Post by timmy84 on Aug 30, 2009 15:20:40 GMT -5
From his first stage performance at a Gary, IN school recital at five to his final rehearsals at a Los Angeles soundstage at 50, from the chitlin' circuit with his brothers to the world stages as a solo performer, from "Big Boy" in 1968 to Thriller 25 in 2008, Michael Jackson has led one of the most eventful lives of any celebrity known to mankind. Here's a rundown of the singer's life from his birth in an impoverished neighborhood in Gary to his death at a rented Los Angeles mansion.
August 29, 1958: Born in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Katherine Jackson as the eighth of ten children.
1963: Makes public performance debut at Gary school recital to "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".
1964: Joins singing brothers as percussion player with the Jackson Brothers.
1966: Jackson Brothers change name to Jackson Five; Michael Jackson's career officially born as he's moved to lead singer of group.
1967: Becomes a professional recording act after signing with Steeltown Records. Begins performing regularly at venues such as the Apollo and Regal Theaters.
1968: Jackson Five hit with "Big Boy", later sets a landmark audition for Motown Records. Berry Gordy signs them to the label same year.
October 1969: Releases "I Want You Back" and Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.
1970: Jackson 5 scores four consecutive number-one hits ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", "I'll Be There"). Family success leads to them moving out of Gary, IN and settling into a Beverly Hills suburb, Encino, California, where they settle at a gated mansion they nickname "Hayvenhurst". Jackson would later buy the property from his father.
1972: Releases solo debut, Got to Be There. First three singles become top ten R&B hits, two of which ("Rockin' Robin" and "Got to Be There") hit the top ten on the US and UK pop charts. Later that same year, scores smash pop hit with "Ben", his first number-one pop hit as a solo artist.
1974: Popularizes "Robot" dance move for mainstream audiences during performances of Jackson 5 hit, "Dancing Machine".
1976: Leaves Motown for Philadelphia International and later shifts to Epic Records.
1978: Ventures further into solo career with film appearance in The Wiz, begins recording Off the Wall with Quincy Jones.
August 10, 1979: Off the Wall album is released; four singles ("Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", "Rock With You", "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life") hit top ten pop, sells over 20 million copies worldwide, making Jackson solo superstar.
November 30, 1982: Releases landmark Thriller album. Album launches seven singles to the top ten and two of which ("Billie Jean" and "Beat It") hit number-one. "Beat It" itself becomes a hit on rock radio thanks to its mixture of dance and rock. Thriller goes on to sell over 70 million records becoming biggest-selling album of all time.
March 25, 1983: Popularizes the backslide, AKA "the moonwalk" to national audiences during performance of Motown 25.
December 1, 1983: Unleashes legendary "Thriller" video on MTV. The video is widely imitated and memoralized in years to come.
1984: Pyrotechnic incident during Pepsi commercial leads to second-to-third degree burns on Jackson's scalp; later attends Grammys where he wins eight statues, seven of which coming from the Thriller album. Jackson later goes on his final tour with his brothers as "The Jacksons" ending a 20-year affiliation.
1985: Co-writes and records "We Are the World"; buys Northern Songs/ATV catalog with John Branca for $47 million. Catalog includes some 200 songs by The Beatles.
August 1987: Amidst rumors of plastic surgery and skin lightening as well as other fabrications (including hyperbaric chambers and buying the remains of the Elephant Man's bones), Jackson releases hotly-anticipated follow-up, Bad. Album sells over 30 million copies worldwide and spawns five number-one hits in the US.
1987-1989: Goes on year-long solo world tour of Bad and extends his global popularity with concerts. During this period, singer is immortalized as a "California Raisin" and has a school named in his honor. Later honored at the Soul Train Music Awards in '89.
1988: Moves into 2,700-acre Sycamore Valley Ranch; nicknames home "Neverland", after the fantasy place homed by Peter Pan. Same year, singer releases his best-selling autobiography, Moon Walk. A music video adaptation of the book debuts on MTV and BET.
1990: Enters L.A. hospital after complaining of chest pains, is later released. It's later revealed singer has had problems with his weight, resists food and begins taking medication to overcome insomnia and panic attacks.
November 13, 1991: Releases Dangerous album; gains notoriety for 11-minute "Black or White" video, which is watched by over 100 million global audiences. Album spawns new jack hits such as "Remember the Time" and "In the Closet" and more pop-rock flavor such as "Black or White" and "Give In to Me". Album sells over 32 million copies worldwide.
1992-1993: Goes on second world tour for Dangerous.
1993: Gives interview with Oprah Winfrey and reveals struggles with childhood fame, his relationship with Joseph Jackson, and contracting the skin-lightening disease, vitiligo, which he says was a result of his face turning from medium-brown to pale-ish white. Jackson also denies having extensive surgery and defends his black heritage. However in that same year, singer is sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old friend of his. Singer's company sells case for a negligent claim as is later revealed contrasting reports singer settled lawsuit with boy's family for $20 million.
May 1994: Marries Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie. Couple later divorce two years later.
1995: Releases two-disc HIStory album, featuring a compilation on disc one, and a new studio album on disc two. Worldwide hits with disc two include Janet Jackson duet, "Scream" (its video the highest-priced video in history), "You Are Not Alone", "They Don't Care About Us", "Earth Song" and "Stranger in Moscow".
1996: Starts HIStory world tour; marries his dermatologist Arnold Klein's nurse Debbie Rowe. Couple divorces three years later.
February 13, 1997: First son Prince Michael, Jr. is born in Los Angeles.
May 6, 1997: Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Jackson 5.
April 3, 1998: Only daughter Paris Michael-Katherine, is born in Los Angeles.
1999: Participates and leads off in charity concerts in South Korea and Germany.
March 13, 2001: Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
October 2001: Releases final studio album, Invincible. Album sells over 10 million records based mainly on the strength of the Rodney Jerkins-produced "You Rock My World". Performs in 30th anniversary tribute to his solo career; reunites with Jackson brothers for the first time in 17 years.
2002: Youngest son Prince Michael II, AKA "Blanket", is born. Same year Jackson accuses former record boss Tommy Motolla of not promoting "Invincible" or any other project by black recording acts calling him "racist" and "devilish". He also attends MTV Awards on his 44th birthday and is honored by Britney Spears. Singer also gains notoriety for having his son Blanket out of a hotel balcony while in Berlin; the media accuses Jackson of "dangling" his son, which singer steadfastly denies.
2003: Gives interview with Martin Bashir and talks of his life. It's in this interview that Jackson later admits sharing his bed with children. Same year singer is arrested on charges that he sexually molested a 13-year-old.
March 2004: Singer pleads not guilty to child molestation charges.
January-June 2005: Goes on four-month trial and is later acquitted of the charges against him. Few months later, singer moves out of Neverland and settles in Bahrain briefly.
December 2006: Jackson returns to America.
January 2007: Jackson attends funeral service for longtime idol James Brown.
February 2008: Releases Thriller 25 on the quarter-century anniversary of his most acclaimed album. The album includes remixes by Akon, Kanye West, Fergie and will.i.am and sells over three million copies worldwide, adding into the original sales of Thriller in the US.
March 2009: Announces 50-date concert residence at London's o2 Arena titling the concerts "This Is It" and announcing that it's his final concerts.
June 24, 2009: Gives what would be his final performance, rehearsing for his "This Is It" concert at the Staples Center.
June 25, 2009: Jackson dies of cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home at the age of 50. Later reports indicate Jackson died after receiving a drug cocktail from his personal physician Conrad Murray, who is investigated for possible manslaughter charges. Five other doctors, including Arnold Klein, are also investigated for possibly over-prescribing medications for singer.
July 7, 2009: Memorial service is hailed at Staples Center. Daughter Paris Jackson tearfully steals the show by saying her father "was the best father I ever had, I will miss him."
July 2009: Mother Katherine Jackson is named legal guardian of Jackson's three children.
August 29, 2009: Fans of Jackson celebrate singer's 51st birthday by launching into dance contests all over the world. Spike Lee (director of Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" videos) holds a neighborhood party in Jackson's honor.
August 29, 1958: Born in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Katherine Jackson as the eighth of ten children.
1963: Makes public performance debut at Gary school recital to "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".
1964: Joins singing brothers as percussion player with the Jackson Brothers.
1966: Jackson Brothers change name to Jackson Five; Michael Jackson's career officially born as he's moved to lead singer of group.
1967: Becomes a professional recording act after signing with Steeltown Records. Begins performing regularly at venues such as the Apollo and Regal Theaters.
1968: Jackson Five hit with "Big Boy", later sets a landmark audition for Motown Records. Berry Gordy signs them to the label same year.
October 1969: Releases "I Want You Back" and Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.
1970: Jackson 5 scores four consecutive number-one hits ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", "I'll Be There"). Family success leads to them moving out of Gary, IN and settling into a Beverly Hills suburb, Encino, California, where they settle at a gated mansion they nickname "Hayvenhurst". Jackson would later buy the property from his father.
1972: Releases solo debut, Got to Be There. First three singles become top ten R&B hits, two of which ("Rockin' Robin" and "Got to Be There") hit the top ten on the US and UK pop charts. Later that same year, scores smash pop hit with "Ben", his first number-one pop hit as a solo artist.
1974: Popularizes "Robot" dance move for mainstream audiences during performances of Jackson 5 hit, "Dancing Machine".
1976: Leaves Motown for Philadelphia International and later shifts to Epic Records.
1978: Ventures further into solo career with film appearance in The Wiz, begins recording Off the Wall with Quincy Jones.
August 10, 1979: Off the Wall album is released; four singles ("Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", "Rock With You", "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life") hit top ten pop, sells over 20 million copies worldwide, making Jackson solo superstar.
November 30, 1982: Releases landmark Thriller album. Album launches seven singles to the top ten and two of which ("Billie Jean" and "Beat It") hit number-one. "Beat It" itself becomes a hit on rock radio thanks to its mixture of dance and rock. Thriller goes on to sell over 70 million records becoming biggest-selling album of all time.
March 25, 1983: Popularizes the backslide, AKA "the moonwalk" to national audiences during performance of Motown 25.
December 1, 1983: Unleashes legendary "Thriller" video on MTV. The video is widely imitated and memoralized in years to come.
1984: Pyrotechnic incident during Pepsi commercial leads to second-to-third degree burns on Jackson's scalp; later attends Grammys where he wins eight statues, seven of which coming from the Thriller album. Jackson later goes on his final tour with his brothers as "The Jacksons" ending a 20-year affiliation.
1985: Co-writes and records "We Are the World"; buys Northern Songs/ATV catalog with John Branca for $47 million. Catalog includes some 200 songs by The Beatles.
August 1987: Amidst rumors of plastic surgery and skin lightening as well as other fabrications (including hyperbaric chambers and buying the remains of the Elephant Man's bones), Jackson releases hotly-anticipated follow-up, Bad. Album sells over 30 million copies worldwide and spawns five number-one hits in the US.
1987-1989: Goes on year-long solo world tour of Bad and extends his global popularity with concerts. During this period, singer is immortalized as a "California Raisin" and has a school named in his honor. Later honored at the Soul Train Music Awards in '89.
1988: Moves into 2,700-acre Sycamore Valley Ranch; nicknames home "Neverland", after the fantasy place homed by Peter Pan. Same year, singer releases his best-selling autobiography, Moon Walk. A music video adaptation of the book debuts on MTV and BET.
1990: Enters L.A. hospital after complaining of chest pains, is later released. It's later revealed singer has had problems with his weight, resists food and begins taking medication to overcome insomnia and panic attacks.
November 13, 1991: Releases Dangerous album; gains notoriety for 11-minute "Black or White" video, which is watched by over 100 million global audiences. Album spawns new jack hits such as "Remember the Time" and "In the Closet" and more pop-rock flavor such as "Black or White" and "Give In to Me". Album sells over 32 million copies worldwide.
1992-1993: Goes on second world tour for Dangerous.
1993: Gives interview with Oprah Winfrey and reveals struggles with childhood fame, his relationship with Joseph Jackson, and contracting the skin-lightening disease, vitiligo, which he says was a result of his face turning from medium-brown to pale-ish white. Jackson also denies having extensive surgery and defends his black heritage. However in that same year, singer is sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old friend of his. Singer's company sells case for a negligent claim as is later revealed contrasting reports singer settled lawsuit with boy's family for $20 million.
May 1994: Marries Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie. Couple later divorce two years later.
1995: Releases two-disc HIStory album, featuring a compilation on disc one, and a new studio album on disc two. Worldwide hits with disc two include Janet Jackson duet, "Scream" (its video the highest-priced video in history), "You Are Not Alone", "They Don't Care About Us", "Earth Song" and "Stranger in Moscow".
1996: Starts HIStory world tour; marries his dermatologist Arnold Klein's nurse Debbie Rowe. Couple divorces three years later.
February 13, 1997: First son Prince Michael, Jr. is born in Los Angeles.
May 6, 1997: Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Jackson 5.
April 3, 1998: Only daughter Paris Michael-Katherine, is born in Los Angeles.
1999: Participates and leads off in charity concerts in South Korea and Germany.
March 13, 2001: Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
October 2001: Releases final studio album, Invincible. Album sells over 10 million records based mainly on the strength of the Rodney Jerkins-produced "You Rock My World". Performs in 30th anniversary tribute to his solo career; reunites with Jackson brothers for the first time in 17 years.
2002: Youngest son Prince Michael II, AKA "Blanket", is born. Same year Jackson accuses former record boss Tommy Motolla of not promoting "Invincible" or any other project by black recording acts calling him "racist" and "devilish". He also attends MTV Awards on his 44th birthday and is honored by Britney Spears. Singer also gains notoriety for having his son Blanket out of a hotel balcony while in Berlin; the media accuses Jackson of "dangling" his son, which singer steadfastly denies.
2003: Gives interview with Martin Bashir and talks of his life. It's in this interview that Jackson later admits sharing his bed with children. Same year singer is arrested on charges that he sexually molested a 13-year-old.
March 2004: Singer pleads not guilty to child molestation charges.
January-June 2005: Goes on four-month trial and is later acquitted of the charges against him. Few months later, singer moves out of Neverland and settles in Bahrain briefly.
December 2006: Jackson returns to America.
January 2007: Jackson attends funeral service for longtime idol James Brown.
February 2008: Releases Thriller 25 on the quarter-century anniversary of his most acclaimed album. The album includes remixes by Akon, Kanye West, Fergie and will.i.am and sells over three million copies worldwide, adding into the original sales of Thriller in the US.
March 2009: Announces 50-date concert residence at London's o2 Arena titling the concerts "This Is It" and announcing that it's his final concerts.
June 24, 2009: Gives what would be his final performance, rehearsing for his "This Is It" concert at the Staples Center.
June 25, 2009: Jackson dies of cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home at the age of 50. Later reports indicate Jackson died after receiving a drug cocktail from his personal physician Conrad Murray, who is investigated for possible manslaughter charges. Five other doctors, including Arnold Klein, are also investigated for possibly over-prescribing medications for singer.
July 7, 2009: Memorial service is hailed at Staples Center. Daughter Paris Jackson tearfully steals the show by saying her father "was the best father I ever had, I will miss him."
July 2009: Mother Katherine Jackson is named legal guardian of Jackson's three children.
August 29, 2009: Fans of Jackson celebrate singer's 51st birthday by launching into dance contests all over the world. Spike Lee (director of Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" videos) holds a neighborhood party in Jackson's honor.
