Craig Halstead Boeken

Michael Jackson first entered a recording studio in November 1967, just three months after his ninth birthday. Two years later he and his older brothers scored their first hit, 'I Want You Back' - and, despite set-backs that would have ended the career of a lesser man, Michael's legion of fans remain as loyal today as they have ever been. This is the story of the man and his music...

The Jacksons are far and away the most successful family ever to enter the music business. Since 1969, when I Want You Back became the Jackson 5’s first no.1 single, the family has scored numerous Top 40 singles and albums around the world. The two most successful members of the family, of course, are Michael and Janet, but this book focuses on the less well-known The Jackson 5, The Jacksons, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and Tito Jackson’s three sons, 3T.For the purposes of this book, to qualify as a Top 40 hit, a single or album must have entered the Top 40 chart in at least one of the featured countries. The Top 40 hits are detailed chronologically, according to the date they first entered the chart in one or more of the featured countries. Each Top 40 single and album is illustrated and the catalogue numbers and release dates are detailed for the UK, followed by the chart runs in each country.The main listings are followed by ‘The Almost Top 40 Singles’, which gives an honourable mention to singles that peaked between no.41-50 in one or more countries, but which failed to enter the Top 40 in any. There is also a points-based list of the Top 30 singles and Top 20 albums, plus a fascinating Trivia section, which looks at the most successful singles and albums in each of the featured countries.

The youngest of ten children, Janet Jackson was a child actress before she turned to music and she didn't release her debut album until 1982, when she was just 16. However, she had little involvement with her first two albums, and it wasn't until she took control of her own career in 1986 that she found international success with the lead single from her third album, 'What Have You Done For Me Lately'. Her latest album, UNBREAKABLE, debuted on Billboard's album chart at no.1 - her seventh chart topping album in the United States. Janet has won five Grammy Awards, and she has starred in several successful films.The Top 40 hit singles, albums and music videos detailed in this book are listed chronologically, according to the date they first entered the Top 40 in one of twenty countries. The book also includes 'The Almost Top 40' hits, which gives an honourable mention to albums that have peaked between no.41 and no.50 in one or more countries, plus a listing of Janet's Top 30 Singles, Top 10 Albums and Top 10 Music Videos according to a points-based system, and a fascinating Trivia section which rounds-up the most successful singles, albums and music videos in each featured country.

Michael Jackson first entered a recording studio in November 1967, just three months after his ninth birthday. Two years later he and his older brothers scored their first hit, 'I Want You Back' - and, despite set-backs that would have ended the career of a lesser man, Michael's legion of fans remain as loyal today as they have ever been. This is the story of the man and his music...

'They became so successful, so quickly, that none of us were prepared for it.' - Suzanne de Passe, Motown Records What can be said about Michael Jackson, that hasn't already been said? Yes so much of what is written about Michael is either inaccurate or negative. The aim of this book is to tell Michael's incredible story as accurately, honestly and comprehensively as possible by focusing on hi music. The book includes a complete, chronological listing of every album (including track listings), one-off singles and collaborations Michael released in the USA and/or UK: In the pre-Motown era For Motown, solo and with the Jackson 5 With the Jacksons The book also features a complete USA and UK chartography, discographies from both the USA and the UK, a videography and a fascinating listing of Jackson rarities from around the world.

Donna Summer was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and she was only 19 when she flew to Munich, Germany, to appear in the German production of the controversial musical, Hair. Donna went on to appear in several other stage shows, including Porgy And Bess and Godspell, before she sang a few songs for a producer who was looking for new voices: Giorgio Moroder. However, it wasn't until early 1975 that Donna came up with the one line that would change her life: 'I'd love to love you.' Moroder immediately had Donna cut what she thought was a three minute demo of Love To Love You, which he took to the MIDEM music festival. Here he met Neil Bogart, founder and owner of Casablanca Records, who liked the demo so much he took it home with him and played it at a party - over and over again, such was the demand. After sitting on the demo for a while, Bogart contacted Moroder - and asked for an extended, twenty minute version of the song. And Bogart insisted the only person who could sing the song was whoever had sung the demo. So Love To Love You Baby was born - and Donna was on her way to becoming an international superstar. This is the story of Donna and her music...