Coordinates	56°09′″N40°25′″N
name	Salvation!
director	Beth B.
producer	Beth B.
writer	Beth B.Tom Robinson
starring	Stephen McHattieDominique DavalosExene CervenkaViggo MortensenRockets Redglare
music	New Order
cinematography	Francis Kenny
editing	Elizabeth Kling
distributor	Circle Films
released
runtime	80 min
country
language	English
gross	}}

''Salvation!'' is a 1987 film by Beth B., starring Viggo Mortensen, Exene Cervenka and Stephen McHattie. The film is a spoof of televangelism released right after the real-life Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart scandals.

Plot

McHattie plays Reverend Randall, a Staten Island-based televangelist who has been bilking his flock and secretly watches pornography while he is rehearsing his sermons in his stately home. Cervenka plays Rhonda Stample, a born again Christian. After Rhonda's non-believer husband , Jerome (Viggo Mortensen), loses his factory job, he and two cousins enlist Rhonda in a plot to entrap Rev. Randall in a sex scandal and blackmail him.

The film's theme music is by New Order, who also contributed a further four original pieces to the soundtrack including "Touched by the Hand of God".

Tagline: SEX. POWER. MONEY. All in the name of God

This film is only available on VHS.

Legacy

Exene Cervenka and Viggo Mortensen met on the film's set in 1986, and they married on July 8, 1987. On January 28, 1988, Cervenka gave birth to her only child, Henry Blake Mortensen. Mortensen and Cervenka separated in 1992, and were divorced in 1997.

External links

Category:1987 films Category:1980s comedy films Category:American comedy films Category:English-language films Category:Satirical films

Coordinates	56°09′″N40°25′″N
name	Kenneth Copeland
residence	Fort Worth, Texas
birth date	December 06, 1936
birth place	Lubbock, Texas, United States
occupation	Author Speaker Televangelist
nationality	American
religion	Word of Faith, Pentecostal
spouse	Gloria Copeland
children	John Copeland, Kellie Copeland, Terri Pearsons
website	www.kcm.org
weight	}}

Kenneth Copeland (born December 6, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas) is an American author, public speaker, and televangelist. He is the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, which preaches a “prosperity gospel”: "Prosperity gospel assures followers that the more they give, including in the form of tithes to the church, the more they will receive from God."

Early life and education

Prior to his conversion to Christianity in November 1962, Copeland was a recording artist on the Imperial Records label, having one ''Billboard'' Top 40 hit ("Pledge of Love", which charted in the Top 40 on April 20, 1957, stayed on the charts for eight weeks, and peaked at #12).

Following his religious conversion, Copeland turned the rest of his life over to the gospel and ministry work. In the 1960s, he was a pilot and chauffeur for Oral Roberts. In the fall of 1967, he enrolled in Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kenneth is married to Gloria Copeland. His children are John Copeland, Kellie Copeland and Terri Pearsons.

He was a member of the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents until it was replaced in 2008 with a new board that promised to hold to higher standards of financial accountability. In October 2007 a lawsuit against the university was presented for financial and political wrong doing. Copeland's oldest daughter, Terri, is married to pastor George Pearsons, who served until January 2008 as the ORU Board chairman.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries, programming and theology

In late November 2007, Mike Huckabee, a 2008 Republican presidential primary candidate, made six appearances on Copeland's daily television program ''Believer's Voice of Victory'', discussing "Integrity of Character". Subsequently, in January 2008, the Huckabee campaign paid for use of Kenneth Copeland Ministries' facilities for a fundraiser. Copeland also claimed that he had had a phone call with Huckabee in which Huckabee allegedly vowed support despite a pending investigation by the U.S. Senate into Copeland's finances if he was elected. The fundraising at the church was criticized by the Trinity Foundation.

In September 2010, the Ten Network in Australia dropped the ''Believer's Voice of Victory'' program from their capital city stations after the network claimed that the 2 June 2010 broadcast contained material relating to homosexuals that breached the Australian Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. Some of Kenneth Copeland’s prophecies can be read online.

Airport and ministry jets

The Kenneth Copeland Airport is a private airport established by Kenneth Copeland Ministries to serve the area of Fort Worth, Texas.

In 2007 Copeland was accused of using his $20 million Cessna Citation X jet for personal vacations and friends. The Copelands' financial records are not publicly available, and a list of the Board of Directors is not accessible as these details are protected and known confidentially by the Internal Revenue Service. Responding to media questions, Copeland pointed to an accounting firm's declaration that all jet travel complies with federal tax laws.

In December 2008, Copeland's 1998 Cessna Bravo 550, his second jet, valued at $3.6 million, was denied tax exemption after Copeland refused to submit to disclosure laws for the state of Texas.

Senate investigation

On November 6, 2007, United States Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa, announced an investigation of Copeland's ministry by the United States Senate Committee on Finance. The Associated Press reported that Grassley said the investigation was a response to complaints from the public and news media. Grassley stated, "The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces." IRS guidelines require that pastors' compensation be "reasonable" and net earnings may not benefit any private individual. Grassley asked for the ministry to divulge financial information (Grassley's letter) to the committee to determine if Copeland made any personal profit from financial donations, and requested that Copeland's ministry make the information available by December 6, 2007. The Copelands responded with a "Financial report from Kenneth Copeland Ministries." KCM created a website to help explain their side of the inquiry.

Publications

''Load Up Pocket Devotional: 31 Devotions to Revolutionize Your Future'' (Harrison House, July 2004) ISBN 1577943996 ISBN 978-1577943990

''You Are Healed'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, July 1999) ISBN 0881147338 ISBN 978-0881147339

''A Ceremony of Marriage'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, December 1996) ISBN 0938458159 ISBN 978-0938458159

''Prayer: Your Foundation for Success'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, June 1999) ISBN 1577941551 ISBN 978-1577941552

''Kenneth Copeland Reference Bible – Leather Bound'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, December 1996) ISBN 0881142964 ISBN 978-0881142969

''Becoming Subject to the Authority of Jesus'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, 2001) ISBN 0881149721 ISBN 978-0881149722

''How to Discipline Your Flesh'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, June 1999) ISBN 1575621169 ISBN 978-1575621166

''From Faith to Faith: A Daily Guide to Victory'' (Harrison House, May 2000) ISBN 1577942256 ISBN 978-1577942252

''Pursuit of His Presence: Daily Devotional'' (Harrison House, September 1998) ISBN 1577941373 ISBN 978-1577941378

''The Wake-up Call'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, 2002) ISBN 1575627922 ISBN 978-1575627922

''Classic Redemption'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, 2001) ISBN 0938458582 ISBN 978-0938458586

''The Laws of Prosperity'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, December 1995) ISBN 0881149527 ISBN 978-0881149524

''Prosperity: The Choice Is Yours'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, June 1992) ISBN 0881147281 ISBN 978-0881147285

''Healing Promises'' (Kenneth Copeland Publications, August 1994) ISBN 0881149497 ISBN 978-0881149494

''Over the Edge: Youth Devotional'' (Harrison House, September 1998) ISBN 1577941381 ISBN 978-1577941385

''Big Band Gospel'' (KCP Records, 2003) ASIN B000A7WLEQ

See also

Glossolalia

Pentecostalism

Charismatic movement

Word of Faith

Prosperity Gospel

Notes and references

External links

Kenneth Copeland Ministries USA

Eagle Mountain International Church AKA Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Believer's Voice of Victory Live Stream and On Demand website

Believers Stand United for Religious Freedom in America

Trinity Foundation (Opposing Viewpoint)

MinistryWatch.com's Kenneth Copeland Ministries Profile

Category:1936 births Category:Living people Category:American Pentecostals Category:American television evangelists Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity Category:Imperial Records artists Category:Oral Roberts University people Category:People from Fort Worth, Texas Category:People from Lubbock, Texas Category:Pentecostal writers Category:Oral Roberts University alumni Category:Converts to Christianity from Judaism

es:Kenneth Copeland ko:케네스 코플랜드 pt:Kenneth Copeland fi:Kenneth Copeland sv:Kenneth Copeland

Coordinates	56°09′″N40°25′″N
name	Vengeance Rising
background	group_or_band
origin	Los Angeles, CA
genre	Thrash metalChristian metal (early)
years active	1987–1992 - 2004–present
label	Intense Records
past members	}}

Vengeance Rising is an American Christian thrash metal band from Los Angeles, CA. Fronted by vocalist Roger Martinez, they originally formed as Vengeance in 1987, but changed their name in 1989 to avoid conflict with another band from the Netherlands. Band members Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Roger Dale Martin, and Glenn Mancaruso left following ''Once Dead'' and formed the band Die Happy. Roger Martinez stayed on to record two more studio albums, but aside from him, Vengeance Rising's lineup changed for each subsequent album. While the group was a ground breaking Christian metal band, today Vengeance Rising is known for vocalist Martinez' turning from Christianity to satanism to atheism, since he has continuously done interviews about it. Allmusic describes Vengeance Rising's history as "one of the most entertaining and bizarre stories in the realm of heavy metal"

