Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group.Five of his solo studio albums are among the world’s best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), 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—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—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.

His 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—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and the sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Cited as one of the world’s most famous men, Jackson’s highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades.

Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana to a working-class family on August 29, 1958.Jackson showed musical talent early in his life, performing in front of classmates and others during a Christmas recital at the age of five.Jackson later began performing backup vocals and dancing; at the age of eight, he and Jermaine assumed lead vocals, and the group’s name was changed to The Jackson 5.During The Jackson 5’s early years, Motown’s public relations team claimed that Jackson was nine years old—two years younger than he actually was—to make him appear cuter and more accessible to the mainstream audience.

Jackson’s skin was a medium-brown color for the entire duration of his youth, but starting in the early 1980s, his skin gradually grew paler. This change gained widespread media coverage, including rumors that Jackson was bleaching his skin.In the mid-1980s, Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus; the latter was in remission in Jackson’s case, and both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight. The treatments he used for his condition further lighten his skin tone, and, with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he could appear very pale.The structure of his face changed as well; several surgeons have speculated that Jackson had undergone multiple nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips and a cheekbone surgery.

During his ‘Bad World Tour’ Jackson broke a Guinness World Record when 504,000 people attended seven sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. He performed a total of 123 concerts to a total audience of 4.4 million people, and gained a further Guinness World Record when the tour grossed him $125 million. During the trip he invited underprivileged children to watch for free and gave donations to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.

On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by American President Ronald Reagan. The award was given for Jackson’s support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.

In 1988, Jackson released his first autobiography, Moon Walk, which took four years to complete. Jackson told of his childhood, his experience in The Jackson 5 and the abuse he suffered as a child.

Jackson founded the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson’s ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease.

Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by a 13-year-old child named Jordan Chandler and his father Evan Chandler.

In 2000, Jackson was listed in the book of Guinness World Records for his support of 39 charities, more than any other entertainer or personality.

Jackson was given the “Living Legend Award” at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

“Black or White” was Grammy nominated for best vocal performance. “Jam” gained two nominations: Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

Jackson began taking painkillers, Valium, Xanax and Ativan to deal with the stress of the allegations made against him. By the fall of 1993, Jackson was addicted to the drugs. His health deteriorated to the extent that he canceled the remainder of the Dangerous World Tour and went into drug rehabilitation for a few months.The stress of the allegations also caused Jackson to stop eating, losing a significant amount of weight.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Thriller, Jackson issued Thriller 25, comprised of original material from the album, re-mixes, the previously unreleased song “For All Time” and a DVD. Two singles were released to moderate success: “The Girl Is Mine 2008″ and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008″. Thriller 25 was a commercial success, having done particularly

well as a re-issue, peaking at number one in eight countries and Europe. It reached number two in the US, number three in the UK and top 10 on over 30 national charts.

To celebrate Jackson’s 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a compilation album called King of Pop in various countries. These albums included tracks from Jackson’s group and solo career, all voted for by fans. The albums had different tracklists, according to how the fans of each nation voted.

Prior to his death, Jackson had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at London’s O2 arena, from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010. During a publicity press conference, Jackson made suggestions of possible retirement.

On the morning of June 25, 2009, Jackson reportedly collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles.The cause of death is reported to be cardiac arrest.

Though his life……

• 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 on-payment of 1.7 million dollars for two paintings.

• February 3: In documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed.

• February: The singer’s manager brings a 13-million-dollar lawsuit for back salary, which is settled out of court in June.

• November 18: Police raid Jackson’s Neverland ranch in California as “Number Ones” album is released.

• November 19: Warrant issued for Jackson’s arrest on several counts of child molestation.

• November 20: Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail.

• December 18: 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.