MJ and Prince Through the Years
MJ and Prince Through the Years
Throughout their illustrious careers, comparisons have been drawn between Michael Jackson and Prince. From their timeless chart-topping classics and global mainstream appeal to their humble upbringing, religious beliefs and individual artistry, Michael Jackson and Prince have mirrored each other. In celebration of the two music icons being honored at 'BET Awards '10,' we match up the facts about their lives.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Got To Be There'
Jackson, seen here during a 1972 'Top of the Pops' television appearance, was poised for greatness. During that year, he released a total of four solo studio albums with the Motown Records label, among them 'Got to Be There' and 'Ben.'
MJ and Prince Through the Years
Purple Reign
Not only did the soundtrack to the film 'Purple Rain' spend 24 weeks atop the charts, but it also earned Prince an Academy Award for best original score. 'Purple Rain' sold more than 13 million copies and was the first project Prince recorded with his longtime band, the Revolution. The title track took home the 1985 Grammy for best group rock vocal; other hit singles included 'When Doves Cry,' 'I Would Die 4 U,' and 'Let's Go Crazy.' The landmark album made Prince a household name.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'I'll Be There'
During the mid-1970s, Michael Jackson evolved from kiddy-pop singer to teen music sensation. Not only did he achieve sterling success with his varied solo projects, the Gary, Indiana native simultaneously recorded hit records with his brothers under their new moniker, The Jacksons.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Pop Life'
Prince Rogers Nelson, the son of a jazz singer and a pianist songwriter, was born and raised in Minneapolis. Prince taught himself how to play piano, guitar and drums - all before the age of 14. He released his debut, 'For You,' in 1978, but it wasn't until 1980 that this eclectic singer-songwriter began making a name for himself with his second release, 'Dirty Mind.' The sexually explicit material included a very suggestive track about oral sex called 'Head.'
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Greatest Show On Earth'
Jackson played the Scarecrow in the 1978 film, 'The Wiz,' an elaborate re-envisioning of 'The Wizard of Oz,' directed by Sidney Lumet and starring a cavalcade of the biggest black celebrities of the time, most notably Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as The Tin Man, Ted Ross as The Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as Glenda The Good Witch and Richard Pryor in the title role.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Sign O' the Times'
For two shows at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Prince found himself in the lucky position of opening up for the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, his style choices got the young singer booed off the stage. Nevertheless, his 'Controversy' album (released later that year), coupled with his side projects with the funk band The Time, fueled the singer's popularity both stateside in addition to internationally.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'We've Got A Good Thing Going'
Jackson-- pictured here in 1980 reportedly after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine leading to his initial rhinoplasty surgeries -- was riding a wave of success from the Quincy Jones-produced 'Off The Wall' album. It sold millions of copies and garnered a slew of awards, including American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and a Grammy Award.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Money Don't Matter Tonight'
Prince has never been an artist consumed by celebrity or making money. At the height of his fame, he still managed to incorporate socially conscious records with MTV-friendly videos like 'Little Red Corvette' and 'Delirious.' One song in particular, 'Sister,' broached the topic of incest. His 1982 double disc '1999' sold more than 3 million copies.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Pretty Young Thing'
Jackson was considered a heartthrob to many of his female fans. During his heyday as an adult solo artist, he made the scene with and was romantically linked to a slew of celebrity women, including Stephanie Mills, Tatum O'Neal and Brooke Shields, whom he is pictured with February 7, 1984.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
Leslie Odom Jr.: We Are Not All Artists the Same
Kanye West & Beyonce Lead BET Award Nominations
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (82)
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By: tanzyp on 10/27/2010 12:01AM
I agree that Mr. Jackson deserves recognition for his work with his sons. While he may have been tough on the kids, they somehow managed to become mega stars recognized in the US and around the world. They didn't get there by accident, this was Joe's dream.
Mr. Jackson may have had poor parenting skills and yes, should have considered talking to his kids vs hitting, and shaming them. Today we know that there are better ways of managing our families, but back in the day, African American parents as a group, frequently used some pretty rough tactics to keep their kids in line.
I wouldn't nominate Joe Jackson for a father of the year award, but I can say that this is one black man that never left his kids; he ensured that they had an education, a spiritual upbringing, provided shelter and food, and yes structure. That alone entitles him to some consideration especially during this season of his life. Joe Jackson should be forgiven and provided for today.
Just think, if there was no Joe Jackson, there would have been no Jackson 5, and worse still, no Michael.
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By: Kathy Kennedy on 10/27/2010 2:48PM
I agree.
We must give credit where it is due.
The right to due process. Joe Jackson,
the biological father, made a significant
contribution to the success of Michael and
the other siblings. Let's keep this top of
mind - Do the right thing? Let's not get
this twisted and confused. My eyes are on
the sparrow and he watches over me.
Joe Jackson is not applauded for being the best
father but being the FATHER of famous Michael Jackson. Mr. Joe Jackson's positive influence and strict disciplinary skills was instrumental in Michael's success. This was a good thing not bad. It manifested to give birth to The Jackson Five - Yes! Mr. Joe Jackson's Dream not Michaels or his
siblings. Don't get this twisted or confused.
Keep this in perspective and be realistic about
the roots.
Mr. Joe Jackson helped mold and shape Michael to the fine finished product - Michael still lives
in our hearts and we are grateful for his remarkable performance and charity. Michael will
always be remembered, including the founder,
Mr. Joe Jackson.
