Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut on the professional music scene in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group and was referred to as the “King of Pop” in subsequent years. Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller remains the world’s best-selling album of all time, and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world’s best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).
In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form — helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as “Black or White” and “Scream” made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists across several generations.
Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s and conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s. Jackson married twice and brought up three children, actions which caused further controversy. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further sexual abuse allegations and several other charges.
One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records — including one for “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time” — 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide. At the time of his death, he was preparing for This Is It, a series of 50 concerts that would have been held in London beginning July 13, 2009.
August 29, 1958: Born in Gary, Indiana.
August 1962: Singing debut with his brothers, The Jackson Five.
March 1969: First Jackson Five contract with Tamla Motown, Detroit’s black-owned record label. Michael’s voice propels the group onto the hit parade with “ABC” and “I’ll Be There”.
1970: Launch of solo career alongside that of the Jackson Five.
August 1979: Release of “Off The Wall” album, produced by Quincy Jones, which sold 11 million copies.
December 1982: release of “Thriller” album, whose seven hits included “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” pushing sales to 50 million copies worldwide.
1984: Jackson’s face gets burnt during filming for a Pepsi ad.
1985: Buys ATV Music — a company with rights to John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs — for 47.5 million dollars.
1985: Jackson writes “We Are The World,” which benefited the fight against hunger in Africa.
1987: Release of “Bad,” which sold 26 million copies and marked the end of his collaboration with Quincy Jones.
1988: His autobiography “Moonwalk” comes out.
1990: Michael Jackson is seen for the first time wearing a surgical mask in public/
1992: Release of “Dangerous,” which sold 22 million copies/
August 1993: A father accuses Jackson of molesting his 13-year-old son, but settles out of court/
May 1994: February 1996: marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis/
June 1995: Release of “History” album/
November 1996-October 1999: Marriage to Debbie Rowe, a 37-year-old nurse with whom he has two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine.
October 2001: Release of “Invincible”.
July 2002: Jackson accuses record labels of exploiting artists, especially African-Americans.
November 19, 2002: Scandal after Jackson dangles his third son, nine-month-old Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony.
January 31, 2003: Sotheby’s auction house sues for non-payment of 1.7 million dollars for two paintings.
February 3, 2003: In documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed.
February 2003: The singer’s manager brings a 13-million-dollar lawsuit for back salary, which is settled out of court in June.
November 18, 2003: Police raid Jackson’s Neverland ranch in California as “Number Ones” album is released.
November 19, 2003: Warrant issued for Jackson’s arrest on several counts of child molestation.
November 20, 2003: Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail.
December 18, 2003: Michael Jackson is formally charged with child molestation.
January 16, 2004: Jackson pleads not guilty during his first appearance amid a media circus.
January 31, 2005: Michael Jackson trial begins with jury selection.
February 28, 2005: Opening arguments begin in trial.
June 4, 2005: Jurors begin considering their verdict.
June 13, 2005: Jackson acquitted on all charges against him.
March 5, 2009: Jackson announces series of comeback concerts in London — billed as the “final curtain” — his first major shows for more than a decade.
May 20, 2009: Jackson delays comeback shows. Concert organizers say singer’s health is “fantastic”.
June 25, 2009: Jackson dies in Los Angeles.
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