Michael Jackson (1958–2009) was an American singer. He debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 5, as a member of The Jackson 5, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group in subsequent years. Referred to as the "King of Pop",[1] Michael Jackson is considered to be the greatest entertainer of all time and one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.[2][3][4]
In 1984, Jackson was approached to donate "Beat It" as backing music for a commercial on drunk driving.[13] Jackson agreed and it was arranged for the singer to be awarded with an honor from the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.[13] In April 1990, Jackson returned to the White House to be recognized as "Artist of the Decade" by President George H. W. Bush.[14] Two years later, on May 1, 1992, President Bush presented Jackson with an award acknowledging him as "a point of light ambassador".[14][15] Jackson received the award in recognition for his efforts in inviting disadvantaged children to his Neverland Ranch.[15] Jackson was the only entertainer to receive the award.[15] He has two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 1983 and 1990.[16] In 2000, Jackson was honored as the Artist of the Millennium at the world music awards and credited as the best selling solo artist of all time.[17]
The Guinness World Records, originally known as the Guinness Book of World Records, are not referred to as "awards" but as records that a person holds until it is broken by another person. Jackson currently holds 28 Guinness World Records out of a total of 36 records set in his lifetime,[6][7] including best-selling album of all time and most expensive music video.
September 18, 1987: Osaka, Japan. During a break from performing in Osaka, as part of the Bad world tour, Jackson was awarded the Key to the City by Mayor Yasushi Oshima.[149]
April 21, 1988: Chicago, Illinois. Upon performing three sold-out concerts at the Metropolitan Chicago's Rosemont Horizon in April 1988, Jackson received the Key to the City from Mayor Eugene Sawyer, who cited the entertainer for his onstage performance and humanitarian philanthropy. Jackson shared his honor backstage with internationally renowned singer, dancer, and actress Lola Falana, who was also waging a courageous battle against multiple sclerosis.[150]
1992 – 2009: King Sani Nanan Amalaman Anoh, High Prince of the Agni people.[154]
In a high-profile visit to Africa, in 1992 Jackson visited several countries, among them Gabon and Egypt. In his trip to Côte d'Ivoire, Jackson was crowned "King Sani" by the king of the Sanwi, a kingdom of the Agni people. He then signed official documents formalizing his chieftaincy, sat on a golden throne under the sacred Krindja tree, and presided over ceremonial dances. He held the title up until his death. Jesse Jackson was later created the High Prince of the Agni people of Côte d'Ivoire following Michael Jackson's passing away.[155][156]
On November 20, 1984, with the installation of Star No. 1,793 of the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Jackson became the first celebrity to have two stars in the same category, having received one as a member of The Jacksons in 1980.[157]
During the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Jackson family was given the Medal of Friendship Award.
In 1984, the NAACP announced that Michael Jackson and his brothers were named honorary co-chairmen of the civil rights organization's National Voter Registration Drive. Registration booths were set up outside Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, the venue of his Victory tour's opening concert on July 4.
In 1984, the Brotman Medical Center, which treated Jackson for second and third-degree burns on his scalp following a pyrotechnic incident while filming a Pepsi commercial, renamed their burn center to the Michael Jackson Burn Center, and gave him a plaque called the Michael Jackson Burn Center Plaque, in honor of the singer.
Jackson was included in TIME Magazine's All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list in 2012.[159][160]
Michael Jackson is the second most sculpted of all the Madame Tussauds wax figures, with a total of 19 pieces in their museums around the world. Only Queen Elizabeth II has been portrayed more often.[161]
A crater on the Moon, previously known as Posidonius J (located on the Lake of Dreams), has been renamed after Jackson by the Lunar Republic Society.[163]
In 1998, Daikaku Chodoin (the founder and president of the United World Karate Association) presented Jackson with the Honorary Chairmanship of the United World Karate Association and a godan (fifth degree) black belt.[164]
Michael Jackson was made an honorary member of the New Westminster Police Department in 1984 while in British Columbia, Canada. On November 19, appointed police constable "PC 49", he promised to "serve the Queen and cause the peace to be kept and preserved".[citation needed]
On June 20, 1988, Michael Jackson arrives in Paris, France, P.R.-ist Bob Jones and bodyguard Wayne Nagin. The city's mayor at the time, Jacques Chirac, honoured Jackson the Grand Vermeil Medal of the City of Paris, equivalent to the Keys to the City.[165]
On July 22, 1988, Disney characters, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, present an elated star with a pair of specially engraved ice skates backstage before his concert in Wembley, England.