Biography

The band was known for its fascination with violent themes, as reflected lyrically in their first two albums. Their first two albums, before the split into Die Happy, are considered their best. Their debut ''Human Sacrifice'' was called "the most radical Christian album ever released" by ''HM Magazine'' editor Doug Van Pelt. Their penchant for violence extended to the stage, and the band would graphically portray the crucifixion of Christ at their shows. Extreme graphics also appeared in the cover art of the bands' albums. Both ''Human Sacrifice'' and ''Once Dead'' were pulled from some Christian book sellers at least partially because of their violent graphical content.

A review of ''Once Dead'' in ''CCM'' found that the cover of that albums depiction of "resurrection from spiritual death" was "grisly." Musically, the album showed an influence of speed metal, with thrash arrangements on some songs, like the cover of Deep Purples' Space Truckin', and "Out Of The Will", which reminded one reviewer of One Bad Pig. While the vocals often sounded "like someone gargling razor blades, the lyrics were found to be "very Bible based," and matched with the scriptural references from which they were drawn.

Frontman Roger Martinez had a background in the Pentecostal Foursquare Church, and was baptized there. He eventually rose to be pastor of a Hollywood area church, though by ''Released Upon The Earth'' he had left to pursue music full time. While there, he began to look into the practice of "faith healing", and he claimed to have found it to be a fraud.

In the mid 1990s, Martinez left the Christian faith, telling ''HM'' that he was a committed atheist in 1997. Today, Martinez has obtained rights to the band name for future projects. According to Scott Waters and Steve Rowe, Martinez began to make tapes counteracting the tapes he made during his Christian career. He created a website that renounced his previous output and posted articles portraying Christian leaders in a negative light. Martinez then began making death threats to individuals he claimed "stabbed him in the back," which included friend Steve Rowe of Mortification, a band Martinez helped get their first record contract.

Although he has stated that he is currently working on future material to be released under the name "Vengeance Rising" with more of an anti-Christian, Satanic Atheism theme, no albums have been released. Vocalist Scott Waters of Ultimatum and "Once Dead" stated on his metal music review website that "''Allmusic'' lists two releases... both of which I doubt ever existed... Former drummer Shannon Frye claims that Roger was impossible to work with and could not hold on to members long enough to even record a demo." He also claims that Martinez only kept the name of Vengeance Rising because of "continued curiosity from metal fans and Christians alike."

After the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred, Martinez offered free albums from his website for military personnel to encourage a "holy war against Christians." Former fans and critics believe this to be an attack on former bandmates and Christianity, due to the straining situation of debt that he was left with when band members departed after the "Once Dead Tour".

Former founding members of Vengeance Rising along with Ultimatum vocalist Scott Waters reformed in 2004 to play a reunion show at a small club called Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California. Since Martinez owns the rights to the name "Vengeance Rising," they used the name Once Dead. They released a DVD of that show called "Return with a Vengeance."

Discography

''Human Sacrifice'' (1989, Intense Records, Reviews: ''Cross Rhythms'', PowerMetal.de ) ''Once Dead'' (1990, Intense, Reviews: ''Cross Rhythms (1)'', ''Cross Rhythms (2)'') ''Destruction Comes'' (1991, Intense, Review: ''Cross Rhythms'')

''Released Upon The Earth'' (1992, Intense)

''Anthology'' (1993, Intense, compilation)

Members

:''Many members have participated in other projects.''

Roger Martinez - vocals/rhythm guitar

Larry Farkas - (1987–1990) guitars

Doug Thieme - (1987–1990) guitars

Roger Martin - (1987–1990) bass

Glenn Mancaruso - (1987–1990) drums

Chris Hyde - (1991) drums

Derek Sean - (1991) lead guitar

Jamie Mitchell - (1991 Session) lead guitar

Victor Macias (aka Joe Monsorb'nik) - (1991 Session) bass

Jimmy Brown (aka Simon Dawg) - (1991 Session)

Johnny Vasquez - (1991–1992) drums

George Ochoa - (1992 Tour) guitars

Daniel Cordova - (1992 Tour) guitars

Michael Wagel - (1992 Tour) bass

Side projects

Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Roger Martin, and Glenn Mancaruso played in Die Happy.

Jamie Mitchell played in the punk band Scaterd Few.

Chris Hyde played in Deliverance.

Daniel Cordova made a guest appearance on "Sons of Thunder" CD by Driver.

Roger Martinez produced a demo for the band Ritual in 1991.

References

External links

Vengeance Rising at MySpace

Info on the Christian-Era "Vengeance Rising" from a fan

Category:Thrash metal musical groups from California Category:American Christian metal musical groups Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles, California Category:Musical groups established in 1987 Category:Christian extreme metal groups

de:Vengeance Rising it:Vengeance Rising pt:Vengeance Rising fi:Vengeance Rising

Coordinates	56°09′″N40°25′″N
Name	Mike Dierickx
Background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth name	Dirk Dierickx, but changed his name to Mike Dierickx in 2000
Alias	M.I.K.E, Solar Factor, The Blackmaster , Return Of The Native, Plastic Boy, Project M.C. Absolute & Push
Born	February 20, 1973Antwerp, Belgium
Instrument	Synthesizer, drum machine, equalizer
Genre	Trance, progressive
Occupation	DJ, producer , technical engineer
Years active	1992–present
Label	Club Elite, Maximized Digital, Armada Music
Associated acts	Armin Van Buuren, Tetsuya Komuro
Website	www.mike.be
Notable instruments	}}

Mike Dierickx (born 20 February 1973), formerly known as Dirk Dierickx, and most commonly recognized under the aliases M.I.K.E., Push or Plastic Boy, is a Belgian DJ. Best known for the song "Universal Nation", he has also released other singles including "The Legacy" and "Strange World". His style is primarily progressive trance.

Biography

Producing and DJing under the name M.I.K.E., he has been releasing records under the guises: Solar Factor, M.I.K.E, The Blackmaster, Return Of The Native, Plastic Boy, Šand, and Push. In total, there are around 85 different aliases that span his career, because of either collaborations with other artists, or adapting new aliases simply to suit the nature of a particular track, covering the trance, techno and house scenes. As a DJ, Mike's style is very similar to the music he makes—progressive trance with a techy-edge. He is at the forefront of Europe's new sound, regularly topping the dance charts in several leading countries.

As an 11 year old boy he discovered the potential of samplers and keyboards, his interest in electronic music developed further over the next years. At the age of 18, Mike handed his first demo tape to the Antwerp-based record company, USA Import. Shortly after, his first record, "Vision Act" was released on the Atom label in 1992. Mike released a series of successful records before he signed up with Lightning back in 1996.

M.I.K.E's became very popular and, in 1998, although a commercial crossover had never been anticipated, 'Universal Nation' won several dance awards, and is recognized as one of the classic dance-records of the trance era until this day. The number 1 position of the song in worldwide dance charts helped putting the Belgian dance scene firmly on the map. His Push follow-up single 'Strange World' was also a hit and played throughout hundreds of clubs all across Europe. This was followed by another excellent performing release, 'The Legacy', once again topping most dance charts across Europe and entering the British National charts at #21. Over the years Mike received several music awards including best club singles and best dance-producer, and entered 6 times the national top 40 in the UK.

Mike also teamed up and did remixes for Sinéad O'Connor, Moby, Mauro Picotto, Bomfunk MC's, Oliver Lieb, and Ian Van Dahl. This kind of success did not go unnoticed as M.I.K.E. was asked to DJ at some of the best venues in the world, including 'Gatecrasher' and 'Godskitchen' in the UK, 'Fura' and 'Velfarre' in Japan, 'Dance Valley' and 'Trance Energy' in the Netherlands, and 'Spirit' and 'Spundae' in the U.S. Mike still holds residencies in Godskitchen and The Gallery in London.

In 1999 he decided to start-up his own label, Scanner-Records. The music stands for minimal electric dance. Scanner's back-catalogue can be found on www.scanner-records.be, but the project is on hold as Mike is concentrating on his new label Club Elite. The label will boost tech grooves and the better electro-trance.

Discography

As Push

Albums

2000 ''From Beyond''

2002 ''Strange World''

2004 ''Electric Eclipse''

2009 ''Global Age''

Singles

1997 "Universal Nation"

1999 "Cosmonautica"

1999 "Till We Meet Again"

1999 "Universal Nation '99"

2000 "Electro Fever"

2000 "Strange World" (2000 Remake)

2000 "The Legacy"

2000 "Tranzy State Of Mind"

2001 "The Legacy" (2001 Remake)

2001 Push vs. Sunscreem - "Please Save Me"

2002 "Journey Of Life"

2002 "Strange World" (2002 remake)

2002 "Universal Nation 2002"

2003 "Universal Nation 2003"

2002 Globe vs. Push - "Dreams From Above"

2003 Push vs. Globe – "Tranceformation"

2004 "Blue Midnight" (limited edition)

2004 "Electric Eclipse"

2004 "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

2006 "Strange World" 2006 (Club Elite)

2008 ''Universal Voice'' E.P. (Club Elite)

2008 ''Impact'' E.P. (Club Elite late 2008)

As Plastic Boy

Albums

2005 ''It's A Plastic World''

2011 ''Plastic Infusion''

Singles

1998 "Twixt"

1998 "Life Isn't Easy"

1999 "Angel Dust"

2000 "Can You Feel It"

2001 "Silver Bath"

2003 "Live Another Life"

2004 "Twixt 2004"

2005 "From Here to Nowhere"

2008 "Rise Up" / "A New Life"

2010 "Chocolate Infusion" / "Exposed"

2010 "Aquarius" / "Journey Of A Man" / "We're Back To Stay"

2011 "RED E.P"

As M.I.K.E.

Albums

2006 ''The Perfect Blend''

2007 ''Moving On In Life''

Singles

1999 "Futurism"

2000 "Sunrise At Palamos"

2002 M.I.K.E. vs. John '00' Fleming - "Ice Cream"

2003 "Turn Out The lights"

2004 "Totally Fascinated"

2004 M.I.K.E. vs. Armin van Buuren - "Pound"

2004 M.I.K.E. vs. Armin van Buuren - "Intruder"

2004 M.I.K.E. vs John '00' Fleming - "Dame Blanche"

2005 "Massive Motion"

2005 "Fuego Caliente"

2006 "Voices From The Inside"

2006 "Salvation"

2006 "Strange World 2006"

2006 M.I.K.E. with Andrew Bennet - "Into The Danger"

2007 "Changes 'R Good"

2008 "Nu Senstation"

2008 M.I.K.E. with Andrew Bennet - "A Better World" - The Mixes

2010 "Art of love"

As Solar Factor

2001 "Deep Sonar"

2002 "No Return"

2002 "Urban Shakedown"

2004 "Fashion Slam"

2005 "Global Getaways"

2005 "The Rising Sun"

As Project M.C.

2010 "Kontrol" / "Crossing The Sun"

Remixes

Art Of Trance: "Madagascar" (Push Remix)

Cygnus X: "The Orange Theme" (Push Remix)

Mauro Picotto: "Back To Cali" (Push Remix)

Moby: "In This World" (Push Vocal Mix)

Rio Klein: "Fearless" (Push Remix)

Sinéad O'Connor: "Troy – Phoenix From The Flame" (Push Remix)

Sunscreem: "Exodus" (Push Remix)

The Space Brothers: "Everywhere I Go" (Push Trancendental Remix)

Yves DeRuyter: "Music Non Stop" (Push Remix)

Robert Gitelman: "Things 2 Say" (M.I.K.E. Remix)

The Gift: "Love Angel" (M.I.K.E. Remix)

Armin Van Buuren: "In And Out Of Love" (Push Trancedental Remix)

Arnej: "They Always Come Back" (M.I.K.E. Remix)

Ramirez Vs. Nebula: "Hablando" (Push Remix)

Ayumi Hamasaki: "Boys & Girls" (Push Remix)

Ayumi Hamasaki: "Carols" (Push Remix)

References

External links

M.I.K.E.'s website

Complete M.I.K.E. discography

M.I.K.E.'s MySpace

TranceSound.net M.I.K.E. aka Push interview August 2008

Category:Living people Category:Club DJs Category:Remixers Category:Belgian DJs Category:1973 births Category:Belgian trance musicians Category:Armada Music artists

bg:Майк Дирикс de:Mike Dierickx fr:Push (musicien) nl:M.I.K.E. ru:M.I.K.E. sv:Mike Dierickx

Coordinates	56°09′″N40°25′″N
alt	A mid-twenties African American man wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He is walking while waving his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare.
background	solo_singer
birth name	Michael Joseph Jackson
alias	Michael Joe Jackson, MJ, King of Pop
birth date	August 29, 1958
birth place	Gary, Indiana, U.S.
death date	June 25, 2009
death place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
instrument	Vocals
genre	R&B;, pop, rock, soul, dance, funk, disco, new jack swing
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician, composer, dancer, choreographer, record producer, actor, businessman, philanthropist
years active	1964–2009
label	Motown, Epic, Legacy
associated acts	The Jackson 5
relatives	Janet Jackson (sister)
website	}}

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Often referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5, then the Jacksons in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.

