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Footage of Michael Jackson's Pyrotechnic Accident Released

While so much about Michael Jackson's life and death remains a mystery, there are certain facts that everybody just knows by heart. One of them, sadly, is his ill-fated advertisement for Pepsi.

The accident was well-chronicled but rarely seen until now, as Us Weekly revealed exclusive footage showing the entire incident. The video is graphic and quite clearly shows some of the second and third degree burns that Jackson suffered as a result of the ordeal.

In 1984, when Jackson was on top of his game -- and in many ways, the world -- Pepsi arranged a video shoot for him at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The soft drink commercial was to feature Jackson's signature dance moves framed by pyrotechnics, but something went awry. During the sixth take, the pyrotechnics went off early, engulfing Jackson's hair in flames. Jackson, unaware that his head was burning, continued the choreography before stagehands could get to him and extinguish the fire.

Rolling Stone suggests that, based on reports, "Jackson's recovery from the burns was what led to the singer's eventual use of painkillers and prescription medications." As every news outlet in the galaxy would like to remind you, it was quite possibly Jackson's use of such medications that led to his cardiac arrest. Toxicology results are still pending.

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Rmz4mvl6

When I saw Michael Jackson's hair on fire I really freaked-out, my mouth opened. Why did they wait so long to bring this out? This just goes to show you, nobody knows everything about Michael. It tells me that "HE" didn't start doing drugs all on his own. And from what happened to him on this Pepsi shot, that's where the drugs started. At least they now have a time frame to when he started drugs.

July 16 2009 at 11:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Teresa

Michael Jackson was amazing, to go on after an accident like that says alot about him. He had alot of courage to continue being in pain the way he was all the time. He was such a sweet person, he did major things in this world and became more than just a musical icon. There will never be another one like him. May he rest in peace and he will be in my heart forever! My heart goes out to his family and his children they seem so sweet also. It is a true fact that what Al Shartpton said was true to his kids, your father was not strange but, it was strange what he had to deal with. This is so true.

July 16 2009 at 10:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
melowies

That's some major hair product. Straight up kerosene.

July 16 2009 at 2:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to melowies's comment
princessnjj

SO NOT FUNNY
If you knew anything, you would know that you could have gel, mouse or spritz and it would have caught, as a matter of fact if your hair had fire pop in it it would go up in flames too. So please keep the snide remarks to yourself.

July 16 2009 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply