On January 22, 1984, the iconic pop star Michael Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp during the filming of a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The incident occurred when pyrotechnics accidentally set his hair on fire.
During the sixth take of the commercial, which featured Jackson dancing down a set of stairs followed by a burst of fireworks, the pyrotechnics erupted too early. The sparks ignited Jackson's heavily sprayed hair, causing severe burns to his scalp, face, and body.
Despite the pain, Jackson continued dancing down the stairs, unaware that he was on fire. Crew members rushed to extinguish the flames, and the singer was immediately rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for treatment.
As a result of the accident, Jackson had to undergo several surgeries and was prescribed painkillers, which some believe contributed to his later addiction to prescription drugs. Pepsi settled out of court with Jackson, and the company also donated $1.5 million to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, where Jackson received treatment for his burns.
This incident marked a significant moment in Jackson's life and career, as it was one of the first public indications of his struggles with chronic pain and prescription medication. Despite the setback, Jackson went on to release his immensely successful album "Bad" in 1987 and continued to be a dominant force in the music industry throughout his lifetime.
