On June 25, 2009, Michael Joseph Jackson died aged 50. He was singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor, named the “King of Pop” and regarded as one of the most important artists in the history of the popular music and culture. His 1982 album “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time and the video clips for his songs “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” turned down the racial barriers and transformed the music videos into an art form. Jackson is the most awarded artists in the history of the modern music – he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, he was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame” and in to the “Dance Hall of Fame” as the first and only dancer from pop and rock music. He is multiple winner of “Guinness World Records”, he won thirteen “Grammy Awards”, the “Grammy Legend Award”, the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”, twenty six “American Music Awards”, he was voted the “Artist of the Century” and “Artist of the 1980s”. In his solo career, Jackson had thirteen number-one singles in the US, he is the only artist to have top ten singles in the “Billboard Hot 100” and sold more than four hundred millions records worldwide. For his humanitarian job and activities, in 2000, Jackson was recognized by the “Guinness World Records” as the most humanitarian entertainer in the history, supporting 39 various charities.
Tag Archives: 1982
Frank Sinatra
On May 14, 1998, Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra died aged 82. He was singer, actor, director and producer, regarded as one of the most popular and important artists in the history of the modern music.
John Belushi
On March 5, 1982, comedian and singer John Belushi died aged 33. Belushi was one of the original cast members of “NBC” comedy show “Saturday night live”, he appeared in the movies “National Lampoon’s animal house” and in “Neighbors” but his most memorable role was “Joliet ‘Jake’ Blues” in the 1980 movie “The Blues brothers”. His tombstone epitaph says “I may be gone, but rock n roll lives on”.
Alex Harvey
On February 4, 1982, Alex Harvey died aged 47. He was singer and songwriter, in 1959 he formed “Alex Harvey Big Soul Band”, in 1960’s the band “Tear Gas” and he is best known as leader of the “Sensational Alex Harvey Band”. He suffered heart attack on a ferry, after performing a concert in Belgium with his new band “The Electric Cowboys”.
Lightnin’ Hopkins
On January 30, 1982, Sam John Hopkins aka Lightnin’ Hopkins died aged 70. He was musician (guitar, piano), singer and songwriter, influenced many famous musicians such as Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix.
Max’s Kansas City
On December 31, 1982, New York City venue “Max’s Kansas City” closed down. Among the other music acts this venue was starting point for The New York Dolls, Bruce Springsteen and The Velvet Underground.