Michael Jackson Accomplishments
Maya Kirk
Ms. Bork
Sophomore English
17 April 2013 Michael Jackson, a man of many talents, had 13 #1 singles, 17 Grammy Awards, and sold over 1 billion albums across the globe since his solo debut in 1972. Michael had a big effect on the world. He influenced many people through his music. His dance moves created a new and innovative way for people to express themselves. His videos were a whole new experience for most people in the music industry. It is really rare in the music industry to leave a very successful group to become even more successful as a solo artist, but Michael Jackson achieved this. Michael broke many racial barriers throughout his career in music. Michael had his fair share of ups and downs, but in spite of them, he …show more content…
influenced the music industry greatly through his music, dance moves, and even through his music videos.
Since the age of four, Michael’s parents knew that he was a born entertainer but they didn’t realize it would only take the world a couple of years to find out. When Michael was in first grade, he performed in a talent show at his school. He sang, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music. In 1964, Michael and his brother Marlon joined the Jackson’s band. They called themselves “the Five Brothers from Gary, Indiana.” The Jackson 5 set a chart record with its first four singles being number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1972 at the age of 14, Michael went solo and recorded his first two albums, “Got to be There” and “Ben.” His greatest musical legacy was with the album “Thriller.” This album was his biggest-selling album of all time. Krohn says, “It sold over 100 million copies and had 6 hit singles which was not heard of at the time” (22). NBC Today News refers to Michael’s duet “The Girl is Mine” with Paul McCartney as an interracial affair because the video has singers from different races pledging their love to a woman. Michael was just getting started on breaking music boundaries. Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled stated that, “His next two singles, “Billie Jean” and “Beat it” “brought both social consciousness and rock guitar to the dance floor.” Michael broke many racial barriers throughout his career in the music industry. Before Michael, MTV claimed it was a rock station and refused to play African American artist’s songs. “Billie Jean” and “Beat it” spent several weeks as No. 1 and broke MTV’s “color barrier.” Thanks to Michael, you see many African American songs and shows on MTV today. Before Michael, MTV only played British dance music; but after “Thriller” the channel started to play more hip-hop songs and eventually rap. After these singles, his career really took off. Jackson was able to reach this amount of stardom because he was able to capture the public’s attention because of his natural ability to sing and perform. NBC Today News said, “At the age of 11, he sang lead on the No.1 songs “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, and “I’ll Be There” with more mastery and passion than most adult vocalists. Depending on the song, he could make his voice soar high enough to conjure James Brown.” “The Jackson 5’s songs were both “bubblegum” pop and R&B. NBC News Today also stated that,” Most people fail to realize that the Jackson 5 were “pioneers” because they brought R&B to white preteens, helping to create the eventual audience that would be perceptive to disco.”
Many dancers say that Michael’s moves influenced hip-hop and R&B as we know it today and that he is one of the greatest dancers of all time. Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled stated that “His moves have mesmerized audiences around the globe, as well as inspired a generation of dancers.” Michael Jackson influenced dance in such a way that he was the first artist that would take his talent and display it in his music videos. He was the artist that created the image of a pop star being a dancer. After “Billie Jean”, dancing became a part of entertaining and every artist with a hit record felt the need to dance in their music videos because Michael Jackson did it.
English stated that, “No one will ever forget his revolutionary and unforgettable signature move the Moonwalk in which he had perfected and made his own and performed it during the 1983 Motown 25th Anniversary.” In this move, he glides backward while appearing to make a forward walking motion. The moonwalk is what set Michael apart from the rest of the other artists. After he did the moonwalk, everyone was trying to learn how to do it like him. Michael’s most unforgettable move is in the song “Smooth Criminal” when he does his gravity-defying lean. The lean also had people trying to attempt this lean but unfortunately no one could do it because it was done with special effects and wiring.
Other signature moves include the crotch grab, the robot, and the toe stand. All of these moves are being done by artists today. His dancing has influenced many artists to try new and innovative moves. Choreographers now are trying to evolve his moves into new and innovative moves for today’s artists. Journey states that, “His choreography is responsible for bringing so-called “urban” moves to the masses.”
Michael Jackson made music videos an event. In the “Beat It” video, he used mass choreography which opened the door for a lot of professional dancers, which was not common around that time. He was the first artist to put a storyline in his videos. When a Michael Jackson video came on, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch and see new and creative thing. MTV says “His videos were lavish, big-budget affairs, rife with spectacular choreography, eye-popping special effects, and amazing costume changes.” Michael didn’t just make music videos; he made movies because most of his videos were longer than music videos produced before his time. Directors, stars, and even models wanted to work with him to make cameos.
His biggest achievement was the video “Thriller”.
