MIchael Jackson - Superhero of the hero

Superhero of the hero

Jackson's favourite superhero was Morph from the X-Men. He picked up his iconic moonwalk moves, which he debuted at the Motown 25th Anniversary show in 1983, from streetdancers he spotted performing outside a hotel. An obsessed French Jackson superfan committed suicide in 1984 after his mother refused to allow him to undergo surgery to look like the star.

The extended family

The extended family

Movie star Macauley Culkin is godfather to Jackson's two eldest children, Paris and Prince Michael. Jackson is godfather to Nicole Richie, Bee Gees star Barry Gibb's son Michael, and Oliver star Mark Lester's kids. He and brother Tito were best men at Liza Minnelli and David Gest's wedding. He once described close friend Elizabeth Taylor as "a warm cuddly blanket that I love to snuggle up to and cover myself with.”

Michael Jackson - Favourites and secrets

Favourites & secrets

MJ once dated Brooke Shields and Tatum O'Neal. He had several media nicknames. They included The Gloved One, Wacko Jacko, Jacko, The King of Pop, and MJ. Close friends called him Smelly! Jackson's pre-concert ritual included drinking Ricola candy dissolved in hot water. He claimed the beverage helped keep his throat and his singing voice clear. He owned the patent for a stage shoe device that allowed performers to lean forward and appear to defy gravity.

Michael Jackson and number 7

• MJ signed his will on 7/7/02.
• His memorial was on 7/7/09...exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
• His two biggest hits - "Black & White" and "Billie Jean" - were each #1 for 7 weeks.
• Michael Jackson's three biggest albums -- "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" -- each produced 7 top 40 hits.
• MJ was born in 1958 ... 19 + 58 = 77
• MJ died on the 25th ... 2 + 5 = 7
• He has 7 letters in his first and last name. Photo: Reuters