Michael Jackson

The King of Pop, singer-song writer Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. MJ is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a religious Jehovah's eyewitness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a steel mill employee who performed with an R&B band called The Falcons.
At the age of 13, Jackson launched a solo career in addition to his work with the Jackson 5. He completed the charts in 1971 with "Got to Be There" from the album of the similar name. His 1972 album, Ben, featured the eponymous ballad about a rat. The song became Jackson's first solo No. 1 single.
In 1977 Michael made his first film debut when he starred in the musical 'The Wiz' playing Scarecrow with Diana Ross in the lead role of Dorothy. It was at this time Michael met Quincy Jones who was doing the score for the film.
In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit singles, breaking yet again all records, and went on to sell over 50 million copies worldwide. Michael was dedicated to use music video or short films as he called them to promote his singles from the album. He worked with the best directors and producers, using the latest technology and special effects for the hit song 'Billie Jean' The short film 'Thriller' used the most recent make-up artists technology united with fantastic dancing and choreography, to produce a 14 minute video, with a start, a middle and an ending. So victorious was this video that 'The Making Of Michael Jackson's Thriller' became the world's largest selling home video combined with soaring album sales. In 1983 Michael performed the now legendary moonwalk for the first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This performance alone set Michael uncountable into the realm of a superstar.
On December 9th 1984 at the last concert of the Jackson's Victory Tour, Michael announced he was splitting from the group and going solo.
In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album, titled 'Bad', and launched his record breaking first solo world tour. 1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography, Moonwalk, talking for the first time on his childhood and his career. At the end of the 1980s Michael was named 'Artist of the Decade' for his success off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums.
In 1991 Michael signed with Sony Music the largest ever recording contract and released his fourth solo album, 'Dangerous'. He toured world again in 1992, pleasing his concerts to countries that had on no account before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also Michael founded the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help recover the lives of children across the world.
In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley. The marriage only lasted for 19 months, as they divorced in 1996.
1995 saw Michael release a fifth solo album, 'HIStory', which was a double album, first half new material and second half greatest hits. Michael toured again over a legs covering a 2 year period. In between legs of the tour on November 14th 1996, Michael married for his second time to Debbie Rowe who was a nurse that Michael had met in the treatment of his skin pigment disorder. Together they had their first child Prince Michael Joseph Jackson jr born on February 13 1997 and a daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson born on April 3rd 1998.
In 1997 Michael released the remix album 'Blood on the Dance Floor' which also contained 5 new song linked with a 38min film "Ghosts". This film Michael played 5 roles using the latest special effects and make-up artistry, combined with his dance and music.
In September, 2001 Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary as a solo artist with two concerts to be held in New York, USA. Many artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Destinies Child, Shaggy and many more performed their own and Michael Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his brothers and performed their biggest hits. Michael then went onto act upon solo some of his biggest hits.
In October 2001 Michael released the album 'Invincible' releasing only 2 singles together with the big hit "You Rock My World". Shortly after the album’s release there were rumors of a rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion of the album. The second single "Cry" was released with a very poor music video which did not feature Michael and no other singles were released.
In November 2003 a new single "One More Chance" was released as a single and was also a track on new compilation album "Number Ones".
In March 2009, Michael announced a shock comeback tour at the O2 Arena in London to start in July 2009, initially for 10 dates but the total grew to a sold out 50 dates with over 750,000 tickets sold. All sold tickets sold out within minutes of being released.
On June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of severe propofol intoxication after he suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Holm by Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles