The rise of Michael Jackson

Michael is six when, with four older brothers, he tops talent show. Forms best-selling band, The Jackson 5, which clinches first record deal in 1968 when he is 10

Hits like ABC and I’ll Be There makes brothers first pop group ever to have their first four singles top the US charts

First solo album in 1972. Off the Wall (1979) yields four hit singles

Peaks in 1982 with the iconic Thriller — the world’s best-selling record of all time (over 45 million copies) — featuring signature song Beat It. Pushes boundaries of the fledgling art of music videos. Time magazine describes him as “the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley”

In 1983, unveils “moonwalk” dance move, gliding across the stage with one leg straight and the other bent

Hit albums Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) follow and Jackson begins calling himself “King of Pop”

In 1985, writes famine relief charity single We Are The World with Lionel Richie, which becomes one of the fastest-selling singles

Twice inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Holds multiple Guinness World Records, including one for “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time” for his 13 Grammies, 13 No. 1 singles and sale of 750 million records

The fall of Michael Jackson

In 1994, pays out-of-court to settle charges of molesting a 13-year-old boy

Announces addiction to painkillers and abruptly cancels world tour

Marriage to Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley breaks up in 1996.

Marries former nurse Debbie Rowe but they split in 1999

Slammed for holding his third child, Prince Michael II, over the railing of a hotel balcony during a public appearance. Shrouds his children with veils in public

Earns nickname Wacko Jacko for his belief that “I am Peter Pan in my heart”,
preference for children’s company, friendship with a chimp that shares his toilet, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries — at least four nose jobs, a
forehead lift, thinned lips, and cheekbone and chin surgeries

His skin gradually changes to pale white, which he blames on pigmentation disease
vitiligo but rumours suggest he is bleaching his skin. Sleeps in oxygen chamber to
live 150 years, wears surgical masks to avoid germs. Speculation swirls about use of drugs and strange medication

Suffers injuries and collapses repeatedly during shows or rehearsals, breaks a
vertebra and leg in an stage fall, bursts a lung blood vessel. Last year, photographed in a wheelchair for reasons never explained

In 2003, charged with sexually abusing boys during sleepovers at his Neverland Ranch. Acquitted in 2005

Begins nomadic lifestyle in Bahrain, Dubai, Ireland and Las Vegas while battling lawsuits over dwindling finances

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Two of India’s celebrated dancers, whose styles have often beencompared to that of Michael Jackson, speak to The Telegraph

Mithun Chakraborty

You can imagine how much I loved MichMithun Chakraborty ael Jackson — I named my eldest son Mimoh after him (and Mohammad Ali: ‘Mi’ from Michael and ‘Moh’ from Mohammad). Jackson was a genius; in fact genius is an understatement for an icon of his stature.

I followed Jackson from the beginning, whatever little I could see of him on TV in those days. I would pick up steps watching him, emulating his Moonwalk. Then later when I became a star people started comparing my dancing skills with his! Especially after
Disco Dancer (1983). I felt humbled. I have no hesitation in accepting that I used to try and emulate his style.

Not that I blindly followed him, but yes I learnt a lot from him and then did it my way. I loved his pelvic thrusts and tried them in many of my films.

I always used to wonder how someone could be so electrifying, how a man could connect to the audience the world over irrespective of colour, cast and creed. He ruled millions of hearts, young and old. His stage shows were electrifying.

His life was mired in controversies, but nothing can stop Jackson, nothing can tarnish him, no power on earth can pull him down. I am sad, not because Michael Jackson is no more, because for me he is immortal, but because he was only 50. Too young
for an icon to pass away. Since morning I have looked up and asked just one
question: why so soon?

For me he will always live. Jackson is like a Phoenix, he can only rise, never perish. He was one of his kind, a wonder star.

Prabhu Deva
Actor and choreographer

When a friend called me in the morning and informed me that Jackson had died, I could not believe it till I switched on CNN. Only now it is sinking in. I am yet to recover from the shock.

I can’t imagine anyone could dance like that. I love all of Jackson’s albums but Thriller remains my favourite because it was after (watching the video) that I decided to make dancing a career.

I played it (Thriller tape) so many times that it snapped and my father had to get me a fresh one. It is unfair to compare me with an icon like him. I am not equal to even his shadow. He is a such a great legend and I am
only his pupil.

My meeting with him at his hotel (in Mumbai in 1996) was an amazing experience that I will always cherish.

e was like a child and thrilled when someone described me as India’s Michael Jackson. He immediately asked to do a few moves and when I did he was so happy that he gave me a warm hug. I will always remember him as the finest modern day dancer and also a great human being.

I hope I come up with something befitting (as a tribute at a dance competition he would be judging this evening).