Biography
Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. He was the son of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Jackson's father was a guitarist himself, but supported his family by leaving music and becoming a crane operator. He realized early on that his sons had talent and changed their lives forever by forming the family band and becoming the manager of the "Jackson Family Band." Joe was reported to be quite abusive to his children. He was hard on them, forcing them to work extreme hours and often being violent with them. Despite their upbringing, Michael and his siblings had a great take on life. Michael joined his brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon at the age of 5 to become the lead singer of the famous "Jackson Five." Michael's success at being the lead singer of "the Jackson Five" made him realize he could take his career even further on his own.
When Jackson was 13, he launched his solo career on top of remaining a part of the "Jackson Five." As a solo artist, he released and made the charts with "Got to Be There" in 1971. Jackson's "Ben" album released in 1972 and the "Ben" ballad on the album became his first number 1 single to hit the charts. The "Jackson Five" wanted to make changes, including having more control over their music, parted with Motown records to join Epric Records in 1975 and changed their name to "The Jacksons". Also during this time, Jackson was given the role as "the scarecrow" in The Wiz which connected him to Quincy Jones. In 1979, Jackson collaborated with Jones to make the hit solo album, "Off the Wall." This album made Jackson even more famous and included many Grammy award-winning songs such as "Don't Stop 'til you Get Enough," "Rock With You," and "Off the Wall."
The Jackson's album "Triumph" successfully sold over one million copies, however, Jackson himself began to separate from the family band at this time. In 1982, he released the duet "The Girl is Mine" with Paul McCartney which was a chart topping hit. This song was featured on his newest solo album "Thriller." The "Thriller" album catipulted Jackson's career into another atmosphere like nobody else before him or since. When "Thriller" was released in 1982, people everywhere went crazy over it. During the "Thriller" era, Jackson begame famous for his "Moonwalk" dance, the songs "Billie Jean" and "Beat it." His videos for "Thriller" and "Beat It" both became legendary and changed and inspired music and music videos. With each new song or video released the album sales soared. When the "Thriller" video was released, sales were at record highs. During this time in Jackson's history, people all over the globe were inspired and fell in love with Michael Jackson and his music. He spoke to every race, every age, every religion. Many believed that Michael Jackson broke through the race barrier in radio and television with his music, forever changing the music and video industry an making him the pop legend that he is.
After "Thriller," Jackson was determined to sell more copies for his next album than he did with "Thriller." However, Jackson faced many difficulties during this time. He was labeled "Wacko Jacko" for all the changes he was making to his physical appearance, including lightening his skin and changing his facial appearance. There were many rumors about Jackson at this time and although people continued to be fascinated by him. It was also during this time that Jackson was burned in the filming of the Pepsi commercial which many claim was the beginning of his addiction to pain killers. Jackson's image was hurt by all the stories that surrounded him at the time he released "Bad" in 1987, but despite all this, the album still became one of the best selling albums of the 80s with many record breaking hits including "Bad," "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," and "Man in the Mirror" to name a few.
In 1991, Jackson went on to releasing his next album "Dangerous" which features the song "Black and White." The video for this release was much anticipated around the world and featured the child star and friend to Jackson, Macaulay Culkin. "Dangerous" did not have the success of Jackson's other albums, however, Jackson's music continued to gain popularity. He performed the half-time show for Superbowl XXVII in 1993 and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey to answer many unanswered questions about his life. During 1993 is also the time when Jackson was accused of child molestations at the Neverland Ranch which Jackson claimed he was innocent of.
In August 1994, Jackson married Lisa Presley but soon divored in 1996. After the divorce many people believed that the marriage was a "sham." Debbi Rowe, long time nurse and friend, married Jackson in November 1996. They made a arrangement that she would become the surrogate mother to Michael's children as a "gift" to him. Debbi was the surrogate mother to Michael's first two children, Prince Michael (born on Feburary 13, 1997) and Paris Michael Katherine (born on April 3, 1998). The two of them agreed that Michael would raise the kids and Debbi would visit occasionally since she live apart from him. Jackson and Rowe divorced in the later part of 1998. Michael's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (nicknamed Blanket, born in 2002) was born to an unknown surrogate mother. While Michael's children brought him much happiness, he continued to stuggle with pain and addiction. He battled an ongoing struggle with his appearence and underwent many surgeries making dramatic changes throughtout 1995 to 2001. This was a difficult time for Michael because of the endless lawsuits.
