by Michael Jackson’s Musical Journey: The Artists Who Shaped the King of Pop’s Creative Vision
Michael Jackson’s legendary music career was shaped and influenced by an eclectic mix of artists from various genres. As a passionate student of music, Jackson absorbed techniques and styles from his idols and influences, blending them with his own creative vision to develop his iconic sound. Here are 10 of the most significant artists who left an indelible impact on Michael Jackson’s artistic identity.
James Brown: The Godfather of Jackson’s Dance Moves
Widely known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown had an instrumental impact on Michael Jackson’s performance style and signature dance moves. Jackson was fascinated by Brown’s boundless energy and revolutionary dance techniques like the Mashed Potato, the Camel Walk, and the Good Foot.
In particular, Brown’s fast splits and spins viewed in his live performances of songs like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “Super Bad” inspired some of Jackson’s most memorable dance steps. Jackson integrated Brown’s rhythmic grunts and dramatic showmanship into his own captivating stage presence. His synchronized dance routines and high-powered dance breaks in hits like “Billie Jean” and “Bad” reflect the influence of James Brown’s exhilarating style.
Jackie Wilson: The Blueprint for Emotive Performances
With his dynamic vocals and passionate performance style, soul singer Jackie Wilson was a huge inspiration for Jackson. Jackson was greatly impressed by Wilson’s ability to deliver exciting live shows and connect intimately with audiences. He studied techniques like Wilson’s wide vocal range, falsetto trills, and emotive phrasing to inject similar feeling into his own performance style.
Wilson’s impassioned delivery of soulful ballads like “Lonely Teardrops” and “That’s Why (I Love You So)” laid the foundation for Jackson’s abilities as a versatile and emotive vocalist across different genres. The intimate vocal stylings and heartfelt delivery Jackson showcased in hits like “She’s Out of My Life” and “Human Nature” were clearly influenced by the original soul man Jackie Wilson.
Diana Ross: A Supreme Role Model
As the glamorous lead singer of The Supremes, Diana Ross was both a musical and fashion icon to Michael Jackson. He saw Ross as the epitome of class, style and sophistication and studied her stage presence closely as a member of The Jackson 5.
Jackson credited Ross for teaching him a great deal about poise, charm and excellence as an entertainer. Her silky smooth vocals and glitzy on-stage ensembles inspired him to bring unmatched polish to his own performances. Many of Jackson’s techniques like speaking directly to the audience between songs were clearly modelled on Ross’s commanding stage presence. Their early duets like “Ease on Down the Road” laid the foundation for his maturity as a vocalist.
Fred Astaire: The Epitome of Grace and Precision
The consummate song-and-dance man Fred Astaire was one of Jackson’s foremost influences as a dancer. Jackson was mesmerized by Astaire’s seamless precision, fluid grace and innovative choreography in musicals like Top Hat, Swing Time and Royal Wedding.
He studied Astaire’s work intently to incorporate elements like his perfectionism and seemingly effortless smoothness into his own choreography and style. The playful elegance and toe-tapping energy Jackson brought to dance numbers in hits like “Smooth Criminal”, “The Way You Make Me Feel” and his famous Moonwalk clearly reflect Astaire’s influence. Jackson credited Astaire’s films for teaching him how to create magic through dance.
Sammy Davis Jr: King of All-Round Entertainment
Michael Jackson saw Sammy Davis Jr. as the consummate entertainer and admired his versatility as a singer, dancer, impressionist and actor. Davis’s high energy singing and dancing combined with his charm, humor and ability to connect with audiences of all backgrounds inspired Jackson tremendously.
Jackson incorporated aspects of Davis Jr.’s vaudeville-style showmanship into his own elaborate stage shows and live performances. Drawing from Davis Jr. classics like “Candy Man” and “Mr. Bojangles”, Jackson brought an intimate, conversational tone to his own tracks like “Human Nature” and “She’s Out of My Life”. Like his idol Davis Jr., Jackson strived to be a well-rounded entertainer who could delight audiences across generations.
