The definitive biography of Michael Jackson; a ldquo;vividhellip;gripping...authoritative account of a world-changing force of naturerdquo; (Rolling Stone); celebrating the King of Poprsquo;s legendary contributions to music; dance; and popular culture.From the moment in 1965 when he first stepped on stagemdash;at age sevenmdash;in Gary; Indiana; Michael Jackson was destined to become the undisputed King of Pop. In a career spanning four decades; Jackson became a global icon; selling over four hundred million albums; earning thirteen Grammy awards; and spinning dance moves that captivated the world. Songs like ldquo;Billie Jeanrdquo; and ldquo;Black and Whiterdquo; altered our national discussion of race and equality; and Jacksonrsquo;s signature aesthetic; from the single white glove to the moonwalk; defined a generation. Despite publicized scandals and controversy; Jacksonrsquo;s ultimate legacy will always be his music. In an account that ldquo;reminds us why Michael Jackson was; indeed; a lsquo;geniusrsquo; entertainerrdquo; (New York Newsday); Rolling Stone contributing editor Steve Knopper delves deeply into Jacksonrsquo;s music and talent. From the artistrsquo;s early days with the Jackson 5; to his stratospheric success as a solo artist; to ldquo;Beat Itrdquo; and ldquo;Thriller;rdquo; ldquo;Badrdquo; and ldquo;The Man in the Mirror;rdquo; to his volatile final years; his attempted comeback; and untimely death; Knopper draws on his ldquo;critical and reportorial savvy in assessing Jacksonrsquo;s creative peaks and valleys;rdquo; (USA TODAY) exploring the beguiling and often contradictory forces that fueled Michael Jacksonrsquo;s genius. Drawing on an amazing four hundred interviewsmdash;ranging from Jacksonrsquo;s relatives; friends; and key record executives to celebrities like will.i.am and Weird Al Yankovicmdash;this critical biography puts his career into perspective and celebrates his triumph in art and music. This is ldquo;a thoughtful look at an artist who grew up in a segregated mill town and who; for the rest of his life; made music to bring down wallsrdquo; (Chicago Tribune).
#3770017 in eBooks 2015-03-04 2015-03-04File Name: B00UASOYJK
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Understanding Hazels Life and MusicBy LynnThis is an easy-to-read book about Hazel Dickens life and songs. It was great getting her perspective on the different songs she wrote....what the story was behind a song; what inspired her; etc.The only bad part about this book is that because it was written as a biography and Hazel was so modest; it doesnt go into more detail on the depth of what she did to help the coal miners; how hard she had to work to succeed as a woman in the music industry; how much of a role model shes been for other women artists; what an inspiration she was for the creation of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco (the largest festival of its kind; even the mayor of SF dedicated a day to her and personally came on stage to give her a certificate of recognition); etc.We still miss her dearly; but its comforting to know her songs are timeless and well never forget her!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Short BioBy Stephen AddisonThe biography in this book was less than 25% of the books length. It was really just a long article. Lots of photographs. The bulk of the book was given over to Dickens descriptions of the origins of her songs. A good book - but not the biography that I was expecting to read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Elizabeth A. RacehorseShipped promptly; no issues. Clean with some markings; but this was described and there was no issue.