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By: Beverly on 10/29/2010 7:42PM
That is so true. No one is perfect. Some of our parents may not have had much experience in rearing their kids, but Joe did make sure that the family had food, clothing, a place to stay, and he wanted his children to make something of their lives. I think too that he should be given some credit for what he did do, and be forgiven for that. He tried to show them a better life, and besides, scars can heal through time.
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By: kathe on 10/30/2010 11:24AM
we don't know what michael would be like without the type of parenting lack of skills his father had. he may have been just as popular just not so emotionally messed up.
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By: gk on 11/01/2010 2:14AM
Joe has been more than compensated for his efforts and for the success of his children. Michael obviously had good reason not to include his father in the will. Michael has stated that he forgave Joe, but he didn't forget, so that leaves me to think there is more on the abuse and ruling with an iron fist than has been admitted. Joe just wants to continue to live off of the coat tails of Michael and he made sure he couldn't.
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By: Lauaren on 10/31/2010 7:49PM
You have got to be kidding me! That monster scarred all of the Jackson children! Do you not see the damage he caused? Without Joe Moe....they would have been discovered somehow, somewhere....without the horrible abuse and lifelong and DEATH he caused! What a monster!
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By: Gopal Raj Kumar on 10/31/2010 10:27PM
Your comments are not based on fact but instead on reports that have been carried by the media and speculated upon by commentators even if they included Joe Jackson's own family members on occassion.
None of these allegations were tried in an open court and they are therefore not reliable or credible as facts.
Joe Jackson was and remains an integral part of the entertainment phenomenon we now know as the Jacksons, sitting at its peak, an incredibly talented individual entertainer, his late son Michael.
Regardless of how old Michael Jackson was at the time of his death, evidence (medical and coronial) appears to suggest he may not have been in full control of his faculties not only around the time of his death but also for considerable periods before to render any legal claim by his handlers sustainable.
The point of all of this is that Michael although resportedly managed by other entites who lay claim to his vast estate, cannot exclude Joe or other family members who all played an integral part in his career. It extends to his close and fillial as well as his sibling relationships.
Equity must intervene to exclude those who although with a legal (a stronger) claim to his estate may have acted unconsionably, oppressively and unlawfully in obtaining benefit from the estate of Michael whilst he was alive and after his death.
It must of course be proved that they or others had a part to play in rendering him incapable of giving proper consent to their legal rights to his estate.
Joe Jackson and his family do not need high powered lawyers acting for them. They need good ones instead and need to come down a step or two to achieve that outcome.
There is a broad base of lawyers who have an enduring interest in Michael's legacy who will collectively act if Joe wants it. We too love music and good entertainment. We too loved and continue to love Michael and all the Jacksons.
Gopal Raj Kumar
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By: Matt on 11/01/2010 12:17AM
One shouldn't necessarily be anointed for basic parenting. Michael's true feelings and experiences will never be known - however, Joe's omission from Michael's will speaks quite clearly.
I doubt his father will go hungry; judging from his expensive Super Fly clothing, I suspect Mama Jackson is funneling enough funds for his upkeep - although not enough for his quest for power and control.
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By: tracey on 11/04/2010 12:18PM
Micheal said in a few interviews that he forgave his father and loved him very much. He also said that he owed his success to his father. This will is so wrong, I DO NOT beleive Micheal wrote this will it is a FAKE. His whole family have been left out except his mum and his children. His kids get a small percentage and so does his mother??? charities are supposed to be benefitting but no one even knows if they are receiving anything!! Writen in this (FAKE) will it forbids his mother to contest it otherwise she is thrown out!!! WTF Michael would NEVER have written such a thing, all his kids names are spelt wrong in the will. All his unpublished music, stolen from a vault, is being sold off to $$$ony by the estate and Micheal always said they were for his children!!! Even his works of art are going under the hammer and he also said these were for his children!!!! FOR GOD SAKE someone with some balls needs to stand up to the estate, GOOD on Joe for trying to rein it back in, he can see for certain that something is going off, no wonder the fake will left him out, they knew he wouldn't take no shit, at least he's still trying, he definately knows something is not right. The will was even supposedly signed by Micheal on a day when he was hundreds of miles away ! I know he was special but even he couldn't pull that off....IT'S A FAKE AND HAS BEEN WRITTEN WITH ONLY AEG AND SONY IN MIND!!!!! $$$$ony even have the nerve to release a new album claiming it is Michael singing, Micheals family say it is not Micheal singing, even his kids are saying 'it is not Daddy's voice' and the estate are arguing with them over it!!!!!!!!! WHAT A RIP OFF... This Is Not It was not a big enough scam for them full of body doubles, now they try and fool us even more. PLEASE DONT BUY ANYTHING released by $$ony they are EVIL. They more than likey had something to do with Micheals murder, as it seems he is worth more dead than alive!!!!!!!
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By: Tracey on 11/04/2010 12:28PM
Oh and just to add a spanner in the works. I heard/read somewhere that $$$ony reported a massive loss, in the billions, around March 2009!!!!! A few months later their biggest money making plot surfaced with Micheal's murder????? Who had become weak, disorientated, underweight and under immense pressure to do 60 shows he knew nothing about. People he sacked years ago began crawling out of the woodwork just in time for the death of Michael!!!!
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