MTV stated that, “The video was 13 minutes long and cost more than $500,000 to make at the time. It was a mini-film with huge sets, makeup, and effects.” The video’s choreography has become “one of the most imitated and parodied routines in pop-culture” says 7 Ways. It sold more than 9 million records. In December 2009, “the music video for “Thriller” was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, “Thriller” in the first music video ever to be inducted” says Michael Jackson’s Indelible. Michael didn’t just stop there; he then created the video “Bad” that featured a cameo by a then-unknown Wesley Snipes. Another one of Michael’s greatest videos was “Smooth Criminal” because of his patented “anti-gravity lean.”
Michael Jackson has revolutionized the music industry. The New York Times wrote that, “In the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else.” Throughout all of Michael’s life, he had to deal with racial and medical problems but he still managed to make a difference in the music industry through his music, dance moves, and music videos. Even though his time on earth has expired, his legacy still lives on in CDs, radios, video, records, and the hearts of those who have heard his
music.
Works Cited
“7 Ways Michael Jackson Changed the World.” Baltimore Sun. N.p., 28 June 2009. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
English, Thea Theresa. “Influence of American Pop Culture.” Ehow. Demand Media, 20 Dec. 2009. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
Krohn, Katherine E. Michael Jackson: Ultimate Music Legend. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 2010. Print.
“Michael Jackson’s Indelible Pop Legacy.” Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
“Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled Influence.” The Atlantic. The Atlantic, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013
“Jackson Changed Course of Music, Society.” TODAY.com. Today show, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
“Journey with Michael Jackson.. His Music, His Journey, His Life.” Journey with Michael Jackson RSS. N.p.,n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
Outline
Thesis: Michael Jackson has had his fair share of ups and downs, but in-spite of them, he influenced the music industry greatly through his music, dance moves, and even through his music videos. He influenced many people with his music. A. His influence on people as child with the Jackson 5. B. His influence on people as a grown man being a solo artist. C. Racial barriers he had to go through to achieve his success
II. He influenced many artists and dancers with his new and interesting dance moves.
He performance of the moonwalk and the effect of it on people
The anti gravity lean that he performed in smooth criminal
His influence on future dancers, choreographers, and entertainers.
III. He influenced many future artists with his music videos.
Radios, records and hearts of those who heard his music. How he made his music videos longer than artists were making them back then.
How he went big with his videos
He was the first to put a storyline in his videos
IV. Conclusion: Throughout all of Michael 's life he had to deal with racial and medical problems but he has still managed to make a difference in the world with his music, dance moves, and even his music videos. Even though his time on earth has expired, his legacy still lives in on in the CDs,
Ms. Bork
Sophomore English
17 April 2013 Michael Jackson, a man of many talents, had 13 #1 singles, 17 Grammy Awards, and sold over 1 billion albums across the globe since his solo debut in 1972. Michael had a big effect on the world. He influenced many people through his music. His dance moves created a new and innovative way for people to express themselves. His videos were a whole new experience for most people in the music industry. It is really rare in the music industry to leave a very successful group to become even more successful as a solo artist, but Michael Jackson achieved this. Michael broke many racial barriers throughout his career in music. Michael had his fair share of ups and downs, but in spite of them, he …show more content…
influenced the music industry greatly through his music, dance moves, and even through his music videos.
Since the age of four, Michael’s parents knew that he was a born entertainer but they didn’t realize it would only take the world a couple of years to find out. When Michael was in first grade, he performed in a talent show at his school. He sang, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music. In 1964, Michael and his brother Marlon joined the Jackson’s band. They called themselves “the Five Brothers from Gary, Indiana.” The Jackson 5 set a chart record with its first four singles being number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1972 at the age of 14, Michael went solo and recorded his first two albums, “Got to be There” and “Ben.” His greatest musical legacy was with the album “Thriller.” This album was his biggest-selling album of all time. Krohn says, “It sold over 100 million copies and had 6 hit singles which was not heard of at the time” (22). NBC Today News refers to Michael’s duet “The Girl is Mine” with Paul McCartney as an interracial affair because the video has singers from different races pledging their love to a woman. Michael was just getting started on breaking music boundaries. Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled stated that, “His next two singles, “Billie Jean” and “Beat it” “brought both social consciousness and rock guitar to the dance floor.” Michael broke many racial barriers throughout his career in the music industry. Before Michael, MTV claimed it was a rock station and refused to play African American artist’s songs. “Billie Jean” and “Beat it” spent several weeks as No. 1 and broke MTV’s “color barrier.” Thanks to Michael, you see many African American songs and shows on MTV today. Before Michael, MTV only played British dance music; but after “Thriller” the channel started to play more hip-hop songs and eventually rap. After these singles, his career really took off. Jackson was able to reach this amount of stardom because he was able to capture the public’s attention because of his natural ability to sing and perform. NBC Today News said, “At the age of 11, he sang lead on the No.1 songs “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, and “I’ll Be There” with more mastery and passion than most adult vocalists. Depending on the song, he could make his voice soar high enough to conjure James Brown.” “The Jackson 5’s songs were both “bubblegum” pop and R&B. NBC News Today also stated that,” Most people fail to realize that the Jackson 5 were “pioneers” because they brought R&B to white preteens, helping to create the eventual audience that would be perceptive to disco.”
