Music Blogs

Michael Jackson was not just a talented musician, he was a true genius. And even though his legendary contribution to the music world has been overshadowed the last few years by accusations, trials, and changes in his physical appearance, he was never at a loss for friends. By all accounts, he was sweet, kind, and had a childlike outlook on life that was contagious. People just wanted to be with him — from pop stars to Presidents. So we take a look at the King of Pop and just SOME of the famous people who clamored to be by his side, from Elizabeth Taylor to Nelson Mandela.

GALLERY: See Michael with all of his famous friends

Michael Jackson and Tatum O'Neal, circa 1978
In 1978 Michael Jackson took Tatum O'Neal on a once-in-a-lifetime date to a bank vault in Beverly Hills to celebrate Jackson's gold records.

Michael Jackson and Cher, 1983
Cher hosted Michael and his brothers (aka the Jackson Five) on network TV three times in the '70s – in '72 and '74 on "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" and in '75 on the "Cher Show," where they sang a medley of their hits "I Want You Back," "I'll Be There," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "The Love You Save," and "Dancing Machine."

 

Olivia Newton-John and Michael Jackson, 1983
"Grease" co-stars Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta appeared in Jacko's star-studded 1989 music video for "Liberian Girl," along with everyone from Steven Spielberg and Sherman Hemsley to Don King and David Copperfield.

Emmanuel Lewis and Michael Jackson, 1983
You can keep your sparkly gloves and military epaulets; our favorite Michael Jackson accessory of the '80s was, without a doubt, the adorable Emmanuel Lewis.

Michael Jackson and Nancy Reagan, 1984
It's difficult to decide who was more fashionable when Michael Jackson visited with First Lady Nancy Reagan at the White House in 1984.

Michael Jackson with Brooke Shields, 1984
We're not really sure if what Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were doing was a traditional form of dating, but they did hang out a lot in the early '80s, crossing into each other's worlds at events like the Oscars and American Music Awards.

Sean Lennon and Michael Jackson, 1986
Sean Lennon appeared in Michael Jackson's film "Moonwalker." Look for John's son in the scene where a group of children watch Michael leave a club and get attacked by a crowd of gangsters with machine guns.

Michael Jackson and Princess Diana, 1988
Michael Jackson and Princess Diana first met at his 1988 Wembley Stadium concert. But when the lively royal heard that Jackson planned to drop the groupie-themed song "Dirty Diana" from his set out of respect to her, she asked him to keep it in.

Slash and Michael Jackson, 1990
Michael Jackson and Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Slash were an odd but magical musical pairing on Jacko's 1991 album, "Dangerous," and on the 1995 release "HIStory." They made legendary appearances together at the 1992 and 1995 MTV Video Music Awards and on the "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special."

Madonna and Michael Jackson, 1991
Madonna and Michael Jackson might not have ever cut a record together, but the Material Girl did take the King of Pop as her date to the 1991 Academy Awards.

Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin, 1991
When Macaulay Culkin rose to fame with the "Home Alone" movies, he was befriended by another legendary child star, Michael Jackson. Culkin can be seen cranking the amp up to the "Are you nuts!?!" level in Jackson's 1991 "Black or White" video.

Michael Jackson and Marcel Marceau, 1995
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Michael Jackson's legendary moonwalk was inspired by world famous mime Marcel Marceau's skit, "Walking Against the Wind." Michael and Marcel planned an HBO concert together in 1995, but the event was cancelled when Jackson became ill.

Michael Jackson and Magic Johnson, 1995
Basketball great Magic Johnson made a cameo appearance in Michael Jackson's ancient Egyptian-themed video for 1992's "Remember the Time," along with Eddie Murphy and Iman.

President Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson, 1999
In 1999, Michael Jackson met South African President Nelson Mandela when the pop star traveled to Cape Town to announce his charity concert project "Michael Jackson and Friends: The Adventure of Humanity" to benefit the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Red Cross, and UNESCO. The concerts raised over $3.3 million for the charities.

Britney Spears and Michael Jackson, 2002
At the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears brought Michael Jackson onstage to give him a birthday cake, but Jackson misunderstood and thought he was being presented with the Artist of the Millennium Award. We still think he should have been given the honor.

Reverand Al Sharpton and Michael Jackson, 2002
Michael Jackson and activist Al Sharpton joined forces in 2002 to protest what they decried as unfairness and racism in the music business.

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