About this episode
Joe Vogel, author of Man in the Music: The Creative Life of Michael Jackson , joins Pop Pantheon for the second in our four-part series on the King of Pop. DJ Louie and Joe dig into MJ’s early solo work, from his 1972 debut Got to Be There to his first solo number one, “Ben,” his changing voice as grew older and his final Motown album, 1975’s Forever Michael – released when Michael was just 16. From there, they discuss Michael’s starring role as Scarecrow in the 1975 cult classic The Wiz and his creative partnership with Quincy Jones, which produced the glorious, effervescent 1979 masterpiece Off the Wall , the album that single-handedly turned Michael Jackson into a true solo superstar and set his course to the top of the Pop Pantheon. Join us next week for Part 3, which will focus entirely on Michael’s stratospheric, game-changing blockbuster, 1982’s Thriller . Listen to Michael Jackson Pt. 1: The Jackson 5 (with Emily Lordi) Listen to Pop Pantheon's Episode "Do You Still Listen to Michael Jackson and Kanye West? (with Tre Johnson & Kemi Olivia Alemoru) " Buy Joseph Vogel's Book Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson Listen to Pop Pantheon's Michael Jackson Essentials Playlist Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Buy Tickets to our Dance Party Pop Pantheon Present: Main Pop Girls of '24 in NYC on August 2! Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous Lincoln Center on 7/20 FOR FREE! Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous: Los Angeles at Los Globos in Silver Lake on 7/26 Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Twitter Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram