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.

[sly_64]

He''s a freak at 50

[billpl-2009]

congrat''s Michael

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

[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.

[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 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.

[erasmus81]

ChicagoRail1j

I''m a girl, not a guy.

[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.

[tscc2]

Puke!

[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!

[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.