Who Was Michael Jackson?

Product Description Born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was definitely not a regular kid. A superstar with The Jackson 5 before he was eight years old, he became the King of Pop as a solo artist. Michael was a creative--yet deeply troubled--genius who always remained devoted to his art right up until his death is 2009 before a much anticipated tour. He had a pitch-perfect voice and footwork that his idol Fred Astaire admired. Who will ever forget the Moonwalk? Kids today who only know Jackson through video performances are nevertheless fascinated by him. Megan Stine provides a sensitive, fair-minded depiction of this unique music legend. About the Author Megan Stine has written several books for young readers, including Where Is the White House?, Who Was Marie Curie?, Who Was Ulysses S. Grant?, Who Is Michelle Obama?, and Who Was Sally Ride? Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Who Was Michael Jackson?   Pasadena, California   Michael Jackson edged over to the side of the stage during a concert in 1983. He had purchased a spy hat, just like one in his latest music video. Michael had an idea for how to use the hat during the song he was going to sing—and he really hoped it would work.   The concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was going to be broadcast on TV. Fifty million people would watch it. Many other famous singers had already performed. Now it was time for Michael’s solo number.   Michael Jackson was already one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But he was never satisfied. He wanted to do something onstage no one would ever forget. He wanted the audience to go crazy!   As soon as the music started, Michael put on the hat and began to dance. Instantly, the audience jumped to its feet. They screamed and cheered. They recognized the hat and knew the song was “Billie Jean.”   Wearing a sparkly black jacket, a silver shirt, and one white glove, Michael did dance moves that no one had ever seen before! He had practiced them in his kitchen the night before. His legs twitched. His hips jerked. His foot thumped. He threw the hat offstage in a smooth move that made the audience go wild again.   And then, in the middle of the song, he did something amazing. He slid backward, while making it look like he was walking forward. He called it the Moonwalk! The Moonwalk only lasted five seconds, but it was magical.   By the end of the song, everyone was standing. The crowd was cheering. His whole family kissed him when he came offstage. No one would ever forget that Moonwalk. In fact, it became Michael Jackson’s most famous move.   But was Michael happy? Not completely. He was thrilled that people loved the show. But he thought his dance could have been better. He hadn’t stayed up on his toes long enough after the big spin at the end of the Moonwalk.   For Michael Jackson, nothing was ever good enough. He always wanted to be perfect. That’s what made him work so hard to achieve his dreams—to become the best-selling singer of all time. That’s what drove him to become the King of Pop.