In 1988, his autobiography, "Moonwalk", makes The New York Times' publication Best Seller List as the number 1 Best Seller of the year.
In 1989, Michael Jackson's former elementary school, the Gardner Street Elementary in Los Angeles, designated its school auditorium the "Michael Jackson Auditorium". Mr. Jackson appeared at the ceremony, in which the school children sang his hit song, "We Are the World".[166] In 2003, after accusations of child molestation, the school chose to cover Jackson's name with plywood. The school board stated that the request had come from some parents who "felt more comfortable with it covered".[166] Jackson's spokesperson stated that he wondered "what those parents will say when Mr. Jackson is exonerated".[166] At the end of the trial Jackson was acquitted of all charges.[167] Recently, following petitions and letters to City Council and the Gardner Street Elementary School superintendent and principal, the "Michael Jackson Auditorium" sign has been uncovered. Jackson was named Most Famous Alumnus of Gardner Street Elementary School, in Hollywood, California and the school auditorium was renamed for him in 1989.[168][169]
On February 23, 1995, Michael gave a special preview of some of the songs off his forthcoming album HIStory to the National Association of Recording Merchandisers. The NARM presented him with the Harold Chapin Humanitarian Award at the preview.
In 1997, Michael Jackson was named the most famous person of all time in a global survey.[170][171][172]
In 1999, Michael Jackson was voted the greatest artist of the Millennium in a CNN survey, beating out Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh and Ludwig van Beethoven.[173]
In 2002 Michael Jackson was presented with the 30th Anniversary Award by its designer, Nijel, who also designed the Top Selling Artist Of The Decade Award in 1990. The award was given by the fans, celebrating him being on stage for 30 years. Fans all over the world donated money to contribute for the award to being created.[174]
In 2007, Jackson visited the United States Army base south of Tokyo and was commemorated with a letter of appreciation from the Colonel.
On Australia Day 2012, Jackson was honored by being immortalized at the Grauman's Chinese Theater by his children, Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson. Among many other celebrities there to pay tribute to him were Quincy Jones, Chris Tucker, Smokey Robinson, Justin Bieber with performances made by the Glee cast and Cirque Du Soliel and many other.[175][176]
Michael Jackson Award Belt - Versace black leather belt with gold hardware belt buckles adorned with colorful gemstones in the amount of 4 million with fluer de lis ornament pattern. belt inscribed "Presented to Michael Jackson from Sony Music UK 1992" and is contained in custom wood and container plaxiglass.
Precious metal gold microphone on a burl walnut plaque reading "Presented to Michael Jackson by The Prince's Trust in recognition of outstanding support it".
Shadow box display in the style of Jackson's album Dangerous in 1991. Award plaque reads in full "triple platinum record awarded to Michael Jackson for sale in Switzerland more than 150,000 units of Sony Music Entertainment AG Dangerous."
In 1997, Jackson was awarded a Diamond Award and was named one of the princes of Africa in a prestigious ceremony with various high-profile political leaders of Africa.
In 1989 Rock Over Europe Awards awarded Jackson with the Children of the world music video award.
1989 - CEBA (Creative Excellence in Business Advertising) awards the plaque reading "Motown On Showtime" presented to "Michael Jackson The Legend Continues" Michael Jackson, Co-Executive Producer, 1989.
Small metal banded glass balls topped with a crown design metal reading "Germany Music Servat Mundum 1992" commemorating "MJ King of Music".
Silver goblets mounted to a marble base with a plaque reading in full "Michael Jackson Superstar of The Century -. Magazine "
Lucite award reads "Rock" with the text printed on the base reads in full "The Children of the world video awards 1989 Rock IM & MC Over Europe."
Player awards metal sculpture in the style of Rodin's The Thinker. A metal plaque on the front reads in full "World of Art Award 2002 World Michael Jackson presented by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev ".
Piece curve patinaed black metal to make it look like a piece of paper resting on a cushion of black velvet and faux pearls lined presentation. The award reads in full "Michael Jackson / The Power of Music / is the strength of Soul./VH1 Honors / The Musicians Who Goes / Share Beyond / Soul and Share Time / Energy and Resources / For Help Others/Vh1 Honors / June 22, 1995 "[177]
^Listicles and charts are not included, unless they are explicitly described as "awards" or specific trophies are given.
^Prior to the inauguration of the Billboard Music Awards in 1990, the magazine had the "Number One Awards" to honor the top-performing artists of the year on each of chart categories.
^Since this award came after Jackson's death, the award did not go directly to him so it won't count to his awards tally.
^In 1986, Jackson netted a deal with Pepsi worth between $12-15 million. It was once held as the most successful payout for a commercial spokesperson until the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s when superstars such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé and 50 Cent began to make upwards of $50 million off commercial endorsements. Jackson's record is broken.
^Jackson's all-time Wembley record of 504,000 in 1988 was outdone in 2011 by the singing group Take That, who performed at Wembley Stadium for eight consecutive nights performing in front of a record 623,737 people, plus during Jackson's tour, he performed five consecutive nights on July 14, 15, 16, 22, and 23, then after stops in Wales, Ireland, Spain, France and Germany, he returned to Wembley for the last two nights on August 26 and 27, 1988.
^Jackson possibly held this record until Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow in 2006 when the tour grossed over $126.8 million worldwide, topping the $125 million set by Jackson in 1989. Since then, other male solo artists such as Roger Waters, Justin Bieber, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney and Bruno Mars have had tours that have grossed more money than Jackson did. The record has since been claimed by Ed Sheeran, who leads among all solo artists and artists in general with his ÷ Tour in 2019.
^Though he was listed in Guinness' book as the youngest chart-topper in 1999, in recent years, this was corrected to Stevie Wonder, who as a solo artist, first topped the charts with "Fingertips" in 1963 when he was just 13. Jackson's first solo chart-topper, "Ben", hit number one in October 1972, two months after he turned 14.
^This record is likely now broken by Mariah Carey, who like Jackson, also records R&B music, as well as pop. Her recent number one was "All I Want for Christmas is You", which topped the Billboard Hot 100, on December 21, 2019. Jackson's span lasted 22 years and 19 days between "Ben" on October 14, 1972 and "You Are Not Alone" on September 2, 1995. Mariah's span is longer at 29 years and 139 days.[105]
^Cheng, Pei-Sze (June 14, 2010). "Michael Jackson & Aretha Franklin Honored at the Apollo Theater". Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018. King of Pop, Michael Jackson, were recently inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame at the Apollo Theater's 2010 Spring Benefit, a star-studded affair dubbed "Evening of Legends."
^Reich, Howard (November 17, 1985). "Michael Jackson stamp adopted by Nevis". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018. Now the neighboring country of Nevis has opted to pick up the stamps for release in the near future. The Jackson stamps are another installment in a Popular Musician series St. Vincent Island started in August with an Elvis Presley commemorative.
^"Michael Jackson biography". NeverlandValley. 2001-12-12. Archived from the original on 2001-12-12. Retrieved 2024-05-28. In 1997, the results of an official survey revealed that 99% of the world's population between 5 - 65 years know who Michael Jackson is, making him the most famous person of all time. In second place was Pope John Paul II followed by Elvis Presley
^Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2003). Michael Jackson the Solo Years. Authors On Line Ltd. ISBN978-0-7552-0091-7. CNN's online millennium survey saw Michael crowned the greatest artist of the millennium ahead of Da Vinci, Picasso, Beethoven and Van Gogh
