Michael Jackson FAQ

All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop

Kit O'Toole

• Publisher: Backbeat
• Year: 2015
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781495045998
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Biographies

Michael Jackson may be the King of Pop, but his influence extends much further. From his childhood years with the Jackson 5 through his astonishing solo career, he consistently broke sales records, pioneered the modern music video, and infused dance into rock and pop. While his life story has been well chronicled, Michael Jackson FAQ explores the stories behind his achievements.

Did he play any instruments? How much of his own music did he compose? Who were his greatest influences in both music and dance? His art is his legacy, and Michael Jackson FAQ takes an in-depth look at Jackson's work with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons in addition to his solo catalog. Learn why current artists such as Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and countless boy bands still emulate his sound, look, and showmanship. Questions are tackled – such as whether Off the Wall or Thriller better stands the test of time.

From his childhood in Gary, Indiana, through the posthumous albums, this book covers lesser-known but important stories such as how Jackson influenced disco and hip-hop, how his singing style transitioned from childhood to adulthood, and how he learned to moonwalk.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Foreword by Steve Lukather
• Introduction: The Man in the Mirror
• Acknowledgments
• 1. I’m Going to Teach You How to Sing It Out: The Jackson 5’s Musical Influences
• 2. Back to Where I Started From: The Steeltown Recordings
• 3. If It’s in the Stars, They’re Surely on My Side: How the Jackson 5 Were Really Discovered
• 4. Show Me a Reason and I’ll Soon Show You a Rhyme: Jackson 5 Songwriters and Musicians
• 5. Ain’t No Words to This Song, You Just Hum and Dance Along: Notable TV and Concert Appearances
• 6. Whenever You Need Me, I’ll Be There: The Unique Singing Chemistry of Michael and Jermaine Jackson
• 7. Let the Music Take Your Mind, Now: Some of the Jackson 5’s Most Unusual Cover Songs
• 8. Find Out What You’re Missin’: Buried Gems and Underrated Album Tracks
• 9. Give Me Some Joyful Jukebox Music: Odds and Ends
• 10. It’s That Time of Year When Good Friends Are Near: How the Jackson 5 Christmas Album Became a Modern Classic
• 11. People Making Lists: The Essential Jackson 5 Playlist
• 12. Make Me a Believer in Rock ’n’ Roll Fever and Bring Back the Memories: What the Jackson 5 Contributed to Modern Music and Pop Culture
• 13. The Good Times We Shared Together: The Jacksons Meet Gamble and Huff
• 14. Blame It on the Boogie: How the Jacksons Collided with Disco and Reignited Their Careers
• 15. The Spark That Lit the Fire Inside of Me: Michael Jackson as Budding Songwriter
• 16. Can You, Can You Feel It, Feel It in the Air: The Jacksons’ Notable TV Appearances, Music Videos, and Concerts
• 17. Shake Your Body Down to the Ground: Odds and Ends
• 18. Music Is a Teacher: Michael Jackson’s Transformation from Child to Adult Vocalist
• 19. Show You the Way to Go: The Essential Jacksons Playlist
• 20. Living and Hoping, but I’m Coping: The Troubled 1984 Victory Album and Tour
• 21. Come Together and Think Like One: The Jacksons’ Influence on Contemporary R&B and Pop
• 22. Grab a Song and Come Along: The Lost Solo Albums
• 23. You Are Not Alone: Michael Jackson as Backup Singer
• 24. To Escape the World I’ve Got to Enjoy That Simple Dance: Michael Jackson’s Greatest Dance Teachers
• 25. Let the Madness in the Music Get to You: Off the Wall vs. Thriller: The Face-Off
• 26. The Sound of a Crescendo: How Bad Updated Michael Jackson’s Signature Sound
• 27. Just Good Friends: The Duets
• 28. Dance on the Floor in the Round: How Michael Jackson’s Motown 25 Performance Changed Music and Pop Culture
• 29. Why You Wanna Trip on Me? Dangerous Liaisons: How Michael Jackson’s 1991 Album Demonstrated His Mastery of Hip Hop
• 30. We Are Here to Change the World: Michael Jackson as Musical Activist
• 31. Is It Scary for You? Gothic and Horror Elements in Michael Jackson’s Films, Songs, and Videos
• 32. Left Behind Everything for the Movie Scene: Michael Jackson as Actor
• 33. What Have I Got That I Can Give? Songs Michael Jackson Wrote for Other Artists
• 34. How Does It Feel When You’re Alone? An Analysis of HIStory, Michael Jackson’s Angriest Album
• 35. And with All I’ve Been Through, I’m Still Around: Reassessing 2001’s Invincible
• 36. I Sure Would Like Just to Groove with You: Notable TV and Concert Appearances
• 37. We’ve Been Together for Such a Long Time Now: Michael Jackson’s Studio MVPs
• 38. Take You to the Max: Odds and Ends
• 39. Let the Rhythm Get to You: The Essential Michael Jackson Playlist
• 40. I Am Forever: The Posthumous Releases and Projects
• 41. Every Path You Take You’re Leaving Your Legacy: Michael Jackson’s Lasting Impact on Music, Dance, and Pop Culture
• Bibliography