George, Nelson(2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collectionbooklet. Sony BMG. pp. 45–46
8.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, p. 620
9.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, p. 602
10.^ Jump up to: ab"Singer Jackson whipped by father". BBC News. November 13, 2003. Retrieved May 6,2010.
11.Jump up ^Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies
12.Jump up ^Jackson, Michael. "Heal the Kids." Speech at the Oxford Union, March 2001.
13.Jump up ^Video of the interview, 24:00 onwards
14.Jump up ^Premsrirut, Rutt (July 1, 2009). "In Defense of Joe Jackson". ABCNews.com(ABC News). Retrieved July 1,2009.
15.Jump up ^Staff writer (June 30, 2009). "Joe Jackson's behavior draws criticism". UPI.com(United Press International). Retrieved June 30,2009.
16.Jump up ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXD3ttwi7aE
17.Jump up ^http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5970201/Michael-Jacksons-mother-Katherine-He-didnt-die-of-natural-causes.html
18.Jump up ^http://www.mtv.com/news/1617463/michael-jacksons-death-wasnt-natural-katherine-jackson-says/
19.Jump up ^http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/joe-jackson-admits-beating-his-children/
20.Jump up ^Khan, Urmee (September 14, 2009). "Michael Jackson’s secret sister JohVonnie Jackson says she was 'rejected'". The Daily Telegraph(London).
Bibliography[edit]
Taraborrelli, J. Randy(2009). Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958–2009. Terra Alta, WV: Grand Central Publishing, 2009. ISBN 0-446-56474-5.
External links[edit]

Portal icon The Jackson Family portal
Official website for Joseph Jackson
Profile at German branch of Random House


[hide]
v·
t·
e

Jackson family


Parents
Joe Jackson: 1928·
Katherine Jackson: 1930


Children
Maureen Reillette (Rebbie): 1950·
Sigmund Esco (Jackie): 1951·
Toriano Adaryll (Tito): 1953·
Jermaine La Jaune: 1954·
La Toya Yvonne: 1956·
Marlon David: 1957·
Michael Joseph: 1958–2009·
Steven Randall (Randy): 1961·
Janet Damita Jo: 1966


Grandchildren
Austin Brown: 1985


Musical groups
The Jackson 5/The Jacksons·
3T


Television
The Jacksons·
The Jacksons: An American Dream·
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty


PortalThe Jackson Family portal




Authority control
WorldCat·
VIAF: 207801768·
LCCN: no95050463·
GND: 129365890·
SUDOC: 153360518·
ULAN: 500015393





 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Jackson_(manager)









Joe Jackson (manager)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from Joseph Jackson (manager))
Jump to: navigation, search


Joe Jackson
JosephJackson2007(cropped).jpg
Jackson in 2007

Born
Joseph Walter Jackson
July 26, 1928 (age 86)
Fountain Hill, Arkansas
Nationality
American
Occupation
Talent manager
Years active
1960s–present
Spouse(s)
Katherine Scruse(m. 1949)
Children
11, See below
Parent(s)
Samuel Jackson (1893–1993)
Crystal Lee King (1907–1992)
Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson(born July 26, 1928) is a talent managerand the father of the Jackson familyof entertainers which includes music superstars Michael Jacksonand Janet Jackson.


Contents [hide]
1Early life
2The Jackson 5
3Public image
4Children
5References
6Bibliography
7External links

Early life[edit]
Jackson was born to Crystal Lee (née King; 1907–1992) and Samuel Jackson (1893–1993), a schoolteacher, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, on July 26, 1928.[1]Jackson was the eldest of five children, which included sisters Verna Mae and Lula Mae, and brothers Lawrence and Luther.
Jackson recalled from early childhood that his father was domineering and strict and he described himself as a "lonely child" in his memoirs, The Jacksons. Jackson's family moved to East Chicago, Indianawhile he was still a toddler. At eleven, his parents divorced and for a while he lived with his mother at their East Chicago home with a stepfather. In his teen years, he spent a few years in Oaklandwhere his father relocated. He returned to East Chicago where he eventually began working at East Chicago's Inland Steel Company, where he eventually became an overhead craneoperator. He also had a second job at the American Foundries food store.
Jackson first became acquainted with Katherine Scrusein 1948. Within a year, the couple married on November 5, 1949. In January 1950, they purchased a three-room house in Gary, Indiana. During the early 1950s, Jackson briefly performed with his own blues band, The Falcons, playing guitar. Despite their efforts, the Falcons failed to get a recording deal and subsequently broke up.
The Jackson 5[edit]
See also: The Jackson 5
Jackson began working with his sons' musical group in the early 1960s, first working with his three eldest sons, Jackie, Titoand Jermaine. Younger sons Marlonand Michaeleventually joined the backing band. At first, the group went under The Jackson Brothers. Following the inclusions of Marlon and Michael and Michael's increased vocal role in the group, their name was changed to the The Jackson Five.
After a couple years performing in talent contests and high school functions, Jackson had his sons perform on the chitlin' circuit, where they eventually performed at the Regal Theatreand the Apollo Theater.[2]After this success, Jackson began only working part-time at Inland Steel Company. In November 1967, The Jackson Fivesigned their first contract with Gordon Keith, an owner and producer of Steeltown Recordsin Gary, Indiana and released their first single "Big Boy" on January 30, 1968. Within the year, however, Jackson helped to land his sons an audition for Motown Recordsin Detroit. The Jackson Fivewere signed in March 1969.
The Jackson Fivebecame the Jackson 5 with the release of their first album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5in December 1969. The group eventually became crossover stars, scoring four consecutive number-one hits on the BillboardHot 100. The group also became international sensations. In 1973, wanting to reassure his role of control, Jackson had his family, including youngest son Randy, and daughters Rebbie, La Toyaand Janetperform at casinos and resorts in Las Vegas, inspired by the success of fellow family act, The Osmonds. In 1975, the Jackson 5, with the exception of Jermaine, left Motown and signed a lucrative deal with CBS Recordswithout alerting Motown of the deal, leading to a lawsuit against the family.
Public image[edit]
Joseph's image as a father became tarnished from the late 1980s onward, as the media reported stories told by his children that he was heavily abusivetowards them. When he managed his family, he ordered each of them to call him "Joseph", which contributed to several siblings being estranged from their father. Joseph is also alleged to have engaged in several extramarital affairs; one affair resulted in the birth of a daughter, Joh'Vonnie, born in 1974.
Michael Jackson claimed that from a young age he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling, but also admitting that his father's strict discipline played a large part in his success.[3]In one altercation—later recalled by Marlon Jackson—Joseph held Michael upside down by one leg and "pummeled him over and over again with his hand, hitting him on his back and buttocks."[4]Michael first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said that during his childhood he often cried from loneliness and would sometimes get sick or start to vomit upon seeing his father.[5][6][7][8]Michael recalled that Joseph sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as Michael and his siblings rehearsed and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up, really get you."[9]Joseph admitted to whipping his children with switches and belts as punishment, but said he did not do so at random, and claimed never to have used any hard object as he felt was implied by the word "beating."[10]Despite the much-publicized abuse, Michael honored his father with an annual "Joseph Jackson Day" at Neverland Ranch[11]and ultimately forgave him, noting that Joseph's deep-South upbringing during the Great Depressionand the Jim Crowyears and working-class adulthood hardened him emotionally and made him push his children to succeed as entertainers.[12]
In 2003, in an interview with Louis Therouxfor a BBC TVdocumentary called Louis, Martin & Michael, Joseph admitted to using physical punishment on his children.[10]In the same documentary, Joseph took advantage of the opportunity to promote his record label's new artists, even though the intention was to talk about Michael in the interview.[13]In the same interview, Joe Jackson expressed an extreme dislikeof gay people after Theroux asked if he'd like to see Michael settle down with a "partner".




Jackson at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Following Michael's death on June 25, 2009, Joseph attended the BET Awardson June 28. The event was hastily reorganized as a tribute to Michael following his sudden passing. Joseph appeared at the event, speaking to several reporters about Michael's death.[14]He struggled with CNNreporter Don Lemon's questions about his family, first appearing cheerful, then mournful, then asking a family spokesperson to read a prepared statement. After the statement was read, Joseph talked about his new hip-hop recording project. This exchange led to accusations of insensitivity from the press.[15]
Joseph Jackson was portrayed by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobsin the mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream& by Frederic Tucker in the 2004 VH1biopic Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.
Contrary to media rumors that Joseph and Katherine are estranged, Katherine denied this in a phone interview to Geraldo Riverain 2009. She also described rumors that Joe was banned from entering their house as something the media tried to "cook up". She went on to insist that Joe was a good grandfather to Michael's children and that she had "no idea" from where the rumors arose.[16][17][18]
In 2010 while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Katherine again reiterated her denial of the rumours that she and Joseph were separated.[19]
Children[edit]

Portal icon The Jackson Family portal
Jackson has had eleven children, ten with his wife Katherine Scruse.
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson(born May 29, 1950)
Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson(born May 4, 1951)
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson(born October 15, 1953)
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson(born December 11, 1954)
La Toya Jackson(born May 29, 1956)
Marlon Jackson(March 12, 1957, Marlon's twin, Brandon, died at birth)
Michael Joseph Jackson(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson(born October 29, 1961)
Janet Damita Jo Jackson(born May 16, 1966)
Jackson has a daughter born on August 30, 1974 named Joh'Vonnie Jackson who was born while Jackson was in a 25-year-long affair with a woman named Cheryl Terrell.[20]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^"Joe turns 80". Chicago Defender. 2008.
2.Jump up ^The Jackson Five And Johnny. indiana45s.com (August 28, 2010)
3.Jump up ^"Michael Jackson's Secret Childhood". VH1. Retrieved June 20,2008.
4.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, pp. 20–22
5.Jump up ^Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour. Branden. pp. 14–16. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
6.Jump up ^Lewis, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop;: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. pp. 165–168. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
7.Jump up ^George, Nelson(2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collectionbooklet. Sony BMG. pp. 45–46
8.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, p. 620
9.Jump up ^Taraborrelli, p. 602
10.^ Jump up to: ab"Singer Jackson whipped by father". BBC News. November 13, 2003. Retrieved May 6,2010.
11.Jump up ^Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies
12.Jump up ^Jackson, Michael. "Heal the Kids." Speech at the Oxford Union, March 2001.
13.Jump up ^Video of the interview, 24:00 onwards
14.Jump up ^Premsrirut, Rutt (July 1, 2009). "In Defense of Joe Jackson". ABCNews.com(ABC News). Retrieved July 1,2009.
15.Jump up ^Staff writer (June 30, 2009). "Joe Jackson's behavior draws criticism". UPI.com(United Press International). Retrieved June 30,2009.
16.Jump up ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXD3ttwi7aE
17.Jump up ^http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5970201/Michael-Jacksons-mother-Katherine-He-didnt-die-of-natural-causes.html
18.Jump up ^http://www.mtv.com/news/1617463/michael-jacksons-death-wasnt-natural-katherine-jackson-says/
19.Jump up ^http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/joe-jackson-admits-beating-his-children/
20.Jump up ^Khan, Urmee (September 14, 2009). "Michael Jackson’s secret sister JohVonnie Jackson says she was 'rejected'". The Daily Telegraph(London).
Bibliography[edit]
Taraborrelli, J. Randy(2009). Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958–2009. Terra Alta, WV: Grand Central Publishing, 2009. ISBN 0-446-56474-5.
External links[edit]

Portal icon The Jackson Family portal
Official website for Joseph Jackson
Profile at German branch of Random House


[hide]
v·
t·
e

Jackson family


Parents
Joe Jackson: 1928·
Katherine Jackson: 1930


Children
Maureen Reillette (Rebbie): 1950·
Sigmund Esco (Jackie): 1951·
Toriano Adaryll (Tito): 1953·
Jermaine La Jaune: 1954·
La Toya Yvonne: 1956·
Marlon David: 1957·
Michael Joseph: 1958–2009·
Steven Randall (Randy): 1961·
Janet Damita Jo: 1966


Grandchildren
Austin Brown: 1985


Musical groups
The Jackson 5/The Jacksons·
3T


Television
The Jacksons·
The Jacksons: An American Dream·
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty


PortalThe Jackson Family portal




Authority control
WorldCat·
VIAF: 207801768·
LCCN: no95050463·
GND: 129365890·
SUDOC: 153360518·
ULAN: 500015393





 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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Personal relationships of Michael Jackson

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A man in a red shirt smiling toward the camera. Atop his head is a blue baseball cap.

 Michael Jackson in 1988
The personal relationships of Michael Jackson have been the subject of public and media attention for several decades. He was introduced to the topic of sexual activity at age nine while a member of The Jackson 5. He and his brothers would perform at strip clubs, sharing the bill with female strippers and drag queens, and the sexual adventures of his brothers with groupies further affected Jackson's early life. The entertainer said his "first real date" was with the child actress Tatum O'Neal,[1] when he was a teenager in the 1970s; he called her "my first love - after Diana [Ross]."[2] The pair eventually "cooled off" and Jackson entered into a romance with model Brooke Shields in 1981. Although the relationship became largely platonic, Shields said there were times he had asked her to marry him.[3] As they grew older, the two saw each other less.
Having first been introduced to Lisa Marie Presley by her father, Elvis, in 1974, Jackson reconnected with Lisa Marie in November 1992.[4] Shortly after becoming involved with her, in 1993, Jackson was subjected to his first set of child sexual abuse accusations, followed by similar allegations in 2003. Presley supported Jackson as he became dependent on pain medication, and eventually helped convince him to enter drug rehabilitation. In a telephone call, he proposed marriage to Presley. She agreed, and the two wed on May 26, 1994, at a private ceremony in the Dominican Republic. Married life for the couple was difficult, and the union ended in divorce in August 1996. Presley and Jackson continued to date, on and off, for four more years after their divorce.
Throughout his marriage with Presley, Jackson maintained a friendship with Debbie Rowe. She was the assistant of the pop singer's dermatologist and had been treating his appearance-changing disease vitiligo since the mid-1980s. While separated but still married to Presley, Jackson impregnated Rowe, but she suffered a miscarriage and lost their baby in March 1996. Following the ordeal and the finalization of his first divorce, Jackson wed the pregnant Rowe on November 13, 1996, in Sydney, Australia. From the marriage, two of Jackson's three children were produced: son Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson, Jr. (born February 13, 1997) and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson (born April 3, 1998). Jackson and Rowe divorced on October 8, 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson. His third and final child, son Prince Michael Jackson II, was born to an unnamed surrogate mother on February 21, 2002.
In July 2009, it was revealed Jackson's will named Diana Ross as the next-in-line guardian for his children, after his mother, Katherine.[5] In September 2009, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach released a book based on taped conversations he had with Jackson in 2001.[6] It included Jackson's thoughts on personal relationships in general and specific ones. His romantic feelings for two famous friends were widely cited in the media; when asked if he got jealous when his long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor dated other men, he replied, "Yes and no. I know that if we ever did anything romantically the press would be so mean and nasty and call us the Odd Couple. It would turn into a circus and that's the pain of it all."[7][8]


Contents  [hide]
1 Early sexual and emotional experiences 1.1 Strip clubs
1.2 Groupies and prostitutes
2 First relationships 2.1 Tatum O'Neal
2.2 Brooke Shields
3 Lisa Marie Presley 3.1 First meeting and courtship
3.2 Proposal and wedding
3.3 Married life and disagreements
3.4 Primetime and further marriage difficulties
3.5 Divorce
3.6 Aftermath
4 Debbie Rowe 4.1 Background and friendship
4.2 First pregnancy and miscarriage
4.3 Second pregnancy and reaction
4.4 Wedding
4.5 Birth of Prince Michael
4.6 Second pregnancy and birth of Paris
4.7 Divorce
4.8 After divorce
5 Allegations regarding sexuality 5.1 1993 child sexual abuse allegations
5.2 2003 child sexual abuse allegations
5.3 2013 and 2014 child sexual abuse allegations
6 References

Early sexual and emotional experiences[edit]
Strip clubs[edit]

A mature African American man wearing a grey suit, black shirt and light blue tie. His hair is short and he wears a hooped earring in his right ear.

 Jackson's father Joseph had his sons play in strip clubs, despite the boys' strict religion
From a young age, Jackson was exposed to sex. He received mixed messages on the subject from his parents. His mother Katherine was a devout Jehovah's Witness and conveyed her thoughts clearly; lust in thought or deed was sinful outside of marriage, and physical intimacy should be saved for marriage. In contrast to his wife, father Joseph, a steel mill worker, shunned the religion and would have The Jackson 5 perform at strip clubs and seedy bars in the earliest days of their career.[9][10] He allowed nine-year-old Michael to watch from the wings of the stage as male audience members whistled at women who stripped until nude. In one incident, a fascinated Michael watched as an apparently big breasted female removed all but her underwear. The stripper then proceeded to reach into her bra, removing two large oranges and the wig from her head, to reveal that the person he thought was a female was not a woman at all.[9]
While playing at Chicago's Peppermint Lounge, the brothers made use of a peephole in their dressing room, through which they had a clear view of the women's bathroom. They would take turns watching the women and, as Marlon recalled, "learned everything there was to know about ladies".[9] During other residencies, the siblings would perform Joe Tex's "Skinny Legs and All". Joseph Jackson would instruct a young Michael to make his way into the audience, crawl under tables, lift up ladies' skirts and peek at their panties as part of the performance.[9][11] Though embarrassed by the task, Jackson feigned enjoyment as he knew the audience loved the routine.[9]
Following such performances, the Jackson brothers would be tucked in bed by their oblivious mother and reminded of the virtues of being a good Jehovah's Witness. Katherine remained unaware of her sons' strip club activities for many years.[9] Journalist J. Randy Taraborrelli reflected on Jackson's early life and noted that at such a young age, the singer may not have been psychologically equipped to fully understand any sexual stimulation he may have received from such voyeuristic events. The writer further commented that Jackson's views on sex must have been conflicted between those of his religiously strict mother and his more libertine and promiscuous father.[9]
Groupies and prostitutes[edit]
As members of the increasingly successful Jackson 5, Michael's brothers Jermaine and Jackie found fame advantageous. As they toured the country, they had sex with many female fans. Their guide was their father Joseph, who would often organize and arrange sexual encounters for his sons as well as cheat on his wife Katherine with their sons' groupies. The two brothers would bring girls back to a hotel room, where younger siblings Michael and Marlon were instructed to "play sleep".[10][12] One girl, who had sexual relations with Jermaine, recalled such an experience:

"I jumped into bed with him and he climbed on top of me. As he climaxed, he shuddered so loudly I was afraid he would wake up Michael and Marlon, who were sleeping three feet away in the next bed. Or at least I thought they were sleeping. As I was slipping out of the room, I heard Michael say to Jermaine, 'Nice job. Now, can we please get some sleep?'"[12]
While Marlon would correspond with and eventually marry his wife Carol at 18, Michael never had sex with groupies, finding his brothers' behavior toward women disgusting. In addition to not touching groupies, Jackson reportedly never had an interest in having any type of sex as a youngster. In one alleged incident, when he was 15 years old, a male family member arranged for two prostitutes to take his virginity. They were told to "work him over", before being locked in a room with him.[12] Instead Michael picked up a bible and read bible verses to the girls. The girls left in tears.[12][13] James McField, who worked with The Jackson 5, stated that the lead singer of the band often needed someone to talk with. It was at these times that women would be introduced to him for companionship. McField asserted that he never witnessed anything sexual, and that such females were not Jackson's type; "He liked nice girls, pure girls who appeared to have no street background."[12]
Jackson occasionally admonished and advised the groupies and prostitutes sent to pleasure his siblings. One Jackson fan recalled being selected from the audience to meet with Jackie. Backstage, she was handed a scrap of paper with an address to the location in which they were to meet. Michael approached her from behind and warned her that his brothers did not treat women right and that his brother only wanted to use her for sex. Changing the subject, the female fan asked for the pop star's autograph, which request he obliged in addition to writing, "Please, don't go". The woman ignored Michael's request and headed to the Jacksons' apartment complex, where she had sex with Jackie. Afterward, Jackie informed the woman that they would not meet again. Ashamed and upset, the fan left the apartment in tears.[12]
On another occasion, a prostitute was brought to Jackson's room after a concert in Madison Square Garden. There, the pop star interrogated the sex worker, asking why she was a prostitute, whether she wanted to have sex with him, and how much it would cost. The woman responded that she was a prostitute for the money, but that she would have sex with him for free because she wanted him. The prostitute then proceeded to unbutton her blouse, exposing her breasts. Apparently repulsed, Jackson turned his head and begged her to "put them back".[12] The singer suggested that they talk instead, which the prostitute declined to do; she was not there to talk. Instead, she gave Jackson her telephone number, urging him to call her when he wanted to "get off". Jackson acknowledged the prostitute as she left, stating that he would perhaps call her one day, though he never did.[12]
First relationships[edit]
Tatum O'Neal[edit]
One of Jackson's first documented relationships was with the child actress Tatum O'Neal in the 1970s. Their friendship was established by the time O'Neal was 12 and Jackson was 17, and featured in gossip columns for several years after.[14][15] Jackson reflected in 1982 that he and O'Neal had been engaged in a serious relationship, but because both were busy, it had "cooled off" to the point of their remaining just friends.[15]
In the documentary Living With Michael Jackson (2003), Michael alleged that near the beginning of their relationship, the 12-year-old actress tried to seduce the then 17-year-old singer. According to Jackson, the incident happened at her home, where she attempted to unbutton his shirt and talked explicitly about sex. O'Neal's behavior apparently proved too much for Jackson, who became scared and covered his face, before she walked away. When confronted with the allegation, O'Neal claimed to have been "just as shocked as everyone else". She stated that while having respect for Jackson as an artist and a person, he had "a very vivid imagination". The actress described his statements as "inaccurate"; "at 12 years old, there was no way she was capable of being as mature or as sophisticated as he claimed".[16][17] O'Neal released her autobiography A Paper Life in 2004, a year after the Jackson documentary. In the book, she claimed it was Jackson who attempted to make out with her. The actress wrote, "I was just 12 and not at all ready for a real-life encounter[...] Michael, who was sweating profusely, seemed as intimidated as I was. He jumped up nervously and said, 'Uh ... gotta go.'"[18]
But this contradicted O'Neal's own account of the relationship in 1995 in Vibe, where she remembered Jackson as "being so shy" and "one of the nicest, most innocent people I've ever met", and, "Once he came into my bedroom, and he wouldn't even sit on my bed."[14] She described the relationship as "a really wonderful friendship" where they would dance and "talk on the phone all the time."[14] She recalled that he found it funny that she could drive at 12 and he couldn't. And that one time they had a "jam session" at her house where he played the drums and her brother played guitar. She said the relationship ended when she was 12, after he asked her to go to the premiere of The Wiz with him, but her agent disapproved, "maybe because they thought he wasn't a big enough star yet", and she did what she was told because she was a child.[14] While she claimed they never spoke after that,[14] they were actually shown to be together a number of times after this would have happened.[19]
Jackson also spoke about O'Neal in 2001 with Rabbi Shmuley. He described holding hands with her: "I was, like, in heaven. It was the most magical thing. It was better than kissing her, it was better than anything."[6] He recalled one of the times they held hands:

I remember we went to this club, and I don't go to clubs, which was called the Roxy. And I was watching the band, I was sitting there, and underneath the table, she was holding my hand, and I was, like melting. [Rabbi Shmuley: She held your hand and you felt love?] Fireworks going off.[6] It was all I needed. But that means nothing to kids today. She grew up too fast. She wasn't into innocence, and I love that.[20]
And similar to what he told Bashir, he said, "...she was 13. And I was naive. She wanted to do everything and I didn't want to have sex at all."[20][21]
Brooke Shields[edit]
Jackson met 15-year-old actress/model Brooke Shields in 1981, at the Academy Awards.[6][22] From there, the pair enjoyed a close relationship. Speaking in 2009, she reflected that they were close because sex was never an issue for them.[23] Although the headlines in the media referred to Shields' talking about an "asexual Jackson" after his death, what she actually said was, “As he grew older and the more he started to change physically, the more asexual he became to me.”[3] She also said that as she grew up and started having boyfriends, she would confide in him about her intimate experiences, as he was curious. She said, "he was like a little kid who talked about the bases - what first base was, what second base was" - and his curiosity was understandable given his guarded life.[3]
In 2001, Jackson told Rabbi Shmuley: Shields was "one of the loves of my life. I just wished she loved me as much as I loved her", and, they "dated a lot."[6] Before meeting her, he said that he had pictures of her all over his room. He recalled his happiness when they first met. He was at the Academy Awards with Diana Ross, and Shields walked up and introduced herself; then at the after-party she asked him to dance with her. They exchanged numbers, and he "was up all night, singing, spinning around my room, just so happy."[6] He also said, “We had one encounter when she got real intimate and I chickened out. And I shouldn’t have.”[24]
In Moonwalk (1988), Jackson said his relationship with Shields was "romantically serious for a while."[2] Shields said that while never formally proposing, he would speak about the two marrying and raising adoptive children together. The suggestions were met with disapproval from Shields, who felt such a move would have "divided [her] life too much".[25][26] She recalled: "There were times when he would ask me to marry him, and I would say, 'You have me for the rest of your life, you don’t need to marry me, I’m going to go on...have my own marriage and my own kids, and you’ll always have me.' I think it made him relax. He didn’t want to lose things that meant something to him."[3]
As the couple's separate lives diverged, the two gradually saw each other less.[26] At the time of Jackson's death in 2009, the pair had not seen each other for 16 years. Shields claimed that in the singer's last years "it was harder to get the right number to get through to him".[26] In July 2009, she spoke at the Michael Jackson memorial service, reminiscing about their time together:[27][28]

"Thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together and whenever we were out together, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like 'an odd couple' or 'an unlikely pair,' but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.... Michael always knew he could count on me to support him or be his date and that we would have fun no matter where we were. We had a bond.... Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun."[27][28]
In a June 30, 2009 interview, Ola Ray also said that she and Jackson "would play like little kids" when working on the Thriller video (1983), as she recalled how he was clearly "into Brooke Shields" and kept on teasing her about Shields' visiting the set.[29]
Lisa Marie Presley[edit]
First meeting and courtship[edit]

A woman in a black T-shirt holds her left hand on her hip, while leaning against a chest-height surface with her right elbow. She is wearing blue headphones and looks towards her right.

