Michael Jackson: 1958-2009: Life of a Legend

by Michael Heatley

Michael Jackson was one of those rare human beings who can truly be described as a legend. As with Elvis and John Lennon, everyone will remember where they were when they heard about the death of Michael Jackson. He was just 50 when he died, yet had become a superstar by the time he was 11, ensuring his music was part of the fabric of everyone’s life. Though his days of greatest success were behind him, Jackson was standing on the threshold of what could well have been one of the biggest comebacks in showbiz history. It wasn’t to be, but the music, sales figures, and the number of current stars who lined up to pay tribute to his influence underlined the fact that, for all his controversial personal quirks, Michael Jackson was indeed one of the greats. This picture-packed tribute charts the life of a legend, from his earliest days as a hyperactive child protégé fronting family group the Jackson Five, to the assured superstar looking out from the cover of Thriller , still the bestselling album of all time. It analyzes the magical stage moves like the Moonwalk that made him a sensational live act, celebrates the intoxicating music that made him the King of Pop, and follows his life right through to the comeback that was cruelly cut short before the curtain could rise.

Genres: Music

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Michael Heatley is the author or editor of over thirty biographies, including Backstreet Boys: The Unofficial Book, Bon Jovi: In Their Own Words and Rolf Harris: The Most Talented Man In The World. In 1995, he wrote the liner notes to Rolf's best-selling album Rolf Rules OK!

Since 1977 he has written more than a hundred music, sport and TV books.

He has written for magazines including Privileged View (for viewers of UK Gold and UK Living), 442 and Fultime (Fulham FC), Music Week, Billboard, Goldmine (US record collecting magazine), Radio Times, Daily Record and the Mail on Sunday color supplement.

In addition, Michael runs a fanzine in honor of legendary Welsh psychedelic rock band Man called The Welsh Connection which is circulated to a small but fervent fanbase on a bi-monthly basis.

Reviews

[Renata Escamilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como fanática de Michael Jackson, me cautivó la oportunidad de sumergirme en su vida a través de este libro, que si bien la extensión me dejó con ganas de más, aprecio profundamente la riqueza de imágenes que acompañan la narrativa.

A pesar de su brevedad, el libro ofrece un valioso resumen de la trayectoria de Jackson, desde sus inicios con los Jackson 5 hasta su ascenso al estrellato mundial como el Rey del Pop. Heatley captura la esencia de lo que hizo de Jackson un ícono: su talento musical inigualable, su revolucionaria coreografía y su cautivadora presencia escénica.

Las imágenes que salpican el libro son un tesoro en sí mismas. Fotografías de la infancia de Jackson, sus actuaciones más emblemáticas y momentos íntimos de su vida ofrecen una mirada íntima al hombre detrás de la leyenda.

Si bien este libro no profundiza en los aspectos más controvertidos de la vida de Jackson, lo que nos ofrece es un retrato respetuoso y cariñoso de un artista que cautivó al mundo. Para aquellos que buscan una introducción a la vida de este ícono cultural, este libro es un punto de partida excelente.

Sin embargo, para aquellos fanáticos acérrimos que anhelan una inmersión más profunda en la compleja y fascinante vida de Michael Jackson, este libro puede resultar un poco superficial.

A pesar de esto, lo recomiendo como un homenaje visualmente atractivo y conciso a uno de los artistas más influyentes de nuestro tiempo. Es un libro que sin duda despertará la nostalgia de los fans y cautivará a las nuevas generaciones que buscan descubrir la magia del Rey del Pop.

[Antholo · Rating 2 out of 5]

El libro recoge un resumen de sus hitos profesionales, su huella en la historia de la música contemporánea , en la cultura popular y los principales circunstancias que rodearon su vida privada. Para los admiradores que ya hemos leído otros libros mucho más rigurosos y con fuentes primarias no hay nada nuevo, sirve para refrescarnos la memoria, contiene algunos errores de fechas. A destacar las fotos grandes y bastante buenas, algunas raras o poco vistas.
Para los no admiradores puede ser una buen volumen para introducirse en la figura de Michael Jackson.

El libro finaliza con una sección de tributes hacia Michael donde admiradores y amigos escriben sobre la importancia de su música y su labor humanitaria en sus vidas.

[Cristina Scurtoiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lectură ușoară, bogat ilustrată; am parcurs-o repede, în cel mult două ore. Nu am aflat prea multe lucruri noi, dar în esență a surprins viata acestei legende.

[Jeanettedianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great pictures but the writing in it does not tell you anything new or that you haven't heard before.

[Georgios Vousinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of brilliant photos, facts, records etc all together in a book that depicts the life of a true legend, the one and only King of POP......

[Adebayo Oyagbola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merely a pictorial - need I say more?