Last Words: Michael Jackson

 

“I love you more.” 

-           Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

Michael Jackson died on 25 June three years ago.  He was aged 50.

As he left his last rehearsal for a planned concert in London, choreographer Travis Payne called out to him “I love you”.  Jackson replied “I love you more”.

Not long afterwards he died in bed of cardiac arrest brought on by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. His personal physician Conrad Murray, who administered the drugs, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Some Jackson milestones and moments:

 

Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the most successful entertainer of all time.

His videos for songs such as Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller are credited with transforming videos into an art form and major promotional device.  Those videos also gave MTV its early success and fame.

Popularised complicated dance moves such as the Robot and the Moonwalk, which he also named.

Thriller album remains the best selling album of all time.

One of only a few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

The first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll to be inducted into the Dance Hall of fame.

“And I remember going to the record studio and there was a park across the street and I'd see all the children playing and I would cry because it would make me sad that I would have to work instead.” -          Michael Jackson

13 Grammy awards; Grammy Legend Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century" and "Artist of the '80s"); 13 number one singles in the US in his solo career Estimated sale of over 750 million records worldwide.

Donated more than $300 million to charity, and holds the Guinness World Record for having supported the most charities out of any pop star.

Jackson was preparing for a concert series at the time of his death in an effort to cope with his level of debt.  In March 2010, Sony Music Corporation signed the largest music contract to date with Jackson's estate, a $250 million deal to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017, and to release seven posthumous albums over the decade following his death.

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.” -          Michael Jackson