Michael Jackson altered American entertainment with his appearance on the 1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special. Coming at a time when Jackson was chafing to establish himself once and for all as a solo artist separate from the brother-act the Jackson 5, he made the boldest move of his career in front of a live studio audience.
But while Michael Jackson won a record four posthumous awards, he couldn't beat Taylor Swift for top honors at Sunday night's American Music Awards.
The 19-year-old was named the year's favorite artist, giving Jackson his only loss of the night, and giving her five trophies in all.
Jackson’s videos had an importance beyond their own existence: They helped break down the barrier that kept R&B videos from being shown on MTV, which originally had a rock-only orientation.
When it came to TV, Jackson in later life did not benefit from the medium. His TV interviews after he became a reclusive, more eccentric man, such as the 2003 ABC special Living With Michael Jackson, did him no favors in reestablishing him as a mass-audience favorite.
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