superstar

I've heard the term "superstar" used to describe Michael Jackson along with similar descriptions such as "megastar," and "worldwide superstar" because of his recognition around the globe. Those references fall short because they are too complex. He is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived. He's also the most underrated vocalist of our time.
He picked up where James Brown left off with his pure, powerful soulfulness and unsurpassed dancing skills. James Brown had moves. Michael Jackson had moves and choreography. He mesmerized white teenage audiences with greater effect than Elvis. Elvis had charm. Michael Jackson had charm and unprecedented energy. He crossed over and was embraced by white audiences in a way that Prince had only dreamed of. Prince had crossover appeal. Michael Jackson had crossover appeal and successfully crossed over. Young children were also drawn to and excited by Michael Jackson and his music in an inexplicable way that no music artist has ever been able to come close to. That's what made him the greatest.
But now he's gone. Never to be forgotten, and never to be replace. Gone are the possibilities for a comeback that so many of us were hoping for. Gone are the chances for musical, commercial, and social redemption.
As strongly as I'm tempted to point out the derisive treatment of Michael Jackson over the years by white people I have to cautiously refrain, but his original fan base (and most loyal in the U.S.) consisted of the black families who, at least visually, resembled his own. At a time when black pride was wavering, Michael Jackson made every young black boy in America feel that they too could be a Pop star and viewed as "cute"; if they had the requisite afro and psychedelic 70s attire.
White people also loved Michael Jackson. They recognized and rewarded his extraordinary talents and creativity when he was allowed to be the first black artist to have a video played on MTV; a move that positioned him as the King Of Pop and ignited record sales of Thriller, the best selling album of all time.