10 Things That Made Michael Unlike The Rest of Us
Michael Jackson truly was a man, a myth and a legend — often his personal life overshadowed his talent, but he had a vulnerability about him that made us forget the controversy and get lost in the music and that’s the legacy most will remember him for. It’s just that he was so mysterious, so unlike us. (He had the power to light up sidewalks! Did that have something to do with the oxygen chamber he slept in??) We’ve found some of the best and worst of Michael’s pop culture moments — the good, the bad and the on-fire — because as much as we remember him for the music, he was always doing something above and beyond the norm and the world was constantly fascinated.
1. The Moonwalk: Where It All Began
Before the nose jobs, before any controversy, there was the Moonwalk. As a solo artist, Jackson became famous for this dance that became his signature move. We still can’t do it, but he made it look so easy.
2. Fame Begets Fame
It would be safe to say that Michael Jackson was one of the most famous men in the world. He had friends in Princess Diana, Madonna and Liz Taylor and his whole life was spent in the spotlight and he knew how to create a buzz. The video for “Thriller” was an event, the budget for the “Scream” video he made with sister Janet Jackson was record-breaking, and he got the cream of the crop to guest star in his videos — Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Naomi Campbell just to name a few. But in our early 90’s memory, no video was more epic than “Black or White,” which got a network premiere on Fox in addition to MTV, VH1 and BET and starred Macaulay Culkin and featured Slash on guitar.
3. Bubbles The Chimp
Back in 1985, the appearance of Bubbles the Chimp was just kind of bizarre. Our tolerance for weird celebrity shit has certainly increased since those days, but back then Michael earned the nickname “Wacko Jacko” as a result of his relationship with the chimp, who traveled with him and even sat in on recording sessions. [Photo: Getty Images]
4. Artist Of The Millennium
In 2000, Britney Spears presented Michael with a giant birthday cake at MTV’s VMAs and mentioned that she thought he was artist of the millennium. Unfortunately he ran with that and accepted the cake as if it were a real thing and it just got awkward from there. Was there no dress rehearsal?
5. Did He Really Sleep In A Tank?
Jackson claimed he would sleep in a hyperbaric tank to improve his health so that he could live to be 150. This story originated in the National Enquirer in 1986 and for a while there, Jackson’s name was synonymous with these oxygen tanks and just added to his bizarre reputation.
6. Pardon The Interruption
In 1996 during a performance of “Earth Song” at the BRIT awards, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker rushed the stage. While Jackson seemed unfazed by the incident, the Brit-pop singer gained notoriety for the incident and in the UK he’s still known for it. Even though the audience screamed and cheered as Cocker took the stage, he was barely a blip on Jackson’s radar.
7. “Nobody Thought This Would Last”
When Michael married Lisa Marie Presley everyone thought it had to be a publicity stunt, so at the 1994 VMA’s they decided to “prove” that their love was real with a drawn out, awkward kiss. The marriage lasted two years, and in 2005, Presley told Oprah that she felt that she was manipulated into marrying him and she thought he may have wanted to have children with her so he would have a connection to Elvis Presley’s legacy. Watch the kiss that creeped us all out here.
8. Baby Blanket
If the secrecy surrounding the birth of Jackson’s three children wasn’t weird enough, the fact that he made them wear masks and even nicknamed the youngest one “Blanket” made things odder. In 2002 though, the apex was reached when Jackson dangled the nine-month-old Blanket out over a hotel balcony in Germany to appease his screaming fans. He later called the dangerous decision a “terrible mistake.”
9. The Pepsi Disaster
Michael endorsed Pepsi for a portion of his career and starred in several high-budget commercials for the soft drink. In 1984 while shooting a spot with his four brothers, a pyrotechnics mishap left Jackson’s head badly burned, forcing him to wear a hairpiece to that year’s Grammys where he swept the awards, winning eight statues. Though the accident injured Jackson, it also made him to butt of many unfortunate jokes.
10. Spending Spree
In 2002, British journalist Martin Bashir spent eight months trailing Jackson and in early 2003, a two-hour documentary about the daily life of the King of Pop aired on Britain’s ITV1. Revelations about Jackson sharing a bed with young boys, scenes from inside Neverland Ranch and a shopping spree where Jackson spent $6 million in one day in Las Vegas were controversial highlights. Jackson would later file a complaint against Bashir stating that he felt the interview distorted his behavior.
