Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. Jackson starts performing in 1964 with The Jackson 5. In 1967, The Jackson 5 recorded songs for the record label Steeltown. One year later they would sign with Motown Records. They set the charts with “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There”.
Beginning with 1972, Jackson released four solo studio albums with Motown. A year later, The Jackson 5 soon declined and then decided to leave Motown in 1975. The Jackson 5 then signed a contract with CBS Records that June, joining Epic Records. Due to legal reasons, The Jackson 5 was renamed to The Jacksons. Michael starred in The Wiz, playing the Scarecrow. Soon afterwards, Jackson partnered up with Quincy Jones to produce Jackson’s solo album Off the Wall. It was released in 1979 and produced two number ones, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You”.
In 1982, Jackson would release Thriller. It would feature three number ones, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, and “Wanna Be Startin’ Something”. It became the best-selling album of all time. The music video for the song “Thriller” would become a big hit. “Michael Jackson’s Thriller” is an approximately 15 minute mini-film music video. MTV would show the music video twice an hour. It was a sure hit. It was even named the best music video ever. The popularity of the video sent the album back to number one on the charts. Then on March 25, 1983, Michael Jackson debuted his signature dance move during a Motown 25 special, during a performance of “Billie Jean”. In 1984, Jackson’s hair caught fire during filiming of a Pepsi Cola commercial, stirring up more news. That same year, President Ronald Reagan presented Jackson an award at the White House. Jackson co-wrote “We Are the World” with Lionie Richie for charity, with him and 39 other artists pitching in to record on the record. Later on, Jackson bought The Beatles’ catalog for $47.5 million.
A lot of controversies were soon to follow. From his face surgeries to his pet chimp Bubbles, the press started having more and more to talk about. He gained the nickname “Wacko Jacko.” Not really a good nickname to be proud of. In 1987, Jackson would release another album, Bad. Five singles hit number one. Including “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”, “Bad”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Man in the Mirror”, and “Dirty Diana”. He became known as the “King of Pop.”
In 1991, Jackson would release another album called Dangerous. “Black or White”, the first single from the album, hit number one on the charts. The album didn’t hold up to Thriller or Bad, but did include a few good tracks.
A lot more controversies were heating up, including his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, that ended nearly two years later.
HIStory was released in 1995 and debuted at number one. Invincible, his final album, was released in 2001. It only had three singles. Showing that Jackson’s career had declined over the years.
On June 25th, 2009, Michael Jackson died at the age of 50. He was planning a big 50 concert tour to set a comeback. His death lead to excessive news coverage, major amounts of internet traffic, and his albums soaring once again. His wish of a comeback came true, but sadly he didn’t get to see it.
What is to happen next? Who will be the guardian of his children? How will his memorial turn out? Guess we’ll have to wait to see.
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