With Michael Jackson’s health in critical condition, it’s time to send positive vibes his way by taking a look at the influence the King of Pop has had on music, fashion and culture. You may or may not love Michael Jackson’s choices, but you cannot deny that the man has been a strong influence on pop culture.
Michael Jackson’s reign began in the early 1980s, when he was the first African-American entertainer to attract a wide crossover following on MTV with his singles "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller." Some argue that these songs moved the music video into an art form.
Michael Jackson later became a surreal character by choosing a reclusive lifestyle and undergoing a number of operations to totally reconfigure his facial features.
Explore some of the other ways Michael Jackson has influenced pop culture below.
29 Vogue & Rogue Innovations Inspired by Michael Jackson
29 Vogue & Rogue Innovations Inspired By Michael Jackson:
Going Like Sixty — Dec 22, 2008 — Pop Culture
29
Animal Masks
Putting the Fun in Sterile Masks
28
Reverse Digital Surgery
Michael Jackson at 50 (Without Surgery)
27
Dancing Inmates
1,500 Filipino Prisoners Re-enact Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
26
Michael Jackson Dance Moves
Gisele Bundchen Brings Back Crotch-Grabbing in Photo Magazine
25
Movie Star Meets Superstar Dancer
Schiffer & Bolle for Salvatore Ferragamo
24
Surrealist Masks
Creepy Wearable Sculptures
23
Personal Branding Changes
Michael Jackson Converts to Islam, Changes Name to Mikaeel
22
Weird Celebrity Fixations
50 Foot Tall Michael Jackson Robot (That Shoots Lasers)
21
Career Revivals Through Dance
Season 7 "Dancing With The Stars" Cast
20
Incognito Fashion Shows
Martin Margiela's Masked Models
19
Exotic Masked Models
‘Beauty' Editorial by Vogue Italia
18
Cross-Dressing Masked Wrestlers
Mexico's 'Lucha Libre' Troupe
17
Zorro Masks and Saris
Michael Jackson As Mikaeel, The Masked Hero
16
Dancers Are The New Rockstars
Bellydance Superstars
15
Michael Jackson Balcony Drop Action Figure
14
Celebrity Fashion Lines
Michael Jackson x Christian Audigier Collection
13
Gorilla Masked Models
The Bronx Zoo Drawing Classes
12
Iconic Pop Memorabilia Auctions
Michael Jackson Says Adios to “Billie Jean” Glove
11
Bank Robber Fashion
The Mask as Accessory
10
Illuminated Catwalk Sidewalks
Enables LED Moonwalking, Michael Jackson Not Included
9
Celebrity Action Figures
A Look Back: The Cheesy Michael Jackson Doll
8
Olympic Masks
US Cycling Team Prepared for Beijing Smog
7
Reviving Retro, Gangster Style
Michael Jackson's Comeback
6
Plastic Surgery for Puppies
World's First Dog Face Transplant Performed
5
Viral Retro Remixing
15 Michael Jackson "Thriller" Remakes
4
Siamese Fashion Twins
Terrifying Catwalk Masks
3
Unauthorized Celebrity Auctions
Michael Jackson Upset to See 1,100 Items Up For Grabs
2
User Generated Music Videos
Michael Jackson's Beat It Spoof
1
Pop Culture Masquerade Gear
Half-Masks of Famous Faces
Related Ideas
Scandalous Denim Covers
V Magazine Pushes Limits With Gisele Bundchen
Dior Sport Sun Mask Sunglasses Look Ready for Outer Space
Enormous Futuristic Sunglasses
Maison Martin Margiela Incognito Eyewear
29 Unique Dolls
The Sarah Palin Action Figure is Just The Beginning
Digital Dress Up
Celebrity Photoshopping Contest
Gisele's Racy Ads
First Ipanema Commercials
Gas Mask Fashion
Aitor Throup's Strange Suit
Reverse Digital Surgery
Michael Jackson at 50 (Without Surgery)
55 Bizarre Dances
Tribute to Dancing with the Stars
Dancing Inmates
1,500 Filipino Prisoners Re-enact Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
Virtual Paper Dolls
Dress Up The Olsens, Paris, John Travolta
Gorilla Snot Hair Gel
Death Masks of the Famous
Postmortem Celeb Faces
Where Parody Meets Realism
Alison Jackson's Celeb Look-Alike Photos
Spiritual Ages
Madonna's Kabbalah Age is 36, Not 50
Celebs Behaving Badly
Andy Dick Living Up to His Name
Partner Ballroom Dancing Robot
Gisele Designs for D&G
Bundchen by Dolce & Gabbana
Lucha Loco
Portraits of Mexican Wrestlers
Strangest Baby Names
From Celeb Babies to Search Engine Optimized Names
Ankle Cuffs
Martin Margiela Shoes
Harlequin Goth Fashion
Vogue Italia's Black Widow Couture
Repurposed Garments by Maison Martin Margiela
Viral Wonderbra Ad
Cadbury Gorilla Spoof
Mini Wearable Sculptures
10 Ornate Rings, From Collapsible Cups to Birdcages
Barbed Wire Fashion
Maison Martin Margiela Menswear
Risque Political Sculptures
Bare-Chested Michelle Obama Bust
Fairytale Editorials
Vogue UK Editorial Inspired by Roald Dahl
Personal Branding Changes
Michael Jackson Converts to Islam, Changes Name to Mikaeel
Geeky Dress Up Photography
Steve Scholfield's Star Wars and Star Trek Portraits
Wrestlers as Extreme Travel Hosts
Trish Stratus on the Stratusphere
Weird Celebrity Fixations
50 Foot Tall Michael Jackson Robot (That Shoots Lasers)
Sexy Sumo Wrestlers (UPDATE)
Subaru Forester 2009 Ads Now in Print
Viennese Costume Ball Revival
Cirque D' Soleil Masks Bring Class to Halloween
Mid-Life Name Crisis
Chad Johnson Changes Name to Chad Ocho Cinco
Runaway Rebel Fashion
Justin Timberlake's Name is William Rast
Watercolor Fantasy Couture
'Pure Wonder' in Vogue Italia
Designer Gas Masks
Diddo Velema Dominates Fashion Battlefield
French Woman Receives Face Transplant
Emergency Crews Add Oxygen Masks for Pets
Extreme Sport Fashion Shoots
Natural High in Vogue
Shredded Boots
Maison Martin Margiela
Michael Jackson Balcony Drop Action Figure
Celebrity Fashion Lines
Michael Jackson x Christian Audigier Collection
Sumo Wrestler TV Ads
Lenovo Thinkpad W700 Launch
10 Tributes to Michael Jackson
Wooden Clothing
Fashionable Sculpture Carvings
Supermodel Forests
Gisele Bundchen Embraces Nature in Flip Flops
Mid-Career Name Changes
Beyonce is Now "Sasha Fierce"
Hurricane Angelina
Angelina Jolie's South of France Nickname
Dollhouses Made of Dust
Sculptures From Vacuum Cleaner Dirt
Brand Disassociation
Lauren Bush Drops Last Name from Fashion Label
Disco Style LED Flooring
Sensacell Floor Tracks Footprints in Real Time
Reviving Retro, Gangster Style
Michael Jackson's Comeback
Viral Olympic Dances
Beijing Olympic Army Remix
Viral Retro Remixing
15 Michael Jackson "Thriller" Remakes
Charity Celebrity Costume Balls
A-Listers Dress Up for AIDS
Remote Control Battling Sumo Wrestlers
Dress Up Jesus Online
Famed Magnets Sets Are Now Online
Viral Commercial Sequels
Cadbury Airport Trucks Take on Gorilla Ad
Pixelated Masks
Campaign for Anonymous Tips
Hip Hop Grannies
Dance Teams for Seniors
Unauthorized Celebrity Auctions
Michael Jackson Upset to See 1,100 Items Up For Grabs
Jackson Five to Reunite
2008 Tour
First Successful "Beating Heart" Operation
New Transplant Technology
Candles With Hidden Sculptures
The Spirit Candle
Interactive Glowing Rugs
High Tech Flooring
Name-Changing for Activism
PETA Intern Becomes CutoutDissection.com
Celebrations of Nerdiness
Dance Off with the Star Wars Stars
User Generated Music Videos
Michael Jackson's Beat It Spoof
Secret Service Code Names
Barack Obama is 'Renegade'