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Michael Jackson: El Rey del Pop 1958-2009
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160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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77 people want to read
About the author
Chris Roberts
20 books1 followerLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Chris Roberts lives in West London. He has written about music, films and books for innumerable publications and websites and interviewed everyone from David Bowie to Janet Jackson. He was the editor of Idle Worship, hailed in the New York Times as ‘the most original book about rock ‘n’ roll ever’, and edited Blondie's Panic of Girls magazine at the band's request.
Often appearing on TV and radio, he has also published books on Kate Moss, Lou Reed, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, Abba, Talk Talk, Scarlett Johansson, Pharrell Williams, the Gothic arts and many others.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Chris Roberts lives in West London. He has written about music, films and books for innumerable publications and websites and interviewed everyone from David Bowie to Janet Jackson. He was the editor of Idle Worship, hailed in the New York Times as ‘the most original book about rock ‘n’ roll ever’, and edited Blondie's Panic of Girls magazine at the band's request.
Often appearing on TV and radio, he has also published books on Kate Moss, Lou Reed, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, Abba, Talk Talk, Scarlett Johansson, Pharrell Williams, the Gothic arts and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 24, 2021
Okay, it's another pictorial tribute to Michael Jackson, and a slim one at that. However, the quality of the photography and Chris Roberts' text help this new publication, Michael Jackson King of Pop 1958-2009, transcend superficiality.
Roberts once reviewed one of Michael's UK concerts in memorable prose, which he quotes in the Introduction to this book. It's a reminder of what a Michael Jackson live performance was like. "He is beautiful, feline, febrile... Onstage, he lives a stream of silky, seraphic lifetimes. That's entertainment." It was July 26, 1997. Michael was 39, "the child within" and, as Roberts had declared in his review of the show, he was "still big. If the genre got small, that's hardly his fault."
Michael Jackson was someone who was incredibly shy and easily embarrassed when not on-stage, standing, strutting or dancing in the spotlight. It was where he felt most comfortable. He once said "It's the greatest place in the world. I just light up. It's magic. I'm here on Earth for a reason, and that's my job, to make people happy."
He then went on to say that (even at the age of 22) he had been entertaining most of his life, and consequently found being around real people strange. "It's hard to live in the real world, in my position. I try to, sometimes, but people won't deal with me in that way, because they see me differently."
This would sadly remain the case later in Michael's life. Only the fans and his close associates seemed to understand and accept what the media portrayed as a strange, complex individual with a lifestyle that appeared to push as many boundaries off stage as did Michael's live performances, his songs and his ground-breaking music videos - or "short films" as he called them.
He was bound to attract controversy, jealousy, extortion attempts, and the inevitable media backlash. At times his perfectionism, prescription drug dependence, financial problems and legal battles invited criticism, which he sometimes did little to convincingly allay. Frank Sinatra once supposedly warned him "Kid, the press will build you up today, because they like to tear you down tomorrow." This, sadly, remained true for Jackson until the end - and beyond.
But you don't get to be the first artist to have number one hits in the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties without acquiring a legion of dedicated fans. Despite the media labelling his 2001 album "Invincible" a flop, it went double platinum and sold eight million copies. Some flop.
Tickets for his fifty comeback concerts, titled "This is it" at London's O2 Arena scheduled to commence on July 13, 2009, had sold in double figures per second. But, as the world knows, eighteen days short of opening night, Jackson died of cardiac arrest at the rented Hollywood mansion where he had been living with his children while training and rehearsing for the London shows.
If Roberts had declared the pop music genre had grown small back in 1997, how much smaller is it now without Michael Jackson, we might ask?
This final chapter of Michael's life and Robert's tribute is, of course, a sad, sad finale to the life and career of the King of Pop. Although, with over 200 hours of music in the can yet to be released, Michael's career is probably far from over.
Even the live global telecast of his celebrity-laden public memorial service - with Michael's gold coffin front and centre, and his daughter Paris stealing the limelight from industry legends - merely added to the Michael Jackson legend.
If there is a problem with Roberts' version of events in this publication, it is that at times he relies too heavily on other media sources and fails to fully explain some of the more puzzling aspects of Jackson's life which family, friends and Michael himself have spoken about.
In that sense, Roberts' biographical picture is incomplete, and at times merely scratches the surface of the public part of Jackson's life. But, given the too brief 144 photo-laden pages of this book, it could only ever be a potted history of a truly unique individual.
Roberts appropriately gives the closing comments to Motown supremo Berry Gordy Jr, who said at the memorial service on July 7, 2009: "From the first time people heard him sing as a young boy... Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down."
Despite the limitations I loved this tribute to the incomparable Michael Jackson.
