Michael Jackson was an American singer, dancer and songwriter, nicknamed the “King of Pop.” A major figure in 20th-century popular music, he revolutionized the music video and live performance through his choreography. His album Thriller (1982) remains the best-selling album in history.
Michael Jackson(1942 — 2007)
Michael Jackson
Royaume-Uni
5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- 1969: begins as a child within the Jackson Five at Motown
- 1982: release of Thriller, the best-selling album of all time
- 1983: performs the “moonwalk” during the Motown 25 television special
- 1984: wins 8 Grammy Awards in a single night
- 2009: dies on June 25 in Los Angeles at the age of 50
Works & Achievements
First major solo album, produced with Quincy Jones, which established Michael Jackson as a major figure in pop and disco.
The best-selling album in music history, featuring Billie Jean and Beat It, and a symbol of MTV's golden age.
A nearly fourteen-minute musical short film that transformed the music video into a cinematic work.
Co-written with Lionel Richie, bringing together many stars to fight famine in Africa.
A hit album accompanied by a world tour that confirmed his status as the King of Pop.
An album blending pop and new jack swing, marked by the socially conscious music video Black or White.
A gliding dance move popularized worldwide that became his signature on stage.
Anecdotes
Michael Jackson began his career as a child within the Jackson 5, the group he formed with his brothers. Discovered by the Motown label, they churned out hit after hit while Michael was barely ten years old, making him a star before he had even reached his teens.
On March 25, 1983, during the television special “Motown 25,” Michael Jackson performed the “moonwalk” in public for the first time, to the song Billie Jean. This gliding step, which creates the illusion of walking backward while moving forward, instantly became his worldwide signature.
The video for Thriller, released in 1983 and directed by John Landis, runs nearly fourteen minutes and cost a record sum for its time. Blending dance with the horror film genre and its choreographed zombies, it turned the music video into a genuine short film and became one of the most broadcast in MTV history.
For the Billie Jean performance, Michael Jackson wore a single glove covered in rhinestones and dazzling white socks meant to draw the eye to his feet during his dance steps. This single-hand glove became one of the most recognizable accessories in pop culture.
At his Neverland ranch in California, Michael Jackson had a private amusement park, a zoo, and a movie theater installed. The estate's name was inspired by the imaginary land of Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up, a character the singer identified with.
Primary Sources
Ever since I was very young, I was the youngest and I had to work just as hard as the others. The stage was the place where I felt most at home.
My childhood was very difficult, I didn't have a childhood like other children; I was working and rehearsing constantly.
I want to thank everyone who made this album possible; this is for the fans all around the world.
Key Places
Industrial city where Michael Jackson was born in 1958 and where the family formed the Jackson 5.
Record label where the Jackson 5 signed in the late 1960s and recorded their first hits.
Michael Jackson's vast estate, featuring an amusement park and a zoo, inspired by the imaginary land of Peter Pan.
City where Michael Jackson lived, worked, and died in 2009, while preparing for a comeback tour.
Typical Objects
White glove studded with crystals, worn on just one hand. It became the visual emblem of Michael Jackson during his stage performances.
A soft, tilted hat that he would toss or adjust during his choreography. A key accessory in his dancer's silhouette.
A red and black jacket with shoulder pads, designed for the Thriller music video. It became an icon of 1980s fashion.
Dark shoes paired with bright white socks, chosen to highlight his footwork during the moonwalk.
A microphone he handled with virtuosity, tipping the stand to the floor to punctuate the rhythm of his performances. A central tool of his concerts.
A short format blending song, dance and cinematic staging, which he raised to an unprecedented artistic level with MTV.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
Tags
Daily Life
Morning
A global superstar who came alive at night, Michael Jackson often woke up late. His mornings might be devoted to vocal care, a bit of rest, or preparing for days of recording and rehearsal.
Afternoon
The afternoon was dedicated to artistic work: long rehearsal sessions for choreography, listening to demos in the studio, and fine-tuning his shows. He was renowned for his perfectionism and his stamina for work.
Evening
In the evening, he recorded in the studio until late or took the stage before packed stadiums. When he wasn't on tour, he might spend his evenings at Neverland, watching films or enjoying his private amusement park.
Food
Michael Jackson watched his diet to stay light and have stamina on stage. He favored simple meals and had become largely vegetarian, keen to preserve his physical fitness as a dancer.
Clothing
His stage wardrobe was instantly recognizable: jackets with ornate shoulder pads, short trousers revealing white socks, a fedora hat, and a single rhinestone-covered glove. These clothes were an integral part of his persona.
Housing
He lived on vast estates, including the famous Neverland Ranch in California. This property, designed like a world of childhood with rides and animals, reflected his desire to recapture the childhood he felt he had been deprived of.
