Michael Jackson dies leaving legacy of award-winning music
Michael Jackson, who died today at age 50, ruled the music world throughout the 1980s, selling millions of records and concert tickets and dubbing himself the "King of Pop." And while Michael Jackson won multiple times at such popularity contests as the American Music Awards and the MTV Awards, he also earned the respect of his peers in the music industry with his 13 Grammy Awards.
After striking out on his own from the Jackson Five, Jackson won his first Grammy in 1980 for best R&B male vocal performance ("Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"). That track from his chart-topping "Off
the Wall" album also contended for best disco recording.
"Thriller" – his second solo effort as an adult – was released in November 1982 and spent a record 37 weeks at No. 1, producing an unparalleled seven Top 10 singles. In March 1983, Jackson debuted his moonwalk dance to "Billie Jean" on the TV special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever." Michael Jackson earned an Emmy nod for best performance in a variety or music program. He lost to opera diva Leontyne Price for her concert with the New York Philharmonic on "Live From Lincoln Center."
At the Grammys in February 1984, Jackson shared in seven of the eight awards won by the album (the exception was for best engineered recording). Michael Jackson shared the wins for album of the year and producer of the year (non-classical) with "Thriller" collaborator Quincy Jones, who also produced his Grammy-winning children's recording "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial."
For the three chart-topping singles off the album, Jackson won Grammy Awards for male vocal performance in an unprecedented three genres – R&B ("Billie Jean"), rock ("Beat It") and pop ("Thriller"). He shared in the record of the year win for "Beat It" with the production team. And as the songwriter, he picked up a Grammy for penning the best R&B tune ("Billie Jean"). However, Sting's "Every Breath You Take" edged out two Jackson compositions – "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" – for song of the year.
Jackson's total of eight Grammy wins in one night broke the record set in 1965 by Roger Miller, who'd won six awards, most for the country hit "King of the Road." And the eight Grammys awarded to "Thriller" was another record haul as well. Both of these achievements were tied by Santana and the album "Supernatural" in 1999.
Michael Jackson won another Grammy the following year in the category of best video album for the film that documented the making of the landmark "Thriller" video. That $500,000, 14-minute video, directed by John Landis, told the story of a boy (Jackson) and girl enjoying a date until he turns into a singing, dancing werewolf.
In 1986, Jackson and Lionel Richie won the song of the year Grammy for the charity single "We Are the World," which also took home record of the year. As Jackson was one of the pioneers of the music video, it seems appropriate that the last two Grammys he won were for that medium. In 1989 he and his team won the short form video award for "Leave Me Alone" off his follow-up album "Bad." And in 1995 he and his sister Janet Jackson shared in the short form winning "Scream" from his double album "HIStory."
Photo: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times
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why do people just look at Michael,s wealth? cant we for charge moun the king of pop for the music he left us and how much we will miss him. Please can we let him rest in peace.
advent,
Posted by: advent | July 16, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Michael was a real humanitarian. Do not judge only let alone the Almighty judge us all.
You were a Superstar in your own right. You healed the world and brought Blacks and Whites together.
May you rest in eternel peace.
Posted by: May | July 10, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Michael Jackson was one of the most brilliant and talented people on this earth and wasn't given enough credit for all the good things that he had done in his life and to this day even after his death people are still ridiculing him and acting as if they have no respect for the family I LOVE MICHAEL JOESPH JACKSON so much and he will be missed a whole lot but people lets just focus on all the good that he as done and not focus on all the bad things that people SAY he has done. Michael's legacy will live on through me. May god be with his kids and family during this time. God BLESS THE JACKSON FAMILY!
Posted by: Paris | July 06, 2009 at 07:55 PM
That evening after hearing of his death, I sat on my patio near Seattle watching the stars. After a few minutes, I saw the brightest, biggest shooting star I've ever seen in my 50 years. Quick, bright and beautiful close to the earth. I new it was him.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 06, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Michael, You are so loved & special to my heart! I am going to miss you so much. I will pray that your soul wil be cleansed of all sin's, and that the Father shall give you salvation in Heaven! I will be able to meet you there! Until then ,always pray! Lu Terri
Posted by: terri silva | July 01, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Thank you for the music, Michael
Posted by: Peace | June 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM
michael will be truly missed. we love and miss you. my heart goes out to his family. i will keep all of you in my prayers.
Posted by: Rebekah Norton | June 30, 2009 at 12:58 AM
I loved his music. But, I was at the UCLA Medical Center and there were some crazy fans there. I saw these guys filming, and their video just went up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzhhXnVarRg
Really, really funny.
Posted by: Skitch | June 29, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Its sad, but true but he'll b remembered in golden letters in the history of music. I'll never stop listening WE R D WORLD and Heal the World. He'll be remembered every now and then coz, music never dies. May his soul rest in peace in heaven.
Posted by: Dabojyoti Hazarika, Margherita, Assam | June 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I cannot believe Maureen(Vanity Fair) was sooo hateful and inappropriate last night with Keith and this morning with Wille and crew concerning Michael Jackson. The sheer 100% Judgment not 'objectivity' that she spoke of, in relation to Michael, makes her completely non-creditable. He was acquitted in a court of law in the United States of America, and we are a Nation of laws. Anything outside of that is OPINION, not fact. She spoke as though she caught him in the act, which she did not, and no one else did either because he is innocent, so her comments where SLANDER. What is unfortunate about Michael is that he opened himself up to be a 'meal-ticket-pariah' to too many sycophant-opportunists like Maureen (the fact that she made a living following this man around makes people like Maureen a sycophant of the worse kind). Also others in the media, the judicial system, attorneys, other industry insiders, and money hungry so called fans (some of which exploited their own children for financial gain) were the same as people like Maureen, just from a different angle. How can, in the same sentence, you report that "no one was really able to get close to him," and the make so many dispersions of his character???
It was especially disturbing to here this from Maureen who just went through a very public death of her husband, Tim Russertt. Michael is known as son, father, brother, uncle, and cousin to his family, and she should have had more respect, and professional restraint for the moment. But, again this is the kind of evil person Michael was subject to ALL of his life. People that will say anything and do anything to him, in efforts to make a bigger name for themselves, people like Maureen. I will never purchase another copy of Vanity Fair. May The Lord Jesus Christ Bless Michael Jackson with eternal rest and peace with Him.
Posted by: Carly | June 26, 2009 at 10:38 AM
What a great lost to d world.D lost of d legend,MJ.MJ i predict dt one day u will be proud of Africa,dt one day u will believe Jesus christ.I doesnt know if u thinks about this b4 u leave us.R.I.P I love u.
Posted by: Johnson | June 26, 2009 at 05:16 AM
The passing of Michael Jackson is like a star being plucked from the sky. The sky becomes a little dimmer.
Posted by: Lamar Cole | June 26, 2009 at 04:34 AM
rest in peace michael
you had a lot of haters but i wasnt one of them
Posted by: Kristin | June 26, 2009 at 03:41 AM
this has been a big shock i have followed michael jackson since i was a child he will be sorly missed love u mj rip xxx
Posted by: heartbroken | June 26, 2009 at 03:35 AM
We love you Michael. Your legacy will live on and your music is amazing!! Rest in peace!
We Love You!
7G
Posted by: 7G | June 26, 2009 at 01:48 AM
your absence with us fill your presence always....i always say"YOU'RE JUST ANOTHER PART OF ME"...........its true
Posted by: Navkish | June 26, 2009 at 01:31 AM
R.i.P Michael Joseph Jackson... 1958-2009...im so sad...man im so in love with michael then to hear & see this just hurts my hurt...yes he is worth MY tears.. I GREW UP ON YOU...MY MOM PLAYED SONG ALL THE TIME AND THEN U CAM OUT WITH THE THRILLER CD I WAS ON IT..BUT MY FAVORITE WAS INVINCIBLE... ALOT OF UR SONGS ALL MY NUMBER ONE HITTERS AND THEY STILL WILL LIVE ON IN MY HEART FOR EVER.... MUCH MUCH LOVE TOO HIS MOM & DAD ( Katherine and Joseph Jackson ) MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE BOTH OF YOU...AND TOO HIS TWO BEAUTIFUL SISTERS (REBBIE,LATOYA,JANET)I LOVE ALL 3 OF YOU AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU REMEMBER HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE KEEP UR HEAD UP CUZ U AND I BOTH KNOW HE HAS ALL THE ANSWER...NOW FOR HIS BROTHERS (SIGMUND,TORIANO,JERMAINE,MARLON
,STEVEN) YOU 5 I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE THE BACKBONE OF IT ALL YOU ALL ARE STRONG MEN OF GOD... I LOVE THE WHOLE JACKSON FAMILY.. IM GOING TO KEEP YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS I AM A TRUE TRUE FAN OF MICHAEL AND STILL SHOCK HE IS GONE...BUT REMEMBER HIS SONG "CRY"...IN HIS WORDS YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD U CAN TOUCH THE SKY, TAKE UR TIME,UR THE CHOSEN ONE..CRY WITH ME ....(CHANGE THE WORLD).. IS WHAT HE SAID AT THE END OF THAT SONG AND THAT IS WHAT HE DID...IN ONE OF HIS INTERVIEWS HE GOT ASKED WHAT ARE U THINKING WHEN UR DANCING HE REPLIED ..NOTHING YOU HAVE TO FEEL.... NOT U KNOW HE HAD A HEART FOR MUSIC AND DANCING...
MESSAGE: LOVE UR ENEMIES, FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS ,AND LIVE LIFE LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST CUSS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN UR CALLIN FROM GOD IS.
THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR ALOT OF US..IT HIT US ALL
REMEMBER MY SAYING( KEEP UR HEAD UP TO THE SKY CUZ HE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS)
MICHAEL I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SOO MUCH I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE UR GONE MY HEART ACHES
KING OF POP KING OR SOUL KING OF MUSIC...
REST IN HEAVEN
ALWAYS AND FOREVER UR #1 FAN.
LASHONDA RENEE
Posted by: LaShonda Renee, West Covina CA | June 26, 2009 at 01:05 AM
RIP Michael Jackson. Your legend will live on forever. You are the one and only, the first and last true King of Pop. My thoughts go out to your children and family.
Posted by: Forever lost | June 26, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Most of all people in this world would to be like Michael Jackson.
He was an glue to two races
I present him Next to Mother Teresa
Toots
Posted by: Toots | June 26, 2009 at 12:37 AM
May your soul rest in peace.
Posted by: marilyne (Zambia) | June 26, 2009 at 12:35 AM
The sad news hit our shores here in South Africa this morning. I must say i was shattered by the news i even took a day off at work.
Rest in peace MR Jackson we will always love and support your music and legacy.
condolences to his family
Posted by: Zilungile mbele | June 26, 2009 at 12:24 AM
were gobsmacked my mum is a great fan and im doing a play at school about him my teacher is going t miss him badly your a legond well done jackson
Posted by: niki | June 25, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Only God can judge our deeds. Lets think about our own lifes now. MJ has left this world to you and me. May his soul rest in peace
Posted by: shiku | June 25, 2009 at 10:51 PM
michael jacson is my favourite hero.but this time he is no more.i am very sad to hear this news. i will never forget him in my life.
George , Vyasarpadi , chennai , India
Posted by: GEORGE | June 25, 2009 at 10:15 PM
MJ leave me and my group alone...Its as sad as when i lost my DAD..
Can't believe it ...We are in Shock....
RIP MJ..
Posted by: AMIT SANDAL | June 25, 2009 at 10:15 PM