Michael Jackson

When we talk about individuals in history who made a difference in the world we live in today, we often think of political leaders and even religious leaders. While it is true that these people have made a difference in our way of life, we must not forget other individuals, such as those in the entertainment industry. There are individuals in this industry who have changed our perception of the arts such as music, theater and even drama. These individuals have redefined the concept of entertainment. One such entertainer is Michael Jackson.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009), known as the King of Pop, was an American musician and one of the most commercially successful and influential entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music and dance, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in popular culture for over four decades.

With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound, vocal style and choreography inspired numerous pop, rock, R&B and hip hop artists, while also breaking down cultural, racial and generational barriers

He was also a notable philanthropist and humanitarian who donated and raised over 300 million dollars through support of 39 charities and his own Heal the World Foundation.

Unfortunately, Jackson's personal relationships and life generated controversy for years. His changing appearance was noticed from the late 1970s onwards, with changes to his nose and to the color of his skin drawing media publicity. He was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993 though no charges were brought, and in 2005 he was tried and acquitted of further allegations.

Sadly, while preparing for the, “This Is It” concert tour in 2009, Jackson died at the age of 50 after suffering from cardiac arrest. He reportedly had been administered drugs such as propofol and lorazepam, and his death was ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County coroner. His death triggered an outpouring of grief from around the world with his globally live broadcast memorial service attracting an audience of up to one billion people.

Nonetheless, it must not be forgotten that Jackson transformed the art of the music video and paved the way for modern pop music in his own country. Jackson's work, distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced scores of hip hop, rock, pop and R&B artists. For much of his career, he had an "unparalleled" level of worldwide influence over the younger generation through his musical and humanitarian contributions. Michael Jackson, along with his musical style and videos have gone onto become pop culture phenomenon’s.

Furthermore, in the mid-1980s, Time noted "Jackson is the biggest thing since The Beatles. He is the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley. Daily Telegraph writer Tom Utley called him an "extremely important figure in the history of popular culture" and a "genius". In late 2007, Jackson said the following of his work and future influence, "Music has been my outlet, my gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever."