Artists
Michael Jackson
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Michael Jackson's This Is It in HD
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Sony comments on the passing of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."
Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly."
Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences."
Five of Jackson's solo albums - Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory, all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and Thriller as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as Billie Jean, Beat It and the epic Thriller. Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
Michael Jackson biography
Michael Jackson was born on the 29th of August 1958. He has 8 siblings: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Rebbie, Janet and La-Toya Jackson.
In 1964, at the young age of 5, Michael became the lead singer of the Jackson Five with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon. In 1968 the Jackson Five signed to Motown Records and released singles including, I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There, they all went to number 1 in the US. The Jackson Five recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 additional solo albums during his time with Motown.
In 1976 the Jackson Five signed to Epic, changing their name to The Jacksons in the process. At this point Michael's youngest brother Randy replaced Jermaine so that Jermaine could continue his solo career as a Motwon artist. The Jacksons made 6 albums with Epic.
In 1979 Michael teamed up with Quincy Jones to release Off The Wall, his first album with Epic and also his first solo album as an adult recording artist. The album went on to huge global success and included songs such as Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Off The Wall and She's Out Of my Life.
Originally released in the US 25 years ago on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. Introducing the "robot" and the "moonwalk" into the international lexicon of clubland dance moves via the pulsing sounds of Thriller, Michael Jackson revolutionized all aspects of mainstream pop culture -- from radio airwaves to the newly emerging art form of music videos -- becoming the world's most popular entertainer in the process.
The original Thriller spent an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at #1. Seven of the album's original nine tracks became Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 while Individual singles from Thriller reached #1 chart positions in the US, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.
Thriller made history as the first and only record to be America's top-selling album two years running (1983 and 1984).
Thriller has been certified 27x platinum by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond Award status in the US. In addition, the album has achieved Diamond or Multi-Platinum status in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.
The Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition includes the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson's groundbreaking short films from Thriller (Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean) and the artist's Emmy-nominated breakout performance of Billie Jean from the legendary "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" television special (first broadcast on NBC on May 16, 1983).
The newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: Beat It 2008 with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of Billie Jean; a new 2008 version of Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' with Akon; will.i.am remixes of The Girl Is Mine and P.Y.T; and For All Time, a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.
The deluxe Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition packaging contains a personal greeting from Michael Jackson to his fans penned exclusively for this special release.
In February 1984, Michael Jackson held a record-breaking 12 Grammy nominations, going on to win eight, which stands as the record for most Grammy Awards to be won by anyone in a single year. Seven of Michael's Grammys that year were for Thriller: Album of the Year; Record of the Year ("Beat It"); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Thriller"); Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Thriller); Best Male Rock Vocal Performance ("Beat It"); Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Billie Jean"); Best R&B Song ("Billie Jean"). (Michael's eighth Grammy that year was in the Best Recording For Children - Single or Album, Musical or Spoken category for "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"). That same year, Michael Jackson took home eight American Music Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. The following year, "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" took home the Best Video Album trophy at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.
In 1987 Michael released Bad his long awaited third solo album with Epic Records.
In 1991 Michael signed a massive recording contract with Sony Music and released his fourth solo album, Dangerous.
In 1994 Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis Presley) we're married. They subsequently divorced in 1996.
HIStory, adouble album featuring one CD of new material and a second CD of his greatest hits, was released in 1995.
On February 13th 1997 Michael had his first child, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson jr, with his new wife Debbie Rowe. On April 3rd 1998 they had a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.
In 1997 Michael released Blood On The Dance Floor a remix album containing five additional new songs and his latest short film Ghosts.
Named the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by the Guinness World Records, Michael Jackson is among the most highly acclaimed and influential artists in pop culture. He was named the World Music Award's Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award. He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist in 2001.
