Thread by @dpinsen

"Michael Jackson tragedy is he was born in wrong place. He was born to be military dictator of great pomp, and was to rule with great severity."

Zoomers today know of Michael Jackson mainly from that BAP quote, but he was, in a way, the Mozart of his day. 🧵 1/13

Like Mozart, Michael was a child prodigy who changed the game. In fact, the similarities don't end there!

At the age of 5, Mozart was already performing for European royalty. His prodigious skills in playing multiple instruments and composing quickly set him apart. 2/13

A bit of a "late bloomer" compared to Mozart, Michael Jackson became the lead singer of The Jackson 5 at age 6, and quickly gained fame for his charismatic performances, vocal range, and stage presence. 3/13

Young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's father Leopold devoted himself to fostering Wolfgang's talents, organizing performances, and guiding his career. 4/13

Similarly, Joe Jackson recognized his son Michael's talent and pushed him to succeed, playing a pivotal role in forming The Jackson 5 and driving their success.

@HowardStern once had Stuttering John ask Michael if he learned to moonwalk to avoid his father's punches. 5/13

Even as a child, Mozart achieved global recognition with his talents. 6/13

The same was true of Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five. 7/13

While his childhood talents were extraordinary, Mozart continued to evolve and innovate as an adult composer, creating masterpieces that are still celebrated today. 8/13

Similarly, Michael transitioned from a child star to one of the most iconic and influential artists of all time. His solo career redefined pop music, with groundbreaking albums like Thriller. 9/13

Both faced immense pressure due to the early onset of their fame.

Mozart struggled with financial instability and demanding patronage systems later in life. 10/13

Michael Jackson faced challenges related to his personal life, public scrutiny, and the pressures of maintaining his stardom. 11/13

Both Mozart and Jackson left indelible marks on their fields:

Mozart's compositions are cornerstones of classical music, still performed even in our time. 12/13

Similarly, Michael Jackson remains "The King of Pop", and continues to inspire young people in the current year.

Their journeys reflect the brilliance and challenges of prodigies who change the world with their talent. 13/13