Just another Sunday evening, the family gathers in the living room after dinner. One of those variety shows comes on the television, maybe Ed Sullivan or Andy Williams. I remember it well…..my mother in the room, in her chair, usually either knitting or reading, but yet was also able to watch what ever caught her interest on television, and all of this simultaneously. I can see her now with cigarette dangling from her mouth, looking over the tops of her glasses and the ashes dropping to her lap.
While watching those Sunday night shows, (they seemed to run all during the 1960’s) what caught all of our attention was a young child star named Michael Jackson. Singing and dancing with his older brothers in “The Jackson Five”.
Michael was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958. The seventh of nine children. His father Joseph worked in the steel mills, and his mother Katherine, a devout Jehovah Witness, raised her children in the same beliefs.
His talent was noticed by family and friends at a Christmas Recital in 1964….when he was only five.
At first it was the “Jackson Brothers” a band put together by three of his brothers. Marlon and Michael later joined them, but stayed in the background in the beginning. Later the name was changed to “The Jackson Five”.
During the years of 1966 thru 1968 the band hit the road. Traveling the mid-western states……in what some refer to as the “chitlin’ circuit”. Mostly playing the black clubs, of which many were ‘strip joints’. They recorded “Big Boy” in 1967 for Steeltown Records.
Of course the rest is well known history after signing with Motown in 1968.
What an amazing journey lay ahead for one of the world’s greatest entertainers. We would see him soar to heights unimaginable…..but unfortunately also witness his decent into a secret darker world that few understood.
I think in many ways his journey reminds me of Elvis…..what seems to happen to these child stars? I think society is partly to blame by making them into more then they ever can be, after all, they are in essence mere men, like the rest of us.
Michael Jackson, Elvis, and many others are forced into escaping into secret worlds in order to live their own lives.
But I will remember him as that cute little 10 year old boy with that big smile…who captured the hearts of people all over the world. I will remember a Sunday night with my family in 1968.

Author; D.A. Grosshans

New Book:
Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson

Ebay Results
MICHAEL JACKSON BLACK T SHIRT XXL
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:46:28 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $12.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON PRINCE 1980 ORIGINAL VINTAGE SUNGLASSES
US $20.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:47:15 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BLACK T SHIRT XXL
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:48:54 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $12.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson White Tee Gold Glitter Junior Size Lg
US $18.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:49:00 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $18.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson White Tee Gold Glitter Junior Size Med
US $18.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:49:02 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $18.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON THIS IS IT IN LONDON BLACK T SHIRT M
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:49:45 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $12.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Vintage MICHAEL JACKSON 1984 VICTORY TOUR T-SHIRT NOS*
US $324.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:02:17 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $324.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON HALLOWEEN CURLY THILLER BLACK WIG
US $19.99
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:05:11 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $19.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT Leather Jacket S M L XL XXL
US $175.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:08:33 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $175.00
Buy it now | Add to watch list
ED HARDY Bulldog Lounge Pants Michael Jackson S M L XL
US $86.01 (16 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:02:01 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
Piano T-Shirt,Michael Jackson Beat It costume/casual W
US $15.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:10:00 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
Piano T-Shirt,Michael Jackson Beat It costume/casual
US $17.50 (2 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:10:23 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson Glove Buy One Get One Free
US $15.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:16:44 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON SILVER SEQUIN GLOVE BOTH SIDES COSTUME
US $5.95 (2 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:51:56 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
OFFICIAL MICHAEL JACKSON AEG LIVE T-SHIRT M 2009 ROCK
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 21:32:52 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $14.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Misses Small S
US $24.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:36:56 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $24.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Misses Medium M
US $24.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:42:55 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $24.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Misses Large L
US $24.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:44:02 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $24.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Misses X-Large XL
US $24.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:45:20 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $24.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens Small S
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:48:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens Medium M
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:51:10 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens Large L
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:52:44 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens X-Large XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:53:12 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens 2XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:54:03 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Womens 3XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:54:39 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens Small S
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:57:14 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens Medium M
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:57:46 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens Large L
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:58:27 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens X-Large XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 1:59:02 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens 2XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:01:10 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson T-Shirt Mens 3XL
US $22.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:02:15 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $22.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson Hoodie Sweatshirt Small S
US $34.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:12:53 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $34.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson Hoodie Sweatshirt Medium M
US $34.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:13:52 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $34.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson Hoodie Sweatshirt Large L
US $34.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:14:57 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $34.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson Hoodie Sweatshirt XL
US $34.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:15:23 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $34.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Justice 4 MJ Michael Jackson Hoodie Sweatshirt 2XL
US $34.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 2:15:48 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $34.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON "BAD" TEE SIZES M, L, XL NWT
US $9.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:28:05 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $9.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson T-Shirt - NWT - Large
US $10.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:37:22 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
sequin silver glove michael jackson style costume prop
US $6.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:38:05 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $6.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
JACKSON 5 T SHIRT lrg MOTOWN FIVE MICHAEL JACKSON
US $7.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 6:35:16 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $7.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
NEW Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal Moves T-Shirt XXL
US $23.98
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 9:25:13 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $23.98
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson 'This Is It' Mens T-shirt sz XL NWT
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 9:47:48 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNATURE MOVE T-SHIRT (XL)
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:28:29 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNATURE MOVE T-SHIRT (LARGE)
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:28:31 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNATURE MOVE T-SHIRT (SMALL)
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:28:31 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON THIS IS IT LONDON PORTRAIT T-SHIRT (LG)
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:28:31 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON GLOVE T-SHIRT (XL)
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:28:32 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
RARE MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT LEATHER JACKET size L
US $1,499.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:55:32 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $1,499.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Vintage Michael Jackson T-shirt
US $15.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:58:28 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $32.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
Ed Hardy Bulldog Lounge Pants NWT SM Michael Jackson
US $109.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 13:30:44 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $109.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson Style * BLACK FEDORA HAT * King of Pop
US $39.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:11:31 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $39.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson Memorial Tshirt M NO RESERVE!!!!
US $0.01 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:17:21 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson Memorial Tshirt M NO RESERVE!!!!
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:22:57 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON SEQUIN GLOVE COSTUME BILLIE JEAN
US $9.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:25:37 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $9.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Long Wavy Layered ~Black~Skin Top~Wig~ Michael Jackson
US $43.50
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:37:48 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $43.50
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson Over the Shoulder Bag
US $19.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:39:41 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
King Of Pop Wig Set Michael Jackson Sequin Glove
US $29.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:57:40 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $29.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON TOTE BAG! NWT! NO RESERVE! FREE BONUS!
US $4.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:11:10 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
NWT*Michael Jackson T*Mens Medium *msrp $18++
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:20:06 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $5.49
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
NWT*Michael Jackson T*Mens Large *msrp $18++
US $0.01 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:21:26 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $5.49
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
NWT*Michael Jackson T*Mens XL *msrp $18++
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:22:54 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $5.49
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
New Michael Jackson Costume White Silver Glitter Glove
US $5.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 16:07:44 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $9.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list
MICHAEL JACKSON'S Thriller Crew T Shirt L XL New
US $29.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 16:31:10 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $29.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson This is It Mens T-shirt sz Lg NWT
US $7.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 16:55:26 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
Michael Jackson This is It Mens T-shirt sz Lg NWT
US $7.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:05:29 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
ED HARDY PANTHER Lounge Pants Michael Jackson NWT XS
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:49:24 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $29.99
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!