Michael Jackson's Head On Fire: 1984 Pepsi Accident Video Found (WATCH)

**Scroll for Video**

Us has obtained video of the 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot with Michael Jackson that had a tragic pyrotechnic accident, resulting in Jackson's head catching on fire.

The burns and hair loss associated with the accident have been cited as the beginning of Jackson's painkiller addiction.

The video below shows two takes - in the first the explosion goes off as planned, after Jackson is out of the way. In the sixth the explosion goes off too early, while Jackson is standing right there.

Jackson's head is engulfed in flames, which he at first does not realize as he continues performing. Handlers then rush out to put out the flames.


WATCH:

Comments

[Dunbar]

Pepsi Co is horrified this came out and even more horrified that people are watching it.

I was horrified watching it. It only adds to the tragedy that surrounded Michael's last 20 years.

[Anne Duchard]

This is too tragic!!!

[MVPOnline]

It's really difficult to watch. If only someone been there to stop him from going back to the top of those stairs when the explosion went off on that sixth take.

Had that happened, his life may have turned out different.

[tatianalensky]

to state that this single event was the turning point in his life - toward pain killer addiction is just way too simplistic. I am sure it was horrific - no doubt. But there were no visible scars.

anyone ever heard of Formula One world champion Nicki Lauda? He had an horrific accident and suffered 3rd degree burns over large parts of his body and face. He was on the brink of death. He has had skin grafts on large parts of his face and neck. He has no ears. The guy didn´t turn into a fre ak because of that. He went on to become a very successful entrepreneur.

We all know MJ was sensitive and probably suffered abuse at an early age.

My point being: Its too easy and a cop-out to blame this particular event for all that followed in his life.

[robXdion]

Michael Jackson isn't Nicki Lauda. Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson. Your point is moot, insensitive and has no bearing on the man's life. People aren't chemical elements or mathematical equations to be switched at will to make your point. Clearly you haven't experienced real suffering of your own or you wouldn't make this comparison so blithely.

[Orphie]

"Handlers then rush out to put out the flames."

Interesting choice of words... One might think 'production assistants' ...'personal assistants' or even possibly his 'security team.' Handlers? That's a word one more often use to describe zoo attendants.

[LJ Thrilla]

I gotta agree there...
One of the guys right there helping Mike was Miko Brando... a friend not a handler.

I think it's atrocious that this footage has been released. It's also a reflection of today's media and their constant addiction of "one-up-manship" willing to do anything to be the ones who break a story.
I also find it incredibly lame that since this footage has been released that everyone has now decided that this moment was the start of a downhill trip for Michael and would result in his death over 25 years later... Puhlease...

[Hazelnut]

I didn't watch the video here...don't want to. Saw a few seconds of it on TV, and could not turn away fast enough. It was horrific. I don't want to see even a total stranger on fire, how much worse to see someone I liked and admired.
How must his family feel?

[mcbaby2]

I think MJ was a very fragile person who was to emotionally handle this kind of trauma. It really is sad and I believe it was a turning point in his life.

[sushi27]

This marked the start of his really weird behavior. I had no idea how bad the burns were. :(

[charitabledonation]

I must not watch enough tv or media because this video scared me to death.

[robXdion]

I have just discovered the most incredible coincidence. . . . .CHECK THIS OUT!!!

Michael Jackson was born Aug. 29, 1958.
This event happened when he was 25 yrs, 4 mos, 29-30 days old. . . .
He died on June 25, 2009.
Roughly 25 yrs, 4 mos, and 29-30 days later. . . .
This event marked the HALF-WAY point of his life and it's instructive that it was the beginning of his personal unraveling after previous professional success. ~ I'm not making this up. I just did the math.

[Tracy Hale]

Do Do Do DO DO
Do Do DO DO DO

...I'm doing the Twilight Zone theme...

that is freaky!

[robXdion]

It freaked me out too when I did the calculation. Somethings really are just that deep.

[mypov123]

Hey Rob, speaking of eerie connections between Michael Jackson and the number 25, here's another eerie fact. Michael was one among a list of African American entertainers who died on the 25th of the month, and they each died in even months:

Aaliyah: August 25, 2001

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes: April 25, 2002

James Brown: December 25, 2006

Eartha Kitt: December 25, 2008

Michael Jackson: June 25, 2009

Tupac Shakur died at the age of 25.

[robXdion]

Whoa!!!!! That's just. . . no words.

[DJ SG]

Tupac died in September. Not quite an even month.

[mypov123]

One more: Steven "Static Major" Garrett. He was a singer/songwriter who co-wrote songs for Aaliyah for most of her career. He died on February 25, 2008.

[Illusion1]

More interesting numbers regarding Michael Jackson....

He signed his will on July 7th, 2002, exactly 7 years ago to the day of his memorial on July 7th, 2009. He is the also the 7th child and his new album was to be titled 7EVEN.

I am not making this up...go check out his will.

[robXdion]

I saw that before. But where did you get the info on his newest album title?

[DrTJEckleburg]

You Are Not Alone...

http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2009/07/15/video-us-obtains-mj-pepsi-burn-commercial/#comment-9451

[Layman23]

I dont think the staff put the fire out. It was Michael himself. You can see him shaking his head wildly till the flame turn into smoke and then they all jump in.

Special effects people should be blamed. It was no accident. The timing of the explosion is all controlled. And who ever controlled that thing should have been bought to justice.

[qtis]

Some of these comments show that there's some sick, prejudice people in the world and you should know that we all can't move forward because of you. Give credit where it's due. Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer of all and to the whomever said his music suffered after his burn accident the man's next 2 classic cds "Bad" and "Dangerous" sold a combined 63 million copies and counting so get your facts straight.

[Marrymeplease]

I remember when it happen, but I did not know that things were as bad as it was. Second and third degree burn. He must have been in pain. I can not bring myself to watch it now, I just can't. With all the people coming out of the woodwork with all kinds of stuff, I am still trying to deal with the fact that Michael is gone. He was not perfect, he had his flaws, but he meant alot to alot of people. When he got on that stage he gave his fans his all. Despite what was going on off stage, and I thank him for that. I have not been able to listen to any of his music, I will but I can't right now. I'm sorry his life ended this way, but one thing I am not sorry for, and that is being a fan of Michael Joseph Jackson. I pray that he has found peace . Man looks at the outward appearence, but God looks at the heart. Rest In Peace MJ.

[rsprags]

MJ they can't let you go; this was so unnecessary releasing this tape. I'm so glad the Jackson's are shielding these children from all this non-sense. Michael is worth billions so the dead media is trying to get in on the money trail. And, for all you naysayer saying he was washed up and hadn't performed in x years. MJ was at a level where he did have to run around performing every week or months at a time. Michael's music will live for ever through his fans and his children; these children will be Michael's greatest legacy.

[HalowFan]

I remember people laughing about this incident and telling jokes about it after it happened. This is no laughing matter. The worst part is seeing how dazed he appears right after the flames were extinguished.

Ever since he died, it seems every day there's another reason to be sad for him.