Golden Period of Michael Jackson's Life

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Part-2

Michael Jackson rose to prominence as the central figure of The Jackson 5, the music group formed with his brothers. However, he had no idea that his extraordinary talent and relentless dedication would one day earn him the title of the "King of Pop." In 1969, the legendary American music company Motown, founded by Berry Gordy, noticed The Jackson 5 and invited them to Los Angeles. Under Motown’s banner, Michael released four solo albums between 1972 and 1975:

• Got to Be There (1972)
• Ben (1972)
• Music & Me (1973)
• Forever, Michael (1975)

These albums showcased his true musical potential, earning him widespread admiration from audiences. This experience led Michael to realize the need to step beyond The Jackson 5 and establish himself as a solo artist.

In 1979, with the legendary music producer Quincy Jones, he released his groundbreaking album Off the Wall on August 10, which became a massive success. The album sold nearly 20 million copies, and Michael earned the highest music royalties at that time. From this point on, there was no looking back.

In reality, Michael Jackson was sent to this world to elevate music to an unparalleled level through his unique style. His second album, Thriller (1982), took the world by storm, captivating millions of fans. The song "Beat It" featured a legendary guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen, while Michael's powerful vocals, mesmerizing dance moves, and iconic group choreography turned the album into an all-time classic.

Thriller sold around 110 million copies worldwide, including 29 million copies in the U.S. alone. This album solidified Michael Jackson’s dominance in the music industry. The tracks "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" remain incredibly popular in the 21st century. The album won eight Grammy Awards in 1984 and spent 37 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.

"Thriller" also revolutionized the music video industry. Michael first performed the moonwalk in the "Billie Jean" music video, which became one of his signature moves.

In 1987, Michael released Bad, an album that featured five songs that reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts. A key aspect of Bad was that Michael himself wrote most of the songs. Some of its most popular tracks include:

• "Bad"
• "The Way You Make Me Feel"
• "Man in the Mirror"
• "Dirty Diana"
• "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
• "Smooth Criminal"

In "Smooth Criminal," Jackson performed the legendary "Anti-Gravity Lean", defying gravity by tilting forward in an impossible manner.

Just like Thriller, Bad became a global sensation. He continued his success with:

• Dangerous (1991)
• History (1995)
• Invincible (2001), his final studio album.

Even today, Michael Jackson's influence remains immortal in the world of music, dance, and entertainment.

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Previous: Part-1

Michael Jackson’s Childhood

 

@ by Roni Kumar Basak

Who knew that a child born in the house of the Jackson couple in Gary, Indiana, USA would become a legend? That this child would capture the hearts of millions of fans around the world! Yes, you have rightly guessed it. Today's topic is about the legendary Micha
el Joseph Jackson's childhood.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, USA. His father was Joseph Jackson, and his mother was Katherine Jackson. Michael was the eighth child among the ten children of this couple. Both his parents were music enthusiasts. His mother, Katherine Jackson, was a housewife, but she could play the clarinet and piano, and his father was a guitarist who performed in a local R&B band. Additionally, he worked as a crane operator at U.S. Steel. Joseph always wanted his children to learn music and perform, and he encouraged them in this regard.

Michael's childhood was quite unique—on one hand, there was his father's strictness, and on the other, there was his undying love for music. These two factors significantly influenced his later life, helping him establish himself as one of the greatest music icons in the world.

Michael Jackson began his primary education at a local school in Gary. He attended a regular school, but his heart was always in music. His interest in music often led to a lack of attention in the classroom. Michael began learning music at the age of 5.

Michael was a very introverted child and did not form close relationships with friends at school. A significant portion of his life was spent performing on stage, which made his school life quite different from that of a regular student. The strictness of his father and his dedication to music placed him in a constant internal conflict. He wanted to balance both his education and music career, but eventually, his passion for music and performances led him to drift away from formal schooling.

Entrance in Music World:

In 1964, Michael entered the music world by forming a group called The Jackson 5 along with his brothers. They started performing together, and as a result, Michael spent most of his time outside school. At the age of 6, he began performing on stage. The group signed their first recording contract in 1964 and quickly gained popularity. Michael and his brothers began achieving fame, but Michael's talent and love for music made him stand out from the other members. In 1994, during his 34th Grammy Award ceremony, he reflected on his childhood and said:

“My childhood was taken from me. I had no birthdays, no Christmases, and no joy of childhood. Instead, there was only pain, back-breaking labor, and struggle. As a result, I have achieved worldly and professional success. (Collected)”

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Los Angeles: A City in Crisis amidst a Historic Wildfire

Wildfire

LosAngeles is known as the heart of California. The second-largest city in the United States, it is home to one of the world's most renowned film industries, Hollywood. In addition to the entertainment industry, beautiful beaches and a vibrant lifestyle have made Los Angeles a lively, multi-cultural, attractive and diversified city. The city has 1,302 square kilometers (502.7 square miles) of aria, while Los Angeles County spans approximately 10,057 square kilometers (4,994 square miles) and is made up of 88 towns, with a population of around 9.66 million.

