Pepsi Fire the Start of MJ's Addictions?

PopEater

posted: 19 DAYS 15 HOURS AGO

comments: 501

Text SizeAAA

Anyone who was a Michael Jackson fan in the years after he released 'Thriller' - and that was pretty much anyone alive in the '80s - remembers the harrowing accident on the set of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. While filming the ad at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Jackson suffered severe burns to his scalp when pyrotechnics accidentally set his hair on fire. Pepsi paid a $1.5 million settlement after the incident, which Jackson donated to the Brotman Medical Center - now home to the Michael Jackson Burn Center.

Tragically, the accident seemed to have permanent repercussions for the 'Billie Jean' singer. The current issue of Us Weekly reports that the painkillers Michael Jackson was prescribed to relieve the pain of second and third-degree burns on his scalp and body - as well as the reconstructive plastic surgery - spurred two of Jackson's long-time addictions.

Skip over this content

Memorable Michael Moments

Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film 'The Wiz.'

Tom Zimberoff, Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey interviewed Jackson in February of 1993.

Time showed off an Andy Warhol portrait on a 1984 cover at the height of his 'Thriller' popularity.

Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

Michael Jackson is photographed with Brooke Shields in 1988.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Michael Jackson hit the court with Michael Jordan during the video shoot for 'Jam' in 1992.

FOX / AP

Jackson attends a Pepsi press conference on February 3, 1992. Jackson accepted the largest individual sponsorship deal in history from Pepsi-Cola in 1983.

Steve Allen, Liaison / Getty Images

Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena in 1993. The halftime show was a ratings smash.

Rusty Kennedy, AP

Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley kiss on the stage of Radio City Music Hall at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. "And they said he wouldn't last," Jackson joked.

AFP / Getty Images

Wearing a black surgical mask, Jackson arrives with companion Debbie Rowe, mother to two of his children, at a performance of the play "Sisterella" in 1996.

Chris Pizzello, AP

Michael Jackson with baby son Prince and mother Debbie Rowe on cover of OK! Magazine in 1997.

OK! Magazine / AP

Us magazine obtained a never-before-seen clip of the event, first showing a successful take of the commercial, where Jackson descended a staircase to join his brothers in performance - before the fireworks went off. It was the sixth take when things went so badly, as the pyrotechnics exploded early, igniting Jackson's hair.

Watch the clip below:

2009-07-15 11:42:59

PRINT|E-MAIL TWITTER FACEBOOK DIGG AIM MORE