 Lisa Marie Presley was introduced to Jackson by her father Elvis
In 1974, a 16-year-old Michael Jackson—who would later be dubbed "The King of Pop"—was introduced for the first time to his future wife at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Paradise, Nevada by her father, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", Elvis Presley. Lisa Marie was six at the time, and had been brought to the hotel to watch a show by The Jackson 5, of whom she was a big fan. The young girl was particularly fascinated by lead singer Michael Jackson and his talent at dancing.[30]
According to a friend of Presley's, "their adult friendship began in November 1992 in L.A."[4] They met at a private dinner held at the home of their mutual friend the artist Brett-Livingstone Strong. Knowing that Presley had been looking for help within the music industry, Strong had her play tapes for Jackson, who was impressed with the female singer's voice. The pair talked for the remainder of the night, until it was time for Jackson to leave. At this point, according to Strong, the entertainer gave Presley, who was still married at the time, a penetrating look and said in a conspiratorial voice, "You and me, we could get into a lot of trouble. Think about that, girl."[30]
In the days following this interaction, Presley and Jackson spoke on the telephone almost every day, forging a strong friendship. The two came to realize they had much in common: both had been protected and sheltered from the real world, both felt they had missed out on a normal childhood, both were mistrustful of outsiders having spent most of their lives feeling exploited by them, and both had problems with the media. Presley was raised in Graceland, while Jackson lived at Neverland.
In 1993, he became the subject of child sexual abuse accusations and the female singer, along with a few others, was there for emotional support. Michael would call Presley from overseas as he embarked upon the second leg of the Dangerous World Tour and the child abuse investigation intensified. During such telephone conversations, the female star attempted to reverse Jackson's sadness with humour and advice. Presley later recalled that she believed in the musician's innocence and that she could "save him".[30] Fueled by her past addictions and her father's death, Presley supported Jackson as he became addicted on painkillers, urging him to settle the allegations out of court and go into rehabilitation. He subsequently did both.[30]
Proposal and wedding[edit]
It was during one of Jackson's calls to Presley that he proposed marriage. "If I asked you to marry me, would you do it?", the singer queried.[30] Though still married to actor Danny Keough, whom she had wed in 1988 and had two children with, Presley replied that she would. After a pause, Jackson exclaimed that he had to use the bathroom. Having apparently relieved himself, the singer explained to his new fiancee that his love for her was genuine and she had to believe him.[30] In 2010, Presley acknowledged to Oprah Winfrey that Jackson did formally propose one day in the library, taking out a 10 carat diamond ring and getting down on his knees.[31]
Following several months engaged, Jackson and Presley wed on May 26, 1994, at a ceremony in the Dominican Republic.[32][33] Presley had divorced Keough only 20 days before. The 15-minute ceremony was held by Judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Perez at his home in the La Vega Province. The union was conducted in Spanish and translated for Presley and Jackson by an attorney. Eva Darling, Presley's friend, served as a witness along with Thomas Keough, her ex-husband's brother.[32][33] At the time of their marriage, the press and public were unaware that the two even knew each other. The wedding was kept secret from them, Jackson's family, and Presley's mother Priscilla. However, Gotham Chopra recalled that Jackson called him "in a panic" on his wedding night and asked if he had any "sex advice", wanting "to make sure that Lisa was impressed with his 'moves.'"[34]
Upon being informed of her daughter's marriage with Jackson a week later, Priscilla became irritated; she believed the male pop singer was using her child to rehabilitate his image following the child abuse accusations.[32] To the press, however, Priscilla stated that she was "very supportive of Lisa Marie and everything she does".[35]
The union was met with a mixed reaction from the media when it was made public two months later. Some sources described the union of "The King of Pop" and "The Princess of Rock 'n' Roll" as being "The Marriage of the Century".[36] One newspaper headline scoffed, "Jackson-Presley Union Sparks Shock, Doubt, Laughs."[35] Addressing both the media and public, the new Mrs. Presley-Jackson issued a statement:

"My married name is Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael Jackson took place in a private ceremony outside the United States (11) weeks ago. It was not formally announced until now for several reasons; foremost being that we are both very private people living in the glare of the public media. We both wanted a private marriage ceremony without the distraction of a media circus. I am very much in love with Michael, I dedicate my life to being his wife. I understand and support him. We both look forward to raising a family and living happy, healthy lives together. We hope friends and fans will understand and respect our privacy."[37]
Married life and disagreements[edit]
For the next year of their married life, the newly wedded couple divided their time between Jackson's 2,700-acre (11 km2) Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez, California and Presley's 1-acre (4,000 m2) estate, 100 miles (160 km) away in Hidden Hills. Defying the initial thoughts of some of the public, Presley did not move into Jackson's home upon getting married. According to J. Randy Taraborrelli, this was due to her wanting to remain independent, as well as Presley's children (Danielle and Benjamin) finding their new stepfather "a little strange".[38]
The pair's first appeared together on television at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, in what has been described as a "memorable moment". Holding hands, the couple walked onto the stage in New York. In front of a television audience of 250 million, Jackson announced, "Just think, nobody thought this would last", before embracing Presley in a kiss.[39] Afterward, Presley became angered at her husband, feeling he had used her. The male pop singer reasoned that the liplock, which was dubbed "The Kiss of the Century", would be talked about for decades, with people playing the clip over and over.[36][39] Jackson's attempts at placating his wife proved futile; she told the singer not to "fucking even come near me" and remained angry for several days.[39]
In the same week, Jackson and Presley had another argument. Newspaper reports had been suggesting that if Elvis were alive, he would not approve of his daughter's marriage. Annoyed, Jackson reportedly suggested that the couple could find out by holding a séance to contact the deceased "King of Rock 'n' Roll".[39] During the session they would ask his opinion of the union. Presley felt the idea was tasteless and, upon Jackson's continuing to push the idea, warned, "If you stay on this particular road, they're gonna need a medium to contact you in the Great Beyond, because I'm about to put you there, right now."[39] The two supposedly never spoke of the incident again.[39]
Primetime and further marriage difficulties[edit]
Jackson and Presley appeared on the television show Primetime in June 1995.[39] In Jackson's first interview since 1993 and Presley's first ever, Diane Sawyer quizzed the pair on their private life with, according to Jet, a series of "insensitive" questions.[39][40] Presley boasted that she and Jackson had regular sex, following Sawyer's questioning their sex life.[41][42] When asked if the marriage were a sham, Presley asserted that such rumors were "crap"; the singer claimed that she would never marry someone for any other reason than being in love with him.[39] She concluded that if the public thought differently, they could "eat it".[39] The following day, Presley reflected that the interview had been a disaster; she had hoped the couple would be perceived as being serious, yet Jackson fooled around during the show, at one point holding two fingers behind his wife's head to make bunny ears. Presley's friend Monica Pastelle revealed that it was at this point that the female singer began to wonder whether she had made a mistake in choosing Jackson as a long-term partner.[39]
A further problem for the pair was Jackson's insistence on being around children. Though she never believed he was a pedophile—"I wouldn't have let him near my kids if I thought that"—she felt her husband was only opening himself up to more rumor and innuendo following the 1993 allegations.[43] One evening at Neverland, Presley confronted the pop star on the issue and was met with a defiant Jackson, resulting in another argument. Upon being called selfish, the male musician pointed to his humanitarian endeavors. Presley countered that his philanthropy was irrelevant, that the issue was about them.[43][44]
Presley also disagreed with having children with the singer. Imagining the future and what would happen if the marriage ended, Presley saw a "custody battle nightmare".[45] In addition, she felt her husband was too emotionally immature to be a parent, having watched his daily interactions with other people; she believed he was the one in need of parenting. Jackson explained to his wife over breakfast one morning that she did not have to be the biological mother if she so desired. He explained, "My friend Debbie [Rowe] said she will get pregnant and have my baby. If you won't do it, then she will. How about that?"[45] Unmoved, Presley replied that it was fine by her.[45]
Following several more troubled months, Jackson ended up in the hospital; he had collapsed while rehearsing for a concert in New York. Presley arrived to meet her ill husband, and yet another heated debate ensued. The argument ended after Jackson warned her that she was making his heart rate go up and asked her to leave. She obliged, and was admonished by a doctor and Jackson's mother Katherine along the way.[46] Presley subsequently returned to Los Angeles. Upon being discharged from hospital, Jackson went to Disneyland Paris to recover. Defying his wife, the singer had at least six children accompany him.[46]
Divorce[edit]
Presley filed for divorce in early 1996, citing "irreconcilable differences" and noting their date of separation as December 10, 1995, shortly after the incident in the hospital.[46][47] The divorce was finalized on August 20, 1996. As part of the settlement, the female singer received 10% of the royalties from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, which album contained the song "You Are Not Alone", whose music video featured a semi-nude Presley and Jackson frolicking against an ethereal backdrop.[48][49] As she did not sign a confidentiality agreement, a further clause stated that Presley could write a tell-all book about her time with Jackson. At the time, "The Princess of Rock 'n' Roll" revealed that she had no wish to write a memoir; the singer still had respect for Jackson and did not want to speak critically of him. Presley also wanted to preserve her own dignity and keep their life together private.[48]



It's easy to be skeptical of Michael's relationship with her, but doing so risks ignoring his obvious humanity. Despite the plastic surgeries and maddening friendships with boys, and all the rest of the eccentric behavior that goes into making Michael Jackson such a strange individual, he is still a human being with emotions, feelings and a beating heart - and, somehow, Lisa Marie Presley was the one to truly touch it, to truly affect him.
J. Randy Taraborrelli, The Magic and the Madness (2004)[48]
The divorce proved difficult for Jackson, who spent several weeks lamenting his loss. Presley was the first person with whom he had connected on such a high level. She had supported him as he faced allegations and became dependent on pain medication. It was also the first time that the pop singer had had a sexual chemistry with another.[48] Presley was able to make him open up and express himself through their physically intimate moments together. At the time, Jackson was afraid there would never be another who made him feel the way his ex-wife had. He eventually realized he had to move on; he had a world tour coming up and music to work on. Jackson also knew that Presley would never make him a father, which he longed to be.[48]
Aftermath[edit]
Presley was seen with Jackson in various cities during HIStory World Tour in 1997; notably at various functions in South Africa[50][51] and in London, holding hands backstage[52] and around the city.[53] In February 1998, they were photographed in an intimate moment together outside a Beverly Hills restaurant on Presley's birthday.[54]
In a 2010 Oprah interview, Presley admitted that they spent four years after the divorce "getting back together and breaking up", until she felt she "had to push it away."[31] She described the parallels between the lives of Jackson and her father Elvis, and said Jackson constantly asked her about the details of Elvis' death because he felt that he was "going to end up the same way."[31] She had described such a conversation in a blog post the day after Jackson died, wherein she shared her feelings about his death. According to Presley, the last "coherently good conversation" she had with Jackson was in 2005.[31] She said Jackson told her she had been right about certain people around him, whom she called "vampires."[31] She replied that she was indifferent when he asked if she still loved him.[31] But Presley also said his death made her realize he loved her. She acknowledged his efforts in the relationship, saying, "He honestly tried so hard and went through so much with me", but "I didn’t appreciate it then and I wish I did."[31] At the end of the conversation, he reportedly told her "he felt that someone was going to try to kill him to get a hold of his catalog and his estate" and named some names she didn't want to say in the interview.[31]
Debbie Rowe[edit]
Background and friendship[edit]
Debbie Rowe met Michael Jackson in the mid-1980s, while working as an assistant for the pop star's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein. Rowe treated Jackson's vitiligo, which he had been diagnosed with in 1986 and which would affect his physical appearance for the remainder of his life.[55][56] Rowe supported Jackson, providing answers to the questions Jackson asked about his medical condition. The pair became good friends; the pop star frequently sent autographed merchandise to the woman, who hung it on the walls of her office. According to Rowe's friend Tanya Boyd, the dermatologist's assistant would obsess over Jackson, gushing over him and his traits. She would say to her friend, "If people knew him like I knew him, they would not think he was strange. He's unique, kinky, actually."[56]
The Jackson-Rowe friendship would last for several years, during which time the female assistant married and divorced Richard Edelman, a man she claimed to have felt trapped by. Rowe and the musician would both talk to each other about their unhappy marriages; his with Presley and hers with Edelman, a teacher at Hollywood High School. Like Jackson's first wife, Rowe supported the entertainer when he was accused of child sexual abuse. Jackson kept his friendship with Rowe a secret from his wife, who eventually found out but thought nothing of it; she felt the dermatologist's assistant was not her husband's type because she was not glamorous enough.[56]
First pregnancy and miscarriage[edit]
As Presley had refused to carry Jackson's children, Rowe offered to give birth to a child for the pop singer. Shortly after Presley and Jackson's separation, Rowe became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage in March 1996. The event devastated the woman, who feared she would never be able to have a baby. Jackson comforted and consoled Rowe throughout the ordeal, which remained hidden from the media and public.[46][48]
Second pregnancy and reaction[edit]
Jackson embarked on the first leg of his HIStory World Tour on September 1996. One month into the tour and several months after his divorce from Presley, Jackson's personal life made headlines as it was revealed that Debbie Rowe was pregnant with his child. One tabloid newspaper, the News of the World, told the story under the headline "I'm Having Michael's Baby". Rowe reacted furiously to the publication, labeling the editorial staff "bastards" and complaining that they reported the story as if she and Jackson were freaks. J. Randy Taraborrelli later noted that the article, which had been put together from a secret tape recording between Rowe and a friend, had been fairly accurate. It detailed that Jackson was the father of the baby and that he would be raising the child alone. It also stated that Jackson impregnated Rowe artificially with his own sperm cells, a "foolproof" method of insemination. Further reports alleged that the relationship was an "economic" one; she was in it for the money and he sought a baby.[48][57]
In a statement, Jackson condemned the accusations of being in an economic relationship and using artificial insemination as "completely false and irresponsible". Despite the denials, it was noted that Rowe had received millions of dollars from Jackson as "gifts" over the years. Among court papers filed against Jackson in 2002 by business manager Myung Ho Lee, a monthly budget for Jackson was detailed and included a $1.5 million payment to Rowe. The pop musician later bought the woman a $1.3 million home in 1997; he and Rowe never lived together.[57]
When the news of Rowe's pregnancy broke to Jackson's mother Katherine, the Jackson family matriarch urged her son to wed the mother of his unborn child. Katherine did not want her son to be like his father, who had produced an illegitimate child with a woman while married to Michael's mother. Katherine first spoke on the telephone to Rowe about the sanctity of marriage and about the Jehovah's Witness faith. She later spoke to Jackson, telling him to marry "that nice girl, Debbie" and "give your child a name, not like your poor, half-sister, Joh'Vonnie". The words resonated with the musician, who did not want to repeat his father's sins.[58]
Prior to Katherine's words, the view had been for Rowe to act as a surrogate mother; she would give the baby to Jackson as a friendly favor and he would raise it. Jackson intended to issue a statement following the birth that the identity of the mother was a secret, in the same way that the identities of many surrogates are protected. Katherine's involvement, however, influenced Jackson to call Rowe and ask her to meet him in Australia, where he was staying, as soon as she could. There, the entertainer announced his plans for them to wed the next day.[58]
Wedding[edit]

A man stands to the left of a woman who is smiling. He wears a black military jacket, under which is a white T-shirt. Atop his head is a black fedora. His left hand holds the right of the woman's. Both hands are pressed against the stomach of the woman, who is dressed in black.

 Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe on their wedding day
Jackson and Rowe wed on November 13, 1996, at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia. The night before the wedding, Jackson had called Presley, who gave him and Rowe her blessing. In front of 15 friends, the pair exchanged vows at the hotel in Australia's largest city. An 8-year-old boy named Anthony, whom Jackson stated was his nephew, served as the best man during the ceremony. For the occasion, Jackson had put special effort into his appearance.[58][59] J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote in his book Michael Jackson - The Magic and the Madness:

"Michael had on a creamy foundation and transparent powder that made his face almost stark white. He had extra eyeliner on his lids, emphasizing their almond shape; his eyes stood out like dark coals. He highlighted his nose and cheekbones with bronze tones. His eyebrows were tweezed and darkened. He had on a black hat and one long curl framing each side of his face. Also, he appeared to have fake sideburns. The total effect was nothing short of jaw-dropping, in that Disneyland sort of way."[58]
Media and public reaction to the marriage was negative and cynical. Some commentators believed Jackson was marrying a person he did not love, and Rowe was having a baby who may or may not have been biologically Jackson's. The Daily Mirror, a British tabloid newspaper, published a photograph of Rowe on the balcony of an Australian hotel. In it, she is seen holding her head in her hands. One Jackson biographer stated that the woman's dismayed and exasperated pose was most probably due to the excessive presence of paparazzi below. The Daily Mirror, however, ran the photograph while mockingly proclaiming, "Oh, God! I've Just Married Michael Jackson."[59]
Birth of Prince Michael[edit]
Jackson and Rowe's first child together, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as "Prince Michael"), was born on February 13, 1997, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[60][61] The baby was named after Michael's grandfather and great-grandfather, who were both called Prince.[59][62] After Rowe and Jackson cut the baby's umbilical cord together, Prince was taken to intensive care, where he spent five hours with only minor problems. He was subsequently taken by his father to Neverland Ranch. Prince's mother recuperated at a friend's house upon her release from the hospital.[59]
Six weeks after the birth, Rowe saw her son for the first time since his arrival into the world. She had met with Jackson to pose for photographs with their newborn son at a hotel. Upon arriving, Rowe was ushered into the hotel room, where she was given the infant to hold and told to smile for the camera with Michael. Afterward, she was sent on her way. Rowe did not want to become too attached to Prince, as she felt it would make her situation harder to deal with.[59] At Neverland, Prince was cared for by a team of six nannies and six nurses during his first few months. According to one nanny who worked at the Californian ranch, Prince Michael's mother was not a significant presence in the child's early life. "I saw her maybe three times and she seemed very sullen."[63]
Second pregnancy and birth of Paris[edit]
Rowe announced that she was pregnant with Jackson's second child in November 1997.[64] The baby was to be a girl and named Paris, after the French city in which her parents said she was conceived. On April 3, 1998, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson was born. Her middle names come from her father and grandmother.[64][65] Jackson later claimed that he was so anxious following the birth of his daughter, that he "snatched" her and ran straight home "with all the placenta and everything all over her". Rowe later confirmed that Jackson had the placenta frozen.[66] Following the birth, Jackson's associates contacted Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome, in the hope that the Pontiff would personally baptize the pop star's daughter. An official for the Pope informed Jackson by letter that the leader of the Catholic Church would not participate in what may be perceived as a publicity stunt.[64]
Divorce[edit]
Feeling uncomfortable with their arrangement, Rowe asked Jackson for a divorce, which he granted on October 8, 1999. Rowe received around $10 million in a settlement, which started with an immediate payment of $1.5 million.[64] With the divorce, Rowe gave Jackson full custody rights to their children.[67] At the time, both Rowe and Jackson requested privacy and asked the public not to speculate on the reasons for their divorce. They concluded that despite coming to the end of married life, they would continue to remain friends.[68]
After divorce[edit]

A man in public is dressed in black. He is surrounded by an entourage and members of the public, some of whom are holding cameras. He walks behind three young children, all of whom are wearing facial masks.

 Michael Jackson with his three children in 2006. The eldest two were borne by Debbie Rowe.
Following the divorce, Jackson would go on to have a third child. Prince Michael II was born on February 21, 2002, to an unnamed surrogate mother. Rowe denied being the biological mother of Prince Michael II, who is nicknamed "Blanket". Jackson stated that the baby was produced through artificial insemination using his own sperm cells. He further claimed that he did not know the mother, and she did not know him. The pop star added that in asking for a surrogate mother, he did not care what race she was. It did, however, matter to him that she was intelligent, healthy, and had uncorrected eyesight.[64]
In the television documentary, The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See, a rebuttal video to Martin Bashir's Living with Michael Jackson (2003) interview, Rowe attempted to explain her relationship with Jackson and their two children:[69]

"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. People make remarks, 'I can't believe she left her children.' Left them? I left my children? I did not leave my children. My children are with their father, where they are supposed to be. I didn't do it to be a mother... If he called me tonight and said let's have five more [children], I'd do it in a heartbeat."[69]
In 2006, Rowe legally applied for her access to her two children to be reinstated and subsequently reached an agreement with Jackson. Following the singer's death in 2009, his mother Katherine was made the permanent guardian of Prince Michael, Paris, and their half-brother Prince Michael II. In addition, a new custody arrangement was made with Rowe, who has visitation rights with her two children and will continue to receive spousal support payments.[67]
Questions have frequently arisen as to whether Jackson was the biological father of his three children. Doubts first surfaced after it was reported that his son, Prince, had "white skin".[70] Jackson insisted in 2003 that the children were biologically his.[71]
Allegations regarding sexuality[edit]
Further information: 1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson and People v. Jackson
Despite his relationships with women, Jackson's sexuality was the subject of speculation and controversy for decades. The pop singer faced allegations of being gay since he was a teenager, as well as later being labelled asexual.[72][73] One 1970s newspaper story alleged that the then 19-year-old singer was to have a sex change operation and marry the songwriter Clifton Davis. Jackson found out about the story from a crying fan. The musician reassured the girl that the tale was untrue and condemned it as a "stupid rumor".[72][74] The story circulated for many months, during which time Jackson became upset; he was raised in a family where homosexuality was considered sinful. Jackson would continue to deny being gay throughout his life. In a 1979 interview, the pop star stated that he was not gay and that he would not "have a nervous breakdown because people think I like having sex with men".[72] He added that if he let the rumor affect him, it would make him cheap and make it sound as if he was prejudice against gay people. He expressed that many of his fans may be gay, and that he did not mind that. "That's their life and this is mine."[72]
1993 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
In 1993, Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by Evan Chandler, on behalf of his then-13-year-old child, Jordan Chandler. To the father's disapproval and concern, his son had become friends with the musician in May 1992. Allegedly under the influence of a controversial sedative administered by Evan Chandler, a dentist, his son said that Jackson had touched his penis.[75] Evan Chandler was tape-recorded threatening to damage the singer's music career, and engaged Jackson in unsuccessful negotiations to resolve the issue with a financial settlement.[76][77] Jordan Chandler then told a psychiatrist and later police that he and Jackson had engaged in acts of kissing, masturbation and oral sex.[77][78] Jackson settled a civil suit out of court with the Chandler family and their legal team for $22,000,000 in January 1994. After Jordan Chandler refused to testify in the criminal proceedings, the state closed its criminal investigation citing lack of evidence, and Jackson was not charged with a crime. After Jackson's death, Evan Chandler committed suicide.[79]
2003 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
Further accusations of child sexual abuse were made in 2003, by 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.[80] The allegations came after Jackson and the boy appeared in the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, in which the entertainer stated that he shared his bed with children in a non-sexual fashion.[81][82] The musician was subsequently indicted on four counts of molesting a minor, four counts of intoxicating a minor, one count of abduction, and one count of conspiring to hold the boy and his family captive at Neverland Ranch.[83] During the five-month trial, Jackson faced allegations of child molestation and assertions that he had attempted to abduct the Arvizo family in a hot air balloon.[84] He denied all the charges and family members proclaimed that he was the victim of an extortion attempt.[85] One friend, Firpo Carr, expressed amazement at the allegations leveled against the singer, who at the time was living at Neverland Ranch. "I'm surprised they haven't accused him of bestiality because he also has a zoo there. I mean, it gets ridiculous after a while."[86] On June 13, 2005, the jury found Jackson not guilty on all charges.[87]
2013 and 2014 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
In May 2013, choreographer Wade Robson filed a civil lawsuit against Jackson's estate for child sexual abuse. The date for the hearing which would determine whether or not Robson could sue Jackson's estate was scheduled for June 2, 2014.[88]
Robson met Jackson when he was 5 years old. In 2005, he had testified in Jackson's defense during his child molestation trial. At that trial, Jackson's former housekeeper Blanca Francia had testified that she had witnessed Robson showering with Jackson when Robson was 8 or 9 years old.[89]
However, in his 2013 filing, Robson claimed that by the time he was 7 years old, he was regularly having sleepovers at Jackson's Neverland Ranch and Jackson's homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, which lasted until he was 14, and that Jackson sexually abused him throughout the 7-year period. Blanca Francia agreed to testify on Robson's behalf in the case.[90] The attorney for Jackson's estate described Robson's claim as "outrageous and pathetic".[91]
In May 2014, a second man, Jimmy Safechuck, filed a lawsuit against the Jackson estate alleging that Jackson had sexually abused him between the ages of "10 to about 15".[92] Jackson had met Safechuck in 1987 and Safechuck, then 10, was featured in the commercial of Jackson's Pepsi ad advertising his upcoming Bad World Tour at the time.
A molestation lawsuit filed against the Michael Jackson estate by choreographer Wade Robson was dismissed May 26, 2015 by a Los Angeles judge who ruled that Robson waited too long to seek legal action. Robson, who previously testified under oath that Jackson never molested him during the singer's criminal trial in 2005, later sued the Jackson estate in May 2013, claiming Jackson molested him during a seven-year stretch that began in 1990 when Robson was seven. The Jackson estate had denied Robson's allegations. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff wrote in his decision that Robson could file a lawsuit "only for a reasonable time period after any violence, intimidation or threatening conduct by the decedent ceases." The alleged molestation occurred between 1990 and 1997; Robson waited 16 years before taking legal action. In those 16 years, Robson was one of Jackson's staunchest supporters when the singer faced criminal molestation charges, even when other trial witnesses testified that they saw Jackson molest Robson.[93]
"Mr. Robson testified under oath in a courtroom that Michael never did anything improper with him," Attorney Howard Weitzman, who represents Jackson's estate, told My News LA. "The estate believes his testimony was honest when his sole motivation was 'to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'"[94]
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35.^ Jump up to: a b Johnson, Robert E. (August 22, 1994). Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie presley 'look forward to raising a family and living happy...'. Ebony. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
36.^ Jump up to: a b Jones, p. 12
37.Jump up ^ Johnson, Robert E. (October 1994). Michael tells 'where I met Lisa Marie and how I proposed'. Ebony. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
38.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 558
39.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Taraborrelli, pp. 560–565
40.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley reveal intimate side as lovers, parents and best friends. Jet. July 3, 1995. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
41.Jump up ^ Roeper, Richard (January 29, 1996). "Split decision? Say it ain't so!". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
42.Jump up ^ "The shame old story". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 31, 1995. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
43.^ Jump up to: a b Taraborrelli, pp. 566–567
44.Jump up ^ Breznican, Anthony (June 30, 2009). "The many faces of Michael Jackson". USA Today. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
45.^ Jump up to: a b c Taraborrelli, pp. 574–575
46.^ Jump up to: a b c d Taraborrelli, pp. 576–579
47.Jump up ^ Citing irreconcilable differences, Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from Michael Jackson. Jet. February 5, 1996. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
48.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Taraborrelli, pp. 580–581
49.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 609
50.Jump up ^ "Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson at a private function in Sun City, South Africa.". Contact Music. 1997-11-10. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
51.Jump up ^ "Michael & Lisa Marie @ South African Ceremony 1997" (YOUTUBE VIDEO). Associated Press. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
52.Jump up ^ "Backstage on Michael Jacksons History Tour - London 1997" (YOUTUBE VIDEO). Entertainment Tonight. Presley appears at 0:44. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
53.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley in London (1997)" (YOUTUBE VIDEO). German news show. 0:53-arrival at Carlton hotel, 1:36-shopping trip to Hamley's. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
54.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley share an intimate moment outside the Ivy Restaurant". Getty Images. 1998-02-07. Retrieved 2011-01-16.[dead link]
55.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 521
56.^ Jump up to: a b c Taraborrelli, pp. 570–573
57.^ Jump up to: a b Taraborrelli, pp. 582–584
58.^ Jump up to: a b c d Taraborrelli, pp. 585–587
59.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Taraborrelli, pp. 588–590
60.Jump up ^ Grant, p. 193
61.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife become parents of baby boy. Jet. March 3, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
62.Jump up ^ Pinkerton, p. 47
63.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 591
64.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Taraborrelli, pp. 597–600
65.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife, Debbie Rowe, expecting second child, a daughter. Jet. December 22, 1997. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
66.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 603
67.^ Jump up to: a b "Jackson's mother granted custody". BBC News. August 4, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
68.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife, Debbie Rowe, agree to divorce in LA. Jet. October 25, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
69.^ Jump up to: a b Taraborrelli, pp. 607–608
70.Jump up ^ "Why do Jacko's kids have white skin?". The Palm Beach Post. February 15, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
71.Jump up ^ Westby, Matt (June 26, 2009). "Michael Jackson: star's family offer to take in children". London: The Times. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
72.^ Jump up to: a b c d Taraborrelli, pp. 156–158
73.Jump up ^ "Show misled 'sad little boy' Michael Jackson". USA Today. February 11, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
74.Jump up ^ Michael denies sex change; says he is not gay and did not swim nude with Tatum O'Neal. Jet. September 22, 1977. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
75.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 485–486
76.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 477–478
77.^ Jump up to: a b Campbell, p. 53
78.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 496–498
79.Jump up ^ Daily News (New York) http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/evan-chandler-dad-boy-accused-michael-jackson-molestation-commits-suicide-new-jersey-article-1.417751. Missing or empty |title= (help)
80.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson cleared of child abuse". London: The Daily Telegraph. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
81.Jump up ^ Sullivan, James (February 5, 2003). "The never-ending thriller". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
82.Jump up ^ "First star witness at Jackson trial". Melbourne: The Age. March 2, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
83.Jump up ^ "Charges against Michael Jackson". BBC News. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
84.Jump up ^ Gumbel, Andrew (June 14, 2005). "How a TV show triggered the Jackson case". London: The Independent. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
85.Jump up ^ Bauder, David (December 28, 2003). "Jacko: I'd slit my wrists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
86.Jump up ^ Morales, Tatiana (December 5, 2003). "Is Jackson Case Getting Cold?". CBS News. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
87.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson jury reaches verdict". London. Associated Press. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
88.Jump up ^ "D-Day For Michael Jackson Molestation Accuser: Trial Scheduled To Determine If Wade Robson Can Sue Estate". Radar Online. 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
89.Jump up ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2005-04-05). "Witness Says She Saw Jackson Showering With Wade Robson - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
90.Jump up ^ "Maid who claims she saw Michael Jackson shower with Wade Robson when he was EIGHT 'asked to testify at choreographer's new lawsuit' | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
91.Jump up ^ "Wade Robson Accuses Michael Jackson of Molestation". ETonline.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
92.Jump up ^ Dimond, Diane. "Exclusive: Michael Jackson Hit With New Sex Abuse Claim". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
93.Jump up ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-molestation-lawsuit-dismissed-20150528
94.Jump up ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/michael-jackson-estate-sees-molestation-suit-tossed-article-1.2238109
Bibliography
Boteach, Shmuley (2009). The Michael Jackson Tapes. Vanguard Press. ISBN 1-59315-602-2.
Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8.
Jackson, Michael (2009) [First published 1988]. Moonwalk. Random House. ISBN 0-307-71698-8.
Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture--The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interviews: An Anthology. Amber Communications Group, Inc. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness. Pan Books. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
Toms, Carl (2010). Michael Jackson's Dangerous Liaisons. Matador. ISBN 978-1-84876-340-1.


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Personal relationships of Michael Jackson

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A man in a red shirt smiling toward the camera. Atop his head is a blue baseball cap.

 Michael Jackson in 1988
The personal relationships of Michael Jackson have been the subject of public and media attention for several decades. He was introduced to the topic of sexual activity at age nine while a member of The Jackson 5. He and his brothers would perform at strip clubs, sharing the bill with female strippers and drag queens, and the sexual adventures of his brothers with groupies further affected Jackson's early life. The entertainer said his "first real date" was with the child actress Tatum O'Neal,[1] when he was a teenager in the 1970s; he called her "my first love - after Diana [Ross]."[2] The pair eventually "cooled off" and Jackson entered into a romance with model Brooke Shields in 1981. Although the relationship became largely platonic, Shields said there were times he had asked her to marry him.[3] As they grew older, the two saw each other less.
Having first been introduced to Lisa Marie Presley by her father, Elvis, in 1974, Jackson reconnected with Lisa Marie in November 1992.[4] Shortly after becoming involved with her, in 1993, Jackson was subjected to his first set of child sexual abuse accusations, followed by similar allegations in 2003. Presley supported Jackson as he became dependent on pain medication, and eventually helped convince him to enter drug rehabilitation. In a telephone call, he proposed marriage to Presley. She agreed, and the two wed on May 26, 1994, at a private ceremony in the Dominican Republic. Married life for the couple was difficult, and the union ended in divorce in August 1996. Presley and Jackson continued to date, on and off, for four more years after their divorce.
Throughout his marriage with Presley, Jackson maintained a friendship with Debbie Rowe. She was the assistant of the pop singer's dermatologist and had been treating his appearance-changing disease vitiligo since the mid-1980s. While separated but still married to Presley, Jackson impregnated Rowe, but she suffered a miscarriage and lost their baby in March 1996. Following the ordeal and the finalization of his first divorce, Jackson wed the pregnant Rowe on November 13, 1996, in Sydney, Australia. From the marriage, two of Jackson's three children were produced: son Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson, Jr. (born February 13, 1997) and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson (born April 3, 1998). Jackson and Rowe divorced on October 8, 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson. His third and final child, son Prince Michael Jackson II, was born to an unnamed surrogate mother on February 21, 2002.
In July 2009, it was revealed Jackson's will named Diana Ross as the next-in-line guardian for his children, after his mother, Katherine.[5] In September 2009, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach released a book based on taped conversations he had with Jackson in 2001.[6] It included Jackson's thoughts on personal relationships in general and specific ones. His romantic feelings for two famous friends were widely cited in the media; when asked if he got jealous when his long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor dated other men, he replied, "Yes and no. I know that if we ever did anything romantically the press would be so mean and nasty and call us the Odd Couple. It would turn into a circus and that's the pain of it all."[7][8]


Contents  [hide]
1 Early sexual and emotional experiences 1.1 Strip clubs
1.2 Groupies and prostitutes
2 First relationships 2.1 Tatum O'Neal
2.2 Brooke Shields
3 Lisa Marie Presley 3.1 First meeting and courtship
3.2 Proposal and wedding
3.3 Married life and disagreements
3.4 Primetime and further marriage difficulties
3.5 Divorce
3.6 Aftermath
4 Debbie Rowe 4.1 Background and friendship
4.2 First pregnancy and miscarriage
4.3 Second pregnancy and reaction
4.4 Wedding
4.5 Birth of Prince Michael
4.6 Second pregnancy and birth of Paris
4.7 Divorce
4.8 After divorce
5 Allegations regarding sexuality 5.1 1993 child sexual abuse allegations
5.2 2003 child sexual abuse allegations
5.3 2013 and 2014 child sexual abuse allegations
6 References

Early sexual and emotional experiences[edit]
Strip clubs[edit]

A mature African American man wearing a grey suit, black shirt and light blue tie. His hair is short and he wears a hooped earring in his right ear.

 Jackson's father Joseph had his sons play in strip clubs, despite the boys' strict religion
From a young age, Jackson was exposed to sex. He received mixed messages on the subject from his parents. His mother Katherine was a devout Jehovah's Witness and conveyed her thoughts clearly; lust in thought or deed was sinful outside of marriage, and physical intimacy should be saved for marriage. In contrast to his wife, father Joseph, a steel mill worker, shunned the religion and would have The Jackson 5 perform at strip clubs and seedy bars in the earliest days of their career.[9][10] He allowed nine-year-old Michael to watch from the wings of the stage as male audience members whistled at women who stripped until nude. In one incident, a fascinated Michael watched as an apparently big breasted female removed all but her underwear. The stripper then proceeded to reach into her bra, removing two large oranges and the wig from her head, to reveal that the person he thought was a female was not a woman at all.[9]
While playing at Chicago's Peppermint Lounge, the brothers made use of a peephole in their dressing room, through which they had a clear view of the women's bathroom. They would take turns watching the women and, as Marlon recalled, "learned everything there was to know about ladies".[9] During other residencies, the siblings would perform Joe Tex's "Skinny Legs and All". Joseph Jackson would instruct a young Michael to make his way into the audience, crawl under tables, lift up ladies' skirts and peek at their panties as part of the performance.[9][11] Though embarrassed by the task, Jackson feigned enjoyment as he knew the audience loved the routine.[9]
Following such performances, the Jackson brothers would be tucked in bed by their oblivious mother and reminded of the virtues of being a good Jehovah's Witness. Katherine remained unaware of her sons' strip club activities for many years.[9] Journalist J. Randy Taraborrelli reflected on Jackson's early life and noted that at such a young age, the singer may not have been psychologically equipped to fully understand any sexual stimulation he may have received from such voyeuristic events. The writer further commented that Jackson's views on sex must have been conflicted between those of his religiously strict mother and his more libertine and promiscuous father.[9]
Groupies and prostitutes[edit]
As members of the increasingly successful Jackson 5, Michael's brothers Jermaine and Jackie found fame advantageous. As they toured the country, they had sex with many female fans. Their guide was their father Joseph, who would often organize and arrange sexual encounters for his sons as well as cheat on his wife Katherine with their sons' groupies. The two brothers would bring girls back to a hotel room, where younger siblings Michael and Marlon were instructed to "play sleep".[10][12] One girl, who had sexual relations with Jermaine, recalled such an experience:

"I jumped into bed with him and he climbed on top of me. As he climaxed, he shuddered so loudly I was afraid he would wake up Michael and Marlon, who were sleeping three feet away in the next bed. Or at least I thought they were sleeping. As I was slipping out of the room, I heard Michael say to Jermaine, 'Nice job. Now, can we please get some sleep?'"[12]
While Marlon would correspond with and eventually marry his wife Carol at 18, Michael never had sex with groupies, finding his brothers' behavior toward women disgusting. In addition to not touching groupies, Jackson reportedly never had an interest in having any type of sex as a youngster. In one alleged incident, when he was 15 years old, a male family member arranged for two prostitutes to take his virginity. They were told to "work him over", before being locked in a room with him.[12] Instead Michael picked up a bible and read bible verses to the girls. The girls left in tears.[12][13] James McField, who worked with The Jackson 5, stated that the lead singer of the band often needed someone to talk with. It was at these times that women would be introduced to him for companionship. McField asserted that he never witnessed anything sexual, and that such females were not Jackson's type; "He liked nice girls, pure girls who appeared to have no street background."[12]
Jackson occasionally admonished and advised the groupies and prostitutes sent to pleasure his siblings. One Jackson fan recalled being selected from the audience to meet with Jackie. Backstage, she was handed a scrap of paper with an address to the location in which they were to meet. Michael approached her from behind and warned her that his brothers did not treat women right and that his brother only wanted to use her for sex. Changing the subject, the female fan asked for the pop star's autograph, which request he obliged in addition to writing, "Please, don't go". The woman ignored Michael's request and headed to the Jacksons' apartment complex, where she had sex with Jackie. Afterward, Jackie informed the woman that they would not meet again. Ashamed and upset, the fan left the apartment in tears.[12]
On another occasion, a prostitute was brought to Jackson's room after a concert in Madison Square Garden. There, the pop star interrogated the sex worker, asking why she was a prostitute, whether she wanted to have sex with him, and how much it would cost. The woman responded that she was a prostitute for the money, but that she would have sex with him for free because she wanted him. The prostitute then proceeded to unbutton her blouse, exposing her breasts. Apparently repulsed, Jackson turned his head and begged her to "put them back".[12] The singer suggested that they talk instead, which the prostitute declined to do; she was not there to talk. Instead, she gave Jackson her telephone number, urging him to call her when he wanted to "get off". Jackson acknowledged the prostitute as she left, stating that he would perhaps call her one day, though he never did.[12]
First relationships[edit]
Tatum O'Neal[edit]
One of Jackson's first documented relationships was with the child actress Tatum O'Neal in the 1970s. Their friendship was established by the time O'Neal was 12 and Jackson was 17, and featured in gossip columns for several years after.[14][15] Jackson reflected in 1982 that he and O'Neal had been engaged in a serious relationship, but because both were busy, it had "cooled off" to the point of their remaining just friends.[15]
In the documentary Living With Michael Jackson (2003), Michael alleged that near the beginning of their relationship, the 12-year-old actress tried to seduce the then 17-year-old singer. According to Jackson, the incident happened at her home, where she attempted to unbutton his shirt and talked explicitly about sex. O'Neal's behavior apparently proved too much for Jackson, who became scared and covered his face, before she walked away. When confronted with the allegation, O'Neal claimed to have been "just as shocked as everyone else". She stated that while having respect for Jackson as an artist and a person, he had "a very vivid imagination". The actress described his statements as "inaccurate"; "at 12 years old, there was no way she was capable of being as mature or as sophisticated as he claimed".[16][17] O'Neal released her autobiography A Paper Life in 2004, a year after the Jackson documentary. In the book, she claimed it was Jackson who attempted to make out with her. The actress wrote, "I was just 12 and not at all ready for a real-life encounter[...] Michael, who was sweating profusely, seemed as intimidated as I was. He jumped up nervously and said, 'Uh ... gotta go.'"[18]
But this contradicted O'Neal's own account of the relationship in 1995 in Vibe, where she remembered Jackson as "being so shy" and "one of the nicest, most innocent people I've ever met", and, "Once he came into my bedroom, and he wouldn't even sit on my bed."[14] She described the relationship as "a really wonderful friendship" where they would dance and "talk on the phone all the time."[14] She recalled that he found it funny that she could drive at 12 and he couldn't. And that one time they had a "jam session" at her house where he played the drums and her brother played guitar. She said the relationship ended when she was 12, after he asked her to go to the premiere of The Wiz with him, but her agent disapproved, "maybe because they thought he wasn't a big enough star yet", and she did what she was told because she was a child.[14] While she claimed they never spoke after that,[14] they were actually shown to be together a number of times after this would have happened.[19]
Jackson also spoke about O'Neal in 2001 with Rabbi Shmuley. He described holding hands with her: "I was, like, in heaven. It was the most magical thing. It was better than kissing her, it was better than anything."[6] He recalled one of the times they held hands:

I remember we went to this club, and I don't go to clubs, which was called the Roxy. And I was watching the band, I was sitting there, and underneath the table, she was holding my hand, and I was, like melting. [Rabbi Shmuley: She held your hand and you felt love?] Fireworks going off.[6] It was all I needed. But that means nothing to kids today. She grew up too fast. She wasn't into innocence, and I love that.[20]
And similar to what he told Bashir, he said, "...she was 13. And I was naive. She wanted to do everything and I didn't want to have sex at all."[20][21]
Brooke Shields[edit]
Jackson met 15-year-old actress/model Brooke Shields in 1981, at the Academy Awards.[6][22] From there, the pair enjoyed a close relationship. Speaking in 2009, she reflected that they were close because sex was never an issue for them.[23] Although the headlines in the media referred to Shields' talking about an "asexual Jackson" after his death, what she actually said was, “As he grew older and the more he started to change physically, the more asexual he became to me.”[3] She also said that as she grew up and started having boyfriends, she would confide in him about her intimate experiences, as he was curious. She said, "he was like a little kid who talked about the bases - what first base was, what second base was" - and his curiosity was understandable given his guarded life.[3]
In 2001, Jackson told Rabbi Shmuley: Shields was "one of the loves of my life. I just wished she loved me as much as I loved her", and, they "dated a lot."[6] Before meeting her, he said that he had pictures of her all over his room. He recalled his happiness when they first met. He was at the Academy Awards with Diana Ross, and Shields walked up and introduced herself; then at the after-party she asked him to dance with her. They exchanged numbers, and he "was up all night, singing, spinning around my room, just so happy."[6] He also said, “We had one encounter when she got real intimate and I chickened out. And I shouldn’t have.”[24]
In Moonwalk (1988), Jackson said his relationship with Shields was "romantically serious for a while."[2] Shields said that while never formally proposing, he would speak about the two marrying and raising adoptive children together. The suggestions were met with disapproval from Shields, who felt such a move would have "divided [her] life too much".[25][26] She recalled: "There were times when he would ask me to marry him, and I would say, 'You have me for the rest of your life, you don’t need to marry me, I’m going to go on...have my own marriage and my own kids, and you’ll always have me.' I think it made him relax. He didn’t want to lose things that meant something to him."[3]
As the couple's separate lives diverged, the two gradually saw each other less.[26] At the time of Jackson's death in 2009, the pair had not seen each other for 16 years. Shields claimed that in the singer's last years "it was harder to get the right number to get through to him".[26] In July 2009, she spoke at the Michael Jackson memorial service, reminiscing about their time together:[27][28]

"Thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together and whenever we were out together, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like 'an odd couple' or 'an unlikely pair,' but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.... Michael always knew he could count on me to support him or be his date and that we would have fun no matter where we were. We had a bond.... Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun."[27][28]
In a June 30, 2009 interview, Ola Ray also said that she and Jackson "would play like little kids" when working on the Thriller video (1983), as she recalled how he was clearly "into Brooke Shields" and kept on teasing her about Shields' visiting the set.[29]
Lisa Marie Presley[edit]
First meeting and courtship[edit]

A woman in a black T-shirt holds her left hand on her hip, while leaning against a chest-height surface with her right elbow. She is wearing blue headphones and looks towards her right.

 Lisa Marie Presley was introduced to Jackson by her father Elvis
In 1974, a 16-year-old Michael Jackson—who would later be dubbed "The King of Pop"—was introduced for the first time to his future wife at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Paradise, Nevada by her father, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", Elvis Presley. Lisa Marie was six at the time, and had been brought to the hotel to watch a show by The Jackson 5, of whom she was a big fan. The young girl was particularly fascinated by lead singer Michael Jackson and his talent at dancing.[30]
According to a friend of Presley's, "their adult friendship began in November 1992 in L.A."[4] They met at a private dinner held at the home of their mutual friend the artist Brett-Livingstone Strong. Knowing that Presley had been looking for help within the music industry, Strong had her play tapes for Jackson, who was impressed with the female singer's voice. The pair talked for the remainder of the night, until it was time for Jackson to leave. At this point, according to Strong, the entertainer gave Presley, who was still married at the time, a penetrating look and said in a conspiratorial voice, "You and me, we could get into a lot of trouble. Think about that, girl."[30]
In the days following this interaction, Presley and Jackson spoke on the telephone almost every day, forging a strong friendship. The two came to realize they had much in common: both had been protected and sheltered from the real world, both felt they had missed out on a normal childhood, both were mistrustful of outsiders having spent most of their lives feeling exploited by them, and both had problems with the media. Presley was raised in Graceland, while Jackson lived at Neverland.
In 1993, he became the subject of child sexual abuse accusations and the female singer, along with a few others, was there for emotional support. Michael would call Presley from overseas as he embarked upon the second leg of the Dangerous World Tour and the child abuse investigation intensified. During such telephone conversations, the female star attempted to reverse Jackson's sadness with humour and advice. Presley later recalled that she believed in the musician's innocence and that she could "save him".[30] Fueled by her past addictions and her father's death, Presley supported Jackson as he became addicted on painkillers, urging him to settle the allegations out of court and go into rehabilitation. He subsequently did both.[30]
Proposal and wedding[edit]
It was during one of Jackson's calls to Presley that he proposed marriage. "If I asked you to marry me, would you do it?", the singer queried.[30] Though still married to actor Danny Keough, whom she had wed in 1988 and had two children with, Presley replied that she would. After a pause, Jackson exclaimed that he had to use the bathroom. Having apparently relieved himself, the singer explained to his new fiancee that his love for her was genuine and she had to believe him.[30] In 2010, Presley acknowledged to Oprah Winfrey that Jackson did formally propose one day in the library, taking out a 10 carat diamond ring and getting down on his knees.[31]
Following several months engaged, Jackson and Presley wed on May 26, 1994, at a ceremony in the Dominican Republic.[32][33] Presley had divorced Keough only 20 days before. The 15-minute ceremony was held by Judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Perez at his home in the La Vega Province. The union was conducted in Spanish and translated for Presley and Jackson by an attorney. Eva Darling, Presley's friend, served as a witness along with Thomas Keough, her ex-husband's brother.[32][33] At the time of their marriage, the press and public were unaware that the two even knew each other. The wedding was kept secret from them, Jackson's family, and Presley's mother Priscilla. However, Gotham Chopra recalled that Jackson called him "in a panic" on his wedding night and asked if he had any "sex advice", wanting "to make sure that Lisa was impressed with his 'moves.'"[34]
Upon being informed of her daughter's marriage with Jackson a week later, Priscilla became irritated; she believed the male pop singer was using her child to rehabilitate his image following the child abuse accusations.[32] To the press, however, Priscilla stated that she was "very supportive of Lisa Marie and everything she does".[35]
The union was met with a mixed reaction from the media when it was made public two months later. Some sources described the union of "The King of Pop" and "The Princess of Rock 'n' Roll" as being "The Marriage of the Century".[36] One newspaper headline scoffed, "Jackson-Presley Union Sparks Shock, Doubt, Laughs."[35] Addressing both the media and public, the new Mrs. Presley-Jackson issued a statement:

"My married name is Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael Jackson took place in a private ceremony outside the United States (11) weeks ago. It was not formally announced until now for several reasons; foremost being that we are both very private people living in the glare of the public media. We both wanted a private marriage ceremony without the distraction of a media circus. I am very much in love with Michael, I dedicate my life to being his wife. I understand and support him. We both look forward to raising a family and living happy, healthy lives together. We hope friends and fans will understand and respect our privacy."[37]
Married life and disagreements[edit]
For the next year of their married life, the newly wedded couple divided their time between Jackson's 2,700-acre (11 km2) Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez, California and Presley's 1-acre (4,000 m2) estate, 100 miles (160 km) away in Hidden Hills. Defying the initial thoughts of some of the public, Presley did not move into Jackson's home upon getting married. According to J. Randy Taraborrelli, this was due to her wanting to remain independent, as well as Presley's children (Danielle and Benjamin) finding their new stepfather "a little strange".[38]
The pair's first appeared together on television at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, in what has been described as a "memorable moment". Holding hands, the couple walked onto the stage in New York. In front of a television audience of 250 million, Jackson announced, "Just think, nobody thought this would last", before embracing Presley in a kiss.[39] Afterward, Presley became angered at her husband, feeling he had used her. The male pop singer reasoned that the liplock, which was dubbed "The Kiss of the Century", would be talked about for decades, with people playing the clip over and over.[36][39] Jackson's attempts at placating his wife proved futile; she told the singer not to "fucking even come near me" and remained angry for several days.[39]
In the same week, Jackson and Presley had another argument. Newspaper reports had been suggesting that if Elvis were alive, he would not approve of his daughter's marriage. Annoyed, Jackson reportedly suggested that the couple could find out by holding a séance to contact the deceased "King of Rock 'n' Roll".[39] During the session they would ask his opinion of the union. Presley felt the idea was tasteless and, upon Jackson's continuing to push the idea, warned, "If you stay on this particular road, they're gonna need a medium to contact you in the Great Beyond, because I'm about to put you there, right now."[39] The two supposedly never spoke of the incident again.[39]
Primetime and further marriage difficulties[edit]
Jackson and Presley appeared on the television show Primetime in June 1995.[39] In Jackson's first interview since 1993 and Presley's first ever, Diane Sawyer quizzed the pair on their private life with, according to Jet, a series of "insensitive" questions.[39][40] Presley boasted that she and Jackson had regular sex, following Sawyer's questioning their sex life.[41][42] When asked if the marriage were a sham, Presley asserted that such rumors were "crap"; the singer claimed that she would never marry someone for any other reason than being in love with him.[39] She concluded that if the public thought differently, they could "eat it".[39] The following day, Presley reflected that the interview had been a disaster; she had hoped the couple would be perceived as being serious, yet Jackson fooled around during the show, at one point holding two fingers behind his wife's head to make bunny ears. Presley's friend Monica Pastelle revealed that it was at this point that the female singer began to wonder whether she had made a mistake in choosing Jackson as a long-term partner.[39]
A further problem for the pair was Jackson's insistence on being around children. Though she never believed he was a pedophile—"I wouldn't have let him near my kids if I thought that"—she felt her husband was only opening himself up to more rumor and innuendo following the 1993 allegations.[43] One evening at Neverland, Presley confronted the pop star on the issue and was met with a defiant Jackson, resulting in another argument. Upon being called selfish, the male musician pointed to his humanitarian endeavors. Presley countered that his philanthropy was irrelevant, that the issue was about them.[43][44]
Presley also disagreed with having children with the singer. Imagining the future and what would happen if the marriage ended, Presley saw a "custody battle nightmare".[45] In addition, she felt her husband was too emotionally immature to be a parent, having watched his daily interactions with other people; she believed he was the one in need of parenting. Jackson explained to his wife over breakfast one morning that she did not have to be the biological mother if she so desired. He explained, "My friend Debbie [Rowe] said she will get pregnant and have my baby. If you won't do it, then she will. How about that?"[45] Unmoved, Presley replied that it was fine by her.[45]
Following several more troubled months, Jackson ended up in the hospital; he had collapsed while rehearsing for a concert in New York. Presley arrived to meet her ill husband, and yet another heated debate ensued. The argument ended after Jackson warned her that she was making his heart rate go up and asked her to leave. She obliged, and was admonished by a doctor and Jackson's mother Katherine along the way.[46] Presley subsequently returned to Los Angeles. Upon being discharged from hospital, Jackson went to Disneyland Paris to recover. Defying his wife, the singer had at least six children accompany him.[46]
Divorce[edit]
Presley filed for divorce in early 1996, citing "irreconcilable differences" and noting their date of separation as December 10, 1995, shortly after the incident in the hospital.[46][47] The divorce was finalized on August 20, 1996. As part of the settlement, the female singer received 10% of the royalties from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, which album contained the song "You Are Not Alone", whose music video featured a semi-nude Presley and Jackson frolicking against an ethereal backdrop.[48][49] As she did not sign a confidentiality agreement, a further clause stated that Presley could write a tell-all book about her time with Jackson. At the time, "The Princess of Rock 'n' Roll" revealed that she had no wish to write a memoir; the singer still had respect for Jackson and did not want to speak critically of him. Presley also wanted to preserve her own dignity and keep their life together private.[48]



It's easy to be skeptical of Michael's relationship with her, but doing so risks ignoring his obvious humanity. Despite the plastic surgeries and maddening friendships with boys, and all the rest of the eccentric behavior that goes into making Michael Jackson such a strange individual, he is still a human being with emotions, feelings and a beating heart - and, somehow, Lisa Marie Presley was the one to truly touch it, to truly affect him.
J. Randy Taraborrelli, The Magic and the Madness (2004)[48]
The divorce proved difficult for Jackson, who spent several weeks lamenting his loss. Presley was the first person with whom he had connected on such a high level. She had supported him as he faced allegations and became dependent on pain medication. It was also the first time that the pop singer had had a sexual chemistry with another.[48] Presley was able to make him open up and express himself through their physically intimate moments together. At the time, Jackson was afraid there would never be another who made him feel the way his ex-wife had. He eventually realized he had to move on; he had a world tour coming up and music to work on. Jackson also knew that Presley would never make him a father, which he longed to be.[48]
Aftermath[edit]
Presley was seen with Jackson in various cities during HIStory World Tour in 1997; notably at various functions in South Africa[50][51] and in London, holding hands backstage[52] and around the city.[53] In February 1998, they were photographed in an intimate moment together outside a Beverly Hills restaurant on Presley's birthday.[54]
In a 2010 Oprah interview, Presley admitted that they spent four years after the divorce "getting back together and breaking up", until she felt she "had to push it away."[31] She described the parallels between the lives of Jackson and her father Elvis, and said Jackson constantly asked her about the details of Elvis' death because he felt that he was "going to end up the same way."[31] She had described such a conversation in a blog post the day after Jackson died, wherein she shared her feelings about his death. According to Presley, the last "coherently good conversation" she had with Jackson was in 2005.[31] She said Jackson told her she had been right about certain people around him, whom she called "vampires."[31] She replied that she was indifferent when he asked if she still loved him.[31] But Presley also said his death made her realize he loved her. She acknowledged his efforts in the relationship, saying, "He honestly tried so hard and went through so much with me", but "I didn’t appreciate it then and I wish I did."[31] At the end of the conversation, he reportedly told her "he felt that someone was going to try to kill him to get a hold of his catalog and his estate" and named some names she didn't want to say in the interview.[31]
Debbie Rowe[edit]
Background and friendship[edit]
Debbie Rowe met Michael Jackson in the mid-1980s, while working as an assistant for the pop star's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein. Rowe treated Jackson's vitiligo, which he had been diagnosed with in 1986 and which would affect his physical appearance for the remainder of his life.[55][56] Rowe supported Jackson, providing answers to the questions Jackson asked about his medical condition. The pair became good friends; the pop star frequently sent autographed merchandise to the woman, who hung it on the walls of her office. According to Rowe's friend Tanya Boyd, the dermatologist's assistant would obsess over Jackson, gushing over him and his traits. She would say to her friend, "If people knew him like I knew him, they would not think he was strange. He's unique, kinky, actually."[56]
The Jackson-Rowe friendship would last for several years, during which time the female assistant married and divorced Richard Edelman, a man she claimed to have felt trapped by. Rowe and the musician would both talk to each other about their unhappy marriages; his with Presley and hers with Edelman, a teacher at Hollywood High School. Like Jackson's first wife, Rowe supported the entertainer when he was accused of child sexual abuse. Jackson kept his friendship with Rowe a secret from his wife, who eventually found out but thought nothing of it; she felt the dermatologist's assistant was not her husband's type because she was not glamorous enough.[56]
First pregnancy and miscarriage[edit]
As Presley had refused to carry Jackson's children, Rowe offered to give birth to a child for the pop singer. Shortly after Presley and Jackson's separation, Rowe became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage in March 1996. The event devastated the woman, who feared she would never be able to have a baby. Jackson comforted and consoled Rowe throughout the ordeal, which remained hidden from the media and public.[46][48]
Second pregnancy and reaction[edit]
Jackson embarked on the first leg of his HIStory World Tour on September 1996. One month into the tour and several months after his divorce from Presley, Jackson's personal life made headlines as it was revealed that Debbie Rowe was pregnant with his child. One tabloid newspaper, the News of the World, told the story under the headline "I'm Having Michael's Baby". Rowe reacted furiously to the publication, labeling the editorial staff "bastards" and complaining that they reported the story as if she and Jackson were freaks. J. Randy Taraborrelli later noted that the article, which had been put together from a secret tape recording between Rowe and a friend, had been fairly accurate. It detailed that Jackson was the father of the baby and that he would be raising the child alone. It also stated that Jackson impregnated Rowe artificially with his own sperm cells, a "foolproof" method of insemination. Further reports alleged that the relationship was an "economic" one; she was in it for the money and he sought a baby.[48][57]
In a statement, Jackson condemned the accusations of being in an economic relationship and using artificial insemination as "completely false and irresponsible". Despite the denials, it was noted that Rowe had received millions of dollars from Jackson as "gifts" over the years. Among court papers filed against Jackson in 2002 by business manager Myung Ho Lee, a monthly budget for Jackson was detailed and included a $1.5 million payment to Rowe. The pop musician later bought the woman a $1.3 million home in 1997; he and Rowe never lived together.[57]
When the news of Rowe's pregnancy broke to Jackson's mother Katherine, the Jackson family matriarch urged her son to wed the mother of his unborn child. Katherine did not want her son to be like his father, who had produced an illegitimate child with a woman while married to Michael's mother. Katherine first spoke on the telephone to Rowe about the sanctity of marriage and about the Jehovah's Witness faith. She later spoke to Jackson, telling him to marry "that nice girl, Debbie" and "give your child a name, not like your poor, half-sister, Joh'Vonnie". The words resonated with the musician, who did not want to repeat his father's sins.[58]
Prior to Katherine's words, the view had been for Rowe to act as a surrogate mother; she would give the baby to Jackson as a friendly favor and he would raise it. Jackson intended to issue a statement following the birth that the identity of the mother was a secret, in the same way that the identities of many surrogates are protected. Katherine's involvement, however, influenced Jackson to call Rowe and ask her to meet him in Australia, where he was staying, as soon as she could. There, the entertainer announced his plans for them to wed the next day.[58]
Wedding[edit]

A man stands to the left of a woman who is smiling. He wears a black military jacket, under which is a white T-shirt. Atop his head is a black fedora. His left hand holds the right of the woman's. Both hands are pressed against the stomach of the woman, who is dressed in black.

 Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe on their wedding day
Jackson and Rowe wed on November 13, 1996, at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia. The night before the wedding, Jackson had called Presley, who gave him and Rowe her blessing. In front of 15 friends, the pair exchanged vows at the hotel in Australia's largest city. An 8-year-old boy named Anthony, whom Jackson stated was his nephew, served as the best man during the ceremony. For the occasion, Jackson had put special effort into his appearance.[58][59] J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote in his book Michael Jackson - The Magic and the Madness:

"Michael had on a creamy foundation and transparent powder that made his face almost stark white. He had extra eyeliner on his lids, emphasizing their almond shape; his eyes stood out like dark coals. He highlighted his nose and cheekbones with bronze tones. His eyebrows were tweezed and darkened. He had on a black hat and one long curl framing each side of his face. Also, he appeared to have fake sideburns. The total effect was nothing short of jaw-dropping, in that Disneyland sort of way."[58]
Media and public reaction to the marriage was negative and cynical. Some commentators believed Jackson was marrying a person he did not love, and Rowe was having a baby who may or may not have been biologically Jackson's. The Daily Mirror, a British tabloid newspaper, published a photograph of Rowe on the balcony of an Australian hotel. In it, she is seen holding her head in her hands. One Jackson biographer stated that the woman's dismayed and exasperated pose was most probably due to the excessive presence of paparazzi below. The Daily Mirror, however, ran the photograph while mockingly proclaiming, "Oh, God! I've Just Married Michael Jackson."[59]
Birth of Prince Michael[edit]
Jackson and Rowe's first child together, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as "Prince Michael"), was born on February 13, 1997, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[60][61] The baby was named after Michael's grandfather and great-grandfather, who were both called Prince.[59][62] After Rowe and Jackson cut the baby's umbilical cord together, Prince was taken to intensive care, where he spent five hours with only minor problems. He was subsequently taken by his father to Neverland Ranch. Prince's mother recuperated at a friend's house upon her release from the hospital.[59]
Six weeks after the birth, Rowe saw her son for the first time since his arrival into the world. She had met with Jackson to pose for photographs with their newborn son at a hotel. Upon arriving, Rowe was ushered into the hotel room, where she was given the infant to hold and told to smile for the camera with Michael. Afterward, she was sent on her way. Rowe did not want to become too attached to Prince, as she felt it would make her situation harder to deal with.[59] At Neverland, Prince was cared for by a team of six nannies and six nurses during his first few months. According to one nanny who worked at the Californian ranch, Prince Michael's mother was not a significant presence in the child's early life. "I saw her maybe three times and she seemed very sullen."[63]
Second pregnancy and birth of Paris[edit]
Rowe announced that she was pregnant with Jackson's second child in November 1997.[64] The baby was to be a girl and named Paris, after the French city in which her parents said she was conceived. On April 3, 1998, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson was born. Her middle names come from her father and grandmother.[64][65] Jackson later claimed that he was so anxious following the birth of his daughter, that he "snatched" her and ran straight home "with all the placenta and everything all over her". Rowe later confirmed that Jackson had the placenta frozen.[66] Following the birth, Jackson's associates contacted Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome, in the hope that the Pontiff would personally baptize the pop star's daughter. An official for the Pope informed Jackson by letter that the leader of the Catholic Church would not participate in what may be perceived as a publicity stunt.[64]
Divorce[edit]
Feeling uncomfortable with their arrangement, Rowe asked Jackson for a divorce, which he granted on October 8, 1999. Rowe received around $10 million in a settlement, which started with an immediate payment of $1.5 million.[64] With the divorce, Rowe gave Jackson full custody rights to their children.[67] At the time, both Rowe and Jackson requested privacy and asked the public not to speculate on the reasons for their divorce. They concluded that despite coming to the end of married life, they would continue to remain friends.[68]
After divorce[edit]

A man in public is dressed in black. He is surrounded by an entourage and members of the public, some of whom are holding cameras. He walks behind three young children, all of whom are wearing facial masks.

 Michael Jackson with his three children in 2006. The eldest two were borne by Debbie Rowe.
Following the divorce, Jackson would go on to have a third child. Prince Michael II was born on February 21, 2002, to an unnamed surrogate mother. Rowe denied being the biological mother of Prince Michael II, who is nicknamed "Blanket". Jackson stated that the baby was produced through artificial insemination using his own sperm cells. He further claimed that he did not know the mother, and she did not know him. The pop star added that in asking for a surrogate mother, he did not care what race she was. It did, however, matter to him that she was intelligent, healthy, and had uncorrected eyesight.[64]
In the television documentary, The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See, a rebuttal video to Martin Bashir's Living with Michael Jackson (2003) interview, Rowe attempted to explain her relationship with Jackson and their two children:[69]

"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. People make remarks, 'I can't believe she left her children.' Left them? I left my children? I did not leave my children. My children are with their father, where they are supposed to be. I didn't do it to be a mother... If he called me tonight and said let's have five more [children], I'd do it in a heartbeat."[69]
In 2006, Rowe legally applied for her access to her two children to be reinstated and subsequently reached an agreement with Jackson. Following the singer's death in 2009, his mother Katherine was made the permanent guardian of Prince Michael, Paris, and their half-brother Prince Michael II. In addition, a new custody arrangement was made with Rowe, who has visitation rights with her two children and will continue to receive spousal support payments.[67]
Questions have frequently arisen as to whether Jackson was the biological father of his three children. Doubts first surfaced after it was reported that his son, Prince, had "white skin".[70] Jackson insisted in 2003 that the children were biologically his.[71]
Allegations regarding sexuality[edit]
Further information: 1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson and People v. Jackson
Despite his relationships with women, Jackson's sexuality was the subject of speculation and controversy for decades. The pop singer faced allegations of being gay since he was a teenager, as well as later being labelled asexual.[72][73] One 1970s newspaper story alleged that the then 19-year-old singer was to have a sex change operation and marry the songwriter Clifton Davis. Jackson found out about the story from a crying fan. The musician reassured the girl that the tale was untrue and condemned it as a "stupid rumor".[72][74] The story circulated for many months, during which time Jackson became upset; he was raised in a family where homosexuality was considered sinful. Jackson would continue to deny being gay throughout his life. In a 1979 interview, the pop star stated that he was not gay and that he would not "have a nervous breakdown because people think I like having sex with men".[72] He added that if he let the rumor affect him, it would make him cheap and make it sound as if he was prejudice against gay people. He expressed that many of his fans may be gay, and that he did not mind that. "That's their life and this is mine."[72]
1993 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
In 1993, Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by Evan Chandler, on behalf of his then-13-year-old child, Jordan Chandler. To the father's disapproval and concern, his son had become friends with the musician in May 1992. Allegedly under the influence of a controversial sedative administered by Evan Chandler, a dentist, his son said that Jackson had touched his penis.[75] Evan Chandler was tape-recorded threatening to damage the singer's music career, and engaged Jackson in unsuccessful negotiations to resolve the issue with a financial settlement.[76][77] Jordan Chandler then told a psychiatrist and later police that he and Jackson had engaged in acts of kissing, masturbation and oral sex.[77][78] Jackson settled a civil suit out of court with the Chandler family and their legal team for $22,000,000 in January 1994. After Jordan Chandler refused to testify in the criminal proceedings, the state closed its criminal investigation citing lack of evidence, and Jackson was not charged with a crime. After Jackson's death, Evan Chandler committed suicide.[79]
2003 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
Further accusations of child sexual abuse were made in 2003, by 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.[80] The allegations came after Jackson and the boy appeared in the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, in which the entertainer stated that he shared his bed with children in a non-sexual fashion.[81][82] The musician was subsequently indicted on four counts of molesting a minor, four counts of intoxicating a minor, one count of abduction, and one count of conspiring to hold the boy and his family captive at Neverland Ranch.[83] During the five-month trial, Jackson faced allegations of child molestation and assertions that he had attempted to abduct the Arvizo family in a hot air balloon.[84] He denied all the charges and family members proclaimed that he was the victim of an extortion attempt.[85] One friend, Firpo Carr, expressed amazement at the allegations leveled against the singer, who at the time was living at Neverland Ranch. "I'm surprised they haven't accused him of bestiality because he also has a zoo there. I mean, it gets ridiculous after a while."[86] On June 13, 2005, the jury found Jackson not guilty on all charges.[87]
2013 and 2014 child sexual abuse allegations[edit]
In May 2013, choreographer Wade Robson filed a civil lawsuit against Jackson's estate for child sexual abuse. The date for the hearing which would determine whether or not Robson could sue Jackson's estate was scheduled for June 2, 2014.[88]
Robson met Jackson when he was 5 years old. In 2005, he had testified in Jackson's defense during his child molestation trial. At that trial, Jackson's former housekeeper Blanca Francia had testified that she had witnessed Robson showering with Jackson when Robson was 8 or 9 years old.[89]
However, in his 2013 filing, Robson claimed that by the time he was 7 years old, he was regularly having sleepovers at Jackson's Neverland Ranch and Jackson's homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, which lasted until he was 14, and that Jackson sexually abused him throughout the 7-year period. Blanca Francia agreed to testify on Robson's behalf in the case.[90] The attorney for Jackson's estate described Robson's claim as "outrageous and pathetic".[91]
In May 2014, a second man, Jimmy Safechuck, filed a lawsuit against the Jackson estate alleging that Jackson had sexually abused him between the ages of "10 to about 15".[92] Jackson had met Safechuck in 1987 and Safechuck, then 10, was featured in the commercial of Jackson's Pepsi ad advertising his upcoming Bad World Tour at the time.
A molestation lawsuit filed against the Michael Jackson estate by choreographer Wade Robson was dismissed May 26, 2015 by a Los Angeles judge who ruled that Robson waited too long to seek legal action. Robson, who previously testified under oath that Jackson never molested him during the singer's criminal trial in 2005, later sued the Jackson estate in May 2013, claiming Jackson molested him during a seven-year stretch that began in 1990 when Robson was seven. The Jackson estate had denied Robson's allegations. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff wrote in his decision that Robson could file a lawsuit "only for a reasonable time period after any violence, intimidation or threatening conduct by the decedent ceases." The alleged molestation occurred between 1990 and 1997; Robson waited 16 years before taking legal action. In those 16 years, Robson was one of Jackson's staunchest supporters when the singer faced criminal molestation charges, even when other trial witnesses testified that they saw Jackson molest Robson.[93]
"Mr. Robson testified under oath in a courtroom that Michael never did anything improper with him," Attorney Howard Weitzman, who represents Jackson's estate, told My News LA. "The estate believes his testimony was honest when his sole motivation was 'to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'"[94]
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54.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley share an intimate moment outside the Ivy Restaurant". Getty Images. 1998-02-07. Retrieved 2011-01-16.[dead link]
55.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 521
56.^ Jump up to: a b c Taraborrelli, pp. 570–573
57.^ Jump up to: a b Taraborrelli, pp. 582–584
58.^ Jump up to: a b c d Taraborrelli, pp. 585–587
59.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Taraborrelli, pp. 588–590
60.Jump up ^ Grant, p. 193
61.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife become parents of baby boy. Jet. March 3, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
62.Jump up ^ Pinkerton, p. 47
63.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 591
64.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Taraborrelli, pp. 597–600
65.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife, Debbie Rowe, expecting second child, a daughter. Jet. December 22, 1997. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
66.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, p. 603
67.^ Jump up to: a b "Jackson's mother granted custody". BBC News. August 4, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
68.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson and wife, Debbie Rowe, agree to divorce in LA. Jet. October 25, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
69.^ Jump up to: a b Taraborrelli, pp. 607–608
70.Jump up ^ "Why do Jacko's kids have white skin?". The Palm Beach Post. February 15, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
71.Jump up ^ Westby, Matt (June 26, 2009). "Michael Jackson: star's family offer to take in children". London: The Times. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
72.^ Jump up to: a b c d Taraborrelli, pp. 156–158
73.Jump up ^ "Show misled 'sad little boy' Michael Jackson". USA Today. February 11, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
74.Jump up ^ Michael denies sex change; says he is not gay and did not swim nude with Tatum O'Neal. Jet. September 22, 1977. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
75.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 485–486
76.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 477–478
77.^ Jump up to: a b Campbell, p. 53
78.Jump up ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 496–498
79.Jump up ^ Daily News (New York) http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/evan-chandler-dad-boy-accused-michael-jackson-molestation-commits-suicide-new-jersey-article-1.417751. Missing or empty |title= (help)
80.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson cleared of child abuse". London: The Daily Telegraph. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
81.Jump up ^ Sullivan, James (February 5, 2003). "The never-ending thriller". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
82.Jump up ^ "First star witness at Jackson trial". Melbourne: The Age. March 2, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
83.Jump up ^ "Charges against Michael Jackson". BBC News. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
84.Jump up ^ Gumbel, Andrew (June 14, 2005). "How a TV show triggered the Jackson case". London: The Independent. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
85.Jump up ^ Bauder, David (December 28, 2003). "Jacko: I'd slit my wrists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
86.Jump up ^ Morales, Tatiana (December 5, 2003). "Is Jackson Case Getting Cold?". CBS News. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
87.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson jury reaches verdict". London. Associated Press. June 13, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
88.Jump up ^ "D-Day For Michael Jackson Molestation Accuser: Trial Scheduled To Determine If Wade Robson Can Sue Estate". Radar Online. 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
89.Jump up ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2005-04-05). "Witness Says She Saw Jackson Showering With Wade Robson - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
90.Jump up ^ "Maid who claims she saw Michael Jackson shower with Wade Robson when he was EIGHT 'asked to testify at choreographer's new lawsuit' | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
91.Jump up ^ "Wade Robson Accuses Michael Jackson of Molestation". ETonline.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
92.Jump up ^ Dimond, Diane. "Exclusive: Michael Jackson Hit With New Sex Abuse Claim". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
93.Jump up ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-molestation-lawsuit-dismissed-20150528
94.Jump up ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/michael-jackson-estate-sees-molestation-suit-tossed-article-1.2238109
Bibliography
Boteach, Shmuley (2009). The Michael Jackson Tapes. Vanguard Press. ISBN 1-59315-602-2.
Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8.
Jackson, Michael (2009) [First published 1988]. Moonwalk. Random House. ISBN 0-307-71698-8.
Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture--The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interviews: An Anthology. Amber Communications Group, Inc. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness. Pan Books. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
Toms, Carl (2010). Michael Jackson's Dangerous Liaisons. Matador. ISBN 978-1-84876-340-1.


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Death of Michael Jackson

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Death of Michael Jackson
Jackson's star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, showing flowers for fans to express grief.
Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by barriers and covered with flowers, became a focal point for fans to express grief.

Date
June 25, 2009
Location
Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Outcome
Personal physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Deaths
Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering cardiac arrest at his home on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he had found Jackson in his room, not breathing and with a barely detectable pulse, and that he administered CPR on Jackson's bed to no avail. After a call was placed to 9-1-1 at 12:21 p.m., Jackson was treated by paramedics at the scene and was later pronounced dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[1] On the eve of Jackson's 51st birthday, the Los Angeles County Coroner concluded that his death was a homicide.[2] Shortly before his death, Jackson had reportedly been administered propofol and two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines—lorazepam and midazolam—in his home.[3] His personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 and served a two-year prison sentence.[4][5]
Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world, creating unprecedented surges of Internet traffic and causing sales of his music and that of the Jackson 5 to increase dramatically.[6] Jackson had also intended to perform a series of comeback concerts to over one million people at London's O2 Arena from July 2009 to March 2010.[7] A public memorial service for Jackson was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he had rehearsed for the London concerts the night before his death. The service was broadcast live around the world, attracting a global audience of up to one billion people.[8] In 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a US $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings up until 2017, and to release seven posthumous albums over the decade following his death. Jackson's death is ranked No. 1 on VH1/VH1 Classic's list of 100 Most Shocking Moments in Music.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Circumstances
2 Investigation 2.1 Autopsies
2.2 Law enforcement agencies
2.3 Drug-use allegations 2.3.1 Propofol
2.4 Medical professionals 2.4.1 Personal physician

3 Health
4 Family and legal affairs 4.1 Family reaction
4.2 Estate
4.3 Taxation of estate
5 Public reaction 5.1 Media and Internet coverage
5.2 Grief
5.3 Tributes
5.4 Record sales
6 Services 6.1 Memorial
6.2 Burial
7 References
8 Further reading

Circumstances[edit]

Two white multi floored squared buildings with blue colored windows. There is a street and clear sky surrounding the buildings.

 Jackson's body arrived at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on June 25, 2009, at 1:14 p.m. local time.
Jackson arrived for rehearsal at Staples Center around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, according to Ed Alonzo, a magician who was there. The singer jokingly complained of laryngitis and did not rehearse until 9 p.m. "He looked great and had great energy,"[10] Alonzo added. The rehearsal went past midnight.[10] The next morning Jackson did not come out of his bedroom.[11] According to the attorney of Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician, Murray entered the room in the afternoon and found Jackson in bed and not breathing. Jackson had a weak pulse, and his body was still warm.[12] Murray tried to revive Jackson for five to ten minutes, at which point he realized he needed to call for help. Murray stated that he was hindered because there was no landline in the house. Murray also stated that he could not use his cell phone to call 911 because he did not know the exact address. Murray stated that he also phoned security, but did not get an answer. Finally, Murray ran downstairs, yelled for help, and told a chef to bring security up to the room.[13] By the time security called 911, Murray's lawyer stated that at least 30 minutes had passed.[13]
Statements described Murray as using a non-standard CPR technique on Jackson. During the tape of the emergency call, released on June 26 one day after Jackson's death, the doctor was described as administering CPR on a bed, not on a hard surface such as a floor, which would be standard practice.[14][15] The doctor's attorney said that Murray placed one hand underneath Jackson and used the other hand for chest compression, where the standard practice is to use both hands for compression.[11][16] A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson said the 911 call came in at 12:21:04 p.m. PST (19:21:04 UTC). Paramedics reached Jackson at 12:26 p.m. and found that he was not breathing.[17][18]
Paramedics performed CPR for 42 minutes at the house.[19] Murray's attorney stated that Jackson had a pulse when he was taken out of the house and put in the ambulance.[11] An LAFD official gave a different account, stating that paramedics found Jackson in "full cardiac arrest", and that they did not observe a change in Jackson's status on the route to the hospital.[20] LAFD transported Jackson to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[17] The ambulance arrived at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m. A team of medical personnel attempted to resuscitate Jackson for more than one hour. They were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. at the age of 50.[21][22][23]
Investigation[edit]
Autopsies[edit]
Jackson's body was flown by helicopter to the Los Angeles Coroner's offices in Lincoln Heights, where on June 26 a three-hour autopsy was performed on behalf of the Los Angeles County Coroner by the chief medical examiner, Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran.[24] Jackson's family arranged for a second autopsy, a practice that could yield expedited—albeit limited—results.[25] After the preliminary autopsy was completed, Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the coroner's office, said there was no evidence of trauma or foul play.[26] On August 28, the LA County Coroner made an official statement classifying Jackson's death as a homicide. The county coroner stated that Jackson died from the combination of drugs in his body, with the most significant drugs being the anesthetic propofol and the anxiolytic lorazepam. Less significant drugs found in Jackson's body were midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine. The coroner is keeping the complete toxicology report private, as requested by the police and district attorney.[2] On October 1, the BBC reported that the autopsy report revealed that Jackson was "very healthy"[27] for his age and that his heart was strong. The document stated that Jackson's most significant health problem was his chronically inflamed lungs, but this did not contribute to his death. His other major organs were normal and he had no atherosclerosis except for some slight plaque accumulation in his leg arteries.[28][29] The autopsy stated that he weighed 136 pounds (62 kg) with a height of 5'9" (175 cm), which equates to a BMI of 20.1.[30] Fox News said that this confirmed rumors that Jackson was emaciated,[31] while the Associated Press stated that his weight was in the acceptable range.[29]
Law enforcement agencies[edit]
Although they did not immediately announce that they suspected foul play, by the day after Jackson's death the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) began to investigate the unusual and high-profile case.[32] By August 28, the LAPD had announced that the case would be referred to prosecutors who might file criminal charges.[2] Because the LAPD did not secure Jackson's home, and allowed the Jackson family access to it too, before returning to remove certain items, the department raised concerns by some observers that the chain of custody had been broken.[33][34] The police maintained that they had followed protocol.[34] On July 1, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined the LAPD in the investigation. Having the authority to investigate issues otherwise protected by doctor-patient confidentiality, the DEA could legally follow the entirety of what appeared to be the complex trail of prescription drugs supplied to Jackson.[33] California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced that his office was helping the LAPD and DEA to create a statewide database of all medical doctors and prescriptions filled.[35]
The LAPD subpoenaed medical records from doctors who had treated Jackson. On July 9, William Bratton, then the Los Angeles Chief of Police, indicated that investigators were focusing on the possibility of homicide or accidental overdose, but had to wait for the full toxicology reports from the coroner.[36] The Los Angeles Times quoted a senior law enforcement source as saying authorities may not pursue charges even if the coroner declares the case a homicide, because Jackson's well-documented drug abuse would make any prosecution difficult. Nonetheless, the source said prosecutors had not ruled out more serious charges "all the way up to involuntary manslaughter" if it were determined that Jackson's death was indeed caused by the drug propofol.[37]
Drug-use allegations[edit]
Jackson was said to have used propofol, as well as alprazolam (an antianxiety agent), and sertraline (an antidepressant).[38] Other drugs named in connection with him included omeprazole, hydrocodone, paroxetine, carisoprodol, and hydromorphone.[39] After his death, police found several drugs in his home, including propofol. Some of these drugs had labels made out to Jackson under pseudonyms, while others were unlabeled.[40][41] A 2004 police document prepared for the 2005 People v. Jackson child abuse trial alleged that Jackson was taking up to 40 alprazolam pills a night.[36] Alprazolam was not found in his bloodstream at his time of death.[3] Dr. A.J. Farshchian, Michael Jackson's friend and confidante, has claimed that Jackson was scared of drugs.[42]
Deepak Chopra, an internist, endocrinologist, and speaker about mind–body intervention who was a friend of Jackson's for 20 years, expressed concern that, despite presumably having access to a large arsenal of drugs, Jackson appears to have been given no naloxone, a drug used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose.[43] Chopra also criticized what he saw as "enabling" by some Hollywood doctors: "This cult of drug-pushing doctors, with their co-dependent relationships with addicted celebrities, must be stopped. Let's hope that Michael's unnecessary death is the call for action."[43]
Eugene Aksenoff, a Tokyo-based physician who had treated Michael Jackson and his children on a few occasions, expressed concern about Jackson's use of and interest in various drugs. Aksenoff told The Japan Times that Jackson asked for stimulants so that he could get through some demanding performances. Aksenoff said he refused to prescribe them. He recalled that the singer suffered chronic fatigue, fever, insomnia and other symptoms and took a large amount of drugs. He suspected one of the major factors causing Jackson these symptoms was excessive use of steroids or other skin-whitening medications.[44] According to the toxicological tests effectuated on Jackson's body, no addiction had been reported, and none of the experts called to testify at Murray's trial have identified the singer as a drug addict.[3] Janet Jackson confirmed that the Jackson family tried to stage an intervention in early 2007, when Michael was living in Las Vegas.[45] Janet Jackson and some of her brothers allegedly traveled to his home, but were turned away by security guards who were ordered not to let them in. He was also rumored to have refused calls from his mother. "If you tried to deal with him," one source told CNN, "he would shut you out. You just wouldn't hear from him for long periods." The family denied that they had tried to intervene.[46]
Propofol[edit]

An ampoule of propofol.

 An ampoule of propofol
Of all the drugs found in Jackson's home, the one that most concerned investigators was propofol (Diprivan), a powerful anesthetic administered intravenously in hospitals to induce and maintain anesthesia during surgery.[47] Nicknamed "milk of amnesia" because of its opaque, milk-like appearance (and a play on the words "milk of magnesia"), the drug has been associated with cardiac arrest,[47] but it still may be increasingly used off-label for anxiolytic and other medically unsubstantiated purposes.[41] Several propofol bottles—some empty, some full—were found in Jackson's home.[41]
On June 30, Cherilyn Lee, a nurse who had worked as Jackson's nutritionist, said that he had asked her in May to provide propofol to help him sleep, but she refused. He told her he had been given the drug before for persistent insomnia, and that a doctor had said it was safe. Lee said she received a telephone call from an aide to Jackson on June 21 to say that Jackson was ill, although she no longer worked for him. She reported overhearing Jackson complain that one side of his body was hot, the other side cold. She advised the aide to send Jackson to a hospital.[48]
Arnold Klein told CNN that Jackson used an anesthesiologist to administer propofol to help him sleep while he was on tour in Germany. CNN said the anesthesiologist would "take him down" at night and "bring him back up" in the morning during the HIStory tour of 1996 to 1997.[46]
Medical professionals[edit]
The Los Angeles Times wrote that the DEA was focusing on at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Jackson, trying to determine whether they had had a "face to face" relationship with him, and whether they had made legally required diagnoses.[41] Fox News Channel published a list of nine doctors who they said were under investigation.[49] The Sunday Times wrote that the police wanted to question 30 doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, including Arnold Klein.[50] Klein said that he occasionally had given Jackson pethidine to sedate him, but had administered nothing stronger, and that he had turned his records over to the medical examiner.[51]
Personal physician[edit]
Main article: Trial of Conrad Murray

A one-story tan colored building. Bushes, trees, a sidewalk and a sky with multiple clouds surround the building.

 Murray practiced out of the Armstrong Clinic in Houston. The clinic was raided during an investigation of Murray in July 2009.
Cardiologist Conrad Murray joined Jackson's camp in May 2009 as part of Jackson's agreement with AEG Live, the promoter of his London concerts. Murray first met Jackson in Las Vegas when the doctor treated one of the singer's children. AEG Live said the singer insisted the company hire Murray to accompany him to England.[52] During Murray's trial it emerged that AEG employed the doctor and that Jackson did not sign the contract for the above-cited employment either.[53]
Murray said through his attorney that he did not prescribe or administer pethidine or oxycodone to Jackson, but did not say what, if anything, he did prescribe or administer.[47] Los Angeles police said the doctor spoke to officers immediately after Jackson's death, and during an extensive interview two days later. They stressed that they found "no red flag" and did not suspect foul play.[14] On June 26, police towed away a car used by Murray, stating that it might contain medication or other evidence. The police released the car five days later.[33]
Politician and minister Jesse Jackson, a friend of Michael Jackson's family, said that the family was concerned about Murray's role. "They have good reason to be [...] he left the scene."[54] Over the next few weeks, law enforcement grew increasingly concerned about the doctor, and on July 22 detectives searched Murray's medical office and storage unit in Houston, removing items such as a computer and two hard drives, contact lists and a hospital suspension notice.[55] On the 27th, an anonymous source reported that Murray had administered propofol within 24 hours of Jackson's death.[56] Murray's lawyers refused to comment on what they called "rumors, innuendo or unnamed sources."[57] The following day, the ABC News program Nightline reported that investigators had searched Murray's home and office in Las Vegas, and that Murray had become the primary focus of the investigation.[58] On August 11, a Las Vegas pharmacy was searched by investigators looking for evidence regarding Murray, according to an anonymous police source cited by The New York Times.[59] Murray's lawyer advised patience until the toxicology results arrived, noting that "things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known".[58] On February 8, 2010, Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter by prosecutors in Los Angeles. Murray pleaded not guilty and was released after posting $75,000 (USD) bail.[60] Shortly after, the California Medical Board issued an order preventing Murray from administering heavy sedatives.[61]
On January 11, 2011, the judge from Murray's preliminary hearing determined that Murray should stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in the Jackson case. The judge also suspended Murray's license to practice medicine in California.[62] The trial was originally to begin on March 24, but a delayed opening rescheduled it for May 9. Finally, the trial was rescheduled to September 8, with no further delays, as reported by CNN.[63] The jury selection of Murray's trial began on September 8, 2011, in Los Angeles. The trial began on September 27, 2011.[64] On November 7, 2011, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter[65] and he was held without bail to await sentencing.[66] On November 29, 2011, Murray received the maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.[67] Murray was released on October 28, 2013,[5] due to California prison overcrowding and good behavior.[68]
Health[edit]

A white piece of paper with personal information about the death of a person. The paper's writing is all in black and has multiple sections blacked-out.

