by Michael Jackson’s Beloved Pastime: The King of Pop’s Lifelong Love of Reading
Michael Jackson will forever be remembered as the King of Pop, a legendary musical icon who revolutionized pop music and dance. However, few people realize that reading was one of Jackson’s most beloved pastimes throughout his life. Jackson was an avid reader who amassed a vast library of books on a wide range of topics at his Neverland Ranch.
From a young age, Jackson always had a book in hand. He read voraciously, using books as an escape from the pressures of fame and an opportunity to constantly learn and grow. Jackson’s love of reading shaped both his music and philanthropic efforts to promote literacy and access to books worldwide.
The Origins of Jackson’s Love of Reading
Michael Jackson’s passion for reading began in his childhood. Despite a demanding career that catapulted him to stardom at an early age as part of the Jackson 5, he always made time for books. Jackson was often photographed offstage reading a book, even during breaks from rehearsals and concerts.
In interviews over the years, Jackson credited his mother Katherine with instilling a love of reading in him and his siblings. As Jackson described in a 1979 interview, “When we were little, my mother would sit in the living room and read to us – me, Janet, and Randy. That’s where I get my love of reading from.”
Katherine Jackson made regular trips to the library, allowing each child to check out several books. At home, Michael would eagerly flip through his selections, getting lost in stories that provided an escape from the pressures of fame. The family did not own a television until Michael turned 16 in 1974, so reading was a primary source of entertainment and education.
Building His Personal Library
As Michael Jackson’s star rose, so did his access to books. He became an avid book collector, building an extensive personal library at his homes, especially the sprawling Neverland Ranch. At the height of his career in the 1980s, Jackson spent millions per year on books. His library swelled to over 10,000 books ranging from rare first editions to paperbacks.
Jackson’s library contained books covering a diverse array of genres and topics. As a history buff, he owned numerous biographies and books about historical events, social movements, and world cultures. Neverland was filled with art books featuring the works of Jackson’s favorite visual artists. He maintained an extensive collection of philosophy and psychology texts, gravitating towards books about self-help, spirituality, and human behavior. Jackson’s library included many classics of fiction, poetry, science fiction, and fantasy.
The library served as Jackson’s sanctuary. He would spend hours browsing the shelves, pulling books down to flip through them, always curious and eager to learn. For Jackson, reading was a cherished escape, an opportunity to explore new worlds beyond the confines of fame. It was also a valuable educational tool that allowed the inquisitive musician to transform his creative vision over the decades.
Literary Influences on Jackson’s Music
Michael Jackson’s lifelong love of books directly influenced his songwriting. He often wove literary references and allusions into his lyrics. For example, his 1982 smash hit “Thriller” mentions Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven.”
Jackson’s 1991 chart-topper “Dangerous” samples audio from the establishing shots of toddlers playing in the 1983 sci-fi film “Gorky Park.” Jackson’s Grammy-winning 1995 hit “Scream” was inspired by Bettelheim’s “The Uses of Enchantment,” containing references to fairy tales. The space opera aesthetics of his albums and music videos also mirror Jackson’s passion for science fiction.
Besides direct references, Jackson also modeled lyrics on literary styles. “Smooth Criminal” takes its name and story structure from the Sherlock Holmes tale “The Adventure of the Dancing Men.” The song “Little Susie” is written from the perspective of a ghost, reflecting Jackson’s interest in horror. Much of Jackson’s writing played with fiction and fantasy motifs, showing the scope of his literary knowledge.
Jackson Promotes Literacy and Library Funding
Along with nurturing his personal love of reading, Michael Jackson devoted much of his philanthropy to promoting literacy and improving access to books. In 1989, Jackson co-wrote and recorded “We Are the World” to raise funds to fight famine in Africa. Proceeds also went to African aid organizations that built schools and libraries.
Throughout the 1990s, Jackson donated millions of dollars to literacy campaigns like Books for Africa and the Children’s Action Network. He endowed scholarships at historically black colleges to support African American students pursuing education degrees. The aim was to diversify the teaching workforce to provide better representation for non-white students.
In 1995, Jackson launched the Michael Jackson Read-A-Thon, run in partnership with publisher Scholastic. It encouraged kids to spend more time reading for fun. Participants logged reading hours and got sponsors to make pledges paying by the hour read. All funds went towards library donations and literacy programs. Over 4,000 schools participated, reading for nearly a million reported hours.
Jackson also advocated for increased federal funding for libraries. He personally lobbied President Bill Clinton to support the Improving America’s Schools Act. The act increased funding for school libraries, especially expanding access to computers, internet connectivity, and audiovisual resources. Its passage in 1994 owed much to Jackson’s star power as a literacy advocate.
Continuing the Legacy
Even after Michael Jackson’s untimely death in 2009, his legacy as a lifelong reader continues to inspire others. Fans gain insight into Jackson’s inner life through the library he left behind. In 2011, the Library of Congress acquired 22 books from Jackson’s personal collection. It exhibited the books to showcase Jackson’s interests and spread his literacy message.
Today, the Heal the World Foundation founded by Jackson’s Estate continues his philanthropic efforts to promote reading and literacy worldwide. It donates books and funds libraries through initiatives like the annual “Giving Tree”. Jackson’s children have also picked up the mantle of his legacy, reading stories to kids at schools and hospitals.
Michael Jackson’s lifelong passion for books should motivate us all to pick up a book more often. Reading expands our minds, enhances empathy, and connects us to worlds beyond our personal experience. Books were a magical gateway for Jackson. Let the King of Pop’s love of reading inspire you to read more, share books, and help spread the joy of literature to others. Just as he wanted through his music and philanthropy, Michael Jackson’s legacy can make the world a better place full of readers.
