By: Joe W. Bowers Jr., Inland Valley News
On August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Ind.. This year, he would have turned 67. Fans and fellow artists around the world continue to honor his extraordinary life and the legacy that secured his name in history as the “King of Pop.”
Jackson’s music career began as a member of the Jackson 5. The band of brothers rose to stardom in the late 1960s under the Motown Records label. His distinctive voice and stage presence set him apart immediately. As a solo artist, he became a pop cultural force, breaking racial barriers in music, fashion, and performance. His 1982 album “Thriller” is the biggest-selling album of all time, with an estimated 70 million copies sold worldwide. Songs like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller” redefined pop music and changed how Black artists were seen on world stages.
Jackson revolutionized music videos, turning MTV into a cultural powerhouse. His moonwalk, first performed live during the Motown 25 TV special in 1983, is still one of the most iconic dance moves ever.
Beyond entertainment, his music carried messages of unity and healing. In the lyrics of “We Are the World” to “Man in the Mirror” and “Heal the World”, Jackson called for change, reminding us to take responsibility for making the world a better place.
Like many great artists, Jackson’s life had triumphs and struggles. Yet through it all, his artistry never wavered. He became a symbol of Black excellence, showing the world, the heights talent and vision could achieve. His legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, dancers, and dreamers.
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson 5, once described Jackson as “the greatest entertainer who ever lived.” According to Gordy, “From the time he was a little boy with the Jackson 5, Michael had that ‘it’ factor. He could sing like an angel, dance like James Brown, and command the stage like no one else. He was simply magic.”
The late Quincy Jones, who worked closely with Jackson on “Off the Wall”, “Thriller”, and “Bad”, remembered him as a tireless perfectionist. “Michael was the consummate entertainer and a true genius. He had it all—the talent, the drive, and the heart. He constantly pushed himself to break new ground, and in doing so, he broke down barriers for all of us.”
To further honor him, the late Hon. Margaret Richards-Bowers, a former nurse, public education advocate, and poet, in a piece reflecting on his passing, captured Jackson’s artistry and enduring impact:
In Memory of Michael Jackson
By: Margaret Richards-Bowers
May God rest your soul but let it sing
I’ll Be There, commanding heaven’s band, and audience of angels,
Holding you, carrying you,
Ambassador to another world.
Eloquent in song, in dance, in tone,
Life stayed a while because you smiled.
Just call my name to let the anguish, pain, and sorrow disappear.
Carry me like I am your brother,
King of love, oh yes, forever!
Sunset came too soon
On edge of Spring,
Never dreamed I’d leave in Summer.
Her words reflect what millions still feel: Michael Jackson’s music and memory live on.
As we reflect on what would have been his 67th year, we not only celebrate his individual genius but his enduring legacy. Jackson’s story teaches us about the ability for Black creativity to transform culture, to revolutionize industries, and to uplift the world.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Michael. Your legacy will forever sing.
Sidebar: Michael Jackson – Milestones in Music and Legacy
1958 – Born on August 29 in Gary, Indiana.
1969 – Jackson 5 sign with Motown Records and release “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”
1979 – Solo breakthrough with “Off the Wall”, produced by Quincy Jones.
1982 –“Thriller” released, the best-selling album of all time.
1983 – Debuts the moonwalk on live TV during Motown 25.
1985 – Co-writes and records “We Are the World,” raising over $60 million for famine relief.
1991 – Signs record-breaking contract with Sony; releases “Dangerous”.
1993 – Performs at Super Bowl halftime show, setting new standards for global performance.
2009 – Passes away on June 25 in Los Angeles at age 50. His memorial is viewed by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Legacy – Recognized as the “King of Pop,” with 13 Grammy Awards, 26 American Music Awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
