# January 27, 1984: Michael Jackson's Hair Catches Fire During Pepsi Commercial Filming
On January 27, 1984, one of the most shocking and consequential accidents in pop music history occurred at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson, at the absolute peak of his "Thriller" era fame, was filming a multimillion-dollar Pepsi commercial when a pyrotechnic mishap turned him into a human torch before 3,000 horrified fans serving as extras.
The commercial was part of a record-breaking $5 million endorsement deal with Pepsi – the largest celebrity sponsorship agreement ever signed at that time. Jackson was at the top of the world: "Thriller" was demolishing every sales record imaginable, and he'd just dominated the Grammy nominations. The shoot was designed to recreate the energy of a Michael Jackson concert, complete with elaborate special effects and the iconic Pepsi jingle sung to the tune of "Billie Jean."
During the sixth take, as Jackson descended a staircase lined with pyrotechnic effects, a magnesium flash bomb detonated too close to his head. The sparks ignited his hair, which had been heavily lacquered with styling products. For several terrifying seconds, flames engulfed the back of Jackson's head while he continued dancing, apparently unaware he was on fire. His brothers from the Jacksons, who were also in the commercial, and crew members rushed to extinguish the flames.
Jackson suffered second and third-degree burns to his scalp, leaving a patch about the size of his hand permanently scarred. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he underwent treatment and would eventually require scalp surgery. The pain was reportedly excruciating.
This incident had profound ripple effects on Jackson's life. He was prescribed powerful painkillers to manage the chronic pain from his burns, which many biographers and associates later identified as the beginning of his dependency on prescription medications – a struggle that would shadow him for the rest of his life. The scalp injury also necessitated multiple reconstructive surgeries over the years.
Remarkably, Jackson demonstrated extraordinary grace under fire (literally). He accepted a $1.5 million settlement from Pepsi but donated the entire amount to establish the Michael Jackson Burn Center at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, where he'd initially been treated.
The footage of the accident was locked away for years, though it eventually leaked decades later, confirming the horrifying accounts. Despite the trauma, Jackson continued his relationship with Pepsi and completed the commercial campaign. The incident didn't slow his momentum – he went on to win a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards just one month later.
This frightening moment remains a pivotal, tragic turning point in Michael Jackson's life story – a day when the King of Pop's seemingly invincible superstardom collided with vulnerable human reality, with consequences that would echo through the remainder of his complicated, brilliant, and ultimately tragic life.
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