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Jackson was the eighth child of the Jackson family, a prominent one in the entertainment world. Michael Jackson made his professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons). In 1971 Michael began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records. He achieved stardom as a solo star with his 1979 album Off the Wall. His music videos, including those for "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, were extremely popular and music critics credit them with breaking racial barriers and with transforming the medium of music video into an artform.
1984 had been a year of notoriety for Michael Jackson. On January 27, 1984, Michael and other members of the Jacksons filmed a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. During a simulated concert before a full house of fans, pyrotechnics accidentally set Jackson's hair on fire, causing second-degree burns to his scalp. Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars and Pepsi later settled a claim for damages out of court, with Jackson donating the settlement proceeds to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California. That same year, Jackson went on tour on what was known as the "Victory Tour of 1984." It showcased Jackson's new solo material to more than two million Americans.
On May 14, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented the Presidential Public Safety Communication Award to Michael Jackson for allowing the song “Beat It” to be used in a public service campaign against teen drinking and driving. In presenting the award, Reagan said, “Well, isn’t this a thriller? I know why you’re here, and with good reason – to see one of the most talented, most popular, and most exciting superstars in the music world today – Michael Jackson. And Michael, welcome to the White House,” said Reagan.
In his diary entry for that Monday, Reagan made the following comments:
A ceremony on the S[south] lawn to honor young Michael Jackson who is the sensation of the pop music world - believed to have earned $120 mil. last year. He is giving proceeds from one of his biggest selling records to the campaign against drunk driving. He is totally opposed to Drugs & Alcohol and is using his popularity to influence young people against them. I was surprised at how shy he is.
In his introduction of Jackson, Reagan referenced some of Jackson's more popular songs. He said:
“I hope you’ll forgive me, but we have quite a few young folks in the White House who all wanted me to give you the same message. They said to tell Michael, ‘Please give some TLC to the PYTs.’ Now I know that sounds a little ‘off the wall,’ but you know what I mean. And, Michael, I have another message from our fans in the Washington, D.C., area. They said, ‘We want you back.’ So when you begin your greatly awaited cross-country tour, will you please be sure to drop off here in the nation’s capital?”
Jackson spoke a total of 13 words at the event. He said: "I'm very, very honored. Thank you very much, Mr. President and Mrs. Reagan."
A seven minute video of the ceremony has been cut and pasted below.
For a more humorous take on the event, here is a link to Scott Calonico's "This is the President" podcast episode on this event.
In the speech, Reagan praised Jackson for his wanting to lead a lifestyle free from the use of drugs and alcohol. Reagan did not know about Jackson's subsequent addiction to prescription medication or of the other aspects of Jackson's life that would come to sully the pop star's reputation. As the 1980s progressed, Jackson became a figure of controversy and speculation. A number of cosmetic surgeries led to his changing physical appearance and his lifestyle became described as bizarre. In 1993, he was accused of sexually abusing the child of a family friend. The lawsuit was settled out of civil court and Jackson was not indicted due to lack of evidence. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. The FBI said that it had found no evidence of criminal conduct on Jackson's part.
Jackson would be honored at the White House once again on April 5, 1990, when President George H. W. Bush designated the pop star as the White House's "Artist of the Decade."
In 2009, while preparing for a series of comeback concerts, Jackson died from cardiac arrest, caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. In 2011 Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. A documentary entitled Leaving Neverland premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019. It was broadcast in two parts on HBO and received critical acclaim, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. The documentary received polarized responses from the public, but it also boosted sales of his music. Jackson's fans called the film as one-sided and questioned its veracity. Jackson's estate called it "tabloid character assassination." Jackson's fans organized protests and a counterpoint documentary, Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth, challenged the allegations. Further allegations of child sexual assault have been made against Jackson posthumously.