07/15/2009
New Footage of Michael Jackson's Hair Catching Fire at Pepsi Shoot
Never-released frightening footage shot on January 27, 1984 at the shooting of a Pepsi commercial where Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire was posted today by Us Weekly. Jackson was performing Billie Jean when a spark from a pyrotechnic effect caused his entire head to be caught up in flames. Above, Jackson being wheeled to the hospital after being burned.
Watch the footage, AFTER THE JUMP...
Also, L.A. Police have refused to confirm whether Jackson's death is being treated as a homicide, as reported by TMZ.
Posted 7:57 PM EST by Andy Towle in Michael Jackson, News | Permalink
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OMG! Weird and creepy. Between this and MJ dancing with the zombies...
Posted by: Skiff | Jul 15, 2009 8:14:32 PM
I was actually there in the front row when this happened. The funny thing is that for those of us that were there we were not aware of what took place. He was backlit at the time so none of us saw the flames which are so evident here. I knew he had been burned but I truly had no idea of the magnitude of what actually happened until now 25 years later.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 15, 2009 9:06:07 PM
Waits for someone to comment on the cute medic...
Posted by: Kieran | Jul 15, 2009 10:39:51 PM
Poor guy. If I got burned like that, I'd be a complete addict and wailing baby for years...
Posted by: Freddy | Jul 16, 2009 12:04:09 AM
A friend of mine was burned much worse than that when she was trapped in a car that burst into flames and she only had to be on pain-killers for a few weeks. Unlike certain back or joint injuries, burns like his heal and don't hurt anymore. You don't need to take pain-killers for 25 years after being burned like he was.
Posted by: adamant | Jul 16, 2009 12:51:37 AM
OH GOODNESS!! CAN HE REST IN PEACE!
Posted by: DUPREE | Jul 16, 2009 1:16:24 AM
I always wanted to see this. I've heard reports in the past week that he was bald or had very short haid at the time of his death. I wonder if his hair grew back, what did he think of the incident.
Posted by: Bill | Jul 16, 2009 1:21:33 AM
Jesus.
Posted by: Kugel | Jul 16, 2009 3:05:56 AM
I can't believe those idiots that still make fun if him. Can you make fun of the fact that he donated all of the $1.5million payout to a burns victims unit? I wonder what you would have done if it were you? I am sure you are a small person compared to the big hearted MJ, the king of pop, rock and soul. You're king of SH**T! Lay off him once and for all!!! RIP MJ I'm glad you're in a better place.
Posted by: Antoinette | Jul 16, 2009 5:59:59 AM
Sorry Antoinette, if you're looking for fellow MJ sycophants and apologists, you're probably on the wrong blog. But you raise a good point about the charity that reminds me of something from a couple of years back. I feel like I remember reading an article or tidbit that showed that MJ's personal charities either were poorly run or didn't give a ton of money to the causes they were set up to support. Does anyone else remember anything like that? I feel like in the hubbub around MJs death, this has been overlooked.
Posted by: pdnoosh | Jul 16, 2009 8:38:43 AM
Looking back, I can see that this incident marks the beginning of his end, and I'm not only referring to the drug dependency.
What a sad and sensational life... and death.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 16, 2009 9:19:35 AM
This burn looks nasty, bloody sore as well. Yea i've seen the video, its really sad to watch.I could only imagine the pain he went through
Releasing this videofilm is a bit off uh.? Kept by Pepsi.??? 'Wonder if they signed-off on it as destroyed.
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Posted by: sri | Jul 16, 2009 9:53:20 AM
Yea, following his death they should have totally focused more on how his charities weren't good enough.
Good lord just let him rest in peace.
Posted by: Wes | Jul 16, 2009 9:55:33 AM
@PDNOOSH. I don't think it's for you to suggest who or who might not belong on a blog. Some here like MJ, some don't.
Posted by: Kugel | Jul 16, 2009 1:37:20 PM
I find it amazing that while pyrotechnics were being used near a celebrity of his stature, and his hair was obviously filled with flammable products, there wasn't a fire extinguisher and/or faster response. I know it was an unexpected event, but there are well-known dangers any time pyrotechnics are being used. Perhaps the lighting made it hard to notice, as Steve suggested. Still, it seems like someone would have recognized the potential danger given that he used so much oil-based hair product.
Actually it looks like even he didn't realize he was on fire for quite a while.
Posted by: Paul R | Jul 16, 2009 4:26:00 PM
M.J. R.I.P. Forever. You lived your life to the best of your ability, surrounded by sycophants and enablers and leeches. All you wanted was to sing and dance, knowing that your talents brought joy and happiness to millions. As a fan from the first slide of piano notes that broke like a dam of joy and promise onto the air waves, I have been a most ardent and respectful fan. My sadness at losing you so young, so needlessly still stings my heart. Sleep, sleep and then awaken amongst the stars where you shall shine and twinkle brightly across the eternal cosmos.
Posted by: jamal49 | Jul 17, 2009 2:42:45 PM