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Let's party like it's 1958!

Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson — all born in the Midwest in the summer of ’58 — became three of the biggest music superstars of the 1980s and remain revered pop-culture icons despite roller-coaster careers.

By JON BREAM, Star Tribune

Last update: June 6, 2008 - 4:41 PM


Like a Prayer
Madonna's "sacrilegious" video was "Like A Prayer", not "Papa Don't Preach". But it's pretty tame when compared to today's standards.

Prince






Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson -- all born in the Midwest in the summer of '58 -- became three of the biggest music superstars of the 1980s and remain revered pop-culture icons despite roller-coaster careers. As Prince turns 50 today, we compare the lives of the Purple One, the Material Girl and the King of Pop.

BORN
Prince: Minneapolis, June 7

Madonna: Bay City, Mich., Aug. 16

Michael Jackson: Gary, Ind., Aug. 29

MARRIAGES/ DIVORCES/ CHILDREN
Prince: 2/2/1 (deceased)

Madonna: 2/1/3

Michael Jackson: 2/2/3

CAREER HIGH POINT
Prince: 1984's "Purple Rain" movie, soundtrack and tour

Madonna: 1990's Blonde Ambition Tour and its documentary, "Truth or Dare"

Michael Jackson: 1983's "Thriller," the second best-selling album ever

CAREER LOW POINT
Prince: His 1986 movie "Under the Cherry Moon" with Kristin Scott Thomas


Madonna: Her 1986 movie "Shanghai Surprise" with first husband Sean Penn

Michael Jackson: His 2005 trial on child-molesting charges (he was acquitted)

BEST MARKETING MOVE
Prince: Giving away free CD to every concertgoer on "Musicology Tour"

Madonna: "Sex," a book of soft-core photos of herself (and Vanilla Ice!)

Michael Jackson: National TV interview with then-wife Lisa Marie Presley

WORST MOVE
Prince: Changed his name to a glyph as protest against Warner Bros.

Madonna: Sacrilegious video for "Papa Don't Preach"

Michael Jackson: Paying off family of a young boy whom he allegedly molested

BEST LOOK
Prince: Purple suit and gold tie with the perfect accessory, Beyoncé, on the 2004 Grammys

Madonna: Jean Harlow-style glamour on her video for "Vogue"

Michael Jackson: Big Afro and his original nose on his video for "Ben"

U.S. ALBUM SALES
Prince: 39.5 million (top seller: "Purple Rain," 13 million)

Madonna: 63 million ("Immaculate Collection," 10 million)

Michael Jackson: 60.5 million ("Thriller," 27 million)

NO. 1 POP HITS
Prince: 5

Madonna: 12

Michael Jackson: 13

LAST TOP 10 POP HIT
Prince: The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (No. 3, 1994)

Madonna: "4 Minutes" (No. 3, 2008)

Michael Jackson: "You Are Not Alone" (No. 1, 1995)

LAST GREAT MOMENT
Prince: Super Bowl halftime show, 2007

Madonna: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, 2008

Michael Jackson: Can't remember (OK, 1988's Bad Tour)

nice and cool - love it!

Guess I must be dumb,

They say that UTCM was Prince's low point? Were they in a coma during Grafitti Bridge? 18 years later and I STILL don't fully understand the film, though "Elephants and Flowers" is my JAM!

And I personally think Michael Jackson's best look was the "Thriller" era look: all glittery with the Jherri Kurl.

The sacrilege video for Madonna was Like A Prayer, not Papa Don't Preach.

Those album figures look a bit suspect, and Thriller was released November 30th 1982, it just hit big in 83 and 84 (Jan-May 84, it sold a million a week). The album charts for December 82, already show THriller in the Top 10, and The Girl is mine peaked at #2 in December 1982.

But I will admit, I can't wait for Mads and Jacko to reach their 50th

That's cute.

Princey is cute.

I still can't get over him being fifty. Given a chance, I'll knock the grey hairs off his...

Woo--did I say that outloud?

Uh, Prince is a good looking dude, lemme leave it at that.

Prince is adorable...I don't know how He got away...Prince is a great escape artist. And Eye am a great detective.