Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958. He was the eighth of ten children in a working-class family. His father, Joe Jackson, was a steel mill worker who formed a musical group with his sons in the early 1960s. Michael joined his brothers' band in 1964, and at just eight years old, he became a lead vocalist. The group became known as the Jackson 5.
The Jackson 5
With Michael as the lead singer, the Jackson 5 quickly gained notoriety. They signed with Motown Records in 1968 and achieved massive success. Their first four singles, including "I Want You Back," all went to number one on the Billboard charts. The family moved to a large estate in Encino, California in 1971. During this period, Michael also launched a solo career, releasing four albums between 1972 and 1975.
King of Pop
Off the Wall
In 1978, Jackson met producer Quincy Jones and began working on his first "adult" solo album. The result was 1979's "Off the Wall." The album was a critical and commercial success, establishing him as a solo performer. It featured the hit singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You". "Off the Wall" sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Thriller
Jackson's 1982 album "Thriller" catapulted him to global superstardom. It became the best-selling album of all time, with estimated sales of over 70 million copies worldwide. The album produced seven top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean" and "Beat It". The music videos for the album, especially the extended video for the title track, were revolutionary and helped popularize MTV. During a performance of "Billie Jean" in 1983, Jackson debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk.
Later Years and Controversies
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Jackson continued to release successful albums like "Bad" (1987), "Dangerous" (1991), and "HIStory" (1995). However, his personal life and changing appearance became subjects of intense media speculation. In 1993, he was accused of child sexual abuse, a case that was settled out of court. He was married twice, first to Lisa Marie Presley and then to Debbie Rowe, with whom he had two children. A third child was born via a surrogate in 2002. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations.
Death and Legacy
In 2009, while preparing for a series of comeback concerts, Jackson died from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician. His death at age 50 was ruled a homicide, and his doctor was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Jackson is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. He won 13 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. His influence on music, dance, and music videos is undeniable, and he is one of the best-selling music artists of all time with estimated sales of over 500 million records worldwide.