Michael Jackson – Legend, Hero, Icon: A Tribute to the King of Pop

By James Aldis

A lavishly illustrated tribute to the greatest entertainer of a generation.

‘The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever’ - Madonna

Michael Jackson was the undisputed King of Pop and his untimely death has provoked tributes from around the world. With a colourful life spanning from 1968 when Michael was a member of the Jackson 5 to his recent announcement of a final comeback tour at the O2 in London, nobody can dispute the achievements of the man who was arguably the greatest artist of the millenium.

This fully illustrated book offers an insightful tribute to the man behind Thriller, the world's best selling album of all time. Including sections on Michael's early life and the Jackson 5, the making of Off the Wall and Thriller, and the troubled years leading right up to his announcement of a comeback tour, this will be a comprehensive and fitting tribute to a legendary pop star, the likes of which the world will never see again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Jul 17, 2009
• ISBN: 9780007341450

Book preview

MICHAEL

LEGEND, HERO, ICON

JACKSON

A TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF POP

JAMES ALDIS

‘The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be…I love you, Michael.’

—Beyoncé Knowles

Everyone who loved Michael Jackson will carry with them their own favourite personal memories for the rest of their lives. For some it will be the first time they saw Michael perform with The Jackson 5, whilst for others it will be the memory of seeing him dance to ‘Billie Jean’ or watching the video to ‘Thriller’ for the first time. Some will remember the man the media portrayed in his final years, but to do so, or to reduce Michael Jackson to just one song, one era or one stage of his performing career, would be to deny his staggering longevity and range as an artist. In a career that spanned many genres, including soul, disco, rock and pop, he truly was the King, a crowned genius overlooking an immense musical terrain.

KEY FACTS:

‘What is a genius? What is a living legend? What is a megastar? Michael Jackson—that’s all…I think he is one of the finest people to hit this planet and, in my estimation, he is the true King of Pop, Rock and Soul.’

—Elizabeth Taylor

‘I’ve never seen anybody like Michael. He is an emotional star child.’

—Steven Spielberg

Was Michael destined for his success? His talents shone so brightly from such an early age that it was perhaps inevitable that they would someday be recognized. However, few artists before or since have been shepherded so forcefully towards the stage, with music becoming an all-consuming focus of their life. It is impossible to understand Michael Jackson the man without first understanding Michael Jackson the boy, as the boy played such a strong role in the life of the man.

In this tribute to Michael Jackson the legend, we take an overview of his career, his humble background and difficult childhood, his meteoric rise to fame with The Jackson 5 and his even more vertiginous ascent to global recognition as a solo artist. We’ll see records broken and hearts broken in the story of a life that was like no other…

Michael poses with his younger sister, Janet, at the family home in the Hollywood Hills, December 1972. The two were to share a uniquely close relationship with one another throughout their lives.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

29 August 1958

Michael Joseph Jackson is born to parents Joe and Katherine Jackson in Gary, Indiana, USA.

1962

Michael’s father organizes a musical group comprising his sons Tito, Jermaine and Jackie. Initially called ‘The Jackson Brothers’, they