Michael Jackson, The #5 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"You rocked our world, Michael."

"There was tremendous power in Michael Jackson. His music was his mission. His life credo was love and peace! He touched the whole world, he touched our hearts!"

"I will NEVER get over his voice."

"The King of Pop...my greatest inspiration of all-time."

"You know you have reached legendary status when you're internationally known and you have fans from all genres of music who like you. Only a few artists have ever done that."

"His music was immortal."

"Nothing better than celebrating this wonderful person, listening to their entire repertoire!"

"An artist with a rare talent who could entertain and give some understanding about humankind at the same time with his music. A real legend."

"No shticks or violence. Simply good voice."

"Michael Jackson is probably one of the few artists who sang about the important things in this world..."

"His messages were timeless."

"Michael, thank you for your messages, your songs, your magic, and I will always love you."

"Voice of an angel."

"He was a great man with so many talents."

"His unmatched legacy lives on even after he's gone."

"MJ and his voice: amazing, larger than life, BUT the music was top-notch as well, the arrangements are insane."

"Honestly looking at his track record with music, you could genuinely say he is one of the most talented artists in music history."

"Michael Jackson is the only person who united humanity with his music irrespective of caste, religion, nationality...."

"Can NOT listen to Michael's music without moving your body. Impossible."

"Absolute legend he was."

"The voice just melted me❤🤗😘"

"Miss u MJ💔 with such beautiful and inspiring music."

"NO ONE can dance, sing, do immense humanitarian work, be a fashion icon, innovate music videos and do all the incredible things which MJ did. The musical and cultural impact this guy made... like damn, he defined his era."

"The greatest musical artist who ever existed."

"One of the greatest artists of all-time."'

"Masterpiece after masterpiece after masterpiece."

"This isn't music. This is heaven."

"The beats in his songs are legendary."

"There’s no other artist than can reach as much people around the world as he did with music…"

"I miss him so badly. How one man can influence so many people around the world like this."

"The most timeless voice."

"0% lies 0% anger 0% drugs 100% Michael Jackson"

"Michael Jackson is one of those phenomena of nature that will only happen once in a lifetim. MJ legend!!"

"Michael Jackson didn't make ordinary music. he made MAGIC."

Michael's voice was so incredibly energetic. Legendary beat and voice!!"

"This man was a legend."

"The greatest artist in history."

"There will never be another Michael Jackson, he taught us all how to dance and sing, and his music videos are still the best to this day, but really he taught us to be kind and giving to others, he was a great man, so misunderstood!!"

"Michael was one in a million."

"They can kill the messenger, but never the message."

"There is something so magical about MJ’s music. You are always in our hearts and never forgotten. A once in a lifetime genius."

"Wonderful music 🎵❤️🌺"

"Michael was such a positive soul who radiated love. He was and still is absolutely timeless!"

"One of the greatest vocalists in the history of mankind."

"MJ is immortal. He will never be forgotten."

"The greatest artist to step foot on Mother Earth... Micheal Jackson 👑👑👑"

"Amazing how he made so much great, timeless music.."

"He is just unique, nobody will ever take his throne, he was so pure, beautiful, and... omg I'm crying too much. His music changed the world, his presence meant too much for everybody."

"This man was 100% genius."

"He inspired so many people. He's a legend."

"I've never seen such a talent."

"He was a legend and his music is beyond groovy."

"Thank you for the everlasting gift of timeless music and expressing your views on humanity."

"Michael Jackson is eternal."

"This dude left us with beautiful music that will last for centuries."

"Incomparable, unrivalled, surmounting, extraordinary... beyond words!!! The legend of the Pop Music for all times!!!!"

"One of the greatest. And his music will always be remembered."

"I never heard music so powerful, authentic , pure , and so real."

"To the unforgettable Michael! Your creativity and charisma broke barriers, here on Earth we still admire you so much, rest in peace .🙏"

"Wow. He was so incredibly talented."

"Damn, this man was a genius and the greatest performer of all-time."

"An amazing catalog of great music. What an extraordinary talent."

"Talent-wise, this guy was scary great, could dance and sing with anybody in the world, probably the most talented person I've ever seen in my life. God Bless and R.I.P. Mr. Jackson, you're a LEGEND!!!"

"His voice is so beautiful."

"God bless this man's soul, Truly had a gift from God to spread love with his music😍🙏"

"Michael Jackson, THE KING OF POP, the best of the world."

"One of the greatest artists who ever lived. He has so many great songs."

"Absolutely the best voice I ever heard. Pure talent."

"The most beautiful, emotional, unique voice in the world. The voice that is able to adapt to a variety of genres and subject matters."

"I’m so grateful to have his music here to listen to. God thank you for putting such a wonderful soul on this earth."

"0% dirty words 100%talent ❤️❤️ My heart is broken ♥️♥️💔💔😭😭😭"

"Michael left such beautiful Treasures for his fans.. Michael forever..."

"His voice is very deep, magical and heart-touching."

"His music is timeless, what a legend."

"Magical. The man was just magical.❤️😍😍"

"Absolutely amazing. A one-of-a-kind."

Note:  The "error rate for The #5 Artist of the Rock Era* is zero, meaning he is no higher than #5 and no lower than #5.

Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana into one of the most famous musical families of all-time.  Jackson's father was a former boxer who worked at U.S. Steel and also played guitar in a local R&B group, while his mother played clarinet and piano.  Michael's family included sisters Janet, La Toya, and Rebbie and brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy.

(The Jackson 5 Left to Right:  Tito, Marlon, Jermaine, Michael and Jackie)

Although Michael's father did much to encourage and help his children pursue musical careers, he was also physically and emotionally abusive, especially towards Michael.  Michael and Marlon joined Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine to form the Jackson Brothers, which soon became known as the Jackson 5.  With Michael emerging as the lead singer, they exploded onto the scene in 1970 and racked up #1 songs with each of their first four releases, an all-time Rock Era record until Mariah Carey topped it in 1991 with five consecutive chart-toppers.  

 

In 1971, the Jacksons moved to Encino, California and the following year, Michael released his debut album, Got to Be There.  The title song, produced by Hal Davis, soared to #3 in Canada, #4 on both the Popular and R&B charts in the U.S. and #5 in the U.K.

Michael's remake of the Bobby Day hit "Rockin' Robin" also did well, flying to #2.  Leon René, who owned Excelsior Records and used the songwriting pseudonym Jimmy Thomas to write "Rockin' Robin", said the song was inspired by a mockingbird, not a robin, who bothered him with its incessant singing.

 

The album went Gold in 2013 following Michael's death, and fans are discovering his solid early albums.  Few people could sing the Bill Withers classic "Ain't No Sunshine" and pull it off, but the 14-year-old Michael did.

 

We also want to feature another solid track on the album, written by Arthur "T-Boy" Ross (younger brother of Diana) and Leon Ware.  "I Wanna' Be Where You Are" vaulted to #2 on the R&B chart and #16 overall.

 

Many artists have covered "I Wanna' Be Where You Are", including Beyonce, Dusty Springfield, and Jose Feliciano.  Here is "Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me".

 

"In Our Small Way" was also included on MJ's next album and was the B-side to the single "Happy".

Michael followed that up with the #5 album Ben, featuring the #1 title song as the theme to the movie of the same name.  Michael won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture and he just lost out to Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After" at the Academy Awards.

 

Ben was Michael's best album until much later and reached #5 on the Album chart.  Another solid track is "The Greatest Show On Earth".

With such singing talent displayed at an early age, it seems like he was born to be a star.  In the next segment, he began to hone his songwriting talent, which took him to another level.  Join us for Part Two, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!