In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B;, pop and rock artists.

Jackson's 1982 album ''Thriller'' is the best-selling album of all time. His other records, including ''Off the Wall'' (1979), ''Bad'' (1987), ''Dangerous'' (1991), and ''HIStory'' (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll. Some of his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century"); 13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era); and the estimated sale of over 750 million records worldwide. Jackson won hundreds of awards, which have made him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of popular music.

Life and career

Early life and The Jackson 5 (1958–1975)

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the eighth of ten children in an African American working-class family who lived in a small 3-room house in Gary, Indiana, an industrial city near Chicago. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a steel mill worker who performed with an R&B; band called The Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy. A sixth brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth.

Jackson had a troubled relationship with his father, Joe.

The group's sales began declining in 1973, and the band members chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow them creative control or input. Although they scored several top 40 hits, including the top 5 disco single "Dancing Machine" and the top 20 hit "I Am Love", the Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975.

Move to Epic and ''Off the Wall'' (1975–81)

In June 1975, the Jackson 5 signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS Records and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Younger brother Randy formally joined the band around this time, while Jermaine left to pursue a solo career. In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the American Music Awards for his solo efforts: Favorite Soul/R&B; Album, Favorite Soul/R&B; Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B; Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". That year, he also won Billboard Year-End for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album and a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B; Vocal Performance, also for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Jackson again won at the American Music Awards in 1981 for Favorite Soul/R&B; Album and Favorite Soul/R&B; Male Artist. Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt ''Off the Wall'' should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. In 1980, he secured the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit.

''Thriller'' and ''Motown 25'' (1982–83)

In 1982, Jackson contributed the song "Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the film ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial''; the record won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children in 1984. In the same year he won another seven Grammys and eight American Music Awards (including the Award of Merit, the youngest artist to win it), making him the most awarded in one night for both award shows. The album topped the ''Billboard'' 200 chart for 37 weeks and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to have seven ''Billboard'' Hot 100 top 10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It," and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." ''Thriller'' was certified for 29 million shipments by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond status in the United States. The album won also another Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical in 1984, awarding Bruce Swedien for his work. Thanks to the ''Bad'' album, Bruce Swedien and Humberto Gatica won one Grammy in 1988 for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical and Michael Jackson won one Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form for "Leave Me Alone" in 1989. ''HIStory'' received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. However, the sales for ''Invincible'' were lower than those of his previous releases, due in part to a lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute. The album also came out at a bad time for the music industry in general. Jackson rehearsed in Los Angeles in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of choreographer Kenny Ortega. Most of these rehearsals took place at the Staples Center, which was owned by AEG. With ''Thriller'', Christopher Connelly of ''Rolling Stone'' commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal theme of paranoia and darker imagery. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted this is evident on the songs "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers. In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the media. "Beat It" decried gang violence in an homage to ''West Side Story'', and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey. He also observed that the title track "Thriller" began Jackson's interest with the theme of the supernatural, a topic he revisited in subsequent years. In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World"; humanitarian themes later became a recurring theme in his lyrics and public persona. ;Bibliography

George, Nelson (2004). ''Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection'' booklet. Sony BMG.

Further reading

External links

Michael Jackson Live: Best Pics – slideshow by ''Life magazine''

Michael Jackson at MTV

FBI file on Michael Jackson

Category:1958 births Category:2009 deaths Category:African American dancers Category:African American male singers Category:African American record producers Category:African American singer-songwriters Category:American beatboxers Category:American businesspeople Category:American child singers Category:American choreographers Category:American dance musicians Category:American dancers Category:American disco musicians Category:American male singers Category:American boogie musicians Category:American pop singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American rock singers Category:American soul singers Category:American tenors Category:American vegetarians Category:Boy sopranos Category:Brit Award winners Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Category:Child pop musicians Category:Drug-related deaths in California Category:English-language singers Category:Epic Records artists Category:Expatriates in Bahrain Category:Former Jehovah's Witnesses Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grammy Legend Award Michael Jackson Category:Manslaughter victims Category:Motown artists Category:Musicians from Indiana Category:People acquitted of sex crimes Category:People from Gary, Indiana Category:People from Santa Barbara County, California Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:Songwriters from Indiana Category:Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Michael Jackson Category:World Music Awards winners Category:Young Artist Award winners

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