Michael Jackson: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/michael-jackson/bio 

Official Site: http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/home

Michael debuted with his brothers in The Jackson 5 in 1964. He initiated a solo career in 1971 and became a superstar in 1979. By 1984, he was in a league of his own.

Got To Be There (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dp2FiFfCNY

Rockin’ Robin (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2vzTKh-O5c

Ben (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1dAQN5QcZU

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZorRGrDiMsA

Rock With You (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0

The Girl is Mine w/Paul McCartney (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHp0s2wKajw

Billie Jean (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

Beat It w/Eddie Van Halen (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2wtC91_0U

Human Nature (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSXjHyaDAHo

Say Say Say w/Paul McCartney (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEhh_XpJ-0

He changed the culture at the Motown 25 celebration:

Jackson suffered major injuries when his scalp caught fire filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. That same year, he bought the Beatles catalogue.

He co-wrote “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwblvqir-s

Jackson broke down racial barriers in music and opened the door for hip hop. In the late 80s, his skin lightened leading to rumors of bleaching. He claimed he had a skin disorder.

Bad (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUXAEzaC3Q

The Way You Make Me Feel (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As

Man in the Mirror (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

Dirty Diana (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUi_S6YWjZw

Smooth Criminal (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4

He suffered living in the tabloids….

Leave Me Alone (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Ijqp7YxQU

Black or White (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MqRrbEvI_w

Remember the Time (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc

Taking on the other MJ in hoops:

Jam (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHI1yI1Ndk

Then things got really weird. He was accused of molestation and married Lisa Marie Presley (1993-94):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPl5yjn_W-c

Scream w/Janet Jackson (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4A1K4lXDo

You Are Not Alone (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAyKJAtDNCw

The hits began to dry up as he became more and more a national punchline.

You Rock My World (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7ABIM2qjU

Jackson was tried for abuse, but acquitted. He died of an overdose in 2009. His personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Behind the Mask (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWZLlkR9th8

The Jackson 5: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1997

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-jackson-five/bio/

The Jackson 5 formed in 1964 and remained active until 1990. They reached their peak in the 1970s as they combined soul, R&B, pop, and disco.

Their father guided their early careers and the band often played dive bars and strip clubs.  They recorded their first single in 1967 and it was released in January 1968.

Big Boy (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-mqVVj0PyU

They signed with Motown in 1968.

I Want You Back (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QwaGnsQez4&feature=related

 ABC (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7796-au8U

In the early 70s, Jacksonmania struck America.

I’ll Be There (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-apaIOOoAo

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61uYA6qveOY

Never Can Say Goodbye (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snihdG1rE0Y

Dancing Machine (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSjn3CAC5zI

In 1975, they moved to CBS. Motown remained mired in the 60s. The Jackson 5 needed a change.

Forever Came Today (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7omcgFPUJkc

In 1978, Michael appeared in The Wiz. He released Off the Wall the following year and the Jackson 5 never recovered as Michael became a huge star.

Torture (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jiBhKRaZsw

They released their final album in 1989 and disbanded.

A miniseries debuted: The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)

The Jacksons reunited in 2001 to celebrate Michael’s solo career.

In 2012, the surviving members announced a reunion tour.

Stevie Wonder: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1989

His career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

 http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder/bio/

Born: May 13, 1950
He went blind shortly after birth.
1961: He was discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles. He introduced Stevie Wonder to Berry Gordy, who was impressed and signed him.

Fingertips Pt 2 (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iioFz1wA1pY

Uptight (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbyOLzEyfk

I Was Made to Love Her (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es

For Once in My Life (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxVyaYuGYE

Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXC_lab-34

From 1972-1976: Stevie Wonder released some of the greatest albums of all time with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life.

Superstition (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

Living for the City (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rid-xkNS67Q

You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go

Higher Ground (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnbdXWvmysg

A shot at Richard Nixon...

You Haven’t Done Nothin’ w/the Jackson 5 (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2ma2mfyhU

I Wish (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKYka-PNt0

Sir Duke (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH36ugGsy4M

Send One Your Love (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMvVYCV-d8E

Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyqClwGu_Sk

Ebony and Ivory w/Paul McCartney (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmALA8miQY8

I Just Called to Say I Love You (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOU3bnuU0k&ob=av2e

Part Time Love (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6LLGePYwM

That’s What Friends Are For w/Elton John, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbnua2kSa8

My Eyes Don’t Cry (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgH2yswwywI

Fun Day (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uk5f8ZGz1o

Gotta Have You (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_-RfTmAl0

So What The Fuss (2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6dvy4m-LyE

Superbowl XL Pregame Show (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvyZsIbX9jE

Obama Inaugural (2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTA_J37kKx4

Special Olympics in Greece (2011):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_CYCLqipqM

Berry Gordy: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/berry_gordy_jr/bio/

Motown site:
http://www.motown.com/

Berry dropped out of school to be a boxer and got drafted to fight in Korea. He worked as a janitor before Jackie Wilson recorded his “Reet Petite.”

Reet Petite by Jackie Wilson (1957):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ3-NnNx6Zs

Gordy also co-wrote “Lonely Teardrops” for Wilson and “All I Could Do Was Cry” for Etta James. He took the money from songwriting and reinvested it eventually creating Motown Records.

The First Motown Release: Bad Girl by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1959):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca9pyyu7dpM

Shop Around by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1960): helped put Motown on the map
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM

Please Mr. Postman by the Marvelettes (1961): Motown’s first #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dVt11UZ0uA

My Guy by Mary Wells (1964):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgwpHYzcwUA

Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc

My Girl by the Temptations (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8

You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyxVYl8DrKI

Uptight by Stevie Wonder (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbyOLzEyfk

Reach Out I’ll Be There (1966): Notice the change in tone from earlier Motown hitshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvoPOrBm-4w

I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye (1968):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajBdDM2qdg

ABC by the Jackson 5 (1970):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOXG8wtxx_w

The Tears of a Clown (1970):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2kxlZDOHeQ

What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5c5o85SGo

In 1972, Gordy relocated Motown Records to Los Angeles.

Lady Sings the Blues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z39AXp-uWzQ

The company continued into the eighties, but never achieved its previous success. Gordy sold the company in 1988.

In 2006, Dream Girls based its character Curtis Taylor Jr. on Gordy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owpvh1821tU