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The 2000s in America

Jackson, Michael

by Kassundra Miller

Identification: American recording artist

Born: August 29, 1958; Gary, IN

Died: June 25, 2009; Los Angeles, CA

Jackson paved the way for many modern recording artists. He was a musical pioneer who set records for best-selling albums and concert tours, awards, and charitable contributions. He was dubbed the “King of Pop” because his work could not be compared to that of any other artist.

Michael Joseph Jackson, known as the “King of Pop” was the most commercially successful recording artist of the 1980s whose tours broke world records for attendance and total gross ticket sales. Jackson’s success continued until 1993, when he was accused of molesting a thirteen-year-old boy who frequently visited Jackson at his Neverland ranch. Jackson and the accuser’s family settled out of court. Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, in 1994, but the two divorced in 1996. Later that year, Jackson married his pregnant nurse, Debbie Rowe. Jackson and Rowe’s first child, Prince Michael Jackson, Jr., was born in 1997. Jackson’s second child, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, was born in 1998. In 1999, Jackson and Rowe divorced; Rowe granted Jackson full custody of their children.

The 2000 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records names Jackson as record holder for the Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star, at approximately forty organizations. Invincible, Jackson’s tenth album, was released in October, 2001, despite a contract dispute between Jackson and Sony Music Entertainment. Although the album went double platinum in the United States, sales for the album were low compared to Jackson’s past albums.

Prince Michael Jackson II, Jackson’s second son, was born in early 2002. Jackson caused an outcry in November 2002 when he dangled his baby son, nicknamed “Blanket,” over the railing of a hotel balcony in Berlin, Germany. The star later apologized for the incident.

In 2003, Jackson faced child molestation accusations from another thirteen-year-old boy and his family. Criminal charges were filed in Santa Barbara County and the case went to trial in January of 2005. Jackson was acquitted five months later.

After years of rumors of a comeback tour, in March of 2009, Jackson held a press conference and announced he would perform a series of concerts at London’s O2 Arena. Ten concerts were initially scheduled, but the number increased to fifty after record-breaking ticket sales. On June 25, 2009, less than three weeks before the initial show, dubbed This Is It, Jackson died suddenly of cardiac arrest. After being treated by paramedics at his rented home, he was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan Medical Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Jackson was buried on September 3, 2009. On February 8, 2010, Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death. Murray was accused of administering the anesthetic propofol, in addition to other medications, to Jackson, who reportedly suffered from insomnia.

Michael Jackson

AUGHTS_JacksonMichael.jpg

(Dave Hogan/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images)

Impact

Jackson’s talent, showmanship, and creativity made him a singular entertainer. Thriller (1982), Jackson’s second collaboration with producer Quincy Jones, was groundbreaking and solidified Jackson’s status as the ultimate crossover recording artist. Before Thriller was released, cable channel MTV (Music Television) lacked diversity in its music-video programming. The success of Thriller paved the way for other African American artists, not only on MTV but everywhere. Jackson was recognized as having elevated the music video from a mere promotional tool to an art form He was a trendsetter and international icon. Posthumously, he continued to be a top-selling artist. The film This Is It, released in October of 2009, documents Jackson’s rehearsals for his This Is It concerts. The film, which debuted at number one at the box office, showcases Jackson’s artistry and work ethic, and the timeless appeal of his music.

Further Reading

1 

Bennett, Joy T. “Michael Jackson: Then and Now” Ebony 63.2 (2007): 80–90. Print.

2 

Grant, Adrian. Michael Jackson: A Visual Documentary, 1958-2009—The Official Tribute Edition. London: Omnibus, 2009. ’Print.

3 

Jackson, Michael. “An Ebony Interview: Michael Jackson in His Own Words.” Interview by Bryan Monroe. Ebony 63.2 (2007): 94–109. Print.’

4 

---. Moonwalk. 1988. Reprint. New York: Harmony, 2009. Print.

5 

Taraborelli, J. Randy. Michael Jackson: The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story, 1958–2009. New York: Grand Central, 2009. Print.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Miller, Kassundra. "Jackson, Michael." The 2000s in America, edited by Craig Belanger, Salem Press, 2013. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=2000_0205.
APA 7th
Miller, K. (2013). Jackson, Michael. In C. Belanger (Ed.), The 2000s in America. Salem Press.
CMOS 17th
Miller, Kassundra. "Jackson, Michael." Edited by Craig Belanger. The 2000s in America. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2013. Accessed September 18, 2025. online.salempress.com.