Insightful and revealing biography of music icon’s incredible career -from the early studio sessions to his anguished final days- featuring exclusive interviews with Jackson’s closest collaborators, and a foreword by long-time friend, Matt Forger.
For decades, Michael Jackson reigned supreme as the undisputed King of Pop; dominating the charts with his groundbreaking music, becoming the most awarded artist in history and creating headlines around the world. The sheer magnitude of Jackson’s fame has, however, overshadowed his achievements as an artist. As he matured from child Motown marvel to eccentric megastar, his unconventional personal life — and a series of controversial exploits — would mar his reputation. Journalist Mike Smallcombe peels away the tabloid rumours and enters unchartered territory in Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson, a comprehensive biography of arguably the most popular and enigmatic entertainer of our time.
Making Michael takes readers into the studio with the King of Pop, charting the creation of record-breaking albums including Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory, and the twists and turns that occurred along the way. Untold stories, revelations and secrets finally see the light of day as Jackson's career outside the studio is also examined, including his Hollywood dreams, life at Neverland and those mysterious, ill-fated preparations for the final tour, This Is It. Supported by the people who shared the journey with him, Making Michael takes readers behind the scenes, revealing Jackson at his best; and at his worst, relentlessly pursuing perfection and displaying a cutthroat shrewdness and competitiveness few knew existed.
Making Michael is a true labour of love, the product of over five years of exhaustive research into Jackson’s career, personality and professional relationships. Drawing upon hundreds of individual sources, including exclusive interviews with over sixty of the very closest figures behind Jackson’s career, many of whom are speaking of their experiences for the first time, Mike Smallcombe paints a vivid portrait of a man few people truly knew, the Michael Jackson who made making music his life’s work rather than the one portrayed on the front pages of the tabloids. A must-read for fans of not only Jackson himself, but also music and entertainment.
About the author: Mike Smallcombe studied English Language at the University of Exeter before moving to London, where he trained as a journalist with the Press Association. He currently works for Devon and Cornwall Media. Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson by Mike Smallcombe (published by Clink Street Publishing 5th April 2016) will be available from retailers online including amazon.co.uk and can be ordered at all good bookstores. Follow Mike on Twitter @mikesmallcombe1.
