Michael Jackson, often referred to as the King of Pop, left behind a legacy full of music, innovation, and groundbreaking achievements. While his fame is known worldwide, there are still countless fascinating facts that many don’t know about his life. Here are 60 things you may not have known about the iconic artist.
Hometown Hero: Michael was born in Gary, Indiana, and remains the city’s most famous resident, even as the city faced economic decline after the loss of its factory industry in the 1960s.
Musical Parents: His mother, Katherine Jackson, was an aspiring country singer who played the clarinet and piano. His father, Joe, was a guitarist and performed in local bands.
Early Performance: Michael made his public debut at age five, singing Shirley Bassey’s “Climb Every Mountain” during a kindergarten event at Garnett Elementary School.
Recognizing Talent: Joe Jackson was the first to notice the talent in his children, often inviting music executives to their home to see the Jacksons perform.
→ Swipe to see more articles
Inspiration from James Brown: Michael was heavily inspired by the legendary James Brown, calling him “the master” and recalling how he was awakened as a child to watch Brown’s performances on TV.
Recording Debut: Michael made his recording debut at age 9 with the Jackson 5’s “Big Boy” released in 1968.
Avid Reader: As a young teen, Michael developed a love for reading, amassing a library of more than 10,000 books.
Sibling Bonds: Michael and his sister La Toya had a strong bond based on their love of practical jokes, with Michael often pranking her with fake spiders.
Touring at 8: At age 8, Michael began touring with the Jackson 5, performing across America’s Midwest.
Voice Struggles: Michael was never fond of his early recordings with the Jackson 5, often describing his voice as “similar to Minnie Mouse.”
The Jackson 6: Before Michael was born, his parents had twins—Marlon and Brandon. Brandon passed away shortly after birth, leading to the group being known as the Jackson 5.
Berry Gordy’s Doubts: Motown’s Berry Gordy initially wasn’t convinced about signing the Jackson 5, preferring to focus on artists like Stevie Wonder before giving them a chance in 1969.
Suzanne de Passe’s Influence: Suzanne de Passe played a key role in Michael’s artistic development, mentoring him and introducing him to iconic dance moves, including the moonwalk.
I Want You Back: This massive Jackson 5 hit was originally written for Gladys Knight & the Pips but was eventually performed by Michael, marking a major turning point in his career.
ABC as a Gateway: Michael’s hit “ABC” was one of the first songs to make a lasting impact on fans, including rapper 50 Cent, who credits it with sparking his admiration for Michael.
Breaking Barriers: Michael became part of the first black male group to release four consecutive chart-toppers with the Jackson 5 in the late 1960s.
Solo Success: Although many remember Michael for his 1979 album Off the Wall, he released his debut solo album Got to Be There in 1972.
Golden Globe Winner: Michael won his first and only Golden Globe in 1972 for the song “Ben,” which he wrote for a film about a rat.
New York’s Studio 54: Michael frequented the legendary NYC nightclub Studio 54, where he was exposed to beatboxing, influencing his later musical creations.
First Film Role: Michael’s first film venture was in The Wiz (1978), where he starred as the Scarecrow, marking the beginning of his fruitful collaboration with Quincy Jones.
First Rhinoplasty: Michael underwent his first rhinoplasty in 1979 after breaking his nose during a dance practice.
Working with the Best: For Off the Wall, Michael enlisted top-tier collaborators like Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, ensuring the album’s high quality.
No Sheet Music: Michael despised singing from sheet music. He preferred memorizing lyrics and harmonies before recording in the studio.
Prince and Michael’s Rivalry: Prince once visited Michael during the Off the Wall sessions, and the two musicians were known to be rivals throughout their careers.
Iconic Hit: “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” from Off the Wall was entirely written by Michael, a song he hummed repeatedly before finally recording it.
“Rock with You” Title Change: The song was initially called “I Want to Eat You Up,” but the title was changed to avoid any suggestive connotations.
Almost Star for Karen Carpenter: “Rock with You” was originally written for Karen Carpenter, but when she declined, Michael Jackson turned it into a global hit.
Real Tears in “She’s Out of My Life”: The emotion in Michael’s “She’s Out of My Life” was real—he reportedly cried during every take of the song.
Expensive Music Videos: Michael’s Scream music video, featuring Janet Jackson, holds the record for the most expensive music video ever produced, with a budget of $7 million.
Super Bowl XXVII Performance: Michael’s 1993 Super Bowl performance set a new standard for halftime shows, with more viewers than the actual game.
Dangerous Album Heist: Five days before Dangerous was released in 1991, three armed thieves stole 30,000 copies from a warehouse in Los Angeles.
“Black or White” Video: Directed by John Landis, the Black or White video starred Macaulay Culkin and featured groundbreaking visual effects.
“Billie Jean” and MTV: Michael’s music video for “Billie Jean” was the first video by an African-American artist to air on MTV, marking a historic moment for the network.
Moonwalk Debut: Michael introduced the world to his iconic moonwalk during a live performance of “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25 special in 1983.
Chart-Topping Albums: His album Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, breaking numerous records and setting new standards in the music industry.
Thriller’s 1984 Grammy Sweep: The Thriller album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards, solidifying Michael Jackson’s status as the King of Pop.
Posthumous Releases: Even after his death, Michael’s music continues to live on with multiple posthumous albums, such as This Is It and Xscape.
Michael Jackson’s Legacy: From record-breaking music videos to iconic performances, Michael Jackson’s influence on the music industry is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire artists around the world.
Michael Jackson’s life was a blend of music, artistry, and challenges, but through it all, he became a global icon. From his early days with the Jackson 5 to his groundbreaking solo career, his legacy remains a testament to his extraordinary talent and influence.
