Michael Jackson (1958–2009) was an American singer. He debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 5, as a member of the Jackson 5, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group in subsequent years. Referred to as the "King of Pop", Michael Jackson is often considered to be the greatest entertainer of all time and one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Jackson's career was rewarded with 13 Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Legend Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 6 Brit Awards, 40 Billboard Music Awards (before and after 1990) and 26 American Music Awards. He currently holds 26 Guinness World Records out of a total of 36 records set in his lifetime, The organization also recognized Jackson as the world's most successful entertainer in 2006. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, becoming one of only a few artists to be inducted twice (he was inducted in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and again as a solo artist in 2001). Jackson was also inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, making him the first and currently, only recording artist to be inducted. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Jackson was also inducted in 2014 into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame along with his father Joe Jackson.
In 1984, Jackson was approached to donate "Beat It" as backing music for a commercial on drunk driving. Jackson agreed and it was arranged for the singer to be awarded with an honor from the president of the United States, Ronald Reagan. In April 1990, Jackson returned to the White House to be recognized as "Artist of the Decade" by President George H. W. Bush. Two years later, on May 1, 1992, President Bush presented Jackson with an award acknowledging him as "a point of light ambassador". Jackson received the award in recognition for his efforts in inviting disadvantaged children to his Neverland Ranch. Jackson was the only entertainer to receive the award. He has two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 1983 and 1990. In 2000, Jackson was honored as the Artist of the Millennium at the world music awards and credited as the best selling solo artist of all time.
The Guinness World Records is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world.
The Guinness World Records, originally known as the Guinness Book of World Records, are not referred to as "awards" but as records that a person holds until it is broken by another person. Jackson currently holds 26 Guinness World Records out of a total of 36 records set in his lifetime, including best-selling album of all time and most expensive music video.
|- |rowspan="2" | 1984 || Thriller || Best-selling album of all time || |- | Michael Jackson || Most Grammy wins in one night || |- | 1986 || Michael Jackson || Highest-paid commercial spokesperson || |- |rowspan="2"| 1988 || Bad at Wembley Stadium || Most successful concert series || |- | Bad || Highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist || |- | 1990 || Michael Jackson's Moonwalker || First beat-'em-up videogame to use dance tactics || |- | 1990 || Michael Jackson || Highest fees for an entertainer || |- | 1996 || "Scream" <small>(Shared with Janet Jackson)</small> || Most expensive music video || |- | 1997 || Thriller || Best-selling album by a male soloist in the UK || |- |rowspan="2" | 1999 || Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson || Most successful siblings || |- | Michael Jackson || Youngest vocalist to top the US singles chart || |- |rowspan="2" | 2000 || Michael Jackson || Most charities supported by a pop star || |- | Michael Jackson || Longest span of No. 1 hits by an R&B artist || |- |rowspan="2"| 2002 || Ghosts || Longest music video || |- | Making Michael Jackson's Thriller || Best-selling music video || |- | 2006 || "You Are Not Alone" || First vocalist to enter the US single chart at No. 1àà|| |- || 2006 || Michael Jackson || Most hit songs on UK Singles chart in one calendar yearàà|| |- |rowspan="2" | 2009 || Michael Jackson || Most simultaneous charted singles in the UK charts in a yearà|| |- | Michael Jackson || Most American Music Awards won by a male artist || |- |rowspan="3"| 2010 || Michael Jackson || Highest-earning deceased artist || |- | Michael Jackson || Most searched for â male || |- | Michael Jackson || Most lucrative recording contract || |- |rowspan="2"| 2011 || Michael Jackson's This Is It || Highest-grossing documentary film at the global box office || |- | Michael Jackson || Longest span of US top 40 singles || |- | 2014 || Michael Jackson || Best-selling game affiliated to a music artist || |- | 2015 || "Black or White" || Largest TV audience for a video premiere || |- | rowspan="4"| 2016 || Michael Jackson || Highest annual earnings for a celebrity ever || |- | Michael Jackson || Highest-earning dead celebrity || |- | Michael Jackson ||Most Viewed Wikipedia Page for a musician | |- | Michael Jackson ||Most Viewed Wikipedia Page for a musician (Male) | |- | 2017 ||Thriller || Best-selling album (Canada) || |- | 2017 ||Michael Jackson || Most Billboard Music Awards won || |- | 2021 ||Michael Jackson's Thriller || Best-selling album in the US by a solo artist || |- | 2022 ||Thriller || Best-selling album (Mexico) || |- | 2023 ||Michael Jackson || Highest-earning dead celebrity (current) || |- | 2023 ||Michael Jackson || Highest-earning dead celebrity (male, current) || |-