 Michael Jackson's initial death certificate, issued pending toxicology reports
Another white piece of paper, with black writing and multiple sections blacked out, amending the prior form shown

 The amendment form issued by the coroner for his death certificate, after toxicology reports became available. Note the change of cause from "deferred" to "acute propofol intoxication" and the ruling of "Homicide" added.
Further information: Michael Jackson's health and appearance
Stacy Brown, a biographer, said Jackson had become "very frail, totally, totally underweight," and that his family had been worried about him. Another biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli, who became friends with Jackson in the 1970s, said Jackson had suffered from an addiction to painkillers which went on and off for decades.[26] Arnold Klein, Jackson's dermatologist, confirmed that Jackson misused prescription drugs, and that Klein had diagnosed Jackson with vitiligo and lupus. Yet, Klein said, when he saw Jackson at his office three days before his death, the singer "was in very good physical condition. He was dancing for my patients. He was very mentally aware when we saw him and he was in a very good mood."[51]
Family and legal affairs[edit]
Further information: Jackson family and The Jackson 5
Jackson is survived by his three children, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson (b. 1997); Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (b. 1998), born during his marriage to his second wife, Debbie Rowe; and Prince Michael Jackson II, known as "Blanket", born in 2002 to a surrogate mother. He is also survived by his brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy; sisters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet; and parents Joseph and Katherine. Katherine was granted temporary guardianship of Michael's three children on June 29, 2009.[69]
Family reaction[edit]
The Jackson family released a collective statement following the death:

Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.[70]
La Toya indicated that the family would file a lawsuit against anyone they believed responsible for her brother's death, as well as push for criminal charges.[71] In 2009, she stated that Jackson might have been administered an ultimately lethal dose of drugs by "a shadowy entourage" of handlers[71] and, in 2010, said that she believed her brother "was murdered for his music catalogue."[72] Shortly after Jackson's death, the family raised questions about the role of AEG Live, the This Is It concert promoter, in the last few weeks of his life.[54] Joseph has since filed a complaint with the California Medical Board alleging that AEG Live was illegally practicing medicine by demanding that Murray get Jackson off various medications. The complaint also alleges that AEG Live failed to provide the resuscitation equipment and nurse which Murray had requested. AEG spokesman Michael Roth declined to comment on the complaint.[73]
After Murray pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge, several members of the Jackson family said they felt he deserved a more severe charge.[74] On June 25, 2010, Joseph filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray. The lawsuit alleges that Murray repeatedly lied to cover up his use of propofol, did not keep sufficient medical records and was negligent in his use of medications on Jackson. Murray's civil attorney, Charles Peckham, denied that Murray gave Jackson anything life-threatening.[75] On August 15, 2012, Joseph dropped his wrongful death lawsuit against Murray.[76][77]
On September 15, 2010, Panish Shea & Boyle LLP also filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Michael Jackson's three children and his mother against the Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc. (AEG) and its subsidiaries and principals (including Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega, Paul Gongaware and Thimothy Leiweke).[78] The suit alleges that AEG put their desire for profits from the This Is It concerts over the health and safety of Michael Jackson, ultimately causing his death". Roth declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying that AEG not seen it.[79]
On November 7, 2011, Michael Jackson's family arrived at the courthouse in Los Angeles shortly after the jury announced they reached their verdict: Guilty. Michael's father Joe Jackson replied to reporters, only saying, "Justice." LaToya Jackson tweeted that she was shaking uncontrollably when she heard the verdict, and continued to tweet her emotions throughout the day.[80]
Estate[edit]
Further information: Value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Jackson's last will was filed by attorney John Branca at the Los Angeles County courthouse on July 1, 2009. Signed July 7, 2002, it names Branca and accountant John McClain as executors; they were confirmed as such by a Los Angeles judge on July 6, 2009.[81] All assets are given to the (pre-existing) Michael Jackson Family Trust (amended March 22, 2002),[82] the details of which have not been made public. The Associated Press reports that, in 2007, Jackson had a net worth of $236.6 million: $567.6 million in assets, which included Neverland Ranch and his 50% share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing' catalogue, and debts of $331 million.[83] The guardianship of his three children is given to his mother, Katherine, or if she is unable or unwilling, to singer Diana Ross.[84] The will states that Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe was omitted intentionally.[85] Jackson's will allocates 20% of his fortune as well as 20% of money made after death to unspecified charities.[86]
Media reports suggested that settlement of Jackson's estate could last many years.[87] The value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing is estimated by Ryan Schinman, chief of Platinum Rye, to be US$1.5 billion. Shinman's estimate makes Jackson's share of Sony/ATV worth US$750 million, from which Jackson would have had an annual income of US$80 million. Sony Corporation has not commented on whether it intends to buy Jackson's share of Sony/ATV from the Jackson estate. Jackson's creditors could force a distressed sale, which would act in Sony's favor since it would lower the sale price, but only if the trust set up by Jackson for his stake in Sony/ATV is revocable. A distressed sale would lower the value of Jackson's estate, and thus might not raise enough to cover the debts owed by the estate.[88]
Taxation of estate[edit]
The estate administrators and the IRS have estimated portions of the estate differently.[89][90] The estate estimated that the value of Jackson's likeness is only $2,105; whereas the IRS estimated that the likeness to be worth $434.26 million.[90] The estate estimated "no worth in Jackson's interest in a trust that owns some songs of his and the Beatles, but the IRS valued it at $469 million."[90] Also in dispute is the value of "Jackson's share of the Jackson 5 master recordings rights, stocks and bonds, and various cars Jackson owned."[90][91] The IRS proposed "imposing $505 million in taxes plus an additional $197 million in penalties, including a gross valuation misstatement penalty."[89][90] On July 26, 2013, the estate filed a U.S. Tax Court petition claiming "the IRS overestimated the value of its assets, including Jackson's likeness, real estate, a Bentley, a Lloyds of London insurance policy, Jackson's share of MJJ Ventures Inc., and two trusts.".[91][92] Jackson estate attorney Paul Hoffman of Hoffman, Sabban & Watenmaker told Bloomberg News, "The IRS is wrong."[92] The case title is Estate of Michael J. Jackson v. IRS, 17152-13, U.S. Tax Court in Washington, DC.[91]
Public reaction[edit]
Media and Internet coverage[edit]



 Wikipedia spikes at 15:00 hrs in Los Angeles, June 25.
The first reports that Jackson had suffered a cardiac arrest, then that he had died, came from TMZ.com, a Los Angeles-based celebrity news website. Doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center pronounced Jackson dead at 2:26 p.m., and 18 minutes later at 2:44 p.m., TMZ published: "Michael Jackson passed away today at the age of 50."[18] The Los Angeles Times website confirmed the report at 2:51 p.m. PDT (5:51 p.m. EDT).[93] The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and crash from user overload. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times suffered outages.[93] Google initially believed that the input from millions of people searching for "Michael Jackson" meant that the search engine was under attack. Twitter reported a crash, as did Wikipedia at 3:15 p.m.[94] The Wikimedia Foundation reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, probably the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history.[95] AOL Instant Messenger went down for 40 minutes. AOL called it a "seminal moment in Internet history", adding, "We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."[96]
Around 15% of Twitter posts—or 5,000 tweets per minute—reportedly mentioned Jackson after the news broke,[97][98] compared to the 5% recalled as having mentioned the Iranian elections or the flu pandemic that had made headlines earlier in the year.[98] Overall, web traffic ranged from 11% to at least 20% higher than normal.[97][99] MTV and Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired marathons of Jackson's music videos.[100] Jackson specials aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British soap opera EastEnders added a last-minute scene, in which one character discussed the news with another, to the June 26 episode.[101] Whilst all British newspapers printed pictures of Jackson in his youth or in his prime, The Sun (for the day after his death) was the only paper to show Jackson from 2009 at his frailest, and keeping to their regular promotion of 'Wacko Jacko.' The next day The Sun fell into course with the rest of the newspapers and Jackson was the topic of every front-page headline in The Sun for about two weeks following his death.[102] Magazines including TIME published commemorative editions.[103] A scene that had featured Jackson's sister La Toya was cut from the film Brüno out of respect toward Jackson's family.[104]
According to an analysis released by the Global Language Monitor, "72 hours after his death, Jackson jumped to the No. 9 spot for the global print and electronic media. For Internet, blogs and social media, Jackson jumped to the No. 2, only trailing the election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States. The results showed the growing disparity between the mainstream global media, and what is playing out for news on the Internet, and beyond".[105] Paul JJ Payack, president and chief word analyst of GLM said, "the death of Michael Jackson has resulted in a global media event of the first order", and added, "the fact that he has broken into the top media of the 21st century is a testament to the global impact of the man and his music." Commentators around the globe made connections between Jackson's death and the problems they perceived with everything from the racial dichotomy that Jackson sang about, to the "profoundly tragic figure of Michael Jackson"[106]—from American capitalism[107] and globalization, to the fall of the music industry in the 1980s. "Commentators around the world have absolutely flipped", wrote Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper.[108] Le Figaro columnist Yann Moix said that although Jackson, like his iconic Moonwalk, lived life in reverse, the world at his death shed "identical and universal tears".[109]
Statistics published by the Pew Research Center suggested that two out of three Americans believed the coverage of Jackson's death was excessive, while 3% felt it was insufficient.[110] In the UK, the BBC received over 700 complaints from viewers who thought the death dominated the news.[111] On June 29, American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh said the coverage was "a horrible disgrace" and lent his support to activist-ministers Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who were fighting to stem the press's speculation about what caused the death.[112] Other conservatives, including commentator Bill O'Reilly[113] and Congressman Peter T. King,[114] also disapproved of the media attention Jackson's death received. Meanwhile, Hugo Chávez, the President of Venezuela, called the pop star's death "lamentable news",[115] but criticized CNN for giving this news more coverage than they gave a coup d'état taking place in Honduras.[107][115]
In August 2009, there were reports that Michael Jackson's family paid social media marketing company uSocial.net to increase the numbers of followers on Jackson's Twitter profile.[116] According to the New York Daily News, uSocial was contracted to deliver 25,000 followers to the account.[117] It was not specified whether the service was rendered before or after his death.
Grief[edit]

The floor on an area on the ground is covered with flowers, cards and balloons. The area is closed off with metal barricades.

 Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame became a focal point for public grief.
News of Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world. The circumstances and timing of his death were compared to those of Elvis Presley and John Lennon. Fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Center, Neverland Ranch, his Holmby Hills home, the Hayvenhurst Jackson family home in Encino, the Apollo Theater in New York, and at Hitsville U.S.A., the old Motown headquarters in Detroit where Jackson's career began, now the Motown Museum. Streets around the hospital were blocked off, and across America people left offices and factories to watch the breaking news on television.[118] A small crowd, including the city's mayor, gathered outside his childhood home in Gary, where the flag on city hall was flown at half staff in his honor.[119] Fans in Hollywood initially gathered around the Walk of Fame star of another Michael Jackson—unable to access the singer's star, which had been temporarily covered by equipment in place for the Brüno film premiere.[120] Grieving fans and memorial tributes relocated from the talk radio host's star the next day.[121]
From Odessa[122] to Brussels,[123] and beyond, fans held their own memorial gatherings. U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence to the Jackson family,[14] and the House of Representatives observed a moment of silence.[124] Obama later stated that Jackson "will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers".[125] Former South African President Nelson Mandela issued a message through his foundation saying Jackson's loss would be felt worldwide.[126]

A group of people standing outside a gated area. There are trees, bushes, and grassed areas. A majority of the area the people and in are shadowed by the trees by the gate.

 Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death.
In Japan, where Jackson had somewhat of an idol status, the top government spokesman and other ministers expressed their condolences. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Tsutomu Sato told reporters, "I feel sad as I had watched him since he was a member of Jackson Five." "Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has credited him with building a generation with his music."[127] "'He was a superstar. It is an extremely tragic loss. But it is fantastic he was able to give so many dreams and so much hope to the people of the world,' said Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe."[128]
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown issue a brief statement on Jackson's death: "This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world." The Conservative opposition leader, David Cameron, said, "I know Michael Jackson's fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer."[129]
Russian fans gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow to mourn. One told Russia's Novosti newspaper, "This is so difficult! I'm hurt, very hurt! … For us, this is a very great loss. To us, he became a symbol of the spiritual world. It's hard to convey how great a loss this is."[130] France's Minister Culture, Frédéric Mitterrand, said, "We all have a Michael Jackson within."[131] Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, said she can't imagine life without him.[132] Liza Minnelli told CBS, "When the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose, so thank God we're celebrating him now."[133] His sister La Toya claimed that his daughter said he was being overworked. La Toya is quoted as saying: "She said, 'No, you don't understand. They kept working him and Daddy didn't want that, but they worked him constantly'. I felt so bad."[134]
Tributes[edit]

A group of males and a female performing on stage in front of a crowd of people. A male is shown blowing a kiss to the audience while wearing a white glove on his right hand and a white shirt with black pants and a jacket. An African American male wearing a white and dark grey shirt is shown in a crouched down position. The female is waving her hands in the air while wearing black fingerless gloves with a black shirt and pink shorts. There is also two other African American males in the background making hand gestures. Behind the people on the stage, there is a screen that shows a black and white photo.

 During the second leg of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour in June 2009, she and a Jackson impersonator performed a medley of Jackson's songs while photos of Jackson's were shown on a screen behind them.
On June 30, 2009, U2 while performing their first show of the U2 360 tour in Barcelona dedicated the song "Angel of Harlem" to Jackson. Bono sang verses from "Man In The Mirror" and "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" at the end of the song. On July 10, 2009, six thousand fans attended a musical tribute in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana. Local performers staged a medley of his songs, and mayor Rudy Clay unveiled a seven-foot memorial to him. Jesse Jackson addressed the crowd, stating, "This is where Michael learned to dance, where he learned to sing, where he learned to sacrifice."[135] The Game, was among the first performers to release a tribute song: his single "Better on the Other Side" came out the day after Jackson's death. Produced by DJ Khalil, this song featured vocals by Diddy, Chris Brown, Polow da Don, Mario Winans, Usher, and Boyz II Men.[136] A wide variety of other artists recorded musical tributes, such as 50 Cent,[137] LL Cool J, Robbie Williams, Akon and guitarist Buckethead (whose song entitled "The Homing Beacon" was inspired by Jackson's 3-D film, Captain EO.)[138]
On June 26, multiple artists, such as Pharrell Williams and Lily Allen, paid tribute to Jackson at the Glastonbury Festival.[139] Performances included Allen wearing a single white glove (which was a signature look for Jackson) for her set on the Pyramid Stage, while The Streets performed a cover of "Billie Jean".[139] Tributes to Jackson at the musical festival continued over the weekend from June 26 to June 28.[140] On July 5, 2009. Madonna performed a tribute to Jackson during the second leg of the Sticky & Sweet Tour.[141] While performing a medley of Jackson's songs, as a Jackson impersonator performed Jackson's signature moves, photos of Jackson were shown on screen behind them.[141][142] After the performance, Madonna told the crowd, "Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known", leading to applause from the crowd.[142] Beyonce Knowles dedicated her song "Halo" to Jackson during multiple concerts during her I Am... World Tour. Knowles, who cites Jackson as her biggest influence, has been referred to as Jackson's heir apparent, along with drawing continuous comparisons to him.
Artists from the metal and hard rock community also paid homage to Jackson. Metallica paid tribute to Jackson during its encore at the Sonisphere Festival. Honoring Michael Jackson during its July 4 headlining appearance at the event, the band played a portion of 'Beat It' before easing into a riotous cover of Queen's 'Stone Cold Crazy'.[143] Boston hard rockers Extreme performed a cover version of Jacksons's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" at the Midnight Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas.[144] Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, spoke about Jackson in an interview for an internet blog: "He was an immense star, wasn't he? Let's face it. He's a worldwide superstar really and the grief that everybody's is showing, it doesn't surprise me at all. He was a very, very talented man." [145] Members of the legendary metal band Black Sabbath released official statements regarding the passing of Michael Jackson. Drummer Bill Ward: "For those in heartache today, I wish you all wellness in healing. A great entertainer has died. I think those who experienced and heard his heart are more enlightened people for it than before. I believe you're all most fortunate to have connected to Michael Jackson." [146] Bassist Geezer Butler: "Saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Michael Jackson. He truly was, and always will be, a true icon. 'Thriller' was one of the greatest pop masterpieces of all time. A sad day for our world. R.I.P." [147] Legendary shock rocker, Alice Cooper released the following statement: "Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that's saying a lot. We had Vincent Price in common. I used him first on 'Welcome To My Nightmare' in 1975, and he later used him on 'Thriller'. Nobody moved like Michael, he was truly the King of Pop." [148] Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who worked with Jackson during the recording of Thriller, stated: "I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 — one of my fondest memories in my career. Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace." [149] Queen guitarist Brian May stated in his official website: "Hard to know what to say — what to feel. I find myself wondering what might have happened on his tour... The number of dates in the U.K. that he had committed to was insane. I did have a feeling it was impossible, but I was so shocked to hear that he went so suddenly. Very sad. Of course, I still think of him as a boy — he used to come and see us (Queen) play when we were on tour in the States, and he and Freddie Mercury became close friends, close enough to record a couple of tracks together at Michael's house. Tracks which have never seen the light of day. Michael was the boy star of the Jackson Five, and always the most screamed at. I remember in their show, they tried very hard to make all the brothers equal in the presentation, but it was abundantly obvious that all most of the girl fans really wanted to see was little Michael. It was Michael who heard our track 'Another One Bites the Dust' when he came to see us on 'The Game' tour ... and told us we were mad if we didn't release it as a single." [149] Former Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash, who played guitar on Jackson's single "Give In to Me" stated: "Really sad news about Michael. He was a talent from on high." [149] Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave performed a cover version of "Billie Jean" on June 27, 2009, at the Peace & Love festival in Borlänge, Sweden.[150] Steve Vai and Andy Timmons of Danger Danger performed an instrumental version of "Beat It" at the Meinl Guitar Festival 2009 on June 27 in Gutenstetten, Germany.[151] Former Skid Row frontman, Sebastian Bach commented: "Another angel down... I am very sorry for my friend Jermaine's loss. I lived with Jermaine for three weeks last year (during the filming of the second season of CMT's hit series, 'Gone Country'), and we talked about his brother frequently. He said to me, 'When you cut up my brother, you're cutting up me'. I feel for the Jackson family, because I know all too well how they feel. Unfortunately." [152] Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche stated: "I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, watching him and his brothers perform on television. He made performing seem easy and inspired my generation with his music and his grace. He was one of a kind and will be missed but his music will live forever." [152] Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen recorded "Beat It" with ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals.[153] Guitarist Buckethead wrote a song entitled "The Homing Beacon", inspired by Jackson's 3-D film, Captain EO.)[138] Alternative metal band CKY performed "Beat It" for the duration of their "Carver City" Tour. In some instances, guitarist Chad I Ginsburg wore T-shirts depicting Jackson during the performances.[154] Poison drummer Rikki Rockett commented: "Michael Jackson — huge loss!!! The words genius and musical are used in the same sentence too often. Not in the case of Michael Jackson. His musical expression will never be topped and his inspiration will live forever. R.I.P." In October 2013, an all-star tribute album was released featuring current and former members of Iron Maiden, Kiss, Motörhead, Testament, Guns N' Roses, Fozzy, Quiet Riot, Dio, Whitesnake, Mr. Big, among others.[155]
Jackson's sister La Toya released her song, "Home", on July 28 as a charity single in her brother's honor. All proceeds are being donated to one of Michael's favorite charities.[156] BET's annual 2009 Awards Ceremony aired three days after Jackson's death, on June 28, 2009. It featured a tribute to the singer. Host Jamie Foxx said, "We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everybody else." The ceremony featured performances of several of Jackson's songs, including pieces from his time with The Jackson Five and those from his solo career.[157] Joe Jackson and Al Sharpton were in the audience, and Janet Jackson spoke briefly on behalf of the family. The show was the most watched BET annual awards show in the awards shows history.[158] A few days after Jackson's death, there were news reports to the effect that AEG Live, the promoter for Jackson's This Is It concerts, was preparing a tribute concert for September 2009. The show would reportedly follow the style arranged for the This Is It concerts.[159][160] However, no details of any such concert have been announced.
The day after Jackson's death, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced that the city would erect a statue of the singer in the favela of Dona Marta. Jackson visited the community in 1996 and filmed a music video for "They Don't Care About Us" there. The mayor said that Jackson had helped make the community into "a model for social development."[161] Memorials were held all over the world, in places as diverse as Tokyo,[161] Bucharest[162] and Baku, Azerbaijan.[163] In Midyat, Turkey, even a Salat al-Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) was performed, and traditional funeral helva was cooked and distributed.[164] The music video for "Do the Bartman", a Simpsons song co-written by Jackson, was broadcast ahead of an episode rerun of The Simpsons on June 28. It featured a title card paying tribute to Jackson.[165] The 1991 Simpsons episode that Jackson guest starred in under the name of John Jay Smith, "Stark Raving Dad", was broadcast on Fox on July 5.[166] The episode had been broadcast on the Dutch Comedy Central the day after his death, and was dedicated to Jackson's memory.[167] His 1978 film The Wiz (in which he co-starred alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor) was briefly re-released in a rare 35mm format and was shown at the Hollywood Theater in his honor. It was also re-released a week prior to the release of Michael Jackson's This Is It in select cities. Madonna opened the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards with a speech about Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson made an appearance at the VMAs to pay musical tribute to her late brother and honor his career.[168] He was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award during the 52nd Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010.[169] Jackson, who had an acting role in the 1978 film The Wiz, was featured in the 82nd annual Academy Awards ceremony's "In Memoriam" tribute.[170]
Record sales[edit]
Jackson's record sales increased dramatically, eightyfold by June 29, according to HMV.[171] Bill Carr of Amazon said the website sold out of all Jackson and Jackson 5 CDs within minutes of the news breaking, and that demand surpassed that for Elvis Presley and John Lennon after their sudden deaths.[172] In Japan, six of his albums made SoundScan Japan's Top 200 Albums chart,[161] and in Poland, Thriller 25 topped the national album chart and was replaced by King of Pop the following week.[173]
In Australia, 15 of his albums occupied the ARIA top 100 as of July 5, four of them in the top ten, with three occupying the top three spots. He had 34 singles in the top 100 singles chart, including four in the top ten. Album sales were 62,015 for the previous week; singles tallied 107,821 units.[174] In the second week, album sales rose from the previous week and tallied 88,650 copies. On July 12, four albums were in the top 10 with three occupying the top three spots. In New Zealand, Thriller 25 topped the chart.[175] In Germany, King of Pop topped the album chart,[176] and from June 28 to July 4, nine of his albums occupied the Top 20 of CAPIF in Argentina.[177] In Billboard's European Top 100 Albums, he made history with eight of his albums in the top ten positions.[178] As of August 3, King of Pop has spent four weeks atop Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart.[179] The Collection also spent two weeks atop the same chart.[180]
In the UK, on the Sunday following his death, his albums occupied 14 of the top 20 places on the Amazon.co.uk sales chart, with Off the Wall at the top. Number Ones reached the top of the UK Album Chart, and his studio albums occupied number two to number eight on the iTunes Music Store top albums. Six of his songs charted in the top 40: "Man in the Mirror" (11), "Thriller" (23), "Billie Jean" (25), "Smooth Criminal" (28)", "Beat It" (30), and "Earth Song" (38).[181] The following Sunday, 13 of Jackson's songs charted in the top 40, including "Man in the Mirror", which landed the number two spot.[182] He broke Ruby Murray's 1955 record of five songs in the top 30.[183] The Essential Michael Jackson topped the album chart, giving Jackson a second number one album in as many weeks. He had five of the top ten albums in the album chart.[184] In third week sales, The Essential Michael Jackson retained the number one position and Jackson held three other positions within the top five.[185] By August 3, Jackson had sold 2 million records and spent six consecutive weeks atop the album chart.[179][186] He retained the top spot on the album chart for a seventh consecutive week.[187]
In the U.S., Jackson broke three chart records on the first Billboard issue date that followed his death. The entire top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums featured titles related to him. By the third week it would be the entire top 12 positions.[188] Number Ones was the best-selling album of the week and topped the catalog chart with sales of 108,000, an increase of 2,340 percent. The Essential Michael Jackson (2) and Thriller (3) also sold over 100,000 units. The other titles on the chart are Off the Wall (4), Jackson Five's Ultimate Collection (5), Bad (6), Dangerous (7), HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Volume 1 (8) and Jackson's Ultimate Collection (9). Collectively, his solo albums sold 422,000 copies in the week following his death, 800,000 copies in the first full week, and 1.1 million copies in the following week of his memorial service.[188] He also broke a record on the Top Digital Albums chart, with six of the top 10 slots, including the entire top four. On the Hot Digital Songs chart he placed a record of 25 songs on the 75-position list. In the U.S., Jackson became the first artist to sell over one million downloads in a week, with 2.6 million sales.[189][190]
By August 5, Jackson had sold nearly 3.8 million albums and 7.6 million tracks in the U.S.. Number Ones was the best-selling album for six out of seven weeks that followed his death.[191][192] By year's end in 2009, Jackson had become the best selling artist of the year selling 8.2 million albums in the U.S.[193] He also became the first artist in history to have four of the top 20 best-selling albums in a single year in the U.S., nearly doubling the sales of his nearest competitor.[194][195] Jackson was also the third best selling digital artist of 2009 in the U.S., selling approximately 12.35 million units.[196] In the 12 months that followed his death Jackson sold nine million albums in the U.S., and 35 million albums worldwide.[197] His estate also generated revenues of one billion dollars.[198]
Services[edit]
Memorial[edit]

A white round building that has one glass front wall showing with a sign in red text that reads "Staples Center" in capital letters. In the background, there are multiple people waling in front of the building and a white parked car and a cloudy blue sky.

