Express. Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Describing Jacksons autopsy, Detective Dan Myers, also of the LAPD, said: Blood is drawn and then that blood is sent to a toxicology unit. Amazingly, there were no hard feelings between Jackson and Pepsi. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. During the filming of a commercial, Jacksons hair and face caught fire, leaving him with second and third degree burns. Hoefflin is now retired and could not be reached by ABC News.com. She added, "LA investigators asked us not to share any information about any substance food, drink, or otherwise that Jackson may have taken. Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident. In an accident so surreal it could happen only to him, Michael was dancing down a staircase at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 27, 1984, when a smoke bomb ignited two feet from his pomaded . Michael Jackson said injuries from this 1984 fire led to his drug addiction. NEW YORK -- Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. A senior law enforcement official confirmed to ABC News that Jackson was "heavily addicted" to the painkiller Demerol and received "daily doses" of OxyContin. He admitted to administering propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia, despite propofol not being approved for use as a sleep aid. Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. Former LA City Fire Department Capt. Michael Jackson's 1984 pyrotechnics accident. You can unsubscribe at any time. Addiction to painkillers is not uncommon in show business, a fact that became abundantly clear when Jackson's musical contemporary and friendly rival Prince also passed away due to an overdose in 2016. It might have retarded the effect, he told Access. The explosion was much larger. The raw footage shot for the Pepsi commercial was shot on Jan. 27, 1984, at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium. 1984: Michael Jackson burned in Pepsi ad Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident. Michael Jackson: Pepsi New Generation: Directed by Bob Giraldi. It was this video that helped "Thriller" become the biggest selling album of all time. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. (-/AFP/Getty Images), "He had something on his head, it wasn't a bandage, but there was something wrapped around," Paul Cottrell, a parking lot attendant, said. And after seeing the damage to Jackson's head and face, everyone else on the set wondered what that type of injury would mean for the King of Pop. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.Over a four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. The 25-year-old entertainer was singing his hit "Billie Jean" for a Pepsi Cola commercial in Los Angeles when the special effects went wrong. Us Weekly, which contains pictures of the incident, hits newsstands Friday. Yesterday, Us Weekly unearthed footage of Michael Jackson being severely burned while filming a 1984 Pepsi commercial in Los Angeles. The magazine also suggests that the accident kicked off Jackson's obsession with plastic surgery. It marked what would be the beginning of serious, lifelong pain for Jackson, who had been treated for painkiller addiction and has been described by relatives and friends as being hooked on pain medication at the time of his death last month at age 50. As a child, Michael Jackson had worn his hair in an afro, making him look taller. In his autobiography, "Moonwalk," he described the cause of the accident as "stupidity, pure and simple. Some absolutely atrocious accidents have befallen musicians over the years, including Jackson. "The flames shot extremely high," Bennett said. Jackson settled the case out of court with an estimated $20m payment to the Chandler family. (1984) Bad. Dubbed the trial of the century, it lasted four months and ended in June 2005 when Michael Jackson was cleared of all charges. When footage of the incident emerged following Jackson's death in 2009, however, not everyone was convinced that the moment in question was the direct cause of the drug dependency that would eventually kill him. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. A lot of people say that the 1984 Pepsi incident was one of the major factors that changed MJ's life forever, however people don't really remember this incident that well. And a lot of times when were out there as fire safety officers, the directors dont want to be told no, so Im sure that if he had brought that to us, we would have told him no.. Aragons; ; ; Azrbaycanca; Boarisch; ; Banjar; ; Bosanski; Catal; etina; Cymraeg; Dansk . He's fortunate that there were no injuries to his face," Dr. Steve Hoefflin told reporters at the time of the accident. At the time, Jackson was just 25-years-old, and was already a solo star, but returned to his family roots on this occasion. Thats not true. At the time, the money was said to be earmarked for research into burn treatment, but Sherman said the burn center received no operating money from the fund. LOS ANGELES Superstar singer Michael Jackson suffered second-degree burns on the scalp last night while filming a multi-million-dollar soft drink commercial featuring fireworks, which ignited his jacket and hair. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In the video, he's still dancing as the flames are on his head. On January 27, 1984, Michael and his brothers were doing just that. When Michael Jackson emerges from the pile of people trying to help him, the top of his head is bald. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. He also never managed to grow back some of the patches of hair that were lost in the fire. But Brando said he never once saw the evidence of drug abuse that many have pointed to in the two weeks since Jackson died, including track marks on his arms and legs, reportedly from intravenous prescription drug use. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. DON'T MISSMichael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley: When did they marry? "You don't know if he is going to be OK or not.". He also was taking Flurazepam, for his pain which was later marketed as Dalmane. Police investigating Jackson's June 25 death have confirmed that his home was filled with powerful prescription drugs including the painkillers Oxycontin and Demerol and the hospital-grade anesthetic Diprivan. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. It is believed to be the real Michael Jackson, who was injured during this time period. July 15, 2009— -- Never-before-seen footage of a 1984 commercial shoot shows Michael Jackson's hair accidentally catching fire, an incident that would lead to a decades-long addiction to sedatives that may have played a role in his death last month. "There was nothing out of the ordinary that he did," Brando said. In this Jan. 27, 1984 file photo, singer Michael Jackson looks out from an ambulance as he arrives at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City, after suffering second-degree burns on his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial, according to officials. A long check list: Microphones, wires, wardrobe changes, towels, song list, ice, Gatorade, fans, grease paints, powder. Jackson's spokesperson Ramone Bain said: "Michael Jackson feels that Eminem has crossed the line. Klein's lawyer Bradley Boyer said his client was cooperating with the investigation. The harrowing, never-before-seen footage of the singer's 1984 Pepsi commercial accident. "Yes, it was an accident. Donald Donester, who was an eyewitness to the horrifying disaster posted on Us [] A representative for Us Weekly had no immediate comment on where the video came from. People on the set tackle him to extinguish the fire, and his brother Jermaine Jackson, playing the guitar in front of him and oblivious to the commotion, turns around. So that may have retarded the hair from being burned as quickly.. In the video, one can easily observe a large red bald spot in the center of Jackson's head after the flames have been extinguished. Authorities confirmed they are questioning several physicians who treated Jackson in the past, including Murray, the cardiologist who was in Jackson's home when he died. Speaking for a new documentary, police told of the scars and lack of hair on his body, but added: This isnt a man who should have died.". He suffered hair loss as a result, and later became addicted to prescription painkillers after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his scalp. The burns never completely healed, leaving Jackson with scars across parts of his head and scalp for the rest of his life. When he spins, the flames go out. Michael Jackson albums: How many albums did he make. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. A source discussing the autopsy at the time commented: He was skin and bone, his hair had fallen out, and he had been eating nothing but pills when he died.. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Michael Jackson is wheeled into Brotman Merorial Hospital after he was burned filming a soft drink commercial featuring fireworks, which set his jacket and hair on fire. Michael Jackson was at the height of his fame in the 1980s as he released some of his biggest and best-selling albums - including Thriller, and Bad. "At this time I don't think skin grafts are necessary.". Less than four months after his death, the hair is set to go on sale at a hotel near Heathrow Airport in London on Oct. 17, 2009. . Murray, who said he had been trying to wean Jackson off the drugs at the time of his death, served two years of a four-year sentence. Jackson . Donald Donester, who was an eyewitness to the horrifying disaster posted on Us Weeklys Web site, believes it was the videos director, Bob Giraldi, who told Michael to wait on the platform where the pyrotechnics exploded too soon, catching the singer on fire. It didn't go well: At the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, in front of . We pay for videos too. He was set ablaze by the fireworks, suffering second-degree burns to his scalp and losing some of his hair. "He had the IV stuff back then," Schaffel previously told ABC News. Michael is calling upon all networks to pull the video." It is because of this event that the star began wearing black wigs in later life. Jackson was eventually charged with numerous counts related to child molestation, but a 2005 trial delivered a not guilty verdict. This isnt a man who should have died.. The coroner would not name the other doctors who his office has subpoenaed. During this time, Jackson was at the peak of his career. Yes, the doctors gave him medicine.". ::: Website: www.mjj.it::: Forum: www.mjj.it/forum::: Fanpage: www.facebook.com/mjfansquare::: Group: www.facebook.com/groups/mjfansquare::: Twitter: www.twi. (1987-1989) The Victory Tour was a concert tour of the United States and Canada by the Jacksons from July to December 1984. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Jackson died at his California home after being administered prescription drugs, He had become hooked on the drugs after a being burned in a 1984 accident, Jackson's autopsy report noted the damage to his scalp, A patch of burned skin was visible on Jackson's head after the 1984 accident, Police found large quantities of prescription drugs in Jackson's home, Jackson's rooms were also littered with strange notes, Michael Jackson had so much Propofol in his system it would drop a rhino, detectives working at death scene reveal, Michael Jackson death cops reveal bizarre state of his body on 10th anniversary of his death, Inside sinister rise of pink cocaine sweeping UK nightclubs as warring cartels battle to control 'Coca Cola of drugs', How 'deluded' Putin thought Ukraine invasion would break up Nato & have West bowing down to Russia, leaked docs show, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows, 'Bubbly' nightclub worker, 31, killed after her Audi crashed into a bridge on her way home from work. Kevin Mazur/WireImage. It has been widely reported that in addition to Demerol and OxyContin, Jackson also abused the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the antidepressant Zoloft in the months before his death. The video below shows two takes - in the first the explosion . In this video still image released by Us Weekly on July 16, 2009, pop star Michael Jackson, unaware his hair is on fire, films a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 27, 1984. "He was a friend of mine," Brando said. "It will take a few weeks to determine the hair loss.". Killing Michael Jackson, which was released in the UK on Saturday, looks at Jacko's death . As the fireball grows around his head, he is set upon by members of the crew who tamp out the flames. Michael Jackson, standing behind one of his brothers, at the moment his hair caught on fire (Photo via YouTube). ", As he described the accident, he wrote: " bombs went off on either side of my head, and the sparks set my hair on fire. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The singer continued performing for some seconds before being tackled to the ground by stagehands and fellow members of The Jacksons, who were also on stage at the time, and the flames were beaten out. Jan. 27, 1984: Michael Jackson Burned in Pepsi Spot. Brando appears on the never-been-released footage of the Pepsi accident, obtained by Us Weekly, rushing to Jackson's aid several seconds after the pyrotechnics were fired and engulfed the singer. Michael Jackson had a fire accident on 27 January 1984 when he was shooting a Pepsi commercial, with which the Jackson 5 signed a lucrative deal for 5 million dollars. Following the incident, Jacksonhis head bandaged and seen smiling even as he was in painwas rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. NEW YORK - Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. He told me yesterday he was directed by Bob Giraldi in the final take to remain along side the fireworks until after the explosion, Brando said in a 1984 press conference. The circumstances of his death are directly related to some of these misfortunes. However, tragedy struck in 1984 during a $5 . The raw footage shot for a Pepsi commercial on Jan. 27, 1984 at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium and obtained by Us Magazine, shows Jackson descending a flight of stairs when the pyrotechnics on stage go off early and engulf the singer's head in flames. Jackson's brothers, who were making the commercial with him, rushed to help smother the flames, she said. Jackson, who spent years with his brothers as the Jackson Five on the Motown label, stepped out on his own in 1980 with the album "Off the Wall." Jackson suffered second- and third-degree burns to his scalp and the back of his head, prompting him to begin using and then abusing painkillers, he would later admit. but that's not when the accident happened. Jackson was well known for spending time alone with children as an adult, and accusations of molestation and sustained sexual abuse first surfaced against him in the early 1990s. "When this happened it just changed the whole atmosphere of the shrine, changed the whole atmosphere, everyone is like, 'Oh god,'" Maze said. Murray was eventually convicted of involuntary manslaughter in relation to Jackson's June 25, 2009 death. All rights reserved. Unfortunately Michael Jackson suffered permanent damage to his scalp as a result of a Pepsi commercial accident where his hair caught on fire so he started wearing wigs from that point on. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Michael Jackson, Michael Bush and myself were using the last minutes to take care some details in the dressing room, just stage right. Seal Beach police seeking hit-and-run driver in crash that injured . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "Dr. Klein has been and is continuing to cooperate with Mr. Winter's office and their investigation into the death of Michael Jackson," Boyer said. Yes, he took medicine. In this Jan. 27, 1984 file photo, singer Michael Jackson looks out from an ambulance as he arrives at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City, after suffering second-degree burns on his scalp . Expand. In 2002, Jackson was ordered to undergo a medical examination after he failed to show up in a California courtroom in a trial over breach of contract because the pop star said he had a spider bite. The newly released footage of the harrowing events of Jan. 27, 1984, when Michael Jackson caught on fire while shooting a spot for Pepsi, has raised new questions about who may be responsible for the accident. In ultimate secrecy, Jackson was switched with his clone. He is a Jehovah's Witness who lives with his mother and who is close to his family; his group, the Jacksons, includes . Three thousand fans saw a firework display erupt behind the superstar, showering him in sparks and setting light to his hair. "As far as Michael Jackson was concerned, 27 January 1984 was the beginning of the end," Richards and Langthorne write, referring to the day Jackson suffered third-degree burns on his scalp . The then 25-year-old Jackson was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. When Michael Jackson's hair accidentally caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in early 1984, the resulting 2nd and 3rd degree burns foreve. Killing Michael Jackson, which was released in the UK on Saturday, looks at Jackos death and the events surrounding it. In the fall of 83 he and his Jackson Five brothers signed a $5 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo that would include, among other promotions, Michael appearing in commercials pushingthe soft drink. On January 27, 1984, Michael and his brothers were doing just that. Funeral services will be held at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Jackso Many believed that Jackson would sue Pepsi for the accident, which also left him partially bald and relying on wigs for the rest of his life. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Corner subpoenaed Jackson's medical records from Klein and said they were questioning several other physicians as well. All rights reserved. "It was done by the book.". This was how he looked during the 1990s (circa 91 - 93). Michael Jackson was taken to hospital where he was treated for second degree burns. As a strongly private person away from show-business, not many people could . [INFO]Is Michael Jackson the best selling artist of all time? Donester said the hair products Jackson was wearing might have actually slowed the burning. Jackson, who won seven American Music Awards and has been nominated for a record 12 Grammys, was filming a series of Pepsi-Cola commercials to debut next month. This medication was initially prescribed to sooth the excruciating pain that I was suffering after recent reconstructive surgery on my scalp," the singer said at the time in a statement. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009), also commonly known as MJ, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. He reassured people even as he was being taken away on a stretcher", she said. But Brando said to conclude that this incident triggered the alleged addiction and the prescription painkillers Jackson was said to be taking at the time of his death is pure speculation. "He was just an extraordinary human being.". Inside sick Honeytrap plot that left man dead after women seduced and drugged him to steal his Rolex watches, Man had sex with his wife on bollard after fuming neighbour placed it in cul-de-sac in protest during parking row, Man, 42, killed after being hit by digger as driver arrested for gross negligence manslaughter, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Three thousand fans saw a firework display erupt behind the . Jackson continued performing briefly, apparently not realising he was on fire, before his entourage jumped on him and put the fire out. The video was the last video filmed for Jackson's album of the same name. Jackson, 25, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where a spokesman said Jackson was "fine" despite the burns. His body was found covered in track marks consistent with intravenous drug use. Marc Schaffel, a former associate of Jackson, however, said it was not a spider bite but a problem caused by a broken IV needle. "I remember being stage left, watching him rehearse that particular segment," Brando said, saying he saw Jackson's hair burst into flames and thought, "Oh my God, my friend is on fire.". The clip shows . There was a deviation in the plan and there was no communication between the people that deviated that plan and the fire safety officers. Jackson didn't realize his hair was on fire. He was actually under the pyrotechnics when they went off. Plastic surgeon Steven Hoeffin said Jackson, who was voted America's entertainer of the year, could need surgery to his head. Student works out great aunt is spitting image of Ed Sheeran after finding photo; On January 27, 1984, Michael, who was 25 years old at the time, joined his brothers to shoot an advert for fizzy drink brand, Pepsi. But 25 years later, the cause of the accident remains unclear. The 25-year-old entertainer was singing his hit "Billie Jean" for a Pepsi Cola commercial in Los Angeles when the special effects went wrong. July 16, 2009 -- As the horrifying newly released images of Michael Jackson's head engulfed in flames during a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot get replayed on television and . Im not defending his use of prescription medicine by any means, but when you experience something like that it kind of opens up the door for painkillers and whatever else that may lead to.. Michael Lynn Davis fired the shot that killed Jamea Jonae Harris in a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa in the early hours of Sunday morning, and was provided the firearm by. The year of Jackson's death was his most successful. Despite the accident, Jackson remained a spokesperson for Pepsi until 1993. He now records with Columbia-Epic. More recently, Giraldi reportedly denied making Michael wait on stage. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? What happened is that the talent, Michael, was told by [Giraldi] to stand there and look more majestic, so subsequently he stood under the sparks instead of being half way down the ramp when the pyrotechnics went off. US magazine, which contains pictures of the incident, hits newsstands Friday. "Michael is quite shocked. Usmagazine.com has exclusive, never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercial accident, filmed in L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 27, 1984.. WATCH THE PEPSI VIDEO. We are investigating the death of Michael Jackson and we are contacting all of his doctors," Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told reporters. On January 27 . In this video still image released by Us Weekly on July 16, 2009, pop star Michael Jackson, unaware his hair is on fire, films a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 27, 1984. Instead, he asked the company to build a burns treatment center in Culver City, one of the places he was treated, according to the Los Angeles Times. Despite this win, Jackson later went on to donate the money to the Brotman Medical Centre - one of the hospitals he was later treated in for his burns. "He is in discomfort", said the doctor. Is Michael Jackson the best selling artist of all time? He was also prescribed a number of different painkillers, as well as a powerful sedative which was used to calm his nerves, and help him sleep.