by Michael Jackson was one of the most influential pop stars of all time, known for his groundbreaking music videos, iconic dance moves, and unparalleled showmanship. However, Jackson did not achieve his unprecedented success in a vacuum – he was inspired and influenced by many legendary artists who came before him. Throughout his career, Jackson admired the work of James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross, David Bowie, and Marvin Gaye, incorporating elements of their styles into his own unique brand of music and performance.
James Brown: The Godfather of Soul
Of all the artists who inspired Jackson, James Brown may have been the single biggest influence. Brown was a pioneer of funk music in the 1960s and 1970s with his intense live shows and complex dance routines. His energetic singing and dancing style pushed the limits of what was considered possible on stage. Jackson would later say that “ever since I was a small child, no more than like six years old, my mother would wake me no matter what time it was, if I was sleeping, no matter what I was doing, to watch the James Brown show.”
Jackson studied Brown’s performances intensely and sought to emulate his charismatic energy and precision footwork. He admired Brown’s athleticism and stamina, trying to replicate the splits, slides, and spins that were Brown’s signature moves. Jackson even sought advice directly from Brown early in his career, incorporating the legendary artist’s feedback into his own developing style. The influence of Brown can be seen in Jackson’s choreography, especially in hits like “Billie Jean” and “Smooth Criminal.” He brought Brown’s funky rhythms and live wire showmanship to a mainstream pop audience.
Jackson was also deeply inspired by Brown’s pioneering status as an African American artist. Brown helped shatter racial barriers and stereotypes through his talent and popularity. This pathbreaking aspect of Brown’s career resonated strongly with Jackson, who also sought to challenge prejudice and bring black music to new audiences worldwide. Throughout his life, Jackson openly acknowledged Brown as one of his primary inspirations and idols, cementing Brown’s status as one of the most influential artists in music history.
Jackie Wilson: The Entertainer
Another major influence on Jackson’s showmanship was Jackie Wilson, a legendary R&B and soul singer from the 1950s and 1960s. Known as “Mr. Excitement,” Wilson was famous for his acrobatic dance moves, powerful vocals, and ability to work a live crowd into a frenzy. He introduced dramatic flourishes like backflips, splits, and dramatic swooning into his performances. Wilson’s flashy style, derived from influences like James Brown, helped establish a new paradigm for soul and R&B concert entertainment.
Jackson admired Wilson’s sheer athleticism and stamina on stage. He studied Wilson’s live performances closely, taking notes on his intricate dance routines and dramatic physicality. Like Brown, Wilson pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible in a live show. His showmanship set the bar for artists looking to connect with audiences through dynamic visuals as well as pure musical talent. Jackson sought to synthesize Wilson’s brand of over-the-top entertainment with his own unique talents as a singer, dancer, and performer.
The influence of Wilson can be seen in many of Jackson’s most iconic dance moves and music videos. Songs like “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Beat It” showcase Jackson’s ability to engage viewers with captivating physicality, just as Wilson had done decades earlier. Jackson brought Wilson’s acrobatic style to new heights of technical precision and pop cultural ubiquity. Both artists made a profound impact by setting a new precedent for the visual and athletic components of live musical performance.
Diana Ross: Early Mentorship
Another artist who served as an early inspiration and mentor for Jackson was Diana Ross. As lead singer of The Supremes, Ross rose to superstardom in the 1960s alongside record producer Berry Gordy at Motown Records. She took the Jackson 5 under her wing when they signed with Motown in 1968 and became a friend and role model to the young Michael.
Ross helped groom Michael and his brothers’ stage presence as they began performing nationally. She gave them advice on everything from choreography to interacting with audiences. Michael was in awe of Ross’ charisma, vocal talent, and glamour as a black female superstar. Her success as a black artist achieving mainstream popularity was hugely inspiring to him at a formative age. Ross showed Michael that ambition and talent could allow an artist to transcend racial barriers.