Many dancers say that Michael’s moves influenced hip-hop and R&B as we know it today and that he is one of the greatest dancers of all time. Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled stated that “His moves have mesmerized audiences around the globe, as well as inspired a generation of dancers.” Michael Jackson influenced dance in such a way that he was the first artist that would take his talent and display it in his music videos. He was the artist that created the image of a pop star being a dancer. After “Billie Jean”, dancing became a part of entertaining and every artist with a hit record felt the need to dance in their music videos because Michael Jackson did it.
English stated that, “No one will ever forget his revolutionary and unforgettable signature move the Moonwalk in which he had perfected and made his own and performed it during the 1983 Motown 25th Anniversary.” In this move, he glides backward while appearing to make a forward walking motion. The moonwalk is what set Michael apart from the rest of the other artists. After he did the moonwalk, everyone was trying to learn how to do it like him. Michael’s most unforgettable move is in the song “Smooth Criminal” when he does his gravity-defying lean. The lean also had people trying to attempt this lean but unfortunately no one could do it because it was done with special effects and wiring.
Other signature moves include the crotch grab, the robot, and the toe stand. All of these moves are being done by artists today. His dancing has influenced many artists to try new and innovative moves. Choreographers now are trying to evolve his moves into new and innovative moves for today’s artists. Journey states that, “His choreography is responsible for bringing so-called “urban” moves to the masses.”
Michael Jackson made music videos an event. In the “Beat It” video, he used mass choreography which opened the door for a lot of professional dancers, which was not common around that time. He was the first artist to put a storyline in his videos. When a Michael Jackson video came on, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch and see new and creative thing. MTV says “His videos were lavish, big-budget affairs, rife with spectacular choreography, eye-popping special effects, and amazing costume changes.” Michael didn’t just make music videos; he made movies because most of his videos were longer than music videos produced before his time. Directors, stars, and even models wanted to work with him to make cameos.
His biggest achievement was the video “Thriller”.
MTV stated that, “The video was 13 minutes long and cost more than $500,000 to make at the time. It was a mini-film with huge sets, makeup, and effects.” The video’s choreography has become “one of the most imitated and parodied routines in pop-culture” says 7 Ways. It sold more than 9 million records. In December 2009, “the music video for “Thriller” was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, “Thriller” in the first music video ever to be inducted” says Michael Jackson’s Indelible. Michael didn’t just stop there; he then created the video “Bad” that featured a cameo by a then-unknown Wesley Snipes. Another one of Michael’s greatest videos was “Smooth Criminal” because of his patented “anti-gravity lean.”
Michael Jackson has revolutionized the music industry. The New York Times wrote that, “In the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else.” Throughout all of Michael’s life, he had to deal with racial and medical problems but he still managed to make a difference in the music industry through his music, dance moves, and music videos. Even though his time on earth has expired, his legacy still lives on in CDs, radios, video, records, and the hearts of those who have heard his
music.
Works Cited
“7 Ways Michael Jackson Changed the World.” Baltimore Sun. N.p., 28 June 2009. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
English, Thea Theresa. “Influence of American Pop Culture.” Ehow. Demand Media, 20 Dec. 2009. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
Krohn, Katherine E. Michael Jackson: Ultimate Music Legend. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 2010. Print.
“Michael Jackson’s Indelible Pop Legacy.” Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
“Michael Jackson’s Unparalleled Influence.” The Atlantic. The Atlantic, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013
“Jackson Changed Course of Music, Society.” TODAY.com. Today show, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
“Journey with Michael Jackson.. His Music, His Journey, His Life.” Journey with Michael Jackson RSS. N.p.,n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013.
Outline
Thesis: Michael Jackson has had his fair share of ups and downs, but in-spite of them, he influenced the music industry greatly through his music, dance moves, and even through his music videos. He influenced many people with his music. A. His influence on people as child with the Jackson 5. B. His influence on people as a grown man being a solo artist. C. Racial barriers he had to go through to achieve his success
II. He influenced many artists and dancers with his new and interesting dance moves.
He performance of the moonwalk and the effect of it on people
The anti gravity lean that he performed in smooth criminal
His influence on future dancers, choreographers, and entertainers.
III. He influenced many future artists with his music videos.
Radios, records and hearts of those who heard his music. How he made his music videos longer than artists were making them back then.
How he went big with his videos
He was the first to put a storyline in his videos
IV. Conclusion: Throughout all of Michael 's life he had to deal with racial and medical problems but he has still managed to make a difference in the world with his music, dance moves, and even his music videos. Even though his time on earth has expired, his legacy still lives in on in the CDs,