 An estimated one billion viewers saw coverage of the memorial held in the Staples Center, pictured here during the memorial service.
Main article: Michael Jackson memorial service
A private family service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, after a public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on July 7, where Jackson had rehearsed on June 24, the day before he died. The memorial service was organized by Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live,[199] who gave away 17,500 free tickets (even if AEG was initially out to sell them, but due to complaints had to desist)[200] to fans worldwide through an online lottery that attracted over 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours,[201] and over a half-billion hits to the webpage.[202] The service was broadcast live around the world, and was believed to have been watched by up to 2.5 billion people.[8][203]
Jackson's solid-bronze casket (which reportedly cost USD $25,000)[50] was placed in front of the stage. Numerous celebrity guests attended the services.[204] His brothers each wore a single, white, sparkling glove, while Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Jermaine Jackson and others sang his songs. Jackson's then 11-year-old daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... and I just want to say I love him... so much."[205] Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."[206]
Burial[edit]
According to reports, Jackson's burial was originally scheduled for August 29, 2009 (which would have been his 51st birthday).[207] His service and burial was held at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009.[208] The burial was attended by his family members, first wife Lisa Marie Presley as well as his old friends Macaulay Culkin, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor, amongst others.[209] The service began with Jackson's three children placing a golden crown on his casket.[209]
Jackson's funeral cost one million dollars.[210][211] Cost for the funeral included; $590,000 for Jackson's crypt in Forest Lawn's Great Mausoleum, a vast granite and marble filled palazzo, guest invitations for $11,716.[210][211] The bill for security, including the fleet of luxury cars that delivered Jackson's children, parents and siblings to the ceremony, came to $30,000; the florist's bill was $16,000; and the funeral planner was paid $15,000.[210] Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the estate executors noted that Jackson's family decided on the details of the ceremony, but said a lavish funeral fit the life Jackson lived, commenting, "It was Michael Jackson. He was bigger than life when he was alive."[210][211]
Jackson's remains are interred in the Holly Terrace section in the Great Mausoleum. The mausoleum is a secure facility that is not accessible to the general public or to the media, except on an extremely limited basis. The unmarked crypt, which is partially visible at the tinted entrance of the Holly Terrace mausoleum, is covered in flowers fans leave, which are placed by security guards outside the crypt.[208] The family had considered burying Jackson at Neverland Ranch. However, some family members objected to the site, saying that the ranch had been tainted by the sexual abuse allegations.[208] Also, the owners of the ranch would have had to go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. In July 2010, security was increased at the mausoleum due to vandalism by fans leaving messages such as "Keep the dream alive" and "Miss you sweet angel" in permanent ink.[212]
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40.Jump up ^ Richard Esposito, Vic Walter and Dan Childs (July 3, 2009). "Officials Find Diprivan in Michael Jackson's Home". ABC News. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
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44.Jump up ^ Matsutani, Minoru. Tokyo doctor refused Jackson stimulants: Late 'King of Pop' asked for drugs in 2007, The Japan Times, July 16, 2009.
45.Jump up ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKf6vQvkGyY&feature=related
46.^ Jump up to: a b Duke, Alan and Ahmed, Saeed. More associates link Jackson to prescription drugs, CNN, July 8, 2009.
47.^ Jump up to: a b c "Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home". MSNBC. Associated Press. July 3, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
48.Jump up ^ Elber, Lynn (June 30, 2009). "AP Exclusive: Michael Jackson, bedeviled by insomnia, begged for drug, says nurse-nutritionist". Associated Press.
49.Jump up ^ At Least Nine Doctors Who Treated Michael Jackson Under Investigation, Fox News Channel, July 15, 2009.
50.^ Jump up to: a b Police target 30 in hunt for Michael Jackson's drug suppliers, The Sunday Times, July 5, 2009.
51.^ Jump up to: a b Klein, Arnold. Larry King Live, CNN, July 8, 2009. Transcript
52.Jump up ^ "Dream job turns to tragedy for Jackson doctor". MSNBC. Associated Press. July 10, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
53.Jump up ^ "Conrad Murray on trial in Michael Jackson death". dalje.com. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
54.^ Jump up to: a b Harris, Paul. Michael Jackson's family 'ask for second autopsy', The Observer, June 28, 2009.
55.Jump up ^ Items taken from Michael Jackson's doctor's buildings listed, CNN, July 23, 2009.
56.Jump up ^ Ted Rowlands (July 27, 2009). "Source: Jackson's doctor gave drug authorities believe killed him". CNN.com 167 (1): 56–8.
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58.^ Jump up to: a b Feds Raid Michael Jackson's Doctor Conrad Murray's Home and Office, Nightline, July 28, 2009
59.Jump up ^ Friess, Steve New Raid in Inquiry on Jackson, The New York Times, August 11, 2009
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61.Jump up ^ Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Shelby Grad (February 18, 2010). "Michael Jackson's doctor banned from administering heavy sedatives". The Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved March 8, 2010.
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65.Jump up ^ "BBC News - Conrad Murray guilty of Michael Jackson manslaughter". bbc.co.uk. 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
66.Jump up ^ Conrad Murray could face significant prison time, Los Angeles Times, November 8, 2011
67.Jump up ^ Conrad Murray sentenced to four years in Jackson death, USA TODAY, November 29, 2011
68.Jump up ^ "Conrad Murray Released From Jail". NBC. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
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98.^ Jump up to: a b Wortham, Jenna. Michael Jackson Tops the Charts on Twitter, The New York Times, June 25, 2009.
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117.Jump up ^ Marketing firm uSocial claims it helped Michael Jackson's family buy over 25,000 Twitter followers
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120.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson's death: Fans gather at wrong Hollywood star, The Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
121.Jump up ^ Behrens, Zach. Crowds Gather Around Michael Jackson's Star After Bruno Premiere, Hollywood LAist, June 26, 2009.
122.Jump up ^ In Odessa honoured memory of Michael Jackson, UNIAN (June 29, 2009)
123.Jump up ^ (Dutch) Hulde aan Michael Jackson in Brussel, Gazet van Antwerpen (July 7, 2009)
124.Jump up ^ Gavin, Patrick. Congress pauses for Michael Jackson, The Politico, June 26, 2009.
125.Jump up ^ Mark Murray (July 2, 2009). "Obama On Michael Jackson's Death". MSNBC. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
126.Jump up ^ http://www.gigwise.com/news/51594/Nelson-Mandela-%27Michael-Jackson-Was-Part-Of-Our-Family%27
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129.Jump up ^ "Brown 'saddened' by Jackson de". BBC News. June 26, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
130.Jump up ^ Yekaterina Blinova (June 28, 2009). "Russian Fans of Michael Jackson Still Devastated". WorldMeetsUs.com. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
131.Jump up ^ Alexis Griffiths (June 27, 2009). "Jackson: The Tragic 'Genetically Modified' Icon of Globalization". WorldMeetsUs.com. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
132.Jump up ^ Elizabeth Taylor: "I Loved Michael With All My Soul", US Magazine, June 26, 2009.
133.Jump up ^ Gumbel, Andrew. Police focus on doctor who was with Michael Jackson as he died, The Guardian, June 27, 2009.
134.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson's daughter reveals death fears". The Daily Telegraph. UK: News Limited. October 2, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
135.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson: thousands pay tribute at birthplace memorial, The Telegraph, retrieved on July 11, 2009
136.Jump up ^ Gamble, Ronnie. The Game Gets Assist From Chris Brown, Diddy For Michael Jackson Tribute, BallerStatus, June 26, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
137.Jump up ^ Reid, Shaheem. 50 Cent Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson, MTV, June 26, 2009
138.^ Jump up to: a b The Landing Beacon, Buckethead. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
139.^ Jump up to: a b "Glastonbury tributes for Jackson". BBC News. June 26, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
140.Jump up ^ "Glastonbury's Emily Eavis announces Michael Jackson tribute plans". NNE. June 26, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
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142.^ Jump up to: a b Saad, Mardeen (July 5, 2009). "Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert". Google News. Associated Press.
143.Jump up ^ "Metallica's Michael Jackson Tribute at Germany's Sonisphere".
144.Jump up ^ "Extreme pays tribute to Michael Jackson".
145.Jump up ^ "Judas Priest bassist talks about Michael Jackson's death".
146.Jump up ^ "Black Sabbath drummer comments on Michael Jackson's passing".
147.Jump up ^ "Black Sabbath/Heaven & Hell bassist comments on Michael Jackson's passing".
148.Jump up ^ "Alice Cooper, Chris Cornell, Fred Durst pay tribute to Michael Jackson".
149.^ Jump up to: a b c "Van Halen, Queen, Poison, Velvet Revolver members comment on Michael Jackson's passing".
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151.Jump up ^ "Steve Vay, Andy Timmons pay tribute to Michael Jackson".
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153.Jump up ^ "Yngwie Malmsteen covers Michael Jackson classic 'Beat It' on 'High Impact'".
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155.Jump up ^ "GUNS N' ROSES, MOTÖRHEAD, TESTAMENT, Ex-IRON MAIDEN Members Pay Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON".
156.Jump up ^ "LaToya Song Re-Released as Michael Jackson Tribute". The Walt Disney Company. Associated Press. July 17, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
157.Jump up ^ BET Awards to pay tribute to Jackson, CNN. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
158.Jump up ^ "Ratings: Jackson Tribute Leads BET Awards to All-Time High, Disney Queens Rule, and More", seattlepi.com. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
159.Jump up ^ Singh, Amar. Justin Timberlake 'cautious' about Michael Jackson tribute show, This Is London, June 30, 2009.
160.Jump up ^ "Jackson's tour to become tribute concert". MSNBC. June 27, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
161.^ Jump up to: a b c Cobo, Leila. Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon, Billboard, July 2, 2009.
162.Jump up ^ Nu te vom uita niciodata!, MTV Romania. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
163.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson commemorated in Baku APA, Jun 29, 2009
164.Jump up ^ "Midyat'a Michael Jackson anıtı yapılıyor (Michael Jackson memorial to be erected in Midyat)". January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
165.Jump up ^ Snierson, Dan (June 27, 2009). "Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air 'Do the Bartman' video in tribute on Sunday". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
166.Jump up ^ Snierson, Dan. Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air the pop star's 1991 episode, Entertainment Weekly, July 2, 2009.
167.Jump up ^ Screenshot of a cached version of Comedy Central's TV Guide for June 26, 2009 (In Dutch)
168.Jump up ^ Janet Jackson To Pay Tribute To Michael At The VMAs. Retrieved on Sep 8, 2009.
169.Jump up ^ Singh, Anita (February 1, 2010). "Michael Jackson's children pay tribute to their father at Grammys". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved Feb 2, 2010.
170.Jump up ^ "Farrah Fawcett, Bea Arthur Absent From Oscar 'In Memoriam' Montage". Access Hollywood. NBC Universal. March 8, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
171.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson tops album chart". BBC News. June 29, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
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179.^ Jump up to: a b Paul Sexton (August 3, 2009). "Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas Control U.K. Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
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181.Jump up ^ Singles chart for 04/07/2009, Chart Stats, June 29, 2009.
182.Jump up ^ "Chart Stats – Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". chartstats.com. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
183.Jump up ^ Singles chart for 06/07/2009, Yahoo UK music charts, July 6, 2009.
184.Jump up ^ "Jackson maintains chart dominance". British Broadcasting Corporation. July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
185.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson increases chart dominance". NME. UK. July 12, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
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188.^ Jump up to: a b Keith Caulfield (July 14, 2009). "Fans Snap Up 1.1 Million Michael Jackson Albums In One Week". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
189.Jump up ^ Caulfield, Keith. "Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records", Billboard, June 30, 2009.
190.Jump up ^ Sisario, Ben. In Death as in Life, Michael Jackson Sets Music Sales Records, The New York Times, July 2, 2009.
191.Jump up ^ Simon Vozick-Levinson (August 12, 2009). "Sugarland, outsold by Michael Jackson, tops the albums chart". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
192.Jump up ^ Bill Werde (August 5, 2009). "Michael Jackson, Dave Grohl's Supergroup, Kristina Debarge". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
193.Jump up ^ Swift Beats Boyle, Plus Michael Jackson, Beatles Rule 2009 Charts. Rolling Stone Magazine, January 7, 2010.
194.Jump up ^ SMITH, Than (March 16, 2010). "Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'". The Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company, Inc). Retrieved March 16, 2010.
195.Jump up ^ Caulfield, Keith. Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle For 2009's Top-Selling Album. Billboard, January 6, 2010.
196.Jump up ^ "2009 U.S. Music Purchases up 2.1% over 2008; Music Sales Exceed 1.5 Billion for Second Consecutive Year". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway Company. Jan 6, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
197.Jump up ^ "Jackson sells 35 million albums since death". Today.msnbc.msn.com. June 27, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
198.Jump up ^ Caulfield, Keith (June 21, 2010). "How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
199.Jump up ^ Parks, Tim (July 3, 2009). "AEG to release Jackson memorial tickets". Digital Spy.
200.Jump up ^ "AEG Live Backtracks Over Michael Jackson Funeral Tickets, Offers Giveawayerrors". cdn.singersroom.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
201.Jump up ^ Allen, Nick (July 6, 2009). "Thirteen applications per second for Michaeldate=July 6, 2009". The Daily Telegraph (London).
202.Jump up ^ "Website for Jackson tickets gets 500 million hits in first hour". Los Angeles Times. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
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205.Jump up ^ Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service, The Guardian, July 7, 2009.
206.Jump up ^ Fans and family remember Jackson, BBC News, July 7, 2009.
207.Jump up ^ Daniel Kreps (August 18, 2009). "Michael Jackson Burial Scheduled For August at Forest Lawn". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
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210.^ Jump up to: a b c d Harriet Ryan. Victoria Kim (November 11, 2009). "Michael Jackson's funeral cost more than $1 million, court documents show". The Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved February 26, 2010.
211.^ Jump up to: a b c Daniel Kreps (November 11, 2009). "Michael Jackson Funeral Cost $1 Million; Objections Against Estate Executors Dropped". RollingStone.com. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
212.Jump up ^ "Jackson Fans Graffiti Tomb". National Ledger. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
Further reading[edit]

Portal icon 2000s portal
Portal icon Death portal
Portal icon Greater Los Angeles portal
Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
 Wikiquote has quotations related to: Michael Jackson
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Death of Michael Jackson.
Jackson Tour Video—The Final Rehearsals, TMZ, July 2, 2009.
Barnes, Brooks. A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50, The New York Times, June 25, 2009.
BBC News. Obituary: Michael Jackson, June 26, 2009.
Boucher, Geoff, and Woo, Elaine. Michael Jackson's life was infused with fantasy and tragedy, Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
Rayner, Ben. Michael Jackson, 50: Child star, thriller, sad sideshow, The Toronto Star, June 26, 2009.
Saperstein, Pat. Michael Jackson dies at 50, Variety, June 25, 2009.
Sullivan, Caroline. Michael Jackson, The Guardian, June 26, 2009.
The Smoking Gun. "Lethal Levels" Of Drug Killed Jackson, August 24, 2009, includes State of California search warrant and affidavit.
The Sydney Morning Herald. Michael Jackson obituary: a gifted, troubled king of pop, June 26, 2009.
The Times. Michael Jackson, June 26, 2009.
Walters, Dell. "Michael Slept Here", Washingtonian, August 1, 2009.
Wikipedia article traffic statistics – Michael Jackson – June 2009.


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Death of Michael Jackson

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Death of Michael Jackson
Jackson's star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, showing flowers for fans to express grief.
Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by barriers and covered with flowers, became a focal point for fans to express grief.

Date
June 25, 2009
Location
Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Outcome
Personal physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Deaths
Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering cardiac arrest at his home on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he had found Jackson in his room, not breathing and with a barely detectable pulse, and that he administered CPR on Jackson's bed to no avail. After a call was placed to 9-1-1 at 12:21 p.m., Jackson was treated by paramedics at the scene and was later pronounced dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[1] On the eve of Jackson's 51st birthday, the Los Angeles County Coroner concluded that his death was a homicide.[2] Shortly before his death, Jackson had reportedly been administered propofol and two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines—lorazepam and midazolam—in his home.[3] His personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 and served a two-year prison sentence.[4][5]
Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world, creating unprecedented surges of Internet traffic and causing sales of his music and that of the Jackson 5 to increase dramatically.[6] Jackson had also intended to perform a series of comeback concerts to over one million people at London's O2 Arena from July 2009 to March 2010.[7] A public memorial service for Jackson was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he had rehearsed for the London concerts the night before his death. The service was broadcast live around the world, attracting a global audience of up to one billion people.[8] In 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a US $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings up until 2017, and to release seven posthumous albums over the decade following his death. Jackson's death is ranked No. 1 on VH1/VH1 Classic's list of 100 Most Shocking Moments in Music.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Circumstances
2 Investigation 2.1 Autopsies
2.2 Law enforcement agencies
2.3 Drug-use allegations 2.3.1 Propofol
2.4 Medical professionals 2.4.1 Personal physician

3 Health
4 Family and legal affairs 4.1 Family reaction
4.2 Estate
4.3 Taxation of estate
5 Public reaction 5.1 Media and Internet coverage
5.2 Grief
5.3 Tributes
5.4 Record sales
6 Services 6.1 Memorial
6.2 Burial
7 References
8 Further reading

Circumstances[edit]

Two white multi floored squared buildings with blue colored windows. There is a street and clear sky surrounding the buildings.

 Jackson's body arrived at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on June 25, 2009, at 1:14 p.m. local time.
Jackson arrived for rehearsal at Staples Center around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, according to Ed Alonzo, a magician who was there. The singer jokingly complained of laryngitis and did not rehearse until 9 p.m. "He looked great and had great energy,"[10] Alonzo added. The rehearsal went past midnight.[10] The next morning Jackson did not come out of his bedroom.[11] According to the attorney of Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician, Murray entered the room in the afternoon and found Jackson in bed and not breathing. Jackson had a weak pulse, and his body was still warm.[12] Murray tried to revive Jackson for five to ten minutes, at which point he realized he needed to call for help. Murray stated that he was hindered because there was no landline in the house. Murray also stated that he could not use his cell phone to call 911 because he did not know the exact address. Murray stated that he also phoned security, but did not get an answer. Finally, Murray ran downstairs, yelled for help, and told a chef to bring security up to the room.[13] By the time security called 911, Murray's lawyer stated that at least 30 minutes had passed.[13]
Statements described Murray as using a non-standard CPR technique on Jackson. During the tape of the emergency call, released on June 26 one day after Jackson's death, the doctor was described as administering CPR on a bed, not on a hard surface such as a floor, which would be standard practice.[14][15] The doctor's attorney said that Murray placed one hand underneath Jackson and used the other hand for chest compression, where the standard practice is to use both hands for compression.[11][16] A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson said the 911 call came in at 12:21:04 p.m. PST (19:21:04 UTC). Paramedics reached Jackson at 12:26 p.m. and found that he was not breathing.[17][18]
Paramedics performed CPR for 42 minutes at the house.[19] Murray's attorney stated that Jackson had a pulse when he was taken out of the house and put in the ambulance.[11] An LAFD official gave a different account, stating that paramedics found Jackson in "full cardiac arrest", and that they did not observe a change in Jackson's status on the route to the hospital.[20] LAFD transported Jackson to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[17] The ambulance arrived at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m. A team of medical personnel attempted to resuscitate Jackson for more than one hour. They were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. at the age of 50.[21][22][23]
Investigation[edit]
Autopsies[edit]
Jackson's body was flown by helicopter to the Los Angeles Coroner's offices in Lincoln Heights, where on June 26 a three-hour autopsy was performed on behalf of the Los Angeles County Coroner by the chief medical examiner, Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran.[24] Jackson's family arranged for a second autopsy, a practice that could yield expedited—albeit limited—results.[25] After the preliminary autopsy was completed, Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the coroner's office, said there was no evidence of trauma or foul play.[26] On August 28, the LA County Coroner made an official statement classifying Jackson's death as a homicide. The county coroner stated that Jackson died from the combination of drugs in his body, with the most significant drugs being the anesthetic propofol and the anxiolytic lorazepam. Less significant drugs found in Jackson's body were midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine. The coroner is keeping the complete toxicology report private, as requested by the police and district attorney.[2] On October 1, the BBC reported that the autopsy report revealed that Jackson was "very healthy"[27] for his age and that his heart was strong. The document stated that Jackson's most significant health problem was his chronically inflamed lungs, but this did not contribute to his death. His other major organs were normal and he had no atherosclerosis except for some slight plaque accumulation in his leg arteries.[28][29] The autopsy stated that he weighed 136 pounds (62 kg) with a height of 5'9" (175 cm), which equates to a BMI of 20.1.[30] Fox News said that this confirmed rumors that Jackson was emaciated,[31] while the Associated Press stated that his weight was in the acceptable range.[29]
Law enforcement agencies[edit]
Although they did not immediately announce that they suspected foul play, by the day after Jackson's death the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) began to investigate the unusual and high-profile case.[32] By August 28, the LAPD had announced that the case would be referred to prosecutors who might file criminal charges.[2] Because the LAPD did not secure Jackson's home, and allowed the Jackson family access to it too, before returning to remove certain items, the department raised concerns by some observers that the chain of custody had been broken.[33][34] The police maintained that they had followed protocol.[34] On July 1, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined the LAPD in the investigation. Having the authority to investigate issues otherwise protected by doctor-patient confidentiality, the DEA could legally follow the entirety of what appeared to be the complex trail of prescription drugs supplied to Jackson.[33] California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced that his office was helping the LAPD and DEA to create a statewide database of all medical doctors and prescriptions filled.[35]
The LAPD subpoenaed medical records from doctors who had treated Jackson. On July 9, William Bratton, then the Los Angeles Chief of Police, indicated that investigators were focusing on the possibility of homicide or accidental overdose, but had to wait for the full toxicology reports from the coroner.[36] The Los Angeles Times quoted a senior law enforcement source as saying authorities may not pursue charges even if the coroner declares the case a homicide, because Jackson's well-documented drug abuse would make any prosecution difficult. Nonetheless, the source said prosecutors had not ruled out more serious charges "all the way up to involuntary manslaughter" if it were determined that Jackson's death was indeed caused by the drug propofol.[37]
Drug-use allegations[edit]
Jackson was said to have used propofol, as well as alprazolam (an antianxiety agent), and sertraline (an antidepressant).[38] Other drugs named in connection with him included omeprazole, hydrocodone, paroxetine, carisoprodol, and hydromorphone.[39] After his death, police found several drugs in his home, including propofol. Some of these drugs had labels made out to Jackson under pseudonyms, while others were unlabeled.[40][41] A 2004 police document prepared for the 2005 People v. Jackson child abuse trial alleged that Jackson was taking up to 40 alprazolam pills a night.[36] Alprazolam was not found in his bloodstream at his time of death.[3] Dr. A.J. Farshchian, Michael Jackson's friend and confidante, has claimed that Jackson was scared of drugs.[42]
Deepak Chopra, an internist, endocrinologist, and speaker about mind–body intervention who was a friend of Jackson's for 20 years, expressed concern that, despite presumably having access to a large arsenal of drugs, Jackson appears to have been given no naloxone, a drug used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose.[43] Chopra also criticized what he saw as "enabling" by some Hollywood doctors: "This cult of drug-pushing doctors, with their co-dependent relationships with addicted celebrities, must be stopped. Let's hope that Michael's unnecessary death is the call for action."[43]
Eugene Aksenoff, a Tokyo-based physician who had treated Michael Jackson and his children on a few occasions, expressed concern about Jackson's use of and interest in various drugs. Aksenoff told The Japan Times that Jackson asked for stimulants so that he could get through some demanding performances. Aksenoff said he refused to prescribe them. He recalled that the singer suffered chronic fatigue, fever, insomnia and other symptoms and took a large amount of drugs. He suspected one of the major factors causing Jackson these symptoms was excessive use of steroids or other skin-whitening medications.[44] According to the toxicological tests effectuated on Jackson's body, no addiction had been reported, and none of the experts called to testify at Murray's trial have identified the singer as a drug addict.[3] Janet Jackson confirmed that the Jackson family tried to stage an intervention in early 2007, when Michael was living in Las Vegas.[45] Janet Jackson and some of her brothers allegedly traveled to his home, but were turned away by security guards who were ordered not to let them in. He was also rumored to have refused calls from his mother. "If you tried to deal with him," one source told CNN, "he would shut you out. You just wouldn't hear from him for long periods." The family denied that they had tried to intervene.[46]
Propofol[edit]

An ampoule of propofol.

 An ampoule of propofol
Of all the drugs found in Jackson's home, the one that most concerned investigators was propofol (Diprivan), a powerful anesthetic administered intravenously in hospitals to induce and maintain anesthesia during surgery.[47] Nicknamed "milk of amnesia" because of its opaque, milk-like appearance (and a play on the words "milk of magnesia"), the drug has been associated with cardiac arrest,[47] but it still may be increasingly used off-label for anxiolytic and other medically unsubstantiated purposes.[41] Several propofol bottles—some empty, some full—were found in Jackson's home.[41]
On June 30, Cherilyn Lee, a nurse who had worked as Jackson's nutritionist, said that he had asked her in May to provide propofol to help him sleep, but she refused. He told her he had been given the drug before for persistent insomnia, and that a doctor had said it was safe. Lee said she received a telephone call from an aide to Jackson on June 21 to say that Jackson was ill, although she no longer worked for him. She reported overhearing Jackson complain that one side of his body was hot, the other side cold. She advised the aide to send Jackson to a hospital.[48]
Arnold Klein told CNN that Jackson used an anesthesiologist to administer propofol to help him sleep while he was on tour in Germany. CNN said the anesthesiologist would "take him down" at night and "bring him back up" in the morning during the HIStory tour of 1996 to 1997.[46]
Medical professionals[edit]
The Los Angeles Times wrote that the DEA was focusing on at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Jackson, trying to determine whether they had had a "face to face" relationship with him, and whether they had made legally required diagnoses.[41] Fox News Channel published a list of nine doctors who they said were under investigation.[49] The Sunday Times wrote that the police wanted to question 30 doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, including Arnold Klein.[50] Klein said that he occasionally had given Jackson pethidine to sedate him, but had administered nothing stronger, and that he had turned his records over to the medical examiner.[51]
Personal physician[edit]
Main article: Trial of Conrad Murray

A one-story tan colored building. Bushes, trees, a sidewalk and a sky with multiple clouds surround the building.

 Murray practiced out of the Armstrong Clinic in Houston. The clinic was raided during an investigation of Murray in July 2009.
Cardiologist Conrad Murray joined Jackson's camp in May 2009 as part of Jackson's agreement with AEG Live, the promoter of his London concerts. Murray first met Jackson in Las Vegas when the doctor treated one of the singer's children. AEG Live said the singer insisted the company hire Murray to accompany him to England.[52] During Murray's trial it emerged that AEG employed the doctor and that Jackson did not sign the contract for the above-cited employment either.[53]
Murray said through his attorney that he did not prescribe or administer pethidine or oxycodone to Jackson, but did not say what, if anything, he did prescribe or administer.[47] Los Angeles police said the doctor spoke to officers immediately after Jackson's death, and during an extensive interview two days later. They stressed that they found "no red flag" and did not suspect foul play.[14] On June 26, police towed away a car used by Murray, stating that it might contain medication or other evidence. The police released the car five days later.[33]
Politician and minister Jesse Jackson, a friend of Michael Jackson's family, said that the family was concerned about Murray's role. "They have good reason to be [...] he left the scene."[54] Over the next few weeks, law enforcement grew increasingly concerned about the doctor, and on July 22 detectives searched Murray's medical office and storage unit in Houston, removing items such as a computer and two hard drives, contact lists and a hospital suspension notice.[55] On the 27th, an anonymous source reported that Murray had administered propofol within 24 hours of Jackson's death.[56] Murray's lawyers refused to comment on what they called "rumors, innuendo or unnamed sources."[57] The following day, the ABC News program Nightline reported that investigators had searched Murray's home and office in Las Vegas, and that Murray had become the primary focus of the investigation.[58] On August 11, a Las Vegas pharmacy was searched by investigators looking for evidence regarding Murray, according to an anonymous police source cited by The New York Times.[59] Murray's lawyer advised patience until the toxicology results arrived, noting that "things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known".[58] On February 8, 2010, Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter by prosecutors in Los Angeles. Murray pleaded not guilty and was released after posting $75,000 (USD) bail.[60] Shortly after, the California Medical Board issued an order preventing Murray from administering heavy sedatives.[61]
On January 11, 2011, the judge from Murray's preliminary hearing determined that Murray should stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in the Jackson case. The judge also suspended Murray's license to practice medicine in California.[62] The trial was originally to begin on March 24, but a delayed opening rescheduled it for May 9. Finally, the trial was rescheduled to September 8, with no further delays, as reported by CNN.[63] The jury selection of Murray's trial began on September 8, 2011, in Los Angeles. The trial began on September 27, 2011.[64] On November 7, 2011, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter[65] and he was held without bail to await sentencing.[66] On November 29, 2011, Murray received the maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.[67] Murray was released on October 28, 2013,[5] due to California prison overcrowding and good behavior.[68]
Health[edit]

A white piece of paper with personal information about the death of a person. The paper's writing is all in black and has multiple sections blacked-out.

