We have seen several incarnations of Michael Jackson throughout the years; from precocious child to silky smooth performer, an iconic and untouchable emperor to a frail and fragile middle aged man. Many controversies dogged him through the years - each of us no doubt knows one or two crazy stories about “Wacko Jacko” and his beyond ordinary life. But there are some things still hidden in the deep recesses of the interwebs that might surprise you to learn. So, in memory of the King himself, let’s find out how much Pepsi paid for nearly burning his face off, and how much a library with some extensive overdue fees actually thought his autograph was worth…..
Pepsi has always been well known for using popular celebrities in their advertising campaigns and Michael Jackson was one of the biggest stars on their payroll. It was during the filming of one of their commercials in 1984 that pyrotechnics accidently set fire to his hair, causing second degree burns to his scalp. Jackson was given a $1.5 million settlement from Pepsi, which he then donated to the Brotman Medical Centre in Culver City, whom had treated him for his injuries. They now have the “Michael Jackson Burn Centre” named in his honor.
In 1980, Jackson secured the highest royalty rate ever recorded in the music industry. 37% of wholesale album profit went his way, which worked out to be about $2 per album. Not bad when you consider that Thriller alone sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
Although they were actually discovered after auditioning for Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, The Jackson Five were first introduced to the American public as being “discovered” by Diana Ross in order to add to their appeal and to also provide more publicity for Ross, who was also signed with Motown at the time. When press kits were sent out to promote the brothers, many of their ages were changed so as to appear younger and Michael was said to have been eight instead of his actual age of eleven.
To celebrate his life and career, Time magazine rushed a commemorative edition of the magazine with Michael on the cover following his death. The last time they published a special edition in between weekly issues was in the days following September 11.
Jackson was the master and innovator when it came to the art of the video clip – “Smooth Criminal” being one of his most famous. In the clip, or short film as it actually is, Michael and his backup dancers perform an anti-gravity lean, one of those signature moves that he was so well known for. The cool move was created using harnesses and rigging, but when it came to performing it during the live stage show, more inconspicuous effects were required. It was with this purpose in mind that Jackson created, and patented, the anti-gravity shoe under U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452, which allowed dancers to lean further forward than their centre of gravity naturally allows. The prop was later used by the dance troupe Diversity on the third serious of Britain’s Got Talent.
In 1984, a U.S. library accused Jackson of owing it over $1 million in overdue book fines. Officials said they would scrap the fines if he returned the books autographed.
An obsessed fan committed suicide in 1984 after his mother refused to allow him to undergo surgery to look like the star. It is also speculated that up to twelve suicides committed by heart broken followers have occurred since his death.
Not only did he appear as himself on the 1973 cover of Marvel’s “Spoof” Comic along side the rest of The Jackson Five and, of all people, Richard Nixon (!), he was also a big fan of comic books and the characters that spawned from them. In amongst his huge collection of movie and cartoon memorabilia are many comic book character items, including; a signed photo of Christopher Reeve as Superman, several Marvel Comics character statuettes, and even a life-size figure of himself dressed in a custom made Batman suit.
For further evidence that he was more than just a regular comic book fan, Michael was also this close to purchasing Marvel Comics after meeting with Stan Lee to discuss the possibility of such a transaction. Needless to say, the deal didn’t go down, but that would have no doubt added another feather to his all ready crowded money-making hat.
The Jackson Five's number one hits “ABC” and “I Want You Back” are among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 songs that shaped rock and roll.
There were rumors floating around that Michael planned on being preserved for all time after his death by undergoing the process of Plastination, a form of human preservation developed by Dr Gunther von Hagens. While it was later revealed by a Body Works spokesperson that Michael was not registered to undergo such treatment, his beloved pet chimpanzee Bubbles did in fact receive Plasination and is now on display in Dr Hagens’ “The Body Worlds and Mirror of Time” exhibition.
His nickname may be “the King of Pop”, but in 1992 Michael also became a real king. He was given the royal title by the villagers in Gabon, Ivory Coast in West Africa.
In the summer of 1976, CBS television signed the Jackson family – Michael, Marlon, Tito, Jackie, Randy, Rebbie, LaToya and Janet – to appear on their own variety show. It was the first variety show to be hosted by an African American family on television. Michael went on the break more ground for African Americans by being the first black artist to appear on MTV, in his Billie Jean video clip.
Both The Jackson Five and Michael as a solo artist have Hollywood Walk of Fame stars. Michael’s was used as a makeshift shrine after news of his death had spread.
Michael’s first facial surgery was actually not cosmetic. In 1979, he broke his nose while rehearsing a difficult dance move. The subsequent surgery to fix the break caused him breathing difficulties, leading to a second surgery to rectify the problem. Why it was necessary for the surgeon to give him a white man’s nose is anyone’s guess.
In a scene from Back to the Future II, Marty McFly has to rendezvous with Griff in order to stop his future son being sent to jail. Among the futuristic details of the film’s version of the year 2015, the counter attendants are actually famous icons of the past, including Ronald Regan and of course Michael Jackson, which shouldn’t come as a surprise seeing as though the movie was made in 1989, a time when Michael was a huge, HUGE star. The actual surprise is that it wasn’t Michael at all, but eerie similar tribute artist E.Casanova Evans, who is considered the world’s greatest tribute act and still performs as Michael to this day.
MC Hammer once challenged Jackson to a dance-off. Jackson reportedly responded, "I've seen your videos and every single dance move you use, you got off of me”.
Michael broke two Guinness World Records during his Bad World Tour, firstly for largest attendance in history – four million people world wide in total – and secondly for the biggest grossing tour of all time, raking in an amount of $125 million.
In 1974, The Jackson Five disco-style song “Dancing Machine” was released as a single. The group performed the song on several television shows, including The Merv Griffin show. It was during the performance of the track that the brothers popularised the “robot” dance move, spawning generations of imitators.
Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State Anthem “South Carolina on My Mind”, recorded by Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge.
In The Simspons episode entitled “Stark Raving Dad”, Homer is committed to a mental institution where his room mate is Leon Keposky, an overweight white guy who believes he is Michael Jackson. He visits the Simpson’s home once he is released from the institution and even helps Bart write a song for Lisa’s birthday. For twelve years the voice actor credited for Jackson’s speaking part was John Jay Smith, but in 2003 it was revealed by Matt Groening that the voice was actually provided by Michael Jackson himself. Strangely though, the singing parts were actually provided by voice actor Kipp Lennon. A huge Simpson fan, Jackson wrote “Happy Birthday Lisa” as well as “Do The Bartman”, but was never credited for the song.
Probably the most scandalous fact of this whole article is the detail that emerged during Jackson's 2003 molestation trial. It was revealed that he had remained a virgin until he was 32 years old.
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