Ross’ mentorship was instrumental in Michael’s early development as a performer. He learned from her example of how to command a stage and connect with fans. Her guidance helped polish his natural talents and charisma. Throughout his career, Michael spoke fondly of Ross and the doors she helped open for him in the music industry. Her pioneering role as a black diva and superstar remained an inspiration as he broke even more barriers on the global pop stage.
David Bowie: Creative Innovation
While Brown, Wilson, and Ross represented key early influences, Michael Jackson also admired artists pushing musical and cultural boundaries in new directions. One such artist was David Bowie, a revolutionary figure in rock music and pop culture in the 1970s. Bowie challenged norms with his androgynous persona, theatrical performances, and genre-blending sounds. He had a profound impact on popular music by bringing avant-garde influences to the top of the charts.
Jackson was deeply fascinated by Bowie’s creative fearlessness and willingness to experiment. He admired how Bowie incorporated elements of kabuki theater, glam rock, and science fiction into his music videos and albums. This set a precedent for ambitious multi-media storytelling that would later inspire Jackson’s own short films like “Thriller.” Bowie’s genre-defying approach to music and visuals also gave Jackson permission to push pop conventions in bold new directions.
The influence of Bowie can be heard in Jackson’s more experimental works like “Billie Jean” with its funky bassline and “Stranger in Moscow” with its somber tone. Both songs demonstrate Jackson’s desire to blend disparate styles and subvert expectations, just as Bowie had done so influentially. Throughout his career, Jackson remained dedicated to creative evolution, a principle inspired greatly by Bowie’s avant-garde spirit and refusal to stagnate artistically. Bowie opened Michael’s eyes to pop music’s potential for progressive social commentary and genre-bending artistry.
Marvin Gaye: Emotive Soul
While many artists influenced Jackson’s showmanship and visual style, Marvin Gaye was one of the primary inspirations for his emotive, soulful ballads. In the 1970s, Gaye crafted some of the most beautiful and politically conscious soul music of all time with albums like What’s Going On and I Want You. His vulnerable, intimate vocals conveyed profound messages of spirituality, sexuality and social justice.
Gaye’s influence can be heard strongly in Jackson’s most emotional hits like “Man in the Mirror,” “Will You Be There,” and “Earth Song.” These songs demonstrate Jackson’s mastery of conveying deep feeling through subtle vocal nuances, much like Gaye had done so effectively. Gaye also pushed social and political boundaries with his music in a way that resonated deeply with Jackson’s own ambitions. His albums tackled issues like the Vietnam War, environmental protection and more – topics Jackson would also address in his own works.
Beyond his vocal approach, Gaye showed Jackson that soul music could be a vehicle for commentary on weighty issues facing society. This emboldened Jackson to use his massive platform to raise awareness on everything from healing the world to standing up against oppression. Gaye opened doors for the soulful exploration of spirituality and activism within mainstream black pop music. His influence helped elevate Jackson’s artistry to new heights of social consciousness and emotive expression.
Conclusion: An Icon Inspired
Through the examples set by Brown, Wilson, Ross, Bowie and Gaye, Michael Jackson absorbed a wide array of inspirations that shaped him into the singular performer and pop icon he became. He took the raw energy of Brown, the acrobatic showmanship of Wilson, the mentorship and glamour of Ross, the avant-garde spirit of Bowie, and the emotive soul of Gaye – and combined them into his own inimitable style.
While Jackson pushed many boundaries even further and reached unprecedented new heights of fame, he did not do it alone. He stood on the shoulders of giants who came before him, learning from their examples of talent, perseverance and boundary-pushing creativity. In turn, Jackson would go on to inspire generations of artists with his groundbreaking music videos, philanthropy, and status as the King of Pop. His legacy is a testament to both the legends who shaped him, and his own singular gifts that continue enthralling the world many years after his untimely death. Through it all, Michael Jackson remained dedicated to his art, influenced profoundly by greats who in turn were inspired by his immense talents and contributions to popular culture.