 Michael Jackson's initial death certificate, issued pending toxicology reports
Another white piece of paper, with black writing and multiple sections blacked out, amending the prior form shown

 The amendment form issued by the coroner for his death certificate, after toxicology reports became available. Note the change of cause from "deferred" to "acute propofol intoxication" and the ruling of "Homicide" added.
Further information: Michael Jackson's health and appearance
Stacy Brown, a biographer, said Jackson had become "very frail, totally, totally underweight," and that his family had been worried about him. Another biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli, who became friends with Jackson in the 1970s, said Jackson had suffered from an addiction to painkillers which went on and off for decades.[26] Arnold Klein, Jackson's dermatologist, confirmed that Jackson misused prescription drugs, and that Klein had diagnosed Jackson with vitiligo and lupus. Yet, Klein said, when he saw Jackson at his office three days before his death, the singer "was in very good physical condition. He was dancing for my patients. He was very mentally aware when we saw him and he was in a very good mood."[51]
Family and legal affairs[edit]
Further information: Jackson family and The Jackson 5
Jackson is survived by his three children, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson (b. 1997); Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (b. 1998), born during his marriage to his second wife, Debbie Rowe; and Prince Michael Jackson II, known as "Blanket", born in 2002 to a surrogate mother. He is also survived by his brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy; sisters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet; and parents Joseph and Katherine. Katherine was granted temporary guardianship of Michael's three children on June 29, 2009.[69]
Family reaction[edit]
The Jackson family released a collective statement following the death:

Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.[70]
La Toya indicated that the family would file a lawsuit against anyone they believed responsible for her brother's death, as well as push for criminal charges.[71] In 2009, she stated that Jackson might have been administered an ultimately lethal dose of drugs by "a shadowy entourage" of handlers[71] and, in 2010, said that she believed her brother "was murdered for his music catalogue."[72] Shortly after Jackson's death, the family raised questions about the role of AEG Live, the This Is It concert promoter, in the last few weeks of his life.[54] Joseph has since filed a complaint with the California Medical Board alleging that AEG Live was illegally practicing medicine by demanding that Murray get Jackson off various medications. The complaint also alleges that AEG Live failed to provide the resuscitation equipment and nurse which Murray had requested. AEG spokesman Michael Roth declined to comment on the complaint.[73]
After Murray pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge, several members of the Jackson family said they felt he deserved a more severe charge.[74] On June 25, 2010, Joseph filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray. The lawsuit alleges that Murray repeatedly lied to cover up his use of propofol, did not keep sufficient medical records and was negligent in his use of medications on Jackson. Murray's civil attorney, Charles Peckham, denied that Murray gave Jackson anything life-threatening.[75] On August 15, 2012, Joseph dropped his wrongful death lawsuit against Murray.[76][77]
On September 15, 2010, Panish Shea & Boyle LLP also filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Michael Jackson's three children and his mother against the Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc. (AEG) and its subsidiaries and principals (including Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega, Paul Gongaware and Thimothy Leiweke).[78] The suit alleges that AEG put their desire for profits from the This Is It concerts over the health and safety of Michael Jackson, ultimately causing his death". Roth declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying that AEG not seen it.[79]
On November 7, 2011, Michael Jackson's family arrived at the courthouse in Los Angeles shortly after the jury announced they reached their verdict: Guilty. Michael's father Joe Jackson replied to reporters, only saying, "Justice." LaToya Jackson tweeted that she was shaking uncontrollably when she heard the verdict, and continued to tweet her emotions throughout the day.[80]
Estate[edit]
Further information: Value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Jackson's last will was filed by attorney John Branca at the Los Angeles County courthouse on July 1, 2009. Signed July 7, 2002, it names Branca and accountant John McClain as executors; they were confirmed as such by a Los Angeles judge on July 6, 2009.[81] All assets are given to the (pre-existing) Michael Jackson Family Trust (amended March 22, 2002),[82] the details of which have not been made public. The Associated Press reports that, in 2007, Jackson had a net worth of $236.6 million: $567.6 million in assets, which included Neverland Ranch and his 50% share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing' catalogue, and debts of $331 million.[83] The guardianship of his three children is given to his mother, Katherine, or if she is unable or unwilling, to singer Diana Ross.[84] The will states that Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe was omitted intentionally.[85] Jackson's will allocates 20% of his fortune as well as 20% of money made after death to unspecified charities.[86]
Media reports suggested that settlement of Jackson's estate could last many years.[87] The value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing is estimated by Ryan Schinman, chief of Platinum Rye, to be US$1.5 billion. Shinman's estimate makes Jackson's share of Sony/ATV worth US$750 million, from which Jackson would have had an annual income of US$80 million. Sony Corporation has not commented on whether it intends to buy Jackson's share of Sony/ATV from the Jackson estate. Jackson's creditors could force a distressed sale, which would act in Sony's favor since it would lower the sale price, but only if the trust set up by Jackson for his stake in Sony/ATV is revocable. A distressed sale would lower the value of Jackson's estate, and thus might not raise enough to cover the debts owed by the estate.[88]
Taxation of estate[edit]
The estate administrators and the IRS have estimated portions of the estate differently.[89][90] The estate estimated that the value of Jackson's likeness is only $2,105; whereas the IRS estimated that the likeness to be worth $434.26 million.[90] The estate estimated "no worth in Jackson's interest in a trust that owns some songs of his and the Beatles, but the IRS valued it at $469 million."[90] Also in dispute is the value of "Jackson's share of the Jackson 5 master recordings rights, stocks and bonds, and various cars Jackson owned."[90][91] The IRS proposed "imposing $505 million in taxes plus an additional $197 million in penalties, including a gross valuation misstatement penalty."[89][90] On July 26, 2013, the estate filed a U.S. Tax Court petition claiming "the IRS overestimated the value of its assets, including Jackson's likeness, real estate, a Bentley, a Lloyds of London insurance policy, Jackson's share of MJJ Ventures Inc., and two trusts.".[91][92] Jackson estate attorney Paul Hoffman of Hoffman, Sabban & Watenmaker told Bloomberg News, "The IRS is wrong."[92] The case title is Estate of Michael J. Jackson v. IRS, 17152-13, U.S. Tax Court in Washington, DC.[91]
Public reaction[edit]
Media and Internet coverage[edit]



 Wikipedia spikes at 15:00 hrs in Los Angeles, June 25.
The first reports that Jackson had suffered a cardiac arrest, then that he had died, came from TMZ.com, a Los Angeles-based celebrity news website. Doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center pronounced Jackson dead at 2:26 p.m., and 18 minutes later at 2:44 p.m., TMZ published: "Michael Jackson passed away today at the age of 50."[18] The Los Angeles Times website confirmed the report at 2:51 p.m. PDT (5:51 p.m. EDT).[93] The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and crash from user overload. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times suffered outages.[93] Google initially believed that the input from millions of people searching for "Michael Jackson" meant that the search engine was under attack. Twitter reported a crash, as did Wikipedia at 3:15 p.m.[94] The Wikimedia Foundation reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, probably the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history.[95] AOL Instant Messenger went down for 40 minutes. AOL called it a "seminal moment in Internet history", adding, "We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."[96]
Around 15% of Twitter posts—or 5,000 tweets per minute—reportedly mentioned Jackson after the news broke,[97][98] compared to the 5% recalled as having mentioned the Iranian elections or the flu pandemic that had made headlines earlier in the year.[98] Overall, web traffic ranged from 11% to at least 20% higher than normal.[97][99] MTV and Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired marathons of Jackson's music videos.[100] Jackson specials aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British soap opera EastEnders added a last-minute scene, in which one character discussed the news with another, to the June 26 episode.[101] Whilst all British newspapers printed pictures of Jackson in his youth or in his prime, The Sun (for the day after his death) was the only paper to show Jackson from 2009 at his frailest, and keeping to their regular promotion of 'Wacko Jacko.' The next day The Sun fell into course with the rest of the newspapers and Jackson was the topic of every front-page headline in The Sun for about two weeks following his death.[102] Magazines including TIME published commemorative editions.[103] A scene that had featured Jackson's sister La Toya was cut from the film Brüno out of respect toward Jackson's family.[104]
According to an analysis released by the Global Language Monitor, "72 hours after his death, Jackson jumped to the No. 9 spot for the global print and electronic media. For Internet, blogs and social media, Jackson jumped to the No. 2, only trailing the election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States. The results showed the growing disparity between the mainstream global media, and what is playing out for news on the Internet, and beyond".[105] Paul JJ Payack, president and chief word analyst of GLM said, "the death of Michael Jackson has resulted in a global media event of the first order", and added, "the fact that he has broken into the top media of the 21st century is a testament to the global impact of the man and his music." Commentators around the globe made connections between Jackson's death and the problems they perceived with everything from the racial dichotomy that Jackson sang about, to the "profoundly tragic figure of Michael Jackson"[106]—from American capitalism[107] and globalization, to the fall of the music industry in the 1980s. "Commentators around the world have absolutely flipped", wrote Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper.[108] Le Figaro columnist Yann Moix said that although Jackson, like his iconic Moonwalk, lived life in reverse, the world at his death shed "identical and universal tears".[109]
Statistics published by the Pew Research Center suggested that two out of three Americans believed the coverage of Jackson's death was excessive, while 3% felt it was insufficient.[110] In the UK, the BBC received over 700 complaints from viewers who thought the death dominated the news.[111] On June 29, American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh said the coverage was "a horrible disgrace" and lent his support to activist-ministers Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who were fighting to stem the press's speculation about what caused the death.[112] Other conservatives, including commentator Bill O'Reilly[113] and Congressman Peter T. King,[114] also disapproved of the media attention Jackson's death received. Meanwhile, Hugo Chávez, the President of Venezuela, called the pop star's death "lamentable news",[115] but criticized CNN for giving this news more coverage than they gave a coup d'état taking place in Honduras.[107][115]
In August 2009, there were reports that Michael Jackson's family paid social media marketing company uSocial.net to increase the numbers of followers on Jackson's Twitter profile.[116] According to the New York Daily News, uSocial was contracted to deliver 25,000 followers to the account.[117] It was not specified whether the service was rendered before or after his death.
Grief[edit]

The floor on an area on the ground is covered with flowers, cards and balloons. The area is closed off with metal barricades.

 Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame became a focal point for public grief.
News of Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world. The circumstances and timing of his death were compared to those of Elvis Presley and John Lennon. Fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Center, Neverland Ranch, his Holmby Hills home, the Hayvenhurst Jackson family home in Encino, the Apollo Theater in New York, and at Hitsville U.S.A., the old Motown headquarters in Detroit where Jackson's career began, now the Motown Museum. Streets around the hospital were blocked off, and across America people left offices and factories to watch the breaking news on television.[118] A small crowd, including the city's mayor, gathered outside his childhood home in Gary, where the flag on city hall was flown at half staff in his honor.[119] Fans in Hollywood initially gathered around the Walk of Fame star of another Michael Jackson—unable to access the singer's star, which had been temporarily covered by equipment in place for the Brüno film premiere.[120] Grieving fans and memorial tributes relocated from the talk radio host's star the next day.[121]
From Odessa[122] to Brussels,[123] and beyond, fans held their own memorial gatherings. U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence to the Jackson family,[14] and the House of Representatives observed a moment of silence.[124] Obama later stated that Jackson "will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers".[125] Former South African President Nelson Mandela issued a message through his foundation saying Jackson's loss would be felt worldwide.[126]

A group of people standing outside a gated area. There are trees, bushes, and grassed areas. A majority of the area the people and in are shadowed by the trees by the gate.

 Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death.
In Japan, where Jackson had somewhat of an idol status, the top government spokesman and other ministers expressed their condolences. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Tsutomu Sato told reporters, "I feel sad as I had watched him since he was a member of Jackson Five." "Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has credited him with building a generation with his music."[127] "'He was a superstar. It is an extremely tragic loss. But it is fantastic he was able to give so many dreams and so much hope to the people of the world,' said Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe."[128]
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown issue a brief statement on Jackson's death: "This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world." The Conservative opposition leader, David Cameron, said, "I know Michael Jackson's fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer."[129]
Russian fans gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow to mourn. One told Russia's Novosti newspaper, "This is so difficult! I'm hurt, very hurt! … For us, this is a very great loss. To us, he became a symbol of the spiritual world. It's hard to convey how great a loss this is."[130] France's Minister Culture, Frédéric Mitterrand, said, "We all have a Michael Jackson within."[131] Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, said she can't imagine life without him.[132] Liza Minnelli told CBS, "When the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose, so thank God we're celebrating him now."[133] His sister La Toya claimed that his daughter said he was being overworked. La Toya is quoted as saying: "She said, 'No, you don't understand. They kept working him and Daddy didn't want that, but they worked him constantly'. I felt so bad."[134]
Tributes[edit]

A group of males and a female performing on stage in front of a crowd of people. A male is shown blowing a kiss to the audience while wearing a white glove on his right hand and a white shirt with black pants and a jacket. An African American male wearing a white and dark grey shirt is shown in a crouched down position. The female is waving her hands in the air while wearing black fingerless gloves with a black shirt and pink shorts. There is also two other African American males in the background making hand gestures. Behind the people on the stage, there is a screen that shows a black and white photo.

 During the second leg of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour in June 2009, she and a Jackson impersonator performed a medley of Jackson's songs while photos of Jackson's were shown on a screen behind them.
On June 30, 2009, U2 while performing their first show of the U2 360 tour in Barcelona dedicated the song "Angel of Harlem" to Jackson. Bono sang verses from "Man In The Mirror" and "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" at the end of the song. On July 10, 2009, six thousand fans attended a musical tribute in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana. Local performers staged a medley of his songs, and mayor Rudy Clay unveiled a seven-foot memorial to him. Jesse Jackson addressed the crowd, stating, "This is where Michael learned to dance, where he learned to sing, where he learned to sacrifice."[135] The Game, was among the first performers to release a tribute song: his single "Better on the Other Side" came out the day after Jackson's death. Produced by DJ Khalil, this song featured vocals by Diddy, Chris Brown, Polow da Don, Mario Winans, Usher, and Boyz II Men.[136] A wide variety of other artists recorded musical tributes, such as 50 Cent,[137] LL Cool J, Robbie Williams, Akon and guitarist Buckethead (whose song entitled "The Homing Beacon" was inspired by Jackson's 3-D film, Captain EO.)[138]
On June 26, multiple artists, such as Pharrell Williams and Lily Allen, paid tribute to Jackson at the Glastonbury Festival.[139] Performances included Allen wearing a single white glove (which was a signature look for Jackson) for her set on the Pyramid Stage, while The Streets performed a cover of "Billie Jean".[139] Tributes to Jackson at the musical festival continued over the weekend from June 26 to June 28.[140] On July 5, 2009. Madonna performed a tribute to Jackson during the second leg of the Sticky & Sweet Tour.[141] While performing a medley of Jackson's songs, as a Jackson impersonator performed Jackson's signature moves, photos of Jackson were shown on screen behind them.[141][142] After the performance, Madonna told the crowd, "Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known", leading to applause from the crowd.[142] Beyonce Knowles dedicated her song "Halo" to Jackson during multiple concerts during her I Am... World Tour. Knowles, who cites Jackson as her biggest influence, has been referred to as Jackson's heir apparent, along with drawing continuous comparisons to him.
Artists from the metal and hard rock community also paid homage to Jackson. Metallica paid tribute to Jackson during its encore at the Sonisphere Festival. Honoring Michael Jackson during its July 4 headlining appearance at the event, the band played a portion of 'Beat It' before easing into a riotous cover of Queen's 'Stone Cold Crazy'.[143] Boston hard rockers Extreme performed a cover version of Jacksons's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" at the Midnight Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas.[144] Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, spoke about Jackson in an interview for an internet blog: "He was an immense star, wasn't he? Let's face it. He's a worldwide superstar really and the grief that everybody's is showing, it doesn't surprise me at all. He was a very, very talented man." [145] Members of the legendary metal band Black Sabbath released official statements regarding the passing of Michael Jackson. Drummer Bill Ward: "For those in heartache today, I wish you all wellness in healing. A great entertainer has died. I think those who experienced and heard his heart are more enlightened people for it than before. I believe you're all most fortunate to have connected to Michael Jackson." [146] Bassist Geezer Butler: "Saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Michael Jackson. He truly was, and always will be, a true icon. 'Thriller' was one of the greatest pop masterpieces of all time. A sad day for our world. R.I.P." [147] Legendary shock rocker, Alice Cooper released the following statement: "Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that's saying a lot. We had Vincent Price in common. I used him first on 'Welcome To My Nightmare' in 1975, and he later used him on 'Thriller'. Nobody moved like Michael, he was truly the King of Pop." [148] Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who worked with Jackson during the recording of Thriller, stated: "I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 — one of my fondest memories in my career. Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace." [149] Queen guitarist Brian May stated in his official website: "Hard to know what to say — what to feel. I find myself wondering what might have happened on his tour... The number of dates in the U.K. that he had committed to was insane. I did have a feeling it was impossible, but I was so shocked to hear that he went so suddenly. Very sad. Of course, I still think of him as a boy — he used to come and see us (Queen) play when we were on tour in the States, and he and Freddie Mercury became close friends, close enough to record a couple of tracks together at Michael's house. Tracks which have never seen the light of day. Michael was the boy star of the Jackson Five, and always the most screamed at. I remember in their show, they tried very hard to make all the brothers equal in the presentation, but it was abundantly obvious that all most of the girl fans really wanted to see was little Michael. It was Michael who heard our track 'Another One Bites the Dust' when he came to see us on 'The Game' tour ... and told us we were mad if we didn't release it as a single." [149] Former Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash, who played guitar on Jackson's single "Give In to Me" stated: "Really sad news about Michael. He was a talent from on high." [149] Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave performed a cover version of "Billie Jean" on June 27, 2009, at the Peace & Love festival in Borlänge, Sweden.[150] Steve Vai and Andy Timmons of Danger Danger performed an instrumental version of "Beat It" at the Meinl Guitar Festival 2009 on June 27 in Gutenstetten, Germany.[151] Former Skid Row frontman, Sebastian Bach commented: "Another angel down... I am very sorry for my friend Jermaine's loss. I lived with Jermaine for three weeks last year (during the filming of the second season of CMT's hit series, 'Gone Country'), and we talked about his brother frequently. He said to me, 'When you cut up my brother, you're cutting up me'. I feel for the Jackson family, because I know all too well how they feel. Unfortunately." [152] Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche stated: "I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, watching him and his brothers perform on television. He made performing seem easy and inspired my generation with his music and his grace. He was one of a kind and will be missed but his music will live forever." [152] Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen recorded "Beat It" with ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals.[153] Guitarist Buckethead wrote a song entitled "The Homing Beacon", inspired by Jackson's 3-D film, Captain EO.)[138] Alternative metal band CKY performed "Beat It" for the duration of their "Carver City" Tour. In some instances, guitarist Chad I Ginsburg wore T-shirts depicting Jackson during the performances.[154] Poison drummer Rikki Rockett commented: "Michael Jackson — huge loss!!! The words genius and musical are used in the same sentence too often. Not in the case of Michael Jackson. His musical expression will never be topped and his inspiration will live forever. R.I.P." In October 2013, an all-star tribute album was released featuring current and former members of Iron Maiden, Kiss, Motörhead, Testament, Guns N' Roses, Fozzy, Quiet Riot, Dio, Whitesnake, Mr. Big, among others.[155]
Jackson's sister La Toya released her song, "Home", on July 28 as a charity single in her brother's honor. All proceeds are being donated to one of Michael's favorite charities.[156] BET's annual 2009 Awards Ceremony aired three days after Jackson's death, on June 28, 2009. It featured a tribute to the singer. Host Jamie Foxx said, "We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everybody else." The ceremony featured performances of several of Jackson's songs, including pieces from his time with The Jackson Five and those from his solo career.[157] Joe Jackson and Al Sharpton were in the audience, and Janet Jackson spoke briefly on behalf of the family. The show was the most watched BET annual awards show in the awards shows history.[158] A few days after Jackson's death, there were news reports to the effect that AEG Live, the promoter for Jackson's This Is It concerts, was preparing a tribute concert for September 2009. The show would reportedly follow the style arranged for the This Is It concerts.[159][160] However, no details of any such concert have been announced.
The day after Jackson's death, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced that the city would erect a statue of the singer in the favela of Dona Marta. Jackson visited the community in 1996 and filmed a music video for "They Don't Care About Us" there. The mayor said that Jackson had helped make the community into "a model for social development."[161] Memorials were held all over the world, in places as diverse as Tokyo,[161] Bucharest[162] and Baku, Azerbaijan.[163] In Midyat, Turkey, even a Salat al-Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) was performed, and traditional funeral helva was cooked and distributed.[164] The music video for "Do the Bartman", a Simpsons song co-written by Jackson, was broadcast ahead of an episode rerun of The Simpsons on June 28. It featured a title card paying tribute to Jackson.[165] The 1991 Simpsons episode that Jackson guest starred in under the name of John Jay Smith, "Stark Raving Dad", was broadcast on Fox on July 5.[166] The episode had been broadcast on the Dutch Comedy Central the day after his death, and was dedicated to Jackson's memory.[167] His 1978 film The Wiz (in which he co-starred alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor) was briefly re-released in a rare 35mm format and was shown at the Hollywood Theater in his honor. It was also re-released a week prior to the release of Michael Jackson's This Is It in select cities. Madonna opened the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards with a speech about Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson made an appearance at the VMAs to pay musical tribute to her late brother and honor his career.[168] He was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award during the 52nd Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010.[169] Jackson, who had an acting role in the 1978 film The Wiz, was featured in the 82nd annual Academy Awards ceremony's "In Memoriam" tribute.[170]
Record sales[edit]
Jackson's record sales increased dramatically, eightyfold by June 29, according to HMV.[171] Bill Carr of Amazon said the website sold out of all Jackson and Jackson 5 CDs within minutes of the news breaking, and that demand surpassed that for Elvis Presley and John Lennon after their sudden deaths.[172] In Japan, six of his albums made SoundScan Japan's Top 200 Albums chart,[161] and in Poland, Thriller 25 topped the national album chart and was replaced by King of Pop the following week.[173]
In Australia, 15 of his albums occupied the ARIA top 100 as of July 5, four of them in the top ten, with three occupying the top three spots. He had 34 singles in the top 100 singles chart, including four in the top ten. Album sales were 62,015 for the previous week; singles tallied 107,821 units.[174] In the second week, album sales rose from the previous week and tallied 88,650 copies. On July 12, four albums were in the top 10 with three occupying the top three spots. In New Zealand, Thriller 25 topped the chart.[175] In Germany, King of Pop topped the album chart,[176] and from June 28 to July 4, nine of his albums occupied the Top 20 of CAPIF in Argentina.[177] In Billboard's European Top 100 Albums, he made history with eight of his albums in the top ten positions.[178] As of August 3, King of Pop has spent four weeks atop Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart.[179] The Collection also spent two weeks atop the same chart.[180]
In the UK, on the Sunday following his death, his albums occupied 14 of the top 20 places on the Amazon.co.uk sales chart, with Off the Wall at the top. Number Ones reached the top of the UK Album Chart, and his studio albums occupied number two to number eight on the iTunes Music Store top albums. Six of his songs charted in the top 40: "Man in the Mirror" (11), "Thriller" (23), "Billie Jean" (25), "Smooth Criminal" (28)", "Beat It" (30), and "Earth Song" (38).[181] The following Sunday, 13 of Jackson's songs charted in the top 40, including "Man in the Mirror", which landed the number two spot.[182] He broke Ruby Murray's 1955 record of five songs in the top 30.[183] The Essential Michael Jackson topped the album chart, giving Jackson a second number one album in as many weeks. He had five of the top ten albums in the album chart.[184] In third week sales, The Essential Michael Jackson retained the number one position and Jackson held three other positions within the top five.[185] By August 3, Jackson had sold 2 million records and spent six consecutive weeks atop the album chart.[179][186] He retained the top spot on the album chart for a seventh consecutive week.[187]
In the U.S., Jackson broke three chart records on the first Billboard issue date that followed his death. The entire top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums featured titles related to him. By the third week it would be the entire top 12 positions.[188] Number Ones was the best-selling album of the week and topped the catalog chart with sales of 108,000, an increase of 2,340 percent. The Essential Michael Jackson (2) and Thriller (3) also sold over 100,000 units. The other titles on the chart are Off the Wall (4), Jackson Five's Ultimate Collection (5), Bad (6), Dangerous (7), HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Volume 1 (8) and Jackson's Ultimate Collection (9). Collectively, his solo albums sold 422,000 copies in the week following his death, 800,000 copies in the first full week, and 1.1 million copies in the following week of his memorial service.[188] He also broke a record on the Top Digital Albums chart, with six of the top 10 slots, including the entire top four. On the Hot Digital Songs chart he placed a record of 25 songs on the 75-position list. In the U.S., Jackson became the first artist to sell over one million downloads in a week, with 2.6 million sales.[189][190]
By August 5, Jackson had sold nearly 3.8 million albums and 7.6 million tracks in the U.S.. Number Ones was the best-selling album for six out of seven weeks that followed his death.[191][192] By year's end in 2009, Jackson had become the best selling artist of the year selling 8.2 million albums in the U.S.[193] He also became the first artist in history to have four of the top 20 best-selling albums in a single year in the U.S., nearly doubling the sales of his nearest competitor.[194][195] Jackson was also the third best selling digital artist of 2009 in the U.S., selling approximately 12.35 million units.[196] In the 12 months that followed his death Jackson sold nine million albums in the U.S., and 35 million albums worldwide.[197] His estate also generated revenues of one billion dollars.[198]
Services[edit]
Memorial[edit]

A white round building that has one glass front wall showing with a sign in red text that reads "Staples Center" in capital letters. In the background, there are multiple people waling in front of the building and a white parked car and a cloudy blue sky.

 An estimated one billion viewers saw coverage of the memorial held in the Staples Center, pictured here during the memorial service.
Main article: Michael Jackson memorial service
A private family service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, after a public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on July 7, where Jackson had rehearsed on June 24, the day before he died. The memorial service was organized by Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live,[199] who gave away 17,500 free tickets (even if AEG was initially out to sell them, but due to complaints had to desist)[200] to fans worldwide through an online lottery that attracted over 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours,[201] and over a half-billion hits to the webpage.[202] The service was broadcast live around the world, and was believed to have been watched by up to 2.5 billion people.[8][203]
Jackson's solid-bronze casket (which reportedly cost USD $25,000)[50] was placed in front of the stage. Numerous celebrity guests attended the services.[204] His brothers each wore a single, white, sparkling glove, while Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Jermaine Jackson and others sang his songs. Jackson's then 11-year-old daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... and I just want to say I love him... so much."[205] Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."[206]
Burial[edit]
According to reports, Jackson's burial was originally scheduled for August 29, 2009 (which would have been his 51st birthday).[207] His service and burial was held at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009.[208] The burial was attended by his family members, first wife Lisa Marie Presley as well as his old friends Macaulay Culkin, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor, amongst others.[209] The service began with Jackson's three children placing a golden crown on his casket.[209]
Jackson's funeral cost one million dollars.[210][211] Cost for the funeral included; $590,000 for Jackson's crypt in Forest Lawn's Great Mausoleum, a vast granite and marble filled palazzo, guest invitations for $11,716.[210][211] The bill for security, including the fleet of luxury cars that delivered Jackson's children, parents and siblings to the ceremony, came to $30,000; the florist's bill was $16,000; and the funeral planner was paid $15,000.[210] Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the estate executors noted that Jackson's family decided on the details of the ceremony, but said a lavish funeral fit the life Jackson lived, commenting, "It was Michael Jackson. He was bigger than life when he was alive."[210][211]
Jackson's remains are interred in the Holly Terrace section in the Great Mausoleum. The mausoleum is a secure facility that is not accessible to the general public or to the media, except on an extremely limited basis. The unmarked crypt, which is partially visible at the tinted entrance of the Holly Terrace mausoleum, is covered in flowers fans leave, which are placed by security guards outside the crypt.[208] The family had considered burying Jackson at Neverland Ranch. However, some family members objected to the site, saying that the ranch had been tainted by the sexual abuse allegations.[208] Also, the owners of the ranch would have had to go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. In July 2010, security was increased at the mausoleum due to vandalism by fans leaving messages such as "Keep the dream alive" and "Miss you sweet angel" in permanent ink.[212]
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135.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson: thousands pay tribute at birthplace memorial, The Telegraph, retrieved on July 11, 2009
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155.Jump up ^ "GUNS N' ROSES, MOTÖRHEAD, TESTAMENT, Ex-IRON MAIDEN Members Pay Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON".
156.Jump up ^ "LaToya Song Re-Released as Michael Jackson Tribute". The Walt Disney Company. Associated Press. July 17, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
157.Jump up ^ BET Awards to pay tribute to Jackson, CNN. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
158.Jump up ^ "Ratings: Jackson Tribute Leads BET Awards to All-Time High, Disney Queens Rule, and More", seattlepi.com. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
159.Jump up ^ Singh, Amar. Justin Timberlake 'cautious' about Michael Jackson tribute show, This Is London, June 30, 2009.
160.Jump up ^ "Jackson's tour to become tribute concert". MSNBC. June 27, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
161.^ Jump up to: a b c Cobo, Leila. Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon, Billboard, July 2, 2009.
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163.Jump up ^ Michael Jackson commemorated in Baku APA, Jun 29, 2009
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165.Jump up ^ Snierson, Dan (June 27, 2009). "Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air 'Do the Bartman' video in tribute on Sunday". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
166.Jump up ^ Snierson, Dan. Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air the pop star's 1991 episode, Entertainment Weekly, July 2, 2009.
167.Jump up ^ Screenshot of a cached version of Comedy Central's TV Guide for June 26, 2009 (In Dutch)
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169.Jump up ^ Singh, Anita (February 1, 2010). "Michael Jackson's children pay tribute to their father at Grammys". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved Feb 2, 2010.
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210.^ Jump up to: a b c d Harriet Ryan. Victoria Kim (November 11, 2009). "Michael Jackson's funeral cost more than $1 million, court documents show". The Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved February 26, 2010.
211.^ Jump up to: a b c Daniel Kreps (November 11, 2009). "Michael Jackson Funeral Cost $1 Million; Objections Against Estate Executors Dropped". RollingStone.com. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
212.Jump up ^ "Jackson Fans Graffiti Tomb". National Ledger. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
Further reading[edit]

Portal icon 2000s portal
Portal icon Death portal
Portal icon Greater Los Angeles portal
Portal icon Michael Jackson portal
 Wikiquote has quotations related to: Michael Jackson
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Death of Michael Jackson.
Jackson Tour Video—The Final Rehearsals, TMZ, July 2, 2009.
Barnes, Brooks. A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50, The New York Times, June 25, 2009.
BBC News. Obituary: Michael Jackson, June 26, 2009.
Boucher, Geoff, and Woo, Elaine. Michael Jackson's life was infused with fantasy and tragedy, Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
Rayner, Ben. Michael Jackson, 50: Child star, thriller, sad sideshow, The Toronto Star, June 26, 2009.
Saperstein, Pat. Michael Jackson dies at 50, Variety, June 25, 2009.
Sullivan, Caroline. Michael Jackson, The Guardian, June 26, 2009.
The Smoking Gun. "Lethal Levels" Of Drug Killed Jackson, August 24, 2009, includes State of California search warrant and affidavit.
The Sydney Morning Herald. Michael Jackson obituary: a gifted, troubled king of pop, June 26, 2009.
The Times. Michael Jackson, June 26, 2009.
Walters, Dell. "Michael Slept Here", Washingtonian, August 1, 2009.
Wikipedia article traffic statistics – Michael Jackson – June 2009.


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Michael Jackson memorial service

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Michael Jackson memorial service
MichaelJacksonMemorial 02.jpg
Held at the Staples Center, where Michael Jackson rehearsed on June 23 2009 (two days before his death).

