My Tribute to Michael Jackson on his Golden Years of Life (2)

Jackson’s rented home was roped off after paramedics arrived to transport the King of Pop to the hospital.

Born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana Jackson was a child star with the Jackson 5 and became one of the most successful recording artists of all time with the release of the album ‘Thriller’ in 1982 – the best selling album of all time. His successful songs redefined the modern music video and forced MTV to start showing black performers, and paved the way for the acceptance of rap and hip-hop as mainstream musical styles.

Elevated to the stardom level of the Beatles and Elvis, he also introduced a new level of mega-stardom through his music and clothes, his dance moves, and his massive live concert tours.

‘Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of colour – way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama,’ said black leader Al Sharpton. ‘Michael did with music what they did in sport politics and music. No controversy will erase his impact.’

He raised consciousness about the plight of Africa with the supergroup recording ‘We Are the World’ in 1985. But after that most of his headlines were dogged by scandal – from his marriages to Lisa Presley and former nurse Debby Rowe, to his eccentric lifestyle behind the gates of his fantasy childhood estate, named Neverland, after the setting of the book Peter Pan.

He managed to settle an allegation that he molested a boy there in 1993, but was forced to face a sensational ‘trial of the century’ 10 years later. He was ultimately acquitted of the charges, but the exposure caused huge damage to his career and financial situation.

At the time of his death he had been preparing for a 50-concert run in London that was meant to represent his comeback and secure his financial future. – yahoo

photo courtesy: hiphoprx