The peaceful and always cheerful city recently welcomed the New Year with joy and celebrations, ushering in 2025 with hopes of happiness and prosperity for its residents. However, who could have known that a devastating disaster was waiting just around the corner for this vibrant city? On January 7, 2025, a wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades region of Los Angeles, along the Pacific Coast. At the time, dry winds of 50-80 km/h, known locally as "Santa Ana," swept through the area, turning the fire into a massive inferno. The wildfire destroyed approximately 23,000 acres of land and spread further north into the San Gabriel Mountains, damaging an additional 14,000 acres.

The aggressive fire ravaged thousands of acres, destroying about 12,000 homes and buildings, with an estimated total loss of around $135 billion. Residents watched helplessly as their hard-earned homes burned to the ground. As of now, 27 lives have been lost, many others are injured and receiving medical treatment, and millions have been displaced, taking shelter in refugee camps. This is a new, unfamiliar Los Angeles, a city that no longer resembles the one its residents once knew. While wildfires in forests and mountain areas have been common, this fire has become so destructive that it is now encroaching on urban areas, consuming property and livelihoods. The fire, combined with the powerful winds, has made it extremely difficult for firefighting teams to gain control.

The origins of these wildfires are often linked to electrical or gas pipeline leaks, or even discarded cigarettes. However, climate change is a major contributor to the scale of these fires. California's rainfall is decreasing, and the temperature and dry seasons are increasing, leading to dry vegetation that is more susceptible to fires. On top of that, dry winds from the coast further exacerbate the situation. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, by January 14, 2025, a total of 20 major wildfires had already occurred in the state.

It would be naïve to think that this ongoing wildfire will be the last natural disaster. Over the years, nature has shown its ability to take on frightening forms, and the future remains unpredictable. Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis—these natural disasters render humanity helpless. Yet, human resilience and determination continue to push forward. Governments and local administrations will extend their help to the homeless and those affected by the disaster. However, it is true that while wealth can be rebuilt but a lost life can never be returned. Still, people will gradually return to normalcy. Parents will play with their children, students will return to classrooms, and the workforce will regain its vitality—this is the hope for the future.

Steffi Graf vs. Serena Williams: Two Legendary

   

Steffi Graf and Serena Williams are two of the most iconic figures in tennis history, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport. While they never played as teammates, Comparing their careers and attributes offers fascinating insights into their greatness. Let’s look at how these two legendary players stand out in terms of achievements, playing style and personality.

        A.    Career Achievements:

Steffi Graf:

·       Steffi Graf was one of the most successful and dominant players in tennis history. She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, a record that was the highest among female players at the time and remained unbeaten until Serena Williams surpassed it.

·     Graf achieved a unique feat in 1988 by winning the Golden Slam—all four grand Slam titles (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S open) in the same year, along with the Olympic gold medal. This rare accomplishment set her apart from other players in tennis history.

·    Graf held the World No. 1 ranking for a remarkable 377 weeks, including a stretch from 1988 to 1988 making her one of the most consistent and dominant forces in women’s tennis.

       Serena Williams:

·     Serena Williams, an American tennis icon holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the open era with 23 Grand Slam championships. This achievement is a testament to her longevity and success across a wide span of years. 

·   Serena’s career is one of extraordinary resilience and dominance. Despite facing various challenges including injuries and break from the sport, she continued to perform at the highest level and remains a dominant figure in the sport even after more than two decades.

·        Williams is often considered a tennis legend due to her versatility and ability to adapt to different playing surfaces, climates and opponents. Her ability to return from     adversity has cemented her legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

B.  Playing style:

      Steffi Graf:

·    Graf was known for her speed and versatility. Her playing strategy was centered on precision and speed, making her one of the most tactically astute players. She was particularly famous for her forehand which was considered one of the most powerful and effective shots in the game.

·    Graf’s agility on the court, combined with a fast-paced, aggressive approach to the game allowed her to dominate opponents and execute rapid court coverage. Her serve and return game were key elements of her success. 