Date
July 7, 2009
Location
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Participants
Rev. Lucious Smith, Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, Chris Moyles, Trey Lorenz, Queen Latifah, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Berry Gordy, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, John Mayer, Brooke Shields, Jermaine Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Usher, Shaheen Jafargholi, Kenny Ortega, Judith Hill, Marlon Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paris Jackson, Orianthi Panagaris
A public memorial service for Michael Jackson was held on July 7, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California twelve days after his death. The event was preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty in Hollywood Hills, and followed by a gathering in Beverly Hills for Jackson's family and close friends.
Jackson's closed, solid-bronze casket, plated with 14-karat gold and lined with blue velvet, which was not originally expected to be at the memorial service, arrived just before 10:00 a.m. local time, when it was placed in front of the stage. The memorial began a few minutes after 10:30 a.m. with music and a eulogy from Pastor Lucious Smith. The stage was filled with floral arrangements, with photographs and film of Jackson and the Jackson 5 projected onto screens at the back. Music and video montages traced his life from the beginning of his career to the end.[1]
Jackson's brothers, sitting in the front row, each wore a single white sequined glove in tribute of their late brother. Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Jermaine Jackson, and Shaheen Jafargholi sang Jackson's songs, and John Mayer played guitar. Berry Gordy, Brooke Shields, and Smokey Robinson gave eulogies, while Queen Latifah read "We Had Him", a poem written for the occasion by Maya Angelou. The Reverend Al Sharpton received a standing ovation when he told Jackson's children, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."[2]
Toward the end, the family gathered on stage to offer the final eulogies. Jackson's then-11-year-old daughter, Paris, while unable to give her speech without crying, told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just want to say I love him... so much."[3] Additionally, an emotional Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."[4]


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Service 2.1 Guest list
2.2 Casket
2.3 Live broadcast
2.4 Media coverage
2.5 Cost
3 References
4 External links

Background[edit]
The memorial service was organized by Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live, and AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC (Kenneth Ehrlich - Executive Producer),[5] who gave away 17,500 free tickets to fans worldwide through an online lottery that attracted over 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours,[6] and over a half-billion hits to the webpage.[7] An estimated 750,000[8] up to a million fans were expected to congregate outside Staples Center[9][10] but due to Los Angeles's $530 million budget crisis, city and police officials urged fans to stay home.[11] Street and highway exit around the Staples Center were sealed off,[11] and 3,000 officers, the largest security effort planned since the 1984 Olympics,[11] were on duty at a cost of $1.4 million to the city.[12] The motorcade for Jackson's casket was headed by two police motorcycle outriders, and the LA freeways were closed for the journey of approximately 11 miles (18 km) from Forest Lawn to the Staples Center.[13] The service was broadcast live around the world. The United States viewership was extremely high taking into consideration that the service was unusually held on a workday (Tuesday) and a host of people reported watching the service during work.
Service[edit]
The service began with Smokey Robinson reading messages of condolences from Diana Ross and former South African President Nelson Mandela. A gospel choir sang Andrae Crouch's "Soon and Very Soon" as Jackson's casket entered (culminating around the line "you will see the King"), followed by statements from Pastor Lucious Smith. Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz then sang "I'll Be There", a number one single for both The Jackson 5 and Carey and Lorenz. This was followed by a statement from Queen Latifah, who also read "We Had Him", a poem written by Maya Angelou for the occasion. Lionel Richie, Jackson's friend and his co-writer on "We Are the World", performed the song "Jesus Is Love" by The Commodores. In the eulogy of Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, he stated, "In fact, the more I think and talk about Michael Jackson, I feel the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." The statement was met with the longest standing ovation of the night.[14][15][16]



 A crowd of spectators gathering outside the Staples Center during the memorial service.
A video montage of Michael Jackson's life followed. Stevie Wonder spoke, played a small portion of "I Can't Help It", a song from Off the Wall that Wonder co-wrote, then performed a version of his songs "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and "They Won't Go When I Go". Next Kobe Bryant spoke about Jackson's humanitarian work, and Magic Johnson (who had appeared in the music video for "Remember the Time") recalled his memories of Jackson. Accompanied by a dancing chorus, Jennifer Hudson performed "Will You Be There" a song Jackson wrote and performed for the 1993 film Free Willy which is also from his Dangerous album, along with the dancers who would have been on stage with Jackson for his O2 concerts. John Mayer played guitar on a mainly instrumental version of "Human Nature" from Jackson's Thriller. Brooke Shields then spoke about the personal time she spent with Jackson, read excerpts from The Little Prince, and said that his favorite song was Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", which was then performed by Jermaine Jackson.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s children, Martin III and Bernice, then stated that Michael Jackson was the best that he could be. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas, Houston), representing the United States House of Representatives, emphasized that in the US, people are "innocent until proven guilty" (as the crowd cheered) then spoke about his "American story" plus his meetings with foreign diplomats, and that "Michael never stopped giving". She then went on to claim him as an American legend and world humanitarian (House Resolution 600[17]), closing her speech with a military salute as she said, "Michael Jackson, I salute you." Usher walked to the casket and then sang Larry Grossman and Buzz Kohan's "Gone Too Soon", which Jackson recorded as a tribute for Ryan White after his death; Usher cried near the end of the song as he placed his hand on the casket, but managed to finish. Following Usher, a clip from The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 featuring the Jackson 5's rendition of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You" was shown. Following this, the song's composer and Miracles lead singer, Smokey Robinson, spoke about and made joking remarks about the Jackson 5 covering his song, and continued with a speech. Shaheen Jafargholi from Britain's Got Talent then performed the song.
Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega presented Jafargholi, honored Jackson, and introduced the final performance of the memorial, which Jackson had been slated to perform during the This Is It dates. The concerts' chorus singers, Darrell Phinnessee, Ken Stacey, Dorian Holley, Judith Hill and guitarist Orianthi performed "We Are the World" and were joined on the stage by several of the guest speakers and performers as well as the Jackson family for the final chorus. With the entire group still on stage, Hill then led a performance of "Heal the World", with the remainder of the group joining in the chorus. Jackson's family then addressed the crowd. Jermaine—who had earlier performed a tearful rendition of "Smile"—gave a brief speech, followed by a eulogy by Marlon, where he tributed his stillborn twin brother Brandon, who died at birth, telling his younger brother to "give him a hug" for himself as a favor. Marlon then handed the microphone over to Janet, but in a move that came as a surprise to the show's organizers, she said that her niece, Paris, had something to say. Surrounded by her paternal aunts and uncles, Paris emotionally addressed the crowd before collapsing in tears and being escorted off the stage by her family:
“ I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine... and I just want to say (starts crying) I love him... so much ”



 Outside the Staples Center during the memorial service.
Marlon Jackson then thanked the crowd in attendance, and the family escorted the casket out of the arena while an instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" was performed. A microphone placed center stage was lit by spotlight while the instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" played out, symbolizing the 'absence' of Michael Jackson. Many in the crowd applauded and cheered as Michael Jackson's coffin was carried out of the building. Pastor Lucious Smith closed the service with a prayer and quote saying "I'm alive and I'm here forever" from the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson duet song The Man. The memorial was finished at 12:48 p.m.[18][19][20] Before broadcast of the service ended, a final slideshow of photos starting with Jackson's childhood and concluding with his final years played with Mariah Carey's version of "I'll Be There" playing.
Guest list[edit]
The participants were Ron Boyd (family friend), Los Angeles Lakers greats Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, fellow Motown Records alumni Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Andrae Crouch (choir), Queen Latifah, Judith Hill (recruited 'This Is It' performer), Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi (a child finalist on Britain's Got Talent, who sang a Jackson song), Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, John Mayer, Omer Bhatti (a Norwegian rapper), Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Pastor Lucious Smith (family friend), and Usher. In, addition to the above persons, ABC News reported, Lionel Richie's daughter Nicole, who was Michael's goddaughter, and singers Akon and Sean Combs would attend the services.[21]
Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and mother of two of his three children, hoping not to be a distraction,[22] did not attend the funeral.[23] Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, two of Jackson's closest friends, as well as Eliza Jackson Duphrey, Ivonne Ester Duphrey (Michael Jackson's cousins) also did not attend.[21]
Casket[edit]
Jackson was presented in a gold-plated solid bronze Promethean casket furnished by the Batesville Casket Company, which cost roughly $25,000. It is similar to the one in which James Brown was buried.[24][25] The closed casket at the Staples Center was decorated with red roses and Bells of Ireland flower arrangement. The casket was escorted by Jackson's brothers, each wearing a single sequined white glove on the hand in which they held the casket. Jackson was originally to be buried on what would have been his 51st birthday, however the services were postponed and he was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale on September 3, 2009.
Live broadcast[edit]
The service was broadcast live around the world, from the U.S. to Slovakia to parts of Asia. Public screenings were held in 37 cinemas across the U.S., as well as in Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Gothenburg, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Malmö, Oslo, Paris, Milan, Seville, Stockholm, and Tallinn.[26] There was also a live broadcast at 3am in Melbourne, Australia at Federation Square.[27] Before the event, the organizers expected an estimated one billion viewers.[28][29][30] According to Nielsen, 31.1 million Americans watched the service live on television;[31] an amount comparable to the 35.1 million that watched the state funeral of former president Ronald Reagan in 2004.[32] According to some news sources the event exceeded 2.5 billion viewers, which would make it the most watched live television broadcast in history worldwide.[33] Although this number is not widely agreed upon.



Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department motorcycle detail patrolling the parameter of the Staples Center during the memorial service.
Also in comparison to other big non-funeral related events, the inauguration of President Barack Obama garnered about 38 million viewers, and the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics garnered about 34.2 million viewers in the U.S. alone.[34] The memorial service was the most watched event in online streaming history.[35] CNN's webcast drew at least 9.7 million streams; their feed on Ustream, 4.6 million streams; and MSNBC's feed via Justin.tv drew three million.[36]
Media coverage[edit]
According to Global Language Monitor, the coverage from the death and aftermath to the funeral of Michael Jackson tops Pope John Paul II as No.1 media (noting the longer timeframe and contentious circumstances re. the former).[37]
Cost[edit]
The city of Los Angeles said the memorial had cost the city $1.4 million for 1,400 police officers, trash pick-up, sanitation, and traffic control. The city set up a webpage asking fans for donations to help with the expenses, though it kept crashing. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said it would be wrong to expect taxpayers to finance a private event. "The city attorney does not want something like this happening again, the city paying for a private event," spokesman John Franklin told CNN. "That's especially in a cash-strapped city, where people have been furloughed or even lost jobs."[38]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ TVGuideNews (July 7, 2009). "Top Moments: Michael Jackson Memorial". TVGuide.com. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
2.Jump up ^ "Video of Sharpton's eulogy". Macleans (macleans.ca). July 7, 2009.
3.Jump up ^ Burkeman, Oliver (July 7, 2009). "Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service". The Guardian (London). Retrieved May 12, 2010.
4.Jump up ^ "Emotional farewell to King of Pop". BBC News (bbcnews.com). July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
5.Jump up ^ Parks, Tim (July 3, 2009). "AEG to release Jackson memorial tickets". Digital Spy.
6.Jump up ^ Allen, Nick (July 6, 2009). "Thirteen applications per second for Michael". The Daily Telegraph (London: telegraph.co.uk).
7.Jump up ^ "Website for Jackson tickets gets 500 million hits in first hour | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
8.Jump up ^ Suter, Leanne (July 2, 2009). "Jackson memorial set for Staples Center". ABClocal.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
9.Jump up ^ "One million fans expected at Michael Jackson memorial". azcentral.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
10.Jump up ^ ."1 Million Expected at Jackson's Star-Studded Memorial". Star Magazine. July 3, 2009.
11.^ Jump up to: a b c "Cost only security problem at Jackson memorial". CNN (CNN.com). July 7, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
12.Jump up ^ Vercammen, Paul (July 8, 2009). "Mayor's office: Michael Jackson memorial cost L.A. $1.4 million". CNN (CNN.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
13.Jump up ^ Singh, Anita (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson funeral to take place in Los Angeles". The Daily Telegraph (London: telegraph.co.uk).
14.Jump up ^ "Farewell to a King". People. July 20, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.[dead link]
15.Jump up ^ "BERRY GORDY - GORDY BRINGS MOURNERS TO THEIR FEET WITH JACKSON TRIBUTE". Contact Music. July 7, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
16.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson hailed as greatest entertainer, best dad". Reuters UK. July 8, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
17.Jump up ^ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.600:
18.Jump up ^ "Entertainment | Reporters' log: Jackson memorial". BBC News. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
19.Jump up ^ Itzkoff, Dave (July 7, 2009). "Live Blogging the Jackson Memorial - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com". Artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
20.Jump up ^ Boucher, Geoff; DiMassa, Cara Mia (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson hailed during emotional memorial service". Los Angeles Times (latimes.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
21.^ Jump up to: a b Fisher, Luchina; Marikar, Sheila (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Memorial Lures A-List Attendees, Participants". ABC News (ABCNEWS.com).
22.Jump up ^ Larry King Live (television). CNN. July 6, 2009.
23.Jump up ^ Netter, Sarah; Friedman, Emily (July 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson to be Buried in Famed Hollywood Cemetery". ABC News (ABCNEWS.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
24.Jump up ^ Harlow, John (July 5, 2009). "Police target 30 in hunt for Michael Jackson’s drug suppliers". The Sunday Times.
25.Jump up ^ "Promethean Bronze". Caskets by Batesville.
26.Jump up ^ "Broadcast of Jackson Memorial Service to Mann Chinese Six Theatre in Los Angeles, CA to Be Cancelled at Request of Los Angeles Police Department". Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. cinedigm.com. July 7, 2009.
27.Jump up ^ Lawless, Jill (July 7, 2009). "Jackson's world fans mourn idol before memorial". Associated Press.
28.Jump up ^ de Moraes, Lisa (July 9, 2009). "Lisa De Moraes Column on Michael Jackson's Memorial Service". The Washington Post.
29.Jump up ^ [1]
30.Jump up ^ [2]
31.Jump up ^ de Moraes, Lisa (July 9, 2009). "Jackson's Memorial a Hit With Viewers but Not Quite Off the Charts". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
32.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson Memorial Earns 31 Million Viewers & More TV News - Inside TV Blog". Television.aol.com. July 9, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
33.Jump up ^ "Hazarikas funeral creates world record". MSN. July 8, 2009.
34.Jump up ^ "31.1 million watched Jackson memorial". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
35.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson memorial draws crowds online - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
36.Jump up ^ Ostrow, Adam (July 7, 2009). "CNN Live Stream of Michael Jackson Memorial: 9.7 Million Views". Mashable. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
37.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson funeral tops Pope John Paul II as No. 1 media". Global Language Monitor.
38.Jump up ^ Duke, Alan; Saeed, Ahmed (July 8, 2009). "More associates link Jackson to prescription drugs". CNN (CNN.com).
External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Jackson memorial service.

Portal icon Los Angeles portal
Michael Jackson Memorial Service at the Internet Movie Database


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Michael Jackson memorial service

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Michael Jackson memorial service
MichaelJacksonMemorial 02.jpg
Held at the Staples Center, where Michael Jackson rehearsed on June 23 2009 (two days before his death).

Date
July 7, 2009
Location
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Participants
Rev. Lucious Smith, Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, Chris Moyles, Trey Lorenz, Queen Latifah, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Berry Gordy, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, John Mayer, Brooke Shields, Jermaine Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Usher, Shaheen Jafargholi, Kenny Ortega, Judith Hill, Marlon Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paris Jackson, Orianthi Panagaris
A public memorial service for Michael Jackson was held on July 7, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California twelve days after his death. The event was preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty in Hollywood Hills, and followed by a gathering in Beverly Hills for Jackson's family and close friends.
Jackson's closed, solid-bronze casket, plated with 14-karat gold and lined with blue velvet, which was not originally expected to be at the memorial service, arrived just before 10:00 a.m. local time, when it was placed in front of the stage. The memorial began a few minutes after 10:30 a.m. with music and a eulogy from Pastor Lucious Smith. The stage was filled with floral arrangements, with photographs and film of Jackson and the Jackson 5 projected onto screens at the back. Music and video montages traced his life from the beginning of his career to the end.[1]
Jackson's brothers, sitting in the front row, each wore a single white sequined glove in tribute of their late brother. Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Jermaine Jackson, and Shaheen Jafargholi sang Jackson's songs, and John Mayer played guitar. Berry Gordy, Brooke Shields, and Smokey Robinson gave eulogies, while Queen Latifah read "We Had Him", a poem written for the occasion by Maya Angelou. The Reverend Al Sharpton received a standing ovation when he told Jackson's children, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."[2]
Toward the end, the family gathered on stage to offer the final eulogies. Jackson's then-11-year-old daughter, Paris, while unable to give her speech without crying, told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just want to say I love him... so much."[3] Additionally, an emotional Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."[4]


Contents  [hide]
1 Background
2 Service 2.1 Guest list
2.2 Casket
2.3 Live broadcast
2.4 Media coverage
2.5 Cost
3 References
4 External links

Background[edit]
The memorial service was organized by Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live, and AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC (Kenneth Ehrlich - Executive Producer),[5] who gave away 17,500 free tickets to fans worldwide through an online lottery that attracted over 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours,[6] and over a half-billion hits to the webpage.[7] An estimated 750,000[8] up to a million fans were expected to congregate outside Staples Center[9][10] but due to Los Angeles's $530 million budget crisis, city and police officials urged fans to stay home.[11] Street and highway exit around the Staples Center were sealed off,[11] and 3,000 officers, the largest security effort planned since the 1984 Olympics,[11] were on duty at a cost of $1.4 million to the city.[12] The motorcade for Jackson's casket was headed by two police motorcycle outriders, and the LA freeways were closed for the journey of approximately 11 miles (18 km) from Forest Lawn to the Staples Center.[13] The service was broadcast live around the world. The United States viewership was extremely high taking into consideration that the service was unusually held on a workday (Tuesday) and a host of people reported watching the service during work.
Service[edit]
The service began with Smokey Robinson reading messages of condolences from Diana Ross and former South African President Nelson Mandela. A gospel choir sang Andrae Crouch's "Soon and Very Soon" as Jackson's casket entered (culminating around the line "you will see the King"), followed by statements from Pastor Lucious Smith. Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz then sang "I'll Be There", a number one single for both The Jackson 5 and Carey and Lorenz. This was followed by a statement from Queen Latifah, who also read "We Had Him", a poem written by Maya Angelou for the occasion. Lionel Richie, Jackson's friend and his co-writer on "We Are the World", performed the song "Jesus Is Love" by The Commodores. In the eulogy of Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, he stated, "In fact, the more I think and talk about Michael Jackson, I feel the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived." The statement was met with the longest standing ovation of the night.[14][15][16]



 A crowd of spectators gathering outside the Staples Center during the memorial service.
A video montage of Michael Jackson's life followed. Stevie Wonder spoke, played a small portion of "I Can't Help It", a song from Off the Wall that Wonder co-wrote, then performed a version of his songs "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and "They Won't Go When I Go". Next Kobe Bryant spoke about Jackson's humanitarian work, and Magic Johnson (who had appeared in the music video for "Remember the Time") recalled his memories of Jackson. Accompanied by a dancing chorus, Jennifer Hudson performed "Will You Be There" a song Jackson wrote and performed for the 1993 film Free Willy which is also from his Dangerous album, along with the dancers who would have been on stage with Jackson for his O2 concerts. John Mayer played guitar on a mainly instrumental version of "Human Nature" from Jackson's Thriller. Brooke Shields then spoke about the personal time she spent with Jackson, read excerpts from The Little Prince, and said that his favorite song was Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", which was then performed by Jermaine Jackson.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s children, Martin III and Bernice, then stated that Michael Jackson was the best that he could be. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas, Houston), representing the United States House of Representatives, emphasized that in the US, people are "innocent until proven guilty" (as the crowd cheered) then spoke about his "American story" plus his meetings with foreign diplomats, and that "Michael never stopped giving". She then went on to claim him as an American legend and world humanitarian (House Resolution 600[17]), closing her speech with a military salute as she said, "Michael Jackson, I salute you." Usher walked to the casket and then sang Larry Grossman and Buzz Kohan's "Gone Too Soon", which Jackson recorded as a tribute for Ryan White after his death; Usher cried near the end of the song as he placed his hand on the casket, but managed to finish. Following Usher, a clip from The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 featuring the Jackson 5's rendition of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You" was shown. Following this, the song's composer and Miracles lead singer, Smokey Robinson, spoke about and made joking remarks about the Jackson 5 covering his song, and continued with a speech. Shaheen Jafargholi from Britain's Got Talent then performed the song.
Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega presented Jafargholi, honored Jackson, and introduced the final performance of the memorial, which Jackson had been slated to perform during the This Is It dates. The concerts' chorus singers, Darrell Phinnessee, Ken Stacey, Dorian Holley, Judith Hill and guitarist Orianthi performed "We Are the World" and were joined on the stage by several of the guest speakers and performers as well as the Jackson family for the final chorus. With the entire group still on stage, Hill then led a performance of "Heal the World", with the remainder of the group joining in the chorus. Jackson's family then addressed the crowd. Jermaine—who had earlier performed a tearful rendition of "Smile"—gave a brief speech, followed by a eulogy by Marlon, where he tributed his stillborn twin brother Brandon, who died at birth, telling his younger brother to "give him a hug" for himself as a favor. Marlon then handed the microphone over to Janet, but in a move that came as a surprise to the show's organizers, she said that her niece, Paris, had something to say. Surrounded by her paternal aunts and uncles, Paris emotionally addressed the crowd before collapsing in tears and being escorted off the stage by her family:
“ I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine... and I just want to say (starts crying) I love him... so much ”



 Outside the Staples Center during the memorial service.
Marlon Jackson then thanked the crowd in attendance, and the family escorted the casket out of the arena while an instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" was performed. A microphone placed center stage was lit by spotlight while the instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" played out, symbolizing the 'absence' of Michael Jackson. Many in the crowd applauded and cheered as Michael Jackson's coffin was carried out of the building. Pastor Lucious Smith closed the service with a prayer and quote saying "I'm alive and I'm here forever" from the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson duet song The Man. The memorial was finished at 12:48 p.m.[18][19][20] Before broadcast of the service ended, a final slideshow of photos starting with Jackson's childhood and concluding with his final years played with Mariah Carey's version of "I'll Be There" playing.
Guest list[edit]
The participants were Ron Boyd (family friend), Los Angeles Lakers greats Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, fellow Motown Records alumni Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Andrae Crouch (choir), Queen Latifah, Judith Hill (recruited 'This Is It' performer), Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi (a child finalist on Britain's Got Talent, who sang a Jackson song), Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, John Mayer, Omer Bhatti (a Norwegian rapper), Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Pastor Lucious Smith (family friend), and Usher. In, addition to the above persons, ABC News reported, Lionel Richie's daughter Nicole, who was Michael's goddaughter, and singers Akon and Sean Combs would attend the services.[21]
Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and mother of two of his three children, hoping not to be a distraction,[22] did not attend the funeral.[23] Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, two of Jackson's closest friends, as well as Eliza Jackson Duphrey, Ivonne Ester Duphrey (Michael Jackson's cousins) also did not attend.[21]
Casket[edit]
Jackson was presented in a gold-plated solid bronze Promethean casket furnished by the Batesville Casket Company, which cost roughly $25,000. It is similar to the one in which James Brown was buried.[24][25] The closed casket at the Staples Center was decorated with red roses and Bells of Ireland flower arrangement. The casket was escorted by Jackson's brothers, each wearing a single sequined white glove on the hand in which they held the casket. Jackson was originally to be buried on what would have been his 51st birthday, however the services were postponed and he was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale on September 3, 2009.
Live broadcast[edit]
The service was broadcast live around the world, from the U.S. to Slovakia to parts of Asia. Public screenings were held in 37 cinemas across the U.S., as well as in Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Gothenburg, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Malmö, Oslo, Paris, Milan, Seville, Stockholm, and Tallinn.[26] There was also a live broadcast at 3am in Melbourne, Australia at Federation Square.[27] Before the event, the organizers expected an estimated one billion viewers.[28][29][30] According to Nielsen, 31.1 million Americans watched the service live on television;[31] an amount comparable to the 35.1 million that watched the state funeral of former president Ronald Reagan in 2004.[32] According to some news sources the event exceeded 2.5 billion viewers, which would make it the most watched live television broadcast in history worldwide.[33] Although this number is not widely agreed upon.



Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department motorcycle detail patrolling the parameter of the Staples Center during the memorial service.
Also in comparison to other big non-funeral related events, the inauguration of President Barack Obama garnered about 38 million viewers, and the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics garnered about 34.2 million viewers in the U.S. alone.[34] The memorial service was the most watched event in online streaming history.[35] CNN's webcast drew at least 9.7 million streams; their feed on Ustream, 4.6 million streams; and MSNBC's feed via Justin.tv drew three million.[36]
Media coverage[edit]
According to Global Language Monitor, the coverage from the death and aftermath to the funeral of Michael Jackson tops Pope John Paul II as No.1 media (noting the longer timeframe and contentious circumstances re. the former).[37]
Cost[edit]
The city of Los Angeles said the memorial had cost the city $1.4 million for 1,400 police officers, trash pick-up, sanitation, and traffic control. The city set up a webpage asking fans for donations to help with the expenses, though it kept crashing. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said it would be wrong to expect taxpayers to finance a private event. "The city attorney does not want something like this happening again, the city paying for a private event," spokesman John Franklin told CNN. "That's especially in a cash-strapped city, where people have been furloughed or even lost jobs."[38]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ TVGuideNews (July 7, 2009). "Top Moments: Michael Jackson Memorial". TVGuide.com. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
2.Jump up ^ "Video of Sharpton's eulogy". Macleans (macleans.ca). July 7, 2009.
3.Jump up ^ Burkeman, Oliver (July 7, 2009). "Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service". The Guardian (London). Retrieved May 12, 2010.
4.Jump up ^ "Emotional farewell to King of Pop". BBC News (bbcnews.com). July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
5.Jump up ^ Parks, Tim (July 3, 2009). "AEG to release Jackson memorial tickets". Digital Spy.
6.Jump up ^ Allen, Nick (July 6, 2009). "Thirteen applications per second for Michael". The Daily Telegraph (London: telegraph.co.uk).
7.Jump up ^ "Website for Jackson tickets gets 500 million hits in first hour | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
8.Jump up ^ Suter, Leanne (July 2, 2009). "Jackson memorial set for Staples Center". ABClocal.com. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
9.Jump up ^ "One million fans expected at Michael Jackson memorial". azcentral.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
10.Jump up ^ ."1 Million Expected at Jackson's Star-Studded Memorial". Star Magazine. July 3, 2009.
11.^ Jump up to: a b c "Cost only security problem at Jackson memorial". CNN (CNN.com). July 7, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
12.Jump up ^ Vercammen, Paul (July 8, 2009). "Mayor's office: Michael Jackson memorial cost L.A. $1.4 million". CNN (CNN.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
13.Jump up ^ Singh, Anita (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson funeral to take place in Los Angeles". The Daily Telegraph (London: telegraph.co.uk).
14.Jump up ^ "Farewell to a King". People. July 20, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.[dead link]
15.Jump up ^ "BERRY GORDY - GORDY BRINGS MOURNERS TO THEIR FEET WITH JACKSON TRIBUTE". Contact Music. July 7, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
16.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson hailed as greatest entertainer, best dad". Reuters UK. July 8, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
17.Jump up ^ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.600:
18.Jump up ^ "Entertainment | Reporters' log: Jackson memorial". BBC News. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
19.Jump up ^ Itzkoff, Dave (July 7, 2009). "Live Blogging the Jackson Memorial - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com". Artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
20.Jump up ^ Boucher, Geoff; DiMassa, Cara Mia (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson hailed during emotional memorial service". Los Angeles Times (latimes.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
21.^ Jump up to: a b Fisher, Luchina; Marikar, Sheila (July 7, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Memorial Lures A-List Attendees, Participants". ABC News (ABCNEWS.com).
22.Jump up ^ Larry King Live (television). CNN. July 6, 2009.
23.Jump up ^ Netter, Sarah; Friedman, Emily (July 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson to be Buried in Famed Hollywood Cemetery". ABC News (ABCNEWS.com). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
24.Jump up ^ Harlow, John (July 5, 2009). "Police target 30 in hunt for Michael Jackson’s drug suppliers". The Sunday Times.
25.Jump up ^ "Promethean Bronze". Caskets by Batesville.
26.Jump up ^ "Broadcast of Jackson Memorial Service to Mann Chinese Six Theatre in Los Angeles, CA to Be Cancelled at Request of Los Angeles Police Department". Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. cinedigm.com. July 7, 2009.
27.Jump up ^ Lawless, Jill (July 7, 2009). "Jackson's world fans mourn idol before memorial". Associated Press.
28.Jump up ^ de Moraes, Lisa (July 9, 2009). "Lisa De Moraes Column on Michael Jackson's Memorial Service". The Washington Post.
29.Jump up ^ [1]
30.Jump up ^ [2]
31.Jump up ^ de Moraes, Lisa (July 9, 2009). "Jackson's Memorial a Hit With Viewers but Not Quite Off the Charts". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
32.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson Memorial Earns 31 Million Viewers & More TV News - Inside TV Blog". Television.aol.com. July 9, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
33.Jump up ^ "Hazarikas funeral creates world record". MSN. July 8, 2009.
34.Jump up ^ "31.1 million watched Jackson memorial". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
35.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson memorial draws crowds online - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
36.Jump up ^ Ostrow, Adam (July 7, 2009). "CNN Live Stream of Michael Jackson Memorial: 9.7 Million Views". Mashable. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
37.Jump up ^ "Michael Jackson funeral tops Pope John Paul II as No. 1 media". Global Language Monitor.
38.Jump up ^ Duke, Alan; Saeed, Ahmed (July 8, 2009). "More associates link Jackson to prescription drugs". CNN (CNN.com).
External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Jackson memorial service.

Portal icon Los Angeles portal
Michael Jackson Memorial Service at the Internet Movie Database


[show]
v ·
 t ·
 e
 
Michael Jackson































































































































































































































Wikipedia book
Category
Portal
WikiProject


  


Categories: Michael Jackson
Funerals by person
2009 in California
21st century in Los Angeles, California









Navigation menu



Create account
Log in



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Talk









Read

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This page was last modified on 25 April 2015, at 14:40.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_memorial_service