A Look At How Successful Michael Jackson Was
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way approving of Michael Jackson's personal behavior. I'm only bringing how high this man was in the entertainment world to some people's attention who may have otherwise been unaware.
Musical Accomplishments
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Solo Album Rankings
Off The Wall: 20 Million Sold Worldwide (7x Platinum - US)
Thriller: 109 Million Sold Worldwide (28x Platinum - US)
Bad: 30 Million Sold Worldwide (8x Platinum - US)
Dangerous: 32 Million Sold Worldwide (7x Platinum - US)
History: 20 Million Sold Worldwide (7x Platinum - US)
Blood On The Dance Floor (Hybrid Remix Album) - 6 Million Sold Worldwide (1x Platinum - US)
Invincible: 10 Million Sold Worldwide (2x Platinum - US)
US Top 10 Hits
1971: #4 Got To Be There
1972: #2 Rockin Robin
1972: #1 Ben
1979: #1 Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
1980: #1 Rock With You
1980: #10 She's Out Of My Life
1980: #10 Off The Wall
1983: #2 The Girl Is Mine
1983: #1 Billie Jean
1983: #1 Beat It
1983: #5 Wanna Be Startin' Somethin
1984: #7 Human Nature
1984: #10 P.Y.T.
1983: #1 Say Say Say
1985: #1 We Are The World
1987: #1 I Just Can't Stop Loving You
1987: #1 Bad
1987: #1 The Way You Make Me Feel
1988: #1 Man In The Mirror
1988: #1 Dirty Diana
1989: #7 Smooth Criminal
1991: #1 Black Or White
1992: #3 Remember The Time
1992: #6 In The Closet
1993: #7 Will You Be there (Free willy)
1995: #5 Scream (feat. Janet Jackson)
1995: #1 You Are Not Alone
2001: #10 You Rock My world
UK #1 Hits (in addition to those listed above)
1981: One Day In Your Life
1995: Earth song
1997: Blood On The Dance Floor
Thriller had 6 top ten hits. 2/3 of that Album was a top ten hit. Artists today are lucky if they get 3 top ten hits out of an album today.
Music Video/Film Accomplishments
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- Billie Jean - (Lighting effects unheard of, light up tiles etc.) Broke Color Barrier on MTV
- Thriller - Revolutionized the music video into a short film.
- Bad - (jump started Wesley Snipes career)
- Black Or White - 1st Video effects of their kind, face morphing seen later in movies like Harry Potter
- Remember the Time - more video effects, 1st of their kind, Eddie Murphy/Magic Johnson cameo
- Jam - Michael Jordan/Kriss Kross cameo
- In the Closet - Naombi Cambell cameo
- Scream - Most Expensive Music Video Ever - Janet Jackson cameo - more effects never seen before
Dance
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKBLxh3u0tM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDXgSfOz_X8
Misc. Records
- Jackson has supported more charities than any other pop singer - 39 charitable organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or the participation in their activities. The charities involved include AIDS Project L.A., American Cancer Society, BMI Foundation, Inc., Childhelp USA, United Negro College Fund, YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw, The Sickle Cell Research Fund and Volunteers of America.
- Jackson's "Bad World Tour" (1987–1989) was the highest-grossing tour ever at the time, with over $125 million earned. This record was later broken by the "Dangerous World Tour" (1992-1993) and later broken again by the "HIStory World Tour" (1996-1997), which is still the biggest tour ever in terms of international attendance (4.4 million tickets outside of USA).
- On November 14, 1991, Michael Jackson’s music video, Black or White was broadcast simultaneously in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people. It is the largest audience ever to view a music video.
- In 1986 Jackson signed a $15 million deal with Pepsi - it was the largest ever endorsement for product promotion.
- Jackson jointly holds the record for most Grammy Awards won in a single year. He won eight awards at the 1984 ceremony.
- Jackson jointly holds the record for most American Music Awards won in a single year, winning eight awards at the 1984 ceremony. This was equaled by Whitney Houston at the 1994 ceremony.
- Jackson holds the record for winning more Billboard awards than any other male artist, having 26.
- The fastest ticket sales in history, with 700,000 tickets sold in about four hours for the cancelled "This Is It" tour in 2009.
- 135 million people watched as Michael Jackson performed during the halftime celebration of Superbowl XXVII. It is the most watched television appearance ever.
Today the last of the Big 3 of the music world has left us. (The Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson)