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Think you know Michael Jackson?
It's hard to believe that in another month, it will have been one year since the world lost one of its true maestros: The King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
To keep his memory alive, here are ten Jackson trivia questions that will help you brush up on the musician who moved the world in the 1980s and 1990s.
1. In 1978, Jackson starred as which character in the musical, The Wiz?
a) The Scarecrow
b) The Tinman
c) The Cowardly Lion
The correct answer is The Scarecrow. The commercially disastrous musical starred Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow alongside Diana Ross, who played Dorothy.
The commercially disastrous musical starred Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow alongside Diana Ross, who played Dorothy.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
2. What was the name of the Jackon's one-time pet chimpanzee?
a) Bananas
b) Bubbles
c) Bobo
The correct answer is Bubbles. Jackson adopted Bubbles from a Texas research facility in the early 1980s, and took him out in public places, leading to increasing media discussion of Jackson's eccentricities. By the early 2000's, however, Bubbles, a fully grown chimpanzee, had become too much to handle, and he was shifted to a wildlife sanctuary.
Jackson adopted Bubbles from a Texas research facility in the early 1980s, and took him out in public places, leading to increasing media discussion of Jackson's eccentricities. By the early 2000's, however, Bubbles, a fully grown chimpanzee, had become too much to handle, and he was shifted to a wildlife sanctuary.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
3. How did he shock the world at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards?
a) Gave his wife Lisa Marie Presley a long on-stage kiss
b) Debuted his trademark Moonwalk dance
c) Skipped the event and cancelled his performance
The correct answer is A. Gave his wife Lisa Marie Presley a long on-stage kiss. In the face of doubts that their high-profile marriage lacked passion, Jackson and Presley appeared on-stage at the 1994 MTV Video Music and locked lips for a full four seconds, in what some called the Kiss of the Century!
In the face of doubts that their high-profile marriage lacked passion, Jackson and Presley appeared on-stage at the 1994 MTV Video Music and locked lips for a full four seconds, in what some called the Kiss of the Century!
Think you know Michael Jackson?
4. In 1984, what happened to Jackson while he was filming a commercial for Pepsi?
a) Pyrotechnics malfunction caused his hair to light on fire
b) He broke his nose, leading to rhinoplasty surgery
c) He suffered an anxiety attack and called off fimling
The correct answer is Pyrotechnics malfunction caused his hair to light on fire. While it's true Jackson required surgery for a broken nose suffered during a dance routine, it happened in 1979. During a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot, however, Jackson's hair caught on fire in front of fans and cameras, and caused second-degree burns on his scalp, from which he'd never fully recover.
While it's true Jackson required surgery for a broken nose suffered during a dance routine, it happened in 1979. During a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot, however, Jackson's hair caught on fire in front of fans and cameras, and caused second-degree burns on his scalp, from which he'd never fully recover.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
5. In what year did Michael Jackson make his first and only performance in India, at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai?
a) 1994
b) 1996
c) 1999
The correct answer is 1996. November 1, 1996, Jackson performed for over two hours at the Andheri Sports Complex in suburban Mumbai. The concert was organised by the Shiv Udyog Sena, an outfit floated by then Shiv Sena official Raj Thackeray.
November 1, 1996, Jackson performed for over two hours at the Andheri Sports Complex in suburban Mumbai. The concert was organised by the Shiv Udyog Sena, an outfit floated by then Shiv Sena official Raj Thackeray.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
6. In addition to the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, how many Grammys did Michael Jackson win?
a) 9
b) 11
c) 13
The correct answer is 13. Apart from his lifetime Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson won 13 Grammys, including a record 8 during the 1984 Grammys Awards ceremony, for his smash-hit album Thriller.
Apart from his lifetime Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson won 13 Grammys, including a record 8 during the 1984 Grammys Awards ceremony, for his smash-hit album Thriller.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
7. Who is the Pakistani-British journalist who interviewed Jackson in 2003 for a controversial documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, which many said unfairly and deliberately portrayed the pop star in a negative light?
a) Saira Khan
b) Sarfraz Manzoor
c) Martin Bashir
The correct answer is Martin Bashir. Martin Bashir hosted the documentary, which was viewed by 14 million people in the UK and 38 million in the United States. Many called it yellow journalism and said it emphasized child molestation charges against Jackson, and portrayed the pop star as detached from reality. Jackson strongly condemned the final product.
Martin Bashir hosted the documentary, which was viewed by 14 million people in the UK and 38 million in the United States. Many called it yellow journalism and said it emphasized child molestation charges against Jackson, and portrayed the pop star as detached from reality. Jackson strongly condemned the final product.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
8. Which of the following Jackson release remains the highest selling album of all time, at over 75 million copies worldwide?
a) Bad
b) Dangerous
c) Thriller
The correct answer is Thriller. While both Bad and Dangerous were smash commercials successes, selling over 30 million copies each, Thriller, released in 1982, remains the highest selling album of all-time, between 75 and 110 million.
While both Bad and Dangerous were smash commercials successes, selling over 30 million copies each, Thriller, released in 1982, remains the highest selling album of all-time, between 75 and 110 million.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
9. What are the alleged skin diseases that caused Michael's pigmentation to lighten?
a) Dermatitis and Waardenburg-Klein syndrome
b) Vitiligo and Lupus
c) Rosacea and Albinism
The correct answer is Vitiligo and Lupus. According to biographers, Jackson was diagnosed with both vitiligo, known for causing patches of depigmentation, and lupus, know for causing sensitivity to light and tight skin, in 1986. Heavy make-up and assorted medical treatments he used to mask/hide his blotchy skin resulted in further loss of pigmentation.
According to biographers, Jackson was diagnosed with both vitiligo, known for causing patches of depigmentation, and lupus, know for causing sensitivity to light and tight skin, in 1986. Heavy make-up and assorted medical treatments he used to mask/hide his blotchy skin resulted in further loss of pigmentation.
Think you know Michael Jackson?
10. In 1995, with whom did Jackson pair up for the Grammy-nominated duet Scream?
a) Madonna
b) His sister Janet Jackson
c) Paula Abdul
The correct answer is Janet Jackson. Scream is considered Michael Jackson's relation song against the tabloid media for its coverage of his legal troubles. And Janet wanted to be part of the project to show her support. It was the first time they had worked together since 1982.
Scream is considered Michael Jackson's relation song against the tabloid media for its coverage of his legal troubles. And Janet wanted to be part of the project to show her support. It was the first time they had worked together since 1982.