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June 26th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I remember having the red zipper pants ,i remember only 3 zippers accually worked cause they were the fake ones, bye michael jackson,i know you never had a real childhood so you had to wait till you were an adult to have child friends,i understand buddy,you sure influinced me,thank you for everything you did,Leo S.
June 27th, 2009 at 2:21 am
[...] See original here: 10 Things That Made Michael Unlike The Rest of Us [...]
June 27th, 2009 at 4:22 am
Every celebrity does some wacky things here and now. Its a shame how people crucified him for doing some off the wall sh*t, but who cares? The past decade or so the media and people all over the world really mistreated and bashed him in all sorts of ways. Its sad that now when he’s gone everyone is paying tribute to him after all that ridicule. How about when he was alive? Well I am glad that he is finally getting the credit that he deserves! This has been a sad past few days, it is the end of an era, we lost one of our greatest American ICON’s ever lived. A great music legend and genius has left us. I was in love with his music and performances since I can remember. I am still in shock and find it hard to except. I will miss him so much but will find comfort within the great music he has left for us. Rest in peace Michael Jackson, gone but sure as hell never forgotten!
Love always,
A dedicated and longtime fan
-Nicole P.
-Also, feel free to follow me on twitter
http://twitter.com/LoveNicoleAnne
June 27th, 2009 at 7:13 am
The world of entertainment has lost a gifted talent and a pop music icon. I grew up
listening to Michael’s music and was mesmerized. I will always remember him as the
King of Pop ,his music and compassion for people of all cultures. He was the best and
now he must rest, he stood the test. May he rest in peace,
June 27th, 2009 at 7:33 am
It is sad he did not live long enough to do his shows in London & get to feel the love from his live audiences before he passed away.
Millions deeply loved & respected Michael, always supported him & never ridiculed him despite some of his antics. He lived such a unique life, so what if he loved Bubbles?
He gave so much to the human race. There will be never be another one as great in my lifetime, & I feel deeply priiledged to have lived during his lifetime & got to experience all the joy he gave us with all his glorious gifts. He will be sorely missed
June 27th, 2009 at 11:26 am
i think everyone needs to leave micheal alone, so he can rest in peace. he was the greatest pop singer.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:40 am
This was almost a nice story, but what about the “Thriller” video? MTV used to broadcast when it would be on so everyone could tune in. THAT was the epic video.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:58 am
i am thankful to say i got to grow up with Michael Jackson. i loved the jackson five. growing up listening to my moms oldies and old school… i loved his music every now and then it made me feel good and tough in a weird kind of way but i loved his music and him regardless of what was happening in his personal life..
June 27th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Its Sad That Michael had to go, My Family All Grew Up With Him, He Inspired Me To Dance & To Do Alot of things..Its Sad To Know The King Is Gone, Only On THe Outside Atleast..He Will Live On Forever. Long Live The King
June 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Michael Jackson was so much more than we ever gave him credit for. It is sad now that SO many of us are just realizing it. I think we the public killed him with all of our craziness! We love our stars but we can turn on them like a pack of wolves. If you watch his video “Leave Me Alone” you will see at that point he is already fed up. I hope if nothing else from this we can learn to embrace difference. Because difference is what makes the world so colorful and great. There is and will always be ONLY one Michael Jackson and now he is gone the world will NEVER be the same.
June 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Michael Jackson was my hero I was raised with his music I am thirteen years old my all time favortie song would have to be rember the time ? and so many more . the world has lost a legend , an inspiration so many words to described about michael. I am still having trouble with the fact the he is gone its unreal to my family and I . he will be greatly missed my heart and condolences go out to his entire family I cant imagine the pain that they are feeling . Despite the alagations of his molestation charges and pill abuse he is still the worlds greatest he is in heaven now with god and all of our lost loved ones Michael you are a true genius to the music industry!!! . and even though you are gone your music will always live on .
MAY YOU ALWAYS REST . IN . PEACE MICHAEL JACKSON YOU WILL BE MISSED TERRIBLY ?
