SR0344 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Jackson, who passed away on June 25, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana; at the age of 4, he began singing with his brothers, Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie, and Tito, in the Jackson 5; the brothers cranked out numerous number 1 hits, including "I Want You Back", "ABC", and "I'll Be There"; and

WHEREAS, After his early success with the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson struck out on his own; his 1982 album "Thriller", which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller", became the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide; in 1983, when Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-star televised concert, Jackson moonwalked on stage and joined his brothers for a medley of old hits in a moment that has been described as the peak of Jackson's career; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Michael Jackson co-wrote "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie; recording the single with a slew of popular singers and recording artists under the name USA for Africa, the song became one the best-selling singles of all time, with 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars raised to help fight famine in Africa; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his numerous albums, Michael Jackson also delighted audiences throughout the world on his many tours; in the course of his touring career, he made many stops in the City of Chicago, beginning with his first stop with the Jackson 5 on October 18, 1970 at the Amphitheatre; in September of 1972, the Jackson 5 played at the Black Push Expo's "Save The Children" Concert; later, during his solo career, he returned to Chicago on August 28, 1981 during his Triumph Tour; he performed at Comiskey Park on October 12, 1984 during his Victory Tour; he also performed for an audience of 20,000 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on April 19, 1988 during his Bad Tour; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of music legend Elvis Presley; the couple divorced in 1996; later that year, he married Deborah Rowe, the former nurse of his dermatologist; Jackson and Rowe had two children together, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson; Rowe filed for divorce in 1999; he also had a third child, Prince Michael II; and

WHEREAS, Michael Jackson, in an attempt to pull off one of the greatest comebacks of all time, was preparing for what would be a series of 50 concerts starting on July 13, 2009 at London's famed 02 arena when he suddenly passed away; as an outpouring of grief in reaction to his passing, the MTV television network switched its programming to play videos from Jackson's heyday, radio stations began playing marathons of his hits, and hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where he went prior to his passing; and

WHEREAS, Michael Jackson was considered by many to be the most exciting performer of his generation; known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, feverish dance moves, and his distinctive dress, he ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as one of the biggest pop sensations of all time; in the course of his career, he produced 13 number 1 one hits on the Billboard charts, making him the 4th most prodigious hit-maker in music history; and

WHEREAS, Michael Jackson's legacy of number 1 hits and legendary dance moves will be remembered fondly by the countless musicians who have learned from Mr. Jackson's work, as well as the millions of adoring fans who loved him and his music; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Michael Jackson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Michael Jackson as an expression of our sympathy.