 Serena Williams:

·   Serena’s game is characterized by its power and aggression. Known for her huge serve,  she could consistently hit aces and put pressure on her opponents from the very first shot. Her serve remains one of the best in the history of the sport.

    · Serena’s powerful groundstrokes, especially her forehand are among the best in the game. Her technical skills around the net and in push shots add a layer of variety to her aggressive style. She is also widely praised for her mental toughness and ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations. Serena’s ability to turn defense into attack and her strong physical presence on the court has been central to her dominance.

          C.     Attitude and Personality:

          Steffi Graf:

·      Steffi Graf’s personality was known for being calm focused and unassuming. On and off the court, she was always composed and rarely sought the spotlight. Her demeanor was often described as “Stoic” with her focus on the match rather than external distractions.

·     Graf’s patience and discipline were qualities that stood out. She was known for staying calm under pressure and always maintaining concentration throughout long and grueling matches. This mental strength coupled with her technical ability made her a tough opponent. Off the court, Graf was a private person and despite her fame, she maintained a relatively low profile in the media, preferring to let her performance speak for itself.

        Serena Williams:

·      Serena Williams is known for her bold confidence, aggressive personality and fighting spirit. She has a reputation for never giving up even when faced with difficult situations. Serena’s attitude on the court is often characterized by her resilience and tenacity and she has become known for her “never-say die’’ attitude.

·   Her aggressive demeanor and her willingness to engage with fans and media have made her a larger—than-life figure both on and off the court. While Serena’s confidence is often seen as one of her greatest strengths, it has also led to moments of controversy and public scrutiny.

·   Outside the sport, Serena is known for her advocacy for social causes, including women’s rights, racial equality and gender equality. She has used her platform to raise awareness on these important issues and has become a role model for many especially young women around the world.

                D.    Professional journey and farewell:

                     Steffi Graf:

At 13 years old Steffi’s first professional tournament was in October 1982 at Filderstadt, Germany and lost the match by Tracy Austin. On 13 August 1999, shortly after retiring with a strained hamstring from a second round match against Amy Frazier in San Diego, Graf announced her retirement from the women’s tour at age 30. Then her ranked was No. 3 and said, I have done everything I wanted to do in tennis. I feel I have nothing left to accomplish.

Serena Williams:

At 14 turned Serena’s first professional event was in October 1995 at the Bell Challenge in Quebec. In where, she used a wild-card entry to circumvent age eligibility rules. From that time, she conducting her career 27 years long with successfully. In September 2022 issue of Vogue, Williams announced her plans to the retirement from the playground after the 2022 Us Open.

 Steffi Graf and Serena Williams while sharing a legacy of incredible tennis achievements. Each carved out their own paths and distinct identities. Graf’s combination of speed, precision and tactical mastery made her one of the most complete players in history. Serena, on the other hand, revolutionized the game with power, aggression and incredible physical presence. Their playing styles, attitudes and personalities differ, but both have left an indelible legacy in the world of tennis. Ultimately, comparing these two champions are more about appreciating their unique contributions to the sport rather than determining who is better. Both are icons in their own right and their impact will resonate for generations to come.

Achievement of Steffi Graf:

Year	Championship	Opponent	Score
1987	French Open Win	Martina Navratilova (USA) Loss	6-4,4-6,8-6
1987	Wimbledon Loss	Martina Navratilova (USA) Win	5-7, 3-6
1987	US Open Loss	Martina Navratilova (USA) Win	6-7 (4-7), 1-6
1988	Australian Open Win	Chris Evert (USA) Loss	6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
1988	French Open Win	Natasha Zvereva (Soviet Union) Loss	6-0, 6-0
1988	Wimbledon Win	Martina Navratilova (USA) Loss	5-7, 6-2, 6-1
1988	US Open Win	Gabriela Sabatini (Arzentina) Loss	6-3, 3-6, 6-1
1989	Australian Open Win	Helena Suková (Czechoslovakia ) Loss	6-4, 7-4
1989	French Open Loss	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Win	6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 5-7
1989	Wimbledon Win	Martina Navratilova (USA) Loss	5-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1
1989	US Open Win	Martina Navratilova (USA) Loss	3-6, 7-5, 6-1
1990	Australian Open Win	Mary Joe Fernández (USA) Loss	6-3, 6-4
1990	French Open Loss	Monica Seles (Yugoslavia) Win	6-7 (6-8), 4-6
1990	French Open Loss	Monica Seles (Yugoslavia) Win	6-7 (6-8), 4-6
1991	US Open Loss	Gabriela Sabatini (Arzentina) Win	2-6, 6-7 (4-7)
1991	Wimbledon Win	Gabriela Sabatini (Arzentina) Win	6-4, 3-6, 8-6
1992	French Open Loss	Monica Seles (Yugoslavia)   Win	2-6, 6-3, 8-10
1992	Wimbledon Win	Monica Seles (Yugoslavia) Loss	6-2, 6-1
1992	Australian Open Loss	Monica Seles (Yugoslavia) Win	6-4, 3-6, 2-6
1993	French Open Win	Mary Joe Fernández (USA) Loss	4-6, 6-2, 6-4
1993	Wimbledon Win	Jana Novotná (Yugoslavia) Loss	4-6, 6-2, 6-4
1993	US Open Win	Helena Suková (Yugoslavia) Loss	6-3, 6-3
1994	Australian Open Win	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Loss	6-3, 6-3
1994	Us Open Loss	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Win	6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 4-6
1995	French Open Win	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Loss	7-5, 6-6, 6-0
1995	Wimbledon Win	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Loss	4-6, 6-1, 7-5
1995	US Open Win	Monica Seles (USA) Loss	7-6 (8-6), 0-6, 6-3
1996	French Open Win	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Loss	6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-7, 10-8
1996	Wimbledon Win	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain) Loss	6-3, 7-5
1996	US Open Win	Monica Seles (USA) Loss	7-5,6-4
1999	French Open Win	Martina Hingis (Swiz) Loss	4-6, 7-5, 62
1999	Wimbledon Loss	Lindsay Davenport (USA) Win	4-6, 5-7

           Achievement of Serena William:

Year	Championship	Opponent	Score
1996	US Open Win	Martina Hingis (Swiz) Loss	6–3, 7–6(7–4)
2001	US Open Loss	Venus Williams (USA) Win	2–6, 4–6
2002	French Open Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	7–5, 6–3
2002	Wimbledon Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	7–6(7–4), 6–3
2002	US Open Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	6–4, 6–3
2003	Australian Open Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	7–6(7–4), 3–6, 6–4
2003	Wimbledon Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	4–6, 6–4, 6–2
2004	Wimbledon Loss	Maria Sharapova (Russia) Win	1–6, 4–6
2005	Australian Open Win	Lindsay Davenport (USA) Loss	2–6, 6–3, 6–0
2007	Australian Open Win	Maria Sharapova (Russia) Loss	6–1, 6–2
2008	Wimbledon Loss	Venus Williams (USA) Win	5–7, 4–6
2008	US Open Win	Jelena Janković (Sarbia) Loss	6–4, 7–5
2009	Australian Open Win	Dinara Safina (Russia) Loss	6–0, 6–3
2009	Wimbledon Win	Venus Williams (USA) Loss	7–6(7–3), 6–2
2010	Australian Open Win	Justine Henin (Russia) Loss	6–4, 3–6, 6–2
2010	Wimbledon Win	Vera Zvonareva (Russia) Loss	6–3, 6–2
2011	US Open Loss	Samantha Stosur (Australia) Win	2–6, 3–6
2012	Wimbledon Win	Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) Loss	6–1, 5–7, 6–2
2012	US Open Win	Victoria Azarenka (Belarush) Loss	6–2, 2–6, 7–5
2013	French Open Win	Maria Sharapova (Russia) Loss	6–4, 6–4
2013	US Open Win	Victoria Azarenka (Belarush) Loss	7–5, 6–7(6–8), 6–1
2014	US Open Win	Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) Loss	6–3, 6–3
2015	Australian Open Win	Maria Sarapova (Russia) Loss	6–3, 7–6(7–5)
2015	French Open Win	Lucie Šafářová (Czech Republic) Loss	6–3, 6–7(2–7), 6–2
2015	Wimbledon Win	Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) Loss	6–4, 6–4
2016	Australian Open Loss	Angelique Kerber (Germany) Win	4–6, 6–3, 4–6
2016	French Open Loss	Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) Win	5–7, 4–6
2016	Wimbledon Win	Angelique Kerber (Germany) Loss	7–5, 6–3
2017	Australian Open Win	Venus Williams (USA) Win	6–4, 6–4
2018	Wimbledon Loss	Angelique Kerber (Germany) Win	3–6, 3–6
2018	US Open Loss	Naomi Osaka (Japan) Win	2–6, 4–6
2019	Wimbledon Loss	Simona Halep (Romania) Win	2–6, 2–6
2019	US Open Loss	Bianca Andreescu (Canada) Win	3–6, 5–7