HIS MUSIC WILL NEVER STOP CAUSE WE CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THE KING OF POP MICHAEL JACKSON
GONE BUT WILL SURE %($&+(#_$^+*)*( HELL!! NEVERR BE FORGOTTTENN 1958-2009
June 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Tribute to Michael Jackson
Written By Dillon
MySpace URL:
http://www.myspace.com/mrp03tik
Today June 25th the world moan the lost of a blessing
Today people are all crying and stressing
Today we have lost the king of pop
One of the greatest who was on his way back
Sold out shows with the expectation of an outstanding performance
Dynamic music mixed with love and romance
Classy dance moves
So slick it will make any flower bloom
We his fans are all crying tears of pain
Lord our lost is your gain
In the starry sky he dwells looking down on us
His success as an artiste is beyond the human ability to lust
We drown ourselves in his musical style
The way he catch our attention and take us for a musical ride
The black man who turned white
We saw him as Michael and not black or white
The prince of pop truly a blessing from above
Michael we embrace you with love
Like a candle in the wind you blew out
On this day we scream we shout
We shout Michael, Michael, we will forever love you
Your music, your style, your energy, everything about you
The boy inside the man
The man who some never fully understand
We your full blooded fans we saw you as a blessing
Lord be with us as we drown in the stressing
Michael Jackson and inspiration to dancers and artiste
A promoter of love and peace
A unique human being
Michael Jackson a man blessed with musical loving
To sing as though your in love with the lady call music
To sing as though you never wanna lose it
To sing as though you’re making love
To sing as though you’re sinking deeper than ever in love
To musically enter the room of love and advance stage by stage
To be passionate yet gentle, to be romantic and not weird or full of rage
To be the best lover you can be
To be the one man who can satisfy your lady
Today we lost the musical lover, the king of pop
Today we have lost Sir Michael Jackson king of pop
We live not to forget so today we put that box of memories in a special place
We listen to his music and imagine his face
We see him on stage dancing with passion and love
We see him smiling as he sings and dance from up above
Every rain drop he calls a blessing as he touches our soul
When you look up connect the stars and Michael will be made whole
REST IN PEACE MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON
June 27th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Michael Jackson is so cuite i wish i could have met him, i would have been happy to see him.
June 27th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I will miss Michael Jackson very much , he was an awesome person and proformer and loved to help his country and others . I named my son after him Christopher Michael his middle name and just love his soft spoken voice and very big heart. The people who abused him verballly and making false acquisations, God have mercy on you, because what comes around goes around. And those who pill popped him and shot him up with pain killers I hope you too will get what you deserve. We will never have another like him, just fellowers who try to be him. It’s like a dream I say and hope i’ll wake up and he’ll be here. And Lovely person gone to soon R.I.P. Michael Jackson your pain and ridicule is over you now have Peace . LOve ya #1 fan Christina Sanders
June 27th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
THE KING OF POP will be surwly missed by me and all of his wonderful fans who knew him from when the jackson 5 was coming up one love to THE KING OF POP. BIG BEN
June 27th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Michael, you wil live in our hearts and our lives forever. You are the best. I have always been a fan and wll play your CD’s over and over. Love You and miss You already. I know your’e in Heaven. God Bless You and Yours.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
hi im yonaih and im only 11 years old .and i love Micheal. J no one could do his moves .and i love the song remeber the time ,and smooth criminal. i was shock to here that he died. and there are 10 things that made micheal unlike the rest of us. he was a great man. and its going to be hard for the kids. so thankyou for your time.yonaih .h
June 27th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
First I would like to say RIP Michael Jackson. I miss you! I had a M.J. poster in my bed room as a child of the 80’s. I believe that Michael Jackson is one of the biggest stars in the world and will be forever remembered. My 3 year old cousin wore a glove on his right had just like M.J. for 3 years, showing his love for him back in the 80’s. We will always miss him, and he will be part of the world forever.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I CAN REMEMBER MY FIRST MiCHAEL JACKSON SON I HEADR WHICH WAS WHEN I WAS 4 ND THE SONG WAS THRILLER … MICHAEL WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND HEWS MY HERO AND IDOL AS A YOUNG GIRL AT THE AGE OF 8 I WAS ONE OF THE ONES WITH CANCER … I WISH I COULDVE SENT THE LETTER NOT TO GOTO NEVERLAND BUT FOR A CHANCE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH MY HERO … IT IS SUCH A SHOCK TO ME THAT MY HER THE KING OF POP IS DEAD … I LISTENED TO HIM EVERYNITE BEFOR I SLEEP N I CANT STOP CRYING … MY HEART SINCERELY GOES OUT O THE FAMILT I THANK YOU JOSEPH N KATHERINE JACKSON FOR HAVING MICHAEL … HE WILL TRULY REMAIN MY FAVORITE ARTIST HERO N IDOL AND I WILL COTINUE TO INMITATE HIM N LOVE HIM UNTIL THE DAY I JOIN HYM …. AS YOU GUYS MOURN SO WILL I BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I NEVER GOT MY CHANCE FOR MY DREAM OF MEETING HIM TO COME TRUE HE WAS STILL LIKE MY BEST FRIEND I LOVE YOU MICHAEL SO MUCH AND AS I AM CRYING TYPING THIS I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN … AND THE WAY YOUR MUSIC MAKES ME FEEL IS HAPPY AND HELPS ME KNOW I CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD …. ILOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON MAY YOU TRULY R.I.P
LOVE LATAEJAH MICHAELS #1 FAN
June 27th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
i will miss him cause with him dying is like the president dying im cryin now oh how i wish it
wouldve never happened but my favorite song of his were butterflies plese play it one time
for good ol memories of(king of pop) oh i feel so bad.He may be gone but he isnt forgotton.
we are the world will live in my heart forever as one of his greatest hits.love u mike rip love my grandma brenda who was a very big fan.
one of thew most greatest black person in the music industries lord bless his soul
and my aunt lisa who has been cryin for these 2 days she love you rest well the wonderful michael jackson
my 6 year old cousin said rest in peace
June 27th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Mike,
Hopefully, now you can finally R.I.P. Many people whom took advantage of you, their time will come. I have always looked up to you and you have left me with special memories. I still can not believe that you are gone. Really special things only happen once on Earth and you was one of them. Not only I, but many of us will always remember you. If there is an other side, I hope that you are looking down and see all of the joy, emotion and special times you have left. Thank you!
June 27th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
michael was a big kid like to have so R.I.P miss u keeping u and ur family in prayers
June 28th, 2009 at 1:14 am
We who know the Lord know Michael is finally out of pain and at peace. It is such a loss and such a shame that many of the people that are crying now were the ones who killed him. May God comfort his family and friends. May God forgive the ugly, greedy people responsible for his sorrow. Their great sin has cost all of us a treasure that cannot be replaced.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I just cant belive hes gone NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Hi vh1 love yall my favorit song is human nature can you play that please WE WILL MISS HIM,from Quincie
June 28th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I had to say one more thing he was part of my family and how dare they acuss my cosin like that I cryed all night as i was waching his old music video when I was 1 I I would dance around on his music NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. this is “`*()@$_`!`%$*&
June 28th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
From listening to MJ when I was little I remember Off the Wall, the one glove,Black and White and all his other songs but most of all I remembered Thriller the creativity that went into that vidoe was Genius. Michael Jackson was an will always be a Entertainer,Genius, Icon and a Legend. Could we stop focusing on the negativity of the pass and focus on what he have accomplished.My thoughts goes out to his family especially his kids. We’ll always love You.
RIP
Sigrid B
June 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
i fell that we are all beffernt in are own way.so we can not judge anyone thats is gods job/to the family i will keep you all in prayers and micheal is always alive in my heart,im 44 years old old steal love me some micheal jackson.hugs and kisses
June 28th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Irregardless of what the parasites and the pariah of media abuse he received and endured during the last 10-15yrs of his life, he was placed here on this planet for the GOOD of the children and te people around the world and he fulfilled his mission. No on can take this away from him, all we can do is march on following his mission by broading our horizons. He is incomparable. NOONE should steal his thunder, therefore, Elvis and the Beatles should not be placed in the same category as him. What have they openly done for humanity and yes their music still lives on but very much so unlike Mike’s. Michael’s work was a light in my life and a cleanser to my soul. He WAS one of the GREATEST HUMAN BEING that ever lived on this planet. Instead of continuing with the negative energy that shrowed the last several years of his life, we should instead EMBRACE HIM for his different and creativity. If he never dare to push the envelope many artist of today would have never think to do so. He was like the popular kid or the popular nerd kid in high school, who then when to college and faced the cruel world of adulthood with much disdain from some of us, thus causing him to fade into darkness and depression because of our nonacceptance of his difference. Let us spread his love. M.J. Let us cry tears of joy for his life and let us feel priviledge and blessed to have witness such a beautiful soul during our lifetime. GONE TOO SOON BUT OT FORGOTTEN.
