Michael jackson

Michael Jackson

Who Was Michael Jackson?

Known as the "King of Pop," Michael Joseph Jackson was a best-selling American singer, songwriter and dancer. As a child, Jackson became the lead singer of his family's popular Motown group, the Jackson 5. He went on to a solo career of astonishing worldwide success, delivering No. 1 hits from the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. In his later years, Jackson was dogged by allegations of child molestation. He died in 2009 at age 50 of a drug overdose just before launching a comeback tour.

Parents and Siblings

Jackson's mother, Katherin Jackson, was a homemaker and a devout Jehovah's Witness. His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist who put aside his musical aspirations to provide for his family as a crane operator. Behind the scenes, Joseph pushed his sons to succeed. He was also reportedly known to become violent with them.

Jackson was one of 10 children; nine Jackson sibling, including Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet, all made marks in the music industry.

Early Life

Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Under his father's encouragement, Jackson's career in music began at the age of 5.

The Jackson 5

Joseph believed his sons had talent and molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s that would later become known as the Jackson 5. 

Michael Jackson's Songs and Albums

'Got to Be There' (1971)

At the age of 13, Jackson launched a solo career in addition to his work with the Jackson 5, making the charts in 1971 with "Got to Be There," from the album of the same name.

'Ben' (1972)

Jackson’s 1972 album, Ben, featured the eponymous ballad about a rat. The song became Jackson's first solo No. 1 single.

'Music and Me' (1973)

Jackson's third solo album, Music and Mewas his least successful.

'Forever, Michael' (1975)

This fourth solo album for Jackson was his last with Motown records.

'Off the Wall' (1979)

An infectious blend of pop and funk, Jackson wowed the music world with 1979’s Off the Wall, which featured the Grammy Award-winning single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," along with such hits as "Rock with You," "She's Out of My Life" and the title track.

'Thriller' (1982)

Released in 1982, Jackson’s sixth solo album Thriller is the best-selling album in history, generating seven Top 10 hits. The album stayed on the charts for 80 weeks, holding the No. 1 spot for 37 weeks.