Suggested Reading: 14+
Michael Joseph Jackson (1958-2009)
Michael Jackson 1983
Nicknamed the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson is arguably the world’s most famous pop artist. With nine other musically talented siblings, his family formed the Motown group, Jackson 5, in the early 1960s. At the age of 5, Michael began serving as the lead singer in the band, kickstarting his rise to fame. Later in 1979, he released his first solo album separate from Motown, Off the Wall. His next album, Thriller, still stands as the best-selling album of all time, producing 7 songs that made it onto the Top 10 hits list. At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller earned a record-breaking 8 Grammys out of 12 nominations. In addition to singing, Jackson was an incredible performer and dancer who popularized the moonwalk and had a distinctive sense of fashion. However, Michael’s life was not always filled with unicorns and rainbows. In fact, in the 2000s his reputation became somewhat in shambles when he faced controversy regarding his abnormal behavior and allegations of child molestation. Nonetheless, the world lost a superstar when Michael Jackson passed away at the age of 50 in 2009 due to a drug overdose.
Michael Jackson 1993
Famous songs: Billie Jean, Beat it, Man in the Mirror, Smooth Criminal, I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
Elvis Aron Presley (1935-1977)
In his youth, Elvis Presley’s family was not wealthy and commonly moved from one place to another. His love for music first blossomed from listening to gospel music in the Assembly of God Church which he attended with his family. For his 11th birthday, his mother gifted him a guitar and he soon had set his eyes on being a professional musician. In 1954, he released his first single, “That’s All Right,” and by the year 1956, he achieved his first No.1 single, “Heartbreak Hotel.” That same year, he began working with Paramount Pictures and appeared in many television shows. Elvis took a short break from music in 1957 when he was drafted into the Army, but returned to stardom in 1960. Specifically, it was Presley’s unique music style that garnered him such a large fanbase (though his striking attractiveness helped as well) and earned him the title “King of Rock-n-Roll” or sometimes just “The King”. In 1977, the world was deeply saddened by his death, which was attributed to heart failure and drug addiction.
Famous songs: Can’t Help Falling in Love, Suspicious Minds, Burning Love, Jailhouse Rock, In the Ghetto
Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
Born and raised in New Jersey, Whitney Houston discovered her talent for singing at an early age as she often performed in church or with her mother and cousin, who were well-known gospel, soul and pop singers. Before she became world-renowned as a music artist, however, teenage Whitney was a desirable model, and was featured on the cover of Seventeen magazine. Upon finally being discovered at the age of 19, Whitney’s debut album, Whitney Houston, became a massive success and was at the top of the charts for a total of 14 weeks. Her next album, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, did just as well as the previous one, leading her to win her first Grammy and embark on a world tour. She even starred as the lead actress in the hit movie, The Bodyguard, in 1992. Yet in the early 2000s, Whitney faced a much darker phase, struggling with a broken marriage and substance abuse. She returned to singing in 2009 with a new album but unfortunately died only three years after from an accidental drowning in her Beverly Hills hotel room.
Famous songs: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I Have Nothing, I Will Always Love You, One Moment in Time, Greatest Love of All
Francis Albert Sinatra (Frank Sinatra) (1915-1998)
Every year when the timer ticks down to zero in the heart of Times Square and confetti rains down on the thousands of people gathered to celebrate the new year, the same song blasts from the speakers–New York, New York by Frank Sinatra. Frank Sinatra was first inspired to become a singer after watching performances by Bing Crosby and began performing gigs at nightclubs and for the radio. He was then discovered by a few bandleaders, including Harry James and Thomas Dorsey. Following success with the bands, he decided to go solo and produced several hit singles. In the year 1943, he starred in his first of many films, making him a highly-acclaimed actor as well as music artist. His performances on screen and stage earned him many awards, including Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes, not to mention the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. Well known for his trademark deep, jazzy voice, he was well-loved by admirers and given nicknames such as “The Voice” or “The Sultan of Swoon.” After 82 years, Frank Sinatra sadly passed away from a heart attack on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles.
Famous songs: New York, New York, Fly Me to the Moon, My Way, Come Fly With Me, Strangers in the Night
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (1958- )
Born in Michigan on August 16, 1958, Madonna’s childhood had many influences on her career as an artist. Her family’s Catholic beliefs and the devastating death of her mother when she was five led to her break barriers in her music, producing unconventional yet remarkable works. As a child, she was an intelligent and hardworking student, who went on to study at the University of Michigan with a fully paid dance scholarship. However two years into studying, she moved to New York and then France, which is where she discovered her passion for performing. After playing in several bands, she released her first album, Madonna. Gradually, she started to attract fans, who admired her music but also her sense of style–edgy and slightly scandalous. Besides music, she debuted as a movie star in 1986 and even wrote and produced a documentary named I Am Because We Are in 2008. Other recognitions and accomplishments that Madonna have achieved include: most gold-certified singles in the early 2000s (USA), 7 Grammys, “best-selling female recording artist of all time 2016”, 2 Golden Globes, 12 multi-platinum albums.
Famous songs: Like a Prayer, Vogue, La Isla Bonita, Hung Up, Material Girl
