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In what may have been his greatest triumph, a very frail and emotionally tested Michael Jackson walked out of a Santa Maria, Calif., courthouse on a sunny June day in 2005, having beaten 13 charges related to allegedly molesting a young cancer patient.
Unfortunately, almost four years later, Jackson died of an overdose of the sedative propofol. He was 50, and a stunned world couldn’t conceive that it had lost the biggest pop music entertainer ever to grace the planet. At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a series of London concerts aimed at reviving a career shattered by allegations, wild spending habits, and strange bedfellows. A Los Angeles court sentenced Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Michael Jackson’s personal doctor at the time of the singer’s death in 2009, to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in 2011.
Michael Jackson’s rise to fame began early. He was the seventh of nine children. Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, Jackson joined his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon to form The Jackson Five, a group that quickly rose to stardom. Jackson’s solo career, launched in the 1970s, reached unprecedented heights with the release of “Thriller” in 1982. The album became the best-selling of all time, with over 21 million copies sold in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide, cementing Jackson’s place as a global icon.
However, Jackson’s life was not without its challenges. His eccentricities, including his high-pitched voice, numerous plastic surgeries, friendships with children, and a pet chimpanzee, earned him the nickname “Wacko Jacko.” In 1993, he faced his first public child molestation allegations, which he vehemently denied. Although a jury acquitted him of all charges in a high-profile 2005 trial, the allegations severely damaged his reputation.
A U.S. tax court judge noted in 2021 that Jackson had “earned not a penny from his image and likeness in 2006, 2007, or 2008,” highlighting the lasting impact of these allegations. Despite this, Jackson’s popularity has surged in the digital era. According to Billboard, global consumption of his music grew from 4.7 billion to 6.5 billion on-demand streams between 2021 and 2023, a 38.3% increase. In February, the BBC reported that Sony Music Group confirmed it would acquire half of Jackson’s catalog in a deal valuing his music assets at more than $1.2 billion.
Jackson’s artistry continues to captivate audiences. “MJ The Musical,” a jukebox show featuring his music, has enjoyed successful runs on Broadway and in London’s West End. Next year, we will see the release of the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic “Michael,” starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson.
Jackson’s influence extends far beyond his lifetime. His music, characterized by innovative videos, groundbreaking dance moves, and genre-defying sounds, continues to inspire artists across the globe. His humanitarian efforts and vision of healing the world are integral to his legacy.
Today, Michael Jackson’s influence is seen in the work of numerous artists, from Bruno Mars to Beyoncé. His innovative approach to music and performance continues to inspire new generations. While the controversies surrounding his life may never fully dissipate, the BBC notes that Jackson’s contributions to music and culture remain a significant part of his legacy.
As fans marked the fifteenth anniversary of his death, Jackson’s star continues to shine brightly. His music, moves, and overall talent resonate more than ever, proving that the King of Pop’s legacy is enduring and evolving.
As Jackson himself once said, “I’m just like anyone. I cut, and I bleed. And I embarrass easily.”
