Michael Jackson Essays (1873 words) - Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5

Michael Jackson Artists have a special communion with the creative forces of the universe. Regardless of the medium of expression used, artists utilize creative energies to produce works of art, beauty and power for humanity to witness. This is evident in paintings, sculptures, films and other forms, but it is universally expressed and appreciated through music and dance. When an artist focuses on both of these forms, the rhythm flows from his heart to the rest of his body until he becomes the rhythm itself. This can be seen in the life of Michael Jackson. His forms of creative expression cannot be confined to categories, styles, or mediums. He is his own art, and messages are his mediums. Great artists are not exempt from the slings and arrows of fortune, and Michael Jackson is no exception. Fame and popularity have prices one must pay, and to maintain the glitter of glamour, one must compete for the limelight. Despite his infamy, Michael Jackson continues to attract audiences and impart inspiring messages through his music. Katherine and Joe Jackson were married on November 5, 1940, under the Jehovah's Witness faith, They soon began to raise their family in a quiet little city called Gary, Indiana. Nine years later, their seventh son, Michael Joseph, was born on the 29th of August. Being musically inclined, Katherine and Joe shared their talents among their nine children. The Jackson children soon began to sing at the church choir and perform at school programs and town pageants. Michael, who began studying at Garnett Elementary School already was winning various talents contests at the age of five. A few months later, his older brothers formed a band and decided to entere various talent searches and amateur contests. It was only a few years later that Michael joined his brothers to form The Jackson Five. Joe Jackson arranged for The Jackson Five to perform at small clubhouses for a few bucks a night. Their talents did not go unnoticed. After being discovered, The Jackson Five released their first single in 1968. In that same year, they released their second single. Due to its success, they performed in the same shows as The Supremes, James Brown and Sammy Davis, Jr. After a number of performances, The Jackson Five signed a contract with Motown Records. I Want You Back / Who's Loving You, their debut single with Motown, sold two million copies in six weeks and earned them their first gold record. As a result, The Jackson Five was invited to appear on various television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Johnny Carson Show, The Sonny and Cher Show and Soul Train. In 1970, The Jackson Five released their first long playing album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson Five. This album topped the charts in both England and America. In the mid-seventies, The Jackson Five Show aired on telev ision and their albums continued to earn gold records. Wanting to have his own career, Michael Jackson left his brothers and began recording on his own. Having been the front man for The Jackson Five for many years, Jackson's separation from the group caused their album and concert sales to decline. Michael's first solo album, Off the Wall, turned out to be a success along with the singles She's Out of My Life and Rock with You. Off the Wall broke records and sold twelve million copies worldwide. Jackson continued to outdo himself with the victory of his following albums: Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory Past, Present and Future Book I and Blood on the Dance Floor. Michael Jackson's success has not only generated more contracts and more popularity, but also a number of world records, awards and accomplishments that no individual recording artist has ever received all together. In February 1981, the single Thriller remained on the Top Ten charts for two straight weeks. It is the first single to reach this position ever since John Lennon's Imagine in 1971. In 1983, Michael Jackson received his first award from the Guinness Book of World Records in London. The album Thriller is the most successful album to date and has sold over forty-two million copies worldwide. The album has earned one hundred forty gold and platinum records. In 1984,