Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009)

I remember seeing Michael Jackson live at the Maifeld in Berlin when I was 10 years old. I will never forget the girl next to me who was having a nervous breakdown, crying while singing along to "Man in the Mirror". Never seen anything like it. MJ truly had a god-like impact on whatever soil he laid foot on.

On stage from the age of 6, Michael Jackson had four straight number one hits by the time he was 12, making him the youngest member of a group ever to reach the number one spot (at 11 yrs). As a solo artist, Michael went on to win 13 Grammy Awards and had another 13 billboard number one singles, with record sales topping 750 million world wide (approx. 110 million through the "Thriller" album alone - his next five albums would go on to sell a combined 115 million). An additional 197 major awards throughout his life/career (including artist of the "Decade", "Generation", "Century" and "Millenium"), 13 entries in the Guiness Book of Records (one for "most successful entertainer of all time") and two inductions into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame make Michael Jackson the most successful solo artist of all time.

Off the stage, Michael Jackson was a committed humanitarian who broke down racial barriers, gave over 300 million dollars to charity and has been formally honored for his contributions by two US Presidents.

This tribute post is in remembrance of Michael Jackson, "The King of Pop", without whom music would not be what it is today.
An homage that reflects how we at Drinkmusik will remember one of history's most talented and charismatic artists, the likes of which we will never see again.


Jackson Five - Big Boy (1967)

Jackson Five's first release, recorded for Steeltown Records. One year later they would be signed by Motown Records.

Jackson Five - Ben (1972)

Theme song for a movie about a rat of the same name. This song made him the third-youngest solo artist (at 14) to score a number-one hit single. Younger: Stevie Wonder (13) and Donnie Osmond (almost 14).

Some rare, but timeless songs from his first solo albums:

Michael Jackson - We've Got A Good Thing Going (taken from the album "Ben", 1972)



Michael Jackson - Up Again (Taken from the album "Music & Me", 1973)



Michael Jackson - Too Young (Taken from the album "Music & Me", 1973)



Michael Jackson - We're almost there (Taken from the album "Forever, Michael", 1975)



Michael Jackson - Interview on Soul Train (1975)

A day in the life of 13-year-old Michael Jackson.


Jackson Five - Let Me Show You The Way To Go (1977)



Jackson Five - Blame it on the Boogie (1978)




Michael Jackson - I Can't Help it (1979)



Michael Jackson - Rock With You (1979)

Definitely one of my personal favorites


Michael Jackson - Girlfriend (1979)



Michael Jackson - Burn This Disco Out (1979)



Jackson 5 - Can You Feel It (1981)



Michael Jackson - Walt Disney Medley (1981)

Rare Walt Disney commercial


Michael Jackson - Starlight (Early demo of "Thriller")

A snippet of an early version of the song "Thriller", originally named "Starlight". Michael Jackson is one of the few artists who wrote most of his own music. Quincy Jones was responsible for his unique sound, but the tunes, the melodies came from Jackson's genius mind.


Michael Jackson - PYT (1982)



Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 Live, Motown (1983)

Michael performing with the Jackson Five


Michael Jackson - Beat It, live (1983)

Famous live performance, many of you will recognize this.


Michael Jackson - Thriller (1983)

The complete mini-film. This 14-minute music video, directed by John Landis, was the most expensive of its time ($500,000). The Guiness Book of Records lists it as the most successful music video of all time, at 9 million units sold.


Grammy Awards 1984, Pt I

MJ would go on to receive a record 8 Grammys that year for his uberalbum "Thriller". By the time of the award show, Thriller had already become the most successful album of all time.


Grammy Awards 1984, Pt II



Grammy Awards 1984, Pt III



Making of "We Are The World" (1985)



Captain EO - Pt I (1986)

Walt Disney film starring Michael Jackson


Captain EO - Pt II (1986)



Michael Jackson - Leave Me Alone (1987)



Michael Jackson Retrospective (1987)

A look at what he accomplished before the release of the "Bad" album.


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - The Movie (1988)

Classic. Features a collection of films about MJ and movie versions of music videos for his album "Bad".


Michael Jackson's "Bad" - The Story Version, Pt I (1988)

The full length 16-minute movie version


Michael Jackson's "Bad" - The Story Version, Pt II (1988)



Michael Jackson - Grammys 1988 live performance



Michael Jackson receives Heritage Award (1989)

This is the first time Michael Jackson is referred to as "The King of Pop"


Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror, live at Grammys (1989)



Michael Jackson - You Were There (1990)

The only time he ever performed this song


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - Sega Genesis video game (1990)



Michael Jackson live at Superbowl XXVII - Part I (1993)



Michael Jackson live at Superbowl XXVII - Part II (1993)



Michael Jackson - Boss Act 1 (1994)

In 1994, Sega hired MJ to produce the soundtrack for "Sonic The Hedgehog 3". This track was produced along with his producer team. However, due to his child molestation charges at the time, he was withdrawn from the project. Only his team's name, "Boss Act 1", remained in the credits.


Michael Jackson live, MTV Music Awards (1995)

Stylish performance to "Dangerous"


Michael Jackson - private footage from the "History" world tour (1997)



MJ & Friends - live in Munich (1999)

With a little help from Slash


Michael Jackson & The Jacksons - 30th Anniversary Jackson Five medley (2001)



Michael Jackson receives "Artist Of The Millenium" award (2002)

"David Blane - your magic is real and I believe in you."


Michael's birthday bash (2003)

Song: "Dear Michael" by Michael Jackson


Michael Jackson - One More Chance (2004)



Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards, introduced by Beyonce (2006)

25th anniversary of "Thriller"


Michael Jackson visits the troops in Japan (2007)



The impact of Michael Jackson's death on the music world is uncanny. His record sales have multiplied drastically in the hours following his passing.

He currently has 51 songs in the American iTunes Top 100 download chart.

Nine of his albums are featured on the American iTunes Top 10 chart. 27 of his albums and compilations are in the Top 100.

In the UK, where Michael Jackson would have performed in 2 1/2 weeks, thirty-nine of Jackson's songs were in the iTunes Top 100 best selling songs list on June 26th, in addition to four Jackson 5 songs.

His albums occupied 14 of the top 20 places on the Amazon.co.uk sales chart.

Google, Twitter, Youtube, Wikipedia and AIM crashed as a result of user overload in the hours after his death.

This is simply unheard of. Michael Jackson is a legend. He will be missed by the world.


"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." - Michael Jackson (Aug 29, 1958 - Jun 25, 2009)


Michael Jackson - Music & Me (1973)

Video taken from "Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - The Movie" (1988)