Michael Jackson: The Complete Story of the King of Pop

by Lisa D. Campbell

Michael The Complete Story of the King of Pop chronicles the rise and fall and rise again of the greatest entertainer in history. Beginning in the dingy town of Gary, Indiana through the Motown years as lead singer of the Jackson 5 to his meteoric rise to superstardom, each album, single, short film, award, concert tour and performance is presented in greater detail than ever before. The most successful and most awarded artist in history, his Billboard chart activity and record setting feats are all documented with a chance to relive his innovative concert tour performances and groundbreaking TV show appearances, including unveiling the moonwalk on Motown 25 and his performance of “Man in the Mirror” on the 1988 Grammys. Besides detailing his success as an entertainer, his philanthropic endeavors are explored revealing his other true passion, helping the sick and suffering of the world and the Earth itself. Off stage, he faced many trials and tribulations. As his popularity soared, so did his obsession with his appearance and an addiction to painkillers. His nature of being too trusting served to make him vulnerable and people lined up to take advantage of him. Offered is an in depth look at the accusations of child molestation levied against Michael Jackson in 1993 and again ten years later resulting in the “Trial of the Century”. Campbell follows his steps toward presenting This is It, the events leading to his tragic loss, and the trial and conviction of Dr. Conrad Murray. Captured is the unprecedented global response to his passing and the efforts of his estate trustees to continue the legacy of the one and only King of Pop. Michael The Complete Story of the King of Pop is Campbell’s third book on Jackson.

Genres: Music

702 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[NON · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I had lost a close friend. Michael Jackson's life and career have played a major role in my life since 1979 and especially since 1983. After years of following his career and researching his life, building an extensive personal Jackson library in the process, my first book was published in 1993. It's follow up was published the following year. Both volumes were met with an overwhelming response from Michael Jackson himself and his office, MJJ Productions. He arranged for his publicist to aide in the promotion of the books, signed a copy for me and even sent me three dozen red roses on my birthday. -Lisa D. Campbell

I'm going to begin my review by quoting what author and academic Elizabeth Amisu wrote in one of her reviews, “There seems to be three types of biography when it comes to Michael Jackson: the good, bad, and the ugly”. I couldn't have said it better. I've read countless books on Michael Jackson and I know the pain many of his fans go through while looking for a proper book to read fearing to purchase a book that is filled with tabloid fabrications or a book that is purposely hateful towards the man's life and legacy. Thankfully over the years –with the increasing number of decent books about Michael–I've gained the experience to know what MJ books to buy and what not. Campbell's book is among the good biographies on Michael Jackson.

The Complete Story of the King of Pop impressively stands at 663 pages with extensive details on the remarkable four-decade musical career of the King of Pop. Each of the forty chapters begin with song's lyrics from Michael Jackson vast catalog that give the reader a hint of what the chapters consist of, that I found pretty exciting and lovely. Although Campbell is admittedly a Michael Jackson fan, she is far from being an emotional writer. She is a factual and straight-to-the-point writer. I wouldn't consider this biography to be definitive in the precise definition of the word but it is as close as possible to be that, perhaps it's the closest among all the other published books. There's no tabloid stories; there's no speculations; there's no unnecessary ****; there's no underlying disrespect nor judgement; it's the pure story of the King of Pop written by a thorough researcher who knows and deeply respects her subject, Michael Jackson. Campbell, unlike many other authors, does not paint his life as a tragedy, she constantly reminds the reader that Michael Jackson's life is a triumphant and he remains, despite all the merciless and malicious attack, the King. Campbell delivers information in a short, straight to the point manner that keeps the content light and easy to devour by the usual non-reader. However, her work shines the most when she reports about the two false allegations; it shows her mastery of the topic. Although she expounds about the struggles he bravely-faced and the two false allegations, the book touts Michael Jackson's greatness. The media's shameful role is discussed but their salacious lies and fabrications aren't given a platform here, they are exposed.

However, the massive space that Campbell takes to detail all his unprecedented achievements (e.g awards, appearances, recap of events/films/videos/interviews) in every chapter while there are no anecdotes gives the impression that one is reading a well-written Wikipedia-like book which results in lack of intimacy. I also noticed that the book heavily focuses on the King of Pop (hence the title) and rarely on the man, focuses more on his achievements rather than his artistry and this makes this book not enough if one is looking to explore Michael Jackson's artistry (check Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson or Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson), I would've preferred if she quoted a few respected Jackson analyzers to enhance the experience and add depth to her research. Also, a few fun anecdotes here and there would've added the enjoyment element that is insufficient in this biography.

Although it is a positive thing that Campbell writing style & research does not engage in controversies or speculations, rely heavily on facts, I wished though she took her time in some areas and not leave the reader's imagination to run wild speculating on their own. Like when she described that Lisa Marie Presley reason to divorce was because she couldn't save Michael from his demons. What demons? And that is not the actual complete story, however, she leaves it at that, only to return to it again to mention that Michael tried to reconnect with Lisa but Lisa did not give him attention which she regretted after his murder. Again, that is not the factual story of what happened; that was the story Lisa spread around but not what happened. Also, I wished Campbell briefly detailed Michael's other autoimmune disease, Lupus (read here), for better understanding, she does not mention it at all in the book. A brief detailing of his medical history would give the unknowledgeable reader a glimpse into an important area in Michael's life. Another area that should've been at least detailed is Michael Jackson the shrewd businessman, that side of him deserves to be acknowledged.

On a personal note: I would've loved a better (more grand and colorful) book-cover and better inside photographs that are Michael's and not of some merchandises and impersonator(s). I would've appreciated a better revision for grammar errors, misspelling and disarray use of punctuation because at time it was distracting. I do really find it distasteful (even unprofessional) when authors/researchers think that we are supposed to swallow their information without wanting to know who/what their sources are. Campbell included no Sources section in the biography and that is a huge turn-off, I have to know from where Campbell is coming up with such information regarding this or that.

All in all, The Complete Story of the King of Pop is a quite informative read to those who wish to know about Michael Jackson. It is a worthy addition to any MJ-book collection because it is written in an intellectual manner that is safe for fans and appreciators to put money into, assimilate and learn from. It is far from being the complete story but it is indeed a superb overview of Michael Jackson's life, death and afterlife.

Other recommended books to enlarge the understanding of Michael Jackson:
1- Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
2- Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson by Joseph Vogel
3- Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson by Mike Smallcombe
4- The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson by Michael Bush
5- Xscape Origins: The Songs and Stories Michael Jackson Left Behind by Damien Shields

[Karen Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Campbell is unique

As the author of “Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy” about the incomparable Michael Jackson, I eagerly anticipated reading Lisa Campbell's third book about MJ. In 666 pages, she combines her first two books about Michael and then adds an interesting chronological account of his last years and his legacy.
Lisa is unique as an author of MJ biographies – now approximating 500 books – because she received affirmation in 1993 from MJ himself. He sent her three dozen roses after he read her first book about him. I am impressed! For a man who could have been the ultimate symbol of media bullying and distortion to endorse Lisa's writing about him is a tribute to the courage, integrity, and honesty of her writing.
I highly recommend this book to both Michael Jackson fans and others. You will learn about him, understand him better, and perhaps mourn his loss even more after reading this comprehensive, compassionate, and thorough portrayal of the great man, humanitarian, and artist – Michael Jackson.