Stevie Wonder: A Musical Genius and Innovator
Stevie Wonder’s prodigious musical talents and genre-blending artistic experiments greatly inspired Jackson’s own sound. Jackson was enthralled by Wonder’s ability to meld diverse musical elements into unique soul-pop albums like Talking Book and Innervisions. He learned lessons in versatility, innovation and pushing creative boundaries from Wonder’s visionary approach.
Wonder’s use of synthesizers and electronic textures were a key influence on Jackson’s groundbreaking productions on Off The Wall and Thriller. The lush, harmonically rich texture of Wonder classics like “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Sir Duke” echo through many layers of Jackson’s iconic tracks. Jackson also credited Wonder’s socially conscious lyrics for inspiring his own humanitarian worldview.
David Bowie: A Fearless Artistic Trailblazer
Michael Jackson saw British rocker David Bowie as one of his most important influences for his avant-garde artistic style and daring theatricality. Jackson admired Bowie’s boldness to embrace the unlabeled outsider and constantly reinvent himself through music and fashion.
Bowie’s experimental albums like Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust opened Jackson’s eyes to rock music’s potential for innovation. He also appreciated Bowie’s flair for the dramatic, adopting a more striking and androgynous look in his own stage image. Jackson integrated concepts from Bowie’s theatrical rock songs and pioneering visual storytelling into the elaborate productions of his world tours and music videos.
The Bee Gees: The Magic Behind Michael’s Early Smashes
Australian pop group The Bee Gees, comprising the trio of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, played a central role in crafting Michael Jackson’s early solo hits that catapulted him to stardom. The Bee Gees wrote and producedfunk-disco songs like “You Should Be Dancing” and “Jive Talkin.” This successful melding of R&B rhythms with pop melodies greatly appealed to Jackson.
Jackson’s work with The Bee Gees on his breakout solo album Off The Wall resulted in huge disco-flavored hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” The Bee Gees’ falsetto-driven harmonies, groove-based arrangements and studio expertise profoundly shaped Jackson’s musical direction. Jackson continued emulating their production techniques and shimmering pop sound on later smash hits like “Rock With You”, “Billie Jean” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”
Prince: A Musical Prodigy and Visionary
Fellow pop prodigy Prince was both a friendly rival and an inspiration for Michael Jackson. Jackson admired Prince’s overflowing musical talents as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer evident in his classic albums like Purple Rain and Sign O’ The Times. He saw parallels between Prince’s and his own work ethic and pursuit of excellence.
Jackson learned lessons in experimentation from Prince’s blend of genres like funk, pop, rock and synth pop. Prince’s provocative lyrics and iconic fusion of sexuality and spirituality in songs like “When Doves Cry” and “Darling Nikki” inspired Jackson’s own forays into more personal expression with tracks like “Billie Jean” and “Dirty Diana.” The two superstars pushed each other artistically and drove their respective innovation in 80s pop music.
Quincy Jones: The Mastermind Behind Jackson’s Greatest Hits
If there was one key mentor who helped Michael Jackson achieve mega-stardom, it was legendary producer Quincy Jones. As the producer on Jackson’s albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad, Jones played an instrumental role in shaping the King of Pop’s iconic sound.
Jones expertly guided Jackson in honing his style and realizing his full artistic potential. His impeccable pop sensibilities helped balance Jackson’s edgier rock and R&B influences into a blend with mass pop appeal. Jones also assembled top studio talent to create the sonic wizardry behind Jackson’s biggest hits. From the pop-funk mastery of “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” to the cinematic scale of “Thriller”, Quincy Jones was the zenmaster who cultivated Michael Jackson’s talent into all-time greatness.
Michael Jackson created magic by absorbing diverse influences and channeling them through his own unique artistic filter. His insatiable musical curiosity, work ethic and creativity fused with the lessons learned from his heroes resulted in transcendent art that continues to inspire generations of listeners around the globe. The King of Pop’s throne rests on the shoulders of musical giants from whom he took inspiration to moonwalk into greatness.