June 28th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I loved when he did you are not alone.
June 28th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
A talent that so many took for granted will now live on forvever and bring back so many memories.Thank you so much for the music you’ve given us throughout the years, Micheal.
Rest in peace Michael Jackson.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
i love michel jackson. he did wat elvis presly did to rock. he truly was the king of pop.m j was the best thing to happen to music. I LOVE MICHEL JACKSON.wish he will rest in peace for ever.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
i love michel jackson. he did wat elvis presly did to rock. he truly was the king of pop.m j was the best thing to happen to music. I LOVE MICHEL JACKSON.wish he will rest in peace for ever.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
i feel like i lost someone in my family thats how much he meant to m .i love you michael jackson you are my prayers and in my heart.may you rest in peace.your legendacy shall live on.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Michael and I are the same age. Been there from the very beginning… Loved you since the first time I heard you sing, Will love you 4-ever
June 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
dear readers,
My name is makayla and I am 11 years old. i am one of michael jackson’s biggest fans. i am a christan and i prayed ,ever since i herd of michael jackson, i prayed that i would meet him in real life, but i never got the chance. i really love michael jackson and i hope that his family, friends, and fans will have better days. i will pray for yo’ll. Michael Jackson was a very talented person and the people who really knew him are really lucky to know somebody like him. i dreamed i would be able to talk or even look at him. now i can only do that in my dreams. i have tried to do what he does /like his dance moves and singing/ but i failed most of them. he is the only one that can do yhe moonwalk and it should stay like that. i love all his songs but my 2 most favorite songs/vieo’s/ was smoothcriminal and
REMEMBER THE TIME. and i really hope everyone will remember the times when Michael Jackson was alive. i cried 4 ever when my friend Briana text me he was no longer here. i cried for what seemed like 2.99 years. i hope michael jacksonrests in peace and his family and friends. he was my hero. i hpoe to see him one day in heaven. i also hope that his family could e-mail me back so i can talk to them. PLEASE e-mail me back when you get a chance. if you dont, i hpoe someday i will understand. I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
June 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
MJ was great artist/entertainer, but he was an even greater human being. I never stopped liking Micheal. There will never be another “Michael Jackson.” RIP, MJ. L U 4Ever : )
June 28th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I just cant believe something like this would happen im flabergasted you will always be remembered MICHAEL JACKSON I WILL MISS U
June 29th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
-Well Let Him Like Chimp’s & Live In A Tank If He Think’s He’s Goinq To Live 4 Lonq. He’s He. But Mst Of All He’s The Legendary Michael Jackson. Pray 4 His Kid’s !
July 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
To Our Beloved Neverland Angel:
I Saw you Dancing on those stages
I heard your words that came from your heart
I felt your every word like they were mine
I danced because you made me happy
Neverland Angel we all love you
Neverland Angel to many of us
you walked in the light
You were our real live Peter Pan
Many wanted to be your live Tinkerbell
Neverland Angel you are still here with us
Neverland Angel no one could ever compare
Neverland Angel you gave us the love
The love we all so did need
This Came from my heart as I sat here wishing I could have taken care of him before he went to the light he stood in all those years.
I have been a mother of 5 boys and a long loyal fan of Michaels. I also have been a CNA for 19 years taking care of people in Need of a true friend they all were my family. Everyone wants to criticise one another this is the time to celebrate Our Friends Life and accomplishments. He gave to us now lets give it back just like he showed us how.
Love to all,
Paula home town Medicine Lodge, Ks now living in Crestview, FL
July 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I think Martin Bashir should not have been hired by any station after what he did to Michael Jackson ,right now he is the most hated man in the world,I think he is evil.