Michael Jackson Birth Anniversary 2023: Moments from the artist’s dazzling, baffling life

Michael Jackson sings during the World Music awards ceremony in 2000 in Monaco. Photo: AFP/Jacques Munch

There's hardly anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s who didn't listen to or try to copy the moves of Michael Jackson songs. He is often referred to as the ‘King of Pop' and his blockbuster hits such as ‘Beat It', ‘Smooth Criminal' and ‘Bad', to this date, are among the top songs featured on various streaming apps and websites. His signature shiny clothes, fedora hat, and gloves are a popular look for cosplays and theme parties.

It is Michael Jackson's birth anniversary tomorrow. He would have turned 65 years old. On June 25, 2009, he passed away at the age of 50 and the cause of death was reportedly a cardiac arrest caused by a lethal combination of drugs given to him. However, his artistic legacy has lived on through his music and the effect it has on fans around the world. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, we look at some of the key moments from his colourful, and often controversial, life.

His connection with India

The first thing that comes to mind about Jackson and India is his memorable 1996 concert in Mumbai. He arrived in Mumbai on October 30 the same year and the concert took place on November 1. Thousands of Indian fans showed up at the airport to catch a glimpse of the rockstar. Dressed in an orange sari and a Maharashtrian nathni, actress Sonali Bendre welcomed Jackson the traditional way with aarti and tika.

At the concert, which was held in Andheri Sports Complex, Jackson charmed a huge crowd including the likes of Asha Bhosle, Sunil Gavaskar, and Prabhu Deva. It is one of the biggest and most-remembered concerts in India.

He also left a very sweet message for his fans and the hotel staff where he was staying. As mentioned in Pinkvilla, the message read: "India, all my life I have longed to see your face. I met you and your people and fell in love with you. Now my heart is filled with sorrow and despair for I have to leave, but I promise I shall return to love you and caress you again. Your kindness has overwhelmed me, your spiritual awareness has moved me, and your children have truly touched my heart. They are the face of God. I truly love and adore you, India. Forever, continue to love, heal, and educate the children. The future shines on them. You are my special love, India. Forever, may God always bless you."

Even before the concert, Jackson's admiration for India was visible in his hit video, ‘Black or White', filmed in 1990. The video featured Jackson singing on a replica of the Statue of Liberty's torch surrounded by other famous world structures including the Taj Mahal, St. Basil's Cathedral (Russia), Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), among others.

Iconic dance moves

The ‘moonwalk' will always have a special place in dance and pop-culture history. As reported by ABC News, dancer Derek ‘Cooley' Jaxson stated that he was one of the people who introduced Jackson to the now-iconic move, which Derek claimed was based on a different move called ‘the backslide'. "The moonwalk is in a circular motion ... like you're floating in air. ... And you keep continuing in a circle. The moonwalk was coined from Michael Jackson," he added.

While this was one of Jackson's most famous moves, the ‘Smooth Criminal' lean is equally memorable. The song was part of Jackson's 1987 album ‘Bad'. During live shows of ‘Smooth Criminal', the singer and his dancers would lean at a gravity-defying 45-degree angle. It was possible due to a specially designed shoe. Economic Times mentions that the special pair of shoes, which he wore for the music video of ‘Smooth Criminal', involved hooking retractable pegs with a slot in the heels. The shoes were patented so that others could not impersonate it. The ET report also says that it was put up for auction by GWC Auctions for an estimated $10,000.

A complicated life

Jackson had garnered a lot of fans and accolades in his career but he also was entangled in a lot of controversies. The one that had got the most attention worldwide was the child sexual abuse allegations that were brought against him in the mid-1990s. Jackson was accused of sexually abusing then 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Later, the case was settled out of court. According to reports, the singer had addressed the issue and said, "There have been many disgusting statements made recently concerning allegations of improper conduct on my part. These statements about me are totally false. As I have maintained from the very beginning, I am hoping for a speedy end to this horrifying, horrifying experience to which I have been subjected." Jackson was allegedly strip searched after this incident - an embarrassment from which he is said to have never recovered.

According to a 2014 PTI report, a book by two of Jackson's bodyguards, who were with the singer in the last years of his life, revealed the struggles he had to endure during that time. Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard spent time with the legend for close to three years till he died in 2009. In the book, ‘Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days', the duo said that they wanted to highlight "the good man and the wonderful father they had the privilege of serving."

After the singer was acquitted in 2005 he left Neverland -- his self-made sanctuary in California -- but the attention that the trial got had left him devastated. "I'm a father myself and I wouldn't have worked for him if I'd had any doubt. He wouldn't hurt a fly," Beard had said.