Michael Jackson: His Successes Vs His Woes

Michael Jackson's bizarre private life and change in appearance ended up eclipsing his musical achievements, according to the world's media.

Jackson's death from cardiac arrest Thursday has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, and his life has been given a more measured summing up by news media.

Britain's Guardian newspaper said "his bizarre life-style and personal notoriety eclipsed his talent and his numerous achievements."

The Guardian said his fame, from the age of 11, "had such a damaging effect that his life was permanently affected."

"A combination of dysfunctional family and invasive fame ate away at the essentially private singer, whose initially minor eccentricities escalated into grotesque changes to his appearance and lifestyle.

"If ever there was an illustration of the adage that celebrity destroys what it touches, Jackson was it," the Guardian said.

Daily Mail agreed, saying Jackson "courted controversy and acclaim in equal measure.

"It was the tales of oxygen chambers, chimp chums, shopping sprees and physical transformation that have brought intrigue and amusement and earned the singer the nickname Wacko Jacko."

The Mail said star's behavior drew increasing alarm following a "documentary in which he pronounced sharing a bedroom with a child to be 'charming' and an incident in Germany in which he dangled his baby son Prince Michael II over a balcony."

The country's Times newspaper said only a "handful of performers -- (Elvis) Presley, (Frank) Sinatra, the Beatles -- could outrank Michael Jackson as the most successful popular music entertainer of all time."

However, "as he approached middle-age, it was Jackson's abiding interest in children which was his undoing."

Australia's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper also compared Jackson to Presley. "Just as Presley was the iconic voice and presence of the 1950s so Jackson enjoyed a similar status during 1980s and 1990s. And just as Presley, driven by the strange demons that seem to haunt the super-famous, died before his time so Jackson has died, aged 50, in Los Angeles after suffering cardiac arrest."

France's Liberation newspaper described Jackson as the "total artist," but said his physical transformation and way of life brought controversy.

Le Monde said Jackson was one of the most famous singers of the 20th century but his image was tarnished by his private life.

Germany's Bild tabloid agreed, saying Jackson's private antics had seem him "dethroned" as the King of Pop.

China's People's Daily newspaper said Jackson had "set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades."

"Jackson's dramatic stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

"His one-gloved eccentric style also earned him plenty of critics and another nickname, "Wacko Jacko."

Thailand's Bangkok Post newspaper said: "While Jackson ruled the charts and dazzled audiences with electric dance moves like the backwards "moonwalk" in the 1980s, his once-stellar career was overshadowed by his colorful public behavior, his startling physical transformation and multiple allegations of child abuse."

Sphere: Related Content

Michael refutes Jermaine Jackson's Claim of Jackson 5 Reunion

For now, the chance of a full-blown Jackson 5 reunion – especially one that has the members already "in the studio" – seems like little more than a fantasy perpetuated by Jermaine Jackson, a particularly unreliable tipster who made similar murmurings in 2003 and 2007.

Michael Jackson denied on Thursday that he would take part in a reunion of the famed Motown singing group, a day after elder brother Jermaine said the faded pop star was on board.

"My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we've certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them," the self-proclaimed "king of pop" said a statement.

Jackson, 50, said he was in the studio working on "new and exciting projects."

But Jermaine Jackson, 53, said in Australia on Wednesday that the clan was working on the music and logistics for a tour next year.

"It is going to be more like a family affair," he was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. "(Younger sister) Janet's going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 ... Michael, Randy and the whole family. ... We're in the studio, we're planning on being out there next year."

Michael Jackson has not encouraged reunion talk. He did not show up with his brothers to collect a lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles in September.

The Jackson 5, whose lineup is rounded out by Jackie, 57, Tito, 55, and Marlon, 51, as well as unofficial member Randy, 47, rose to fame in the early 1970s with such singles as "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "I'll Be There." The group last toured in 1984, by which time Michael Jackson was a huge star in his own right.

The original Jackson 5 have not performed together since 2001, when they reunited to celebrate Michael's 30th anniversary in music.

Michael Jackson has been a relative recluse since then, rarely appearing in public – with the notable exception of 2005's child abuse trial. Though he announced work on a Hurricane Katrina charity single, it was never released. Nor have there been updates on the status of a long-germinating album with songs written by Akon and Will.I.Am.

His statement was credited to a spokesperson dubbed "Dr. Tohme." The publicity firm that distributed the statement declined to elaborate on the person's identity.

Sphere: Related Content

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Faces Morgage Crisis

Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch may be the latest victim of the US mortgage crisis.

The singer's famous theme park was mortaged for $US23 million. But Jackson appears to be in default to the tune of US$212,963, according to celebrity website TMZ.com. And it seems that the pop star's lenders have run out of patience.

Copies of official documents published on the site appear to confirm the rumours that the bank is about to foreclose on the property.

Another website called The Implode-o-meter, which specialises in documenting US mortgage crisis, also carries reports and documents relating to the foreclosure.

Late last month, Rolling Stone's website broke the news that the Sherrif's men may be on the way to Neverland but no evidence had been available until now.

Neither the default service company that issued the report or the singer's rep were available to comment.

Sphere: Related Content

Michael Jackson Party With His Less Affluent Fans

After a $3,500-a-head gala the day before, Michael Jackson attended another party in Tokyo for his less affluent fans, more than 1,000 of whom crowded a popular nightclub Friday for an evening with the reclusive pop star.

Tickets for Friday's party went for $130, a fraction of the $3,500 that several hundred fans and business people paid for a chance to meet and greet Jackson the night before at a dinner held in his honor.

Jackson offered only brief remarks at the end of that six-hour party and did not perform.

At Friday's party, guests - most in the 20s or 30s - were treated to a stage show of gospel singers, Michael Jackson impersonators, but were not given the one-on-one opportunity that "premium" ticket partygoers got the night before. Jackson watched the show from a second-floor VIP room.

Japan remains one of Jackson's strongest fan bases, and Jackson fans have been out in force since his arrival in Tokyo on Sunday.

A screaming mob greeted him at the airport and more crowded outside a popular electronics shop that gave him the run of the store after-hours the following day. Before leaving Japan, Jackson was also scheduled to tour a U.S. Army base just south of Tokyo on Saturday.

Jackson, one of the bestselling artists of all time, had lived abroad since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges, forsaking his Neverland Ranch in California for Bahrain, France and a castle in Ireland. He now lives in Las Vegas.

This is Jackson's second trip to Tokyo in less than a year.

"Japan is one of my favourite places to visit in the world," Jackson told the crowd Thursday, reading from a statement. "I want to thank all of you for making me the biggest-selling artist in Japan."

In comments to The Associated Press, Jackson said he is happy with his career, which he is trying to revive after his 2005 acquittal and a series of other legal battles over his personal finances.

"I've been in the entertainment industry since I was six years old," he told AP. "As Charles Dickens says, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career."

Jackson, 48, said he was not bitter over his succession of difficulties.

"While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me," he said.

Sphere: Related Content