Roberts once reviewed one of Michael's UK concerts in memorable prose, which he quotes in the Introduction to this book. It's a reminder of what a Michael Jackson live performance was like. "He is beautiful, feline, febrile... Onstage, he lives a stream of silky, seraphic lifetimes. That's entertainment." It was July 26, 1997. Michael was 39, "the child within" and, as Roberts had declared in his review of the show, he was "still big. If the genre got small, that's hardly his fault."
Michael Jackson was someone who was incredibly shy and easily embarrassed when not on-stage, standing, strutting or dancing in the spotlight. It was where he felt most comfortable. He once said "It's the greatest place in the world. I just light up. It's magic. I'm here on Earth for a reason, and that's my job, to make people happy."
He then went on to say that (even at the age of 22) he had been entertaining most of his life, and consequently found being around real people strange. "It's hard to live in the real world, in my position. I try to, sometimes, but people won't deal with me in that way, because they see me differently."
This would sadly remain the case later in Michael's life. Only the fans and his close associates seemed to understand and accept what the media portrayed as a strange, complex individual with a lifestyle that appeared to push as many boundaries off stage as did Michael's live performances, his songs and his ground-breaking music videos - or "short films" as he called them.
He was bound to attract controversy, jealousy, extortion attempts, and the inevitable media backlash. At times his perfectionism, prescription drug dependence, financial problems and legal battles invited criticism, which he sometimes did little to convincingly allay. Frank Sinatra once supposedly warned him "Kid, the press will build you up today, because they like to tear you down tomorrow." This, sadly, remained true for Jackson until the end - and beyond.
But you don't get to be the first artist to have number one hits in the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties without acquiring a legion of dedicated fans. Despite the media labelling his 2001 album "Invincible" a flop, it went double platinum and sold eight million copies. Some flop.
Tickets for his fifty comeback concerts, titled "This is it" at London's O2 Arena scheduled to commence on July 13, 2009, had sold in double figures per second. But, as the world knows, eighteen days short of opening night, Jackson died of cardiac arrest at the rented Hollywood mansion where he had been living with his children while training and rehearsing for the London shows.
If Roberts had declared the pop music genre had grown small back in 1997, how much smaller is it now without Michael Jackson, we might ask?
This final chapter of Michael's life and Robert's tribute is, of course, a sad, sad finale to the life and career of the King of Pop. Although, with over 200 hours of music in the can yet to be released, Michael's career is probably far from over.
Even the live global telecast of his celebrity-laden public memorial service - with Michael's gold coffin front and centre, and his daughter Paris stealing the limelight from industry legends - merely added to the Michael Jackson legend.
If there is a problem with Roberts' version of events in this publication, it is that at times he relies too heavily on other media sources and fails to fully explain some of the more puzzling aspects of Jackson's life which family, friends and Michael himself have spoken about.
In that sense, Roberts' biographical picture is incomplete, and at times merely scratches the surface of the public part of Jackson's life. But, given the too brief 144 photo-laden pages of this book, it could only ever be a potted history of a truly unique individual.
Roberts appropriately gives the closing comments to Motown supremo Berry Gordy Jr, who said at the memorial service on July 7, 2009: "From the first time people heard him sing as a young boy... Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down."
Despite the limitations I loved this tribute to the incomparable Michael Jackson.
March 26, 2022
michael jackson was the most important artist to ever live, but it’s apparent that this author, whoever he is, was not a fan but decided to deem this title “the king of pop” for whatever reason—probably for profit.
most of the compliments are backhanded, and it’s clear that even to authors who have studied jackson he’s still misunderstood. he didn’t have a big ego or a god complex, but was constantly iterating his belief and dependence on God while quoting Jesus. he was as far away from narcissistic as humanly possible, exemplified in his shyness and refusal to take credit for his astounding work, yet this author decides to use michael’s humanitarianism as an excuse.
bringing up nicknames like “wacko jacko” was unnecessary in this book, and the constant references to “man-child” were repetitive and inaccurate. he wasn’t a regressed grown up, he was simply an adult deprived of a childhood who earned the means later on to experience fun and decided to make sure other children could too.
a lot of the facts in this book were off. so much to the point where i’m surprised that someone so factually incorrect could be determined in publishing a whole book on a topic he’s not well versed in. michael pleaded with the public to disregard tabloids and seek the truth, and ironically this book does the exact opposite.
i question what the purpose of this book was, because it did not serve to inform the public of this elusive superstar’s true nature, but rather aroused more confusion through fact-less rumors. he was never jealous of his sister’s success but actually fueled her further through emotional and tactical support. he was a man of extreme sensitivity and pristine consideration, so i’m disappointed that the author would go so far as to describe his so called “tantrums.”
it’s still good to see his chart-destroying statistics being listed and an explanation of his indescribable success, but this book was totally unnecessary in depicting the magnitude of michael jackson’s goodness, sincerity, intellect, and compassion.
most of the compliments are backhanded, and it’s clear that even to authors who have studied jackson he’s still misunderstood. he didn’t have a big ego or a god complex, but was constantly iterating his belief and dependence on God while quoting Jesus. he was as far away from narcissistic as humanly possible, exemplified in his shyness and refusal to take credit for his astounding work, yet this author decides to use michael’s humanitarianism as an excuse.
bringing up nicknames like “wacko jacko” was unnecessary in this book, and the constant references to “man-child” were repetitive and inaccurate. he wasn’t a regressed grown up, he was simply an adult deprived of a childhood who earned the means later on to experience fun and decided to make sure other children could too.
a lot of the facts in this book were off. so much to the point where i’m surprised that someone so factually incorrect could be determined in publishing a whole book on a topic he’s not well versed in. michael pleaded with the public to disregard tabloids and seek the truth, and ironically this book does the exact opposite.
i question what the purpose of this book was, because it did not serve to inform the public of this elusive superstar’s true nature, but rather aroused more confusion through fact-less rumors. he was never jealous of his sister’s success but actually fueled her further through emotional and tactical support. he was a man of extreme sensitivity and pristine consideration, so i’m disappointed that the author would go so far as to describe his so called “tantrums.”
it’s still good to see his chart-destroying statistics being listed and an explanation of his indescribable success, but this book was totally unnecessary in depicting the magnitude of michael jackson’s goodness, sincerity, intellect, and compassion.
May 19, 2024
Como fanática devota de Michael Jackson, el artista cantante y bailarín más icónico de todos los tiempos, no pude evitar sentirme atraída por este libro.
Siendo una biografía resumida, me encantó que Roberts condensara la extraordinaria vida de Jackson en un formato accesible, sin sacrificar detalles importantes. Cada página me sumergió en su viaje desde sus humildes comienzos en Gary, Indiana, hasta su ascenso a la cima del estrellato mundial.
Lo que más me cautivó fue la riqueza de imágenes que acompañan el texto. Fotografías nunca antes vistas, portadas de álbumes y facsímiles de documentos personales me permitieron visualizar la historia de Jackson de una manera más vívida y conmovedora.
Es, sin duda alguna, una lectura obligada para cualquier fanático de este ícono musical. Es una ventana concisa pero completa a su vida, su arte y su legado. Recomiendo ampliamente este libro a cualquier persona que desee conocer la vida y obra de este genio musical incomparable.
Siendo una biografía resumida, me encantó que Roberts condensara la extraordinaria vida de Jackson en un formato accesible, sin sacrificar detalles importantes. Cada página me sumergió en su viaje desde sus humildes comienzos en Gary, Indiana, hasta su ascenso a la cima del estrellato mundial.
Lo que más me cautivó fue la riqueza de imágenes que acompañan el texto. Fotografías nunca antes vistas, portadas de álbumes y facsímiles de documentos personales me permitieron visualizar la historia de Jackson de una manera más vívida y conmovedora.
Es, sin duda alguna, una lectura obligada para cualquier fanático de este ícono musical. Es una ventana concisa pero completa a su vida, su arte y su legado. Recomiendo ampliamente este libro a cualquier persona que desee conocer la vida y obra de este genio musical incomparable.
September 29, 2025
Very professional, respectful, and objective. It does not fall in any sensationalism of any shape. Allows you to understand a bit more of who he was, as a star, as an abused child, and as a human. My opinion is very much biased because I am a personal fan of the King of Pop. But this book is very neutral in itself. Worth reading.
April 27, 2019
beautiful images that really do the king justice. lacking in length and the writing itself, but hey, i don't mind a gorgeous legend on a full-page...
Currently reading
December 17, 2010I've had the book for ages now but have been too obsessed with the pictures to actually read it properly. But it's brilliant.
August 31, 2014
Not really my thing. The pictures were good though and there was some interesting facts I did not know about Michael J. If you are a fan, you will enjoy this book.
January 3, 2015
This book is very nice with the lovely photos of Michael, Since his was young But it didn't update and tell about the new Album called " Xscape" I love this book the most.
June 22, 2017
Velmi detailní pohled do života výjimečně talentovaného člověka.
March 29, 2021
"Michael Jackson: The King of Pop 1958-2009" (2009) by British-American video game designer, programmer, film producer and film director Chris Roberts.
February 3, 2021
El libro ideal para conocer acerca de la carrera y vida de Michael Jackson, datos bastante completos, complementadas con excelentes fotografías y una narración bastante neutra de los sucesos
March 29, 2010
its mj, so of course i loved it :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews