by Isabelle Jean-Jacques

Created on: July 13, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. Wacko Jacko. Wackson Jackson. Ol' Man-Black-No-More. Frightey Whitey. Of all the nicknames people have come up with to label this artist Michael Jackson is and still will be a true legend. No other artist has been able to compare to him. He broke barriers, influenced artists, and contributed so much to the modern music industry. Throughout the years, the ignorance of the public had soared. Often people criticized him and made statements about him without being knowledgeable of the facts and the truth. This is partially in the blame of the media. Now that the death of Michael Jackson has taken the interests of people from around the world, many are now understanding the truth and appreciating what he has done not only to the music industry but to the world.

Michael Joseph Jackson wasn't the only talented person in his family of 11. Born on August 29th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana; Michael Jackson was the 2nd youngest of 8 other brothers and sisters to Joe and Katherine Jackson. His four brothers Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, and Marlon were part of their group Jackson 5, his oldest brother Randy was once in a group called Randy and the Gypsy's and then joined the Jackson 5 to replace Jermaine, his oldest sister Rebbie Jackson was a choreographer for Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan, and Latoya and Janet Jackson were both solo artists. Joe Jackson, a member of a music group called The Falcons, was a very authoritative father, physically and emotionally abusing Michael Jackson when he was younger. Michael Jackson claimed his father took away his childhood. He was restricted to rehearsing for long hours and often longed to play outside with the neighborhood children but couldn't because of his father's household rules. Katherine Jackson, unlike her husband, was calmer with her children. She was often there to comfort and protect her ten children. In 2000 when Michael had distanced himself from his father and siblings, his mother was the only one he allowed himself to be close with. Michael always felt a sense of loneliness and felt as if others did not understand him. He is the godfather of Nicole Richie, Lionel Richie's adopted daughter and Michael Gibb the son of Barry Gibb. It was said that he was addicted to antidepressants and pain killers.

Like his sister Latoya Jackson, Michael Jackson was diagnosed with Vitiligo, an infection of the skin which causes skin to lose its pigmentation and causes skin to become lighter and eventually white.

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