Michael Jackson – Legend

His nose operations were clear to anyone paying attention – the album cover for Off the Wall showed Michael’s nose had changed since his Jackson 5 days. The pitch of his voice prompted chatter too. Speculation mounted that he was taking female hormones in order to keep his voice high. ‘Not true,’ his voice coach Seth Riggs told Time magazine. ‘I’m his voice teacher, and I’d know. He started out with a high voice, and I’ve taken it even higher. He can sing low – down to a basso low C – but he prefers to sing as high as he does because pop tenors have more range to create style.’ A rumour also started to the effect that Michael had undergone a sex change, and his sister Janet was later to claim that a f

As befits a man of his enormous stature and legacy, to research a book about the life of Michael Jackson is a mammoth, overwhelming task. Thank you so much to the usual suspects for their support and encouragement, particularly Chris Morris and Lindsay Davies. Thanks, too, to Ilona Jasiewicz for her meticulous editing.
Numerous books have already been published about the life of Michael Jackson, each with their own appeal and strengths. J. Randy Taraborrelli’s Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness brilliantly reflects the long-term access Taraborrelli enjoyed with the Jackson family and others associated with the story. It is a fine work and proved a particularly helpful source in my research, along with the other books listed in the bibliography

‘Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.

Michael Jackson was my musical God. He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music, he can live forever. I love Michael Jackson. God bless him.’
— Wyclef Jean

‘Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend.’
— Steven Spielberg

I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me

He upped the standard.’

I’ve lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him.’
— Quincy Jones
‘There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson. He was the first live performer I ever saw. I got to see him at Madison Square Garden when I was eight. If not for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. He gave me joy as a child and showed me the way to go. He was music, period. May you rest in peace, sweet Michael. You gave us all you had to give.’

I’m absolutely devastated at this news. I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we could do through the 80s. To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all – talent, grace and professionalism.

Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world, and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.’
— Mariah Carey