When one mentions the name Michael Jackson, so many things come to mind ...
... His unparalleled success as an entertainer. He was known to be one of the hardest–working folks in show business,
... His general influence on pop culture — not only through his music but also through his dance style and fashion,
... The public's fascination with his — sometimes commendable, other times distasteful, always volatile — personal life,
... Even his untimely death.
He has been an endless source of fascination for decades. And Michael Jackson continues to fascinate. Even today, nearly five years after his death, there are many things about Jackson that compete for the public's attention — including milestone anniversaries of important dates in his life.
One of which is today.
It was 30 years ago today that Jackson suffered second–degree scalp burns when pyrotechnics went off accidentally during the filming of a Pepsi TV commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Most people would agree that was a bad way to start a new year, but, within 3½ months, Jackson was on top of the world again.
He had recovered sufficiently from his injuries to appear at the White House where President Reagan presented him with an award for supporting charities that assisted people who had abused alcohol and/or drugs.
His Victory Tour that year was a huge success. Jackson donated his $8 million revenue from the tour to charity — and Pepsi had agreed to a $1 million out–of–court settlement of his lawsuit.
Jackson donated the entire settlement to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, Calif. Brotman now has a burn center that bears Jackson's name.
