Michael Jackson: A brief YouTube HIStory
Sidin Vadukut -
Friday, June 26, 2009 10:23 AM
Michael Jackson passed away today after a career known as much for its hugely influential music as the turmoil and allegations in Jackson's private life. Jackson's music and unique persona made him one of the most successful American exports ever. For someone with such longevity in his repertoire there will be few people who have had a chance to see the entire gamut of his music. This is a brief listing of YouTube videos, mostly of his music and then some, that briefly chronicles the King's life:
1. The Jackson 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16fDpOW948
Jackson would later recount being abused as a child by his father who regularly beat him mercilessly. Still he first arrived on the big stage as part of the Jackson Brothers who later became The Jackson 5. The video is a recording of a 1972 recording.
2. Ben: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w
Michael launched his solo career through four albums launched between 1972 and 1975. All four were launched while The Jackson 5 were still huge, and an album would sometimes be delayed to let the hype of a Jackson 5 hit to die down. The link is from his second album Ben.
3. The Wiz: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6A57B44E547E7713&search_query=micheal+jackson+scarecrow+wiz
In 1978, a year before his coming out success with the Off The Wall album, jackson starred in a musical called The Wiz along with Diana Ross. Jackson played the scarecrow in an adaptation of the The Wizard of Oz story. The link is to a playlist of videos related to the original musical including trailer and a clip of Jackson singing in a rare low voice.
4. Off The Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1gOyvGfJk
Off The Wall was a huge hit when it came out in 1979. a power-packed album with collaborative work by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney among others. The link is a video of a rare interview that Jackson gave during the Off The Wall promotion tour.
5. Thriller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrUQItmW4s
The best selling album of all time was released in 1982. Jackson made a fortune as his contract for this album and the highest royalties for an artist ever. (Two dollars a copy is what he took home.) The album has sold over a 100 million copies worldwide. The only album to do so ever. The video is a live performance dated sometime in 1987.
6. The moonwalk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VASYhabHkM
Michael Jackson debuted his most famous dance move, the iconic moonwalk, during a televised special to celebrate 25 years of motown. legend has it that he practised the move in his kitchen before trying it on stage. The video is a clip from Jackson's performance.
7. Jackson meets Ronald Reagan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5R3OD8J-Ws
Reagan invited Jackson to the White House in 1984 to felicitate him on his charity work. The link is from a news feed.
8. We Are The World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzw6GiqZyD0
Jackson co-wrote We Are The World with Lionel Ritchie. The song, sung by a stellar cast of artists, was produced to help famine relief in Ehtiopia. It sold three million copies.
9. Moonwalker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF89npFbn8g
In 1988 Jackson in a movie called Moonwalker, an odd mix of songs, extended music videos and a super Smooth Criminal video. The link here is to a few moments of gameplay from the video game of the same name launched an year or so later. Ubergeeks might want to check out a detailed overview of the game with many pictures here: http://www.sydlexia.com/moonwalker.htm)
10. The spectacular Super Bowl XXVIII half-time show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnvSebbIVAM
In one of his greatest live performances ever Jackson leapt on to a stage during the half-time show and performed four of his songs. The performance shot up sales of his Dangerous album.
11. The Oprah Winfrey intreview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtx6viwUWgQ
In 1993 Jackson gave his first TV interview in 14 years. Here he spoke about his childhood abuse. The link is a very brief excerpt from the interview.
12. The Scream video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNl2Pm9-7Vk&feature=fvst
It was Jackson's message to the media. And the most expensive video at the time. He recorded it in 1995 along with his sister Janet Jackson. Part of the HIStory album.
13. The baby in Berlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr0Wh17iBJA&feature=related
In 2002, while staying at a hotel in Berlin, Jackson dangled his newly born baby over the balcony draped in a cloth. Jackson later admitted that this was a mistake.
14. The Martin Bashir interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1SLgFKU2fM
In 2003 Granada Television released Living with Micheal Jackson, in which British journalist Martin Bashir interviewed Jackson over many months. Later jackson would dispute his portrayal in the film.
15: And for really hardcore Jackson fans here is a copy of the patent he filed in 1993 called "Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion". The document describes how did that awesome Smooth Criminal step where everyone, Jackson, included leans forward way beyond their centers of gravity. Downloadable. (There was a trick. It was in the shoes.)
At the time of writing this post all videos were working. Do drop a line if something does not. And do leave links to further interesting Jackson resources in the comments section.