Michael Jackson: Still A Thriller At 50?

King Of Pop, Turning 50, Has Gone From Stellar Performer To Recluse

(CBS)  King of Pop Michael Jackson has turned 50.

Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman took a closer look at the career of the megastar, who grew up in the media spotlight and has the battle scars to prove it.

Jackson has dazzled us with his talent for 40 years.

With his unforgettable catchy Jackson Five tunes and incredible stage presence, the public has been infatuated with the shining child star turned awkward adult, who reached international superstardom.

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Photos: Nifty At Fifty

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As soon as Jackson glided across the stage with his signature moonwalk dance, it was all over from there — fans were immediately hooked.

His album "Thriller," released in 1982, was a chart-topper that set the bar for pop music.

In recent years, however, the pop icon has become more of a recluse and somewhat of a lost soul. The last photo shown to the public of Jackson was of him in a wheelchair.

Headlines about Jackson were no longer about his music; instead there were stories of plastic surgery and strange behavior. He dangled his baby from a balcony and most damaging to his image was his 2005 trial for child molestation.

Kauffman sat down with Jackson's lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. to discuss the outcome of the child molestation case and its aftermath.

"Because it was not guilty across the board, including four misdemeanors, I think that's a very close to total vindication," Mesereau said.

Regardless of being found not guilty, Jackson disappeared from public view and now calls Las Vegas home and according to his family, he is doing just fine.

"We always get together with family functions and stuff, and he's doing well, much better," Jackson's niece Genevieve Jackson told Kauffman.

And Jackson has not thrown in the towel just yet when it comes to making music.

"We have plenty of music left in the future, as you know. Michael is recording, the Jackson brothers are recording," his brother Tito Jackson told Kauffman.

"I'm told he's trying to do something spectacular and very important," Mesereau added.

In the meantime, the younger Jackson generation is continuing the family tradition of making music.

"Fifty is just the beginning. Happy Birthday. You're going to enjoy it," Tito Jackson said.

And in true Jackson fashion, Genevieve Jackson ended the interview singing the Happy Birthday song.

[mandalay-bay]

yay!

As a 56 Year Old Marine, I can tell you that MJ will always be the King of Pop. Happy Birthday!

[barbaraf4]

So much talent. Such a waste. The Howard Hughes of Rock and Roll.

[thisandthat1]

He''s a freak ..... period!

[no2zeebas]

I guess cbs don''t like their boy being called the p word...How bout this cbs...he enjoys the intimate companionship of young children...he steals their innocence...he steals cherries...

[sociald63]

i think cbs meant still a perv at 50

[thisandthat1]

He was able to somewhat pull off "the look" when he was young because he was an "eccentric artist" .... now at 50, he''s just plain creepy looking!

[pirmin3]

That worthless creep should go back to the middle east where he has his little boys stashed. Deport that waste of space.

[jehovahwtnss]

Couldn''t agree with you more pirmin. Jacko, Idiot Extraordinaire has got to be one of the most stupid people on god''s good earth. He will certainly not be one of the 144,000 so at least I won''t have to see his ugly face in heaven

[blackyowe]

Freak of nature and pathetic wretch of a man is Jackson. I wish he would craw back under his rock and leave us be its been nice not hearing about his screwed up life.

[joe_transit]

So what, MJ does not deserve front page here. What he does is not news worthy. He is a master of manipulation, be it of the press or of little boys, most people view him as a criminal. I have nothing but pity for him, the way he wraps his children up to conceal their faces and uses them for publicity as if he is superior is appalling. He has some serious complexes about his face, and should. It''s been willingly destroyed. There are far more talented performers but once again the news has been punked by MJ for his own personal modus operandi. Listening to him whine about not having a boyhood is as old as listening to McCain whine about being a POW. Move on already, we all have issues, lets not dwell on them. It''s time for him to change fashion, dressing up as a doorman circus monkey is old, his hair is old, his face is old, his music is old and my god at 50 he is old. A Madonna he is not, she''ll last forever. Maybe a Vegas act, if he could stop being a liar and actually hold to a contract. He grabs attention for being strange, for pedophilia, and for chopping up his face and bleaching his skin and stuff like that, not because he still can sing and dance like he use too.

[engymass2]

Regardless of where he''s at now... I, and millions of others, enjoyed that time when he was up. Not doing good now, but you could argue he was the biggest star ever !!

[shameonbush]

"MICHAEL JACKSON, STILL A THRILLER AT 50?" I cannot believe that CBS would put that title on a Michael Jackson story. He''s a pedophile that should be behind bars. I don''t care how old he is, CBS shouldn''t insult us with their shallow title on a story regarding a child molester.

[lmocca-2009]

CBS news thanks for this report. There are so many people who want to hear about the KING of music Michael Jackson. They are the "silent" MAJORITY!

[tscc2]

Puke!

[erasmus81]

Posted by ChicagoRail1 at 09:54 AM : Aug 30, 2008

Now that was a better post. You only need ONE to make a point. See, I knew you could act like a normal human being. Just takes a little effort.

[erasmus81]

ChicagoRail1j

I''m a girl, not a guy.

[fragglerawk]

Happy Birthday Mr. Jackson!

You''re a legend, you mean a lot to people. Don''t think that silly trolls on the internet speak for the majority. We know you didn''t so ***, that''s why you were found INNOCENT on every single count. Those greedy grifters should rot for trying to destroy your career for $$$. Can''t wait for the new album! Best of luck.


James, 17, Mississipi.

[blackyowe]

Self mutilation is a mental illness. Look at what he has done to his own face and your can see he is a sick soul in anguish. Burn victims look more pleasing to the eye quite frankly. I couldn''t watch him in concert. I wish he would stay away from the limelight so I didn''t have to think about him. I turned 50 this year.

[fragglerawk]

Happy 50th Birthday MJ!

Well done for being so strong through the hard times, but don''t forget the good times either and all the success you''ve had, you''ve bought joy to the hearts of millions through the medium of music. I love your Thriller album.

God bless you.

P.S I''m posting again, because I can''t see my previous comment, hmm, weird.

[billpl-2009]

congrat''s Michael

...but I liked you better when you were a black man

[sly_64]

He''s a freak at 50