By 1995, Jackson's popularity was waning in the U.S. but he remained very popular world over. He released the album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I," which featured "You Are Not Alone," and "Scream" which featured his sister, Janet Jackson. During this time there were reports that portrayed Jackson in a negative light. Allegations continued to be made about child molestation cases and Jackson was shown in the media with a mask over his face and his children covered in veils.
Jackson's reputation continued to be tarnished in the media. In 2002, Jackson was criticized worldwide for dangling his child, "Blanket" over a balcony to show his fans in Berlin, Germany. In 2003, the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," raised more questions about the pop star and his relationships with minors. Over the next few years, Jackson would go to court based on more allegations of child molestation. He was acquitted of all charges on June 14, 2005. Jackson's image and financial status suffered tremendously. Jackson had to sell many of his valued treasures in order to pay his debts.
Reports of a Michael Jackson final tour surfaced. It didn't take long, despite all the rumors and allegations against Jackson, for this news to spark interest in Jackson fans. It was reported that the "This Is It" tour was scheduled to appear in London, England. This concert sold out in only four hours.
On June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, Michael Jackson died in his Los Angeles home. It was reported that he suffered a cardiad arrest and that his physician, Dr. Conrad Murry, was to be charged for administering lethal drugs which led to Jackson's death. In 2010, Conrad was found guilty of these charges. News spread quickly around the world and Jackson's death became a major cultural event. There was a huge global response to news of Jackson's death. The Internet couldn't handle the overwhelming hits and many websites closed or shut down due to this. It is estimated that over one billion people watched the Michael Jackson memorial.
The "This Is It" documentary which featured Jackson preparing for his comeback tour made $23 million on opening weekend and was number one at the box office. This documentary of Jackson's final tour made more than $260.8 million worldwide, and became the highest grossing documentary of all time.
When Jackson was 13, he launched his solo career on top of remaining a part of the "Jackson Five." As a solo artist, he released and made the charts with "Got to Be There" in 1971. Jackson's "Ben" album released in 1972 and the "Ben" ballad on the album became his first number 1 single to hit the charts. The "Jackson Five" wanted to make changes, including having more control over their music, parted with Motown records to join Epric Records in 1975 and changed their name to "The Jacksons". Also during this time, Jackson was given the role as "the scarecrow" in The Wiz which connected him to Quincy Jones. In 1979, Jackson collaborated with Jones to make the hit solo album, "Off the Wall." This album made Jackson even more famous and included many Grammy award-winning songs such as "Don't Stop 'til you Get Enough," "Rock With You," and "Off the Wall."
The Jackson's album "Triumph" successfully sold over one million copies, however, Jackson himself began to separate from the family band at this time. In 1982, he released the duet "The Girl is Mine" with Paul McCartney which was a chart topping hit. This song was featured on his newest solo album "Thriller." The "Thriller" album catipulted Jackson's career into another atmosphere like nobody else before him or since. When "Thriller" was released in 1982, people everywhere went crazy over it. During the "Thriller" era, Jackson begame famous for his "Moonwalk" dance, the songs "Billie Jean" and "Beat it." His videos for "Thriller" and "Beat It" both became legendary and changed and inspired music and music videos. With each new song or video released the album sales soared. When the "Thriller" video was released, sales were at record highs. During this time in Jackson's history, people all over the globe were inspired and fell in love with Michael Jackson and his music. He spoke to every race, every age, every religion. Many believed that Michael Jackson broke through the race barrier in radio and television with his music, forever changing the music and video industry an making him the pop legend that he is.
After "Thriller," Jackson was determined to sell more copies for his next album than he did with "Thriller." However, Jackson faced many difficulties during this time. He was labeled "Wacko Jacko" for all the changes he was making to his physical appearance, including lightening his skin and changing his facial appearance. There were many rumors about Jackson at this time and although people continued to be fascinated by him. It was also during this time that Jackson was burned in the filming of the Pepsi commercial which many claim was the beginning of his addiction to pain killers. Jackson's image was hurt by all the stories that surrounded him at the time he released "Bad" in 1987, but despite all this, the album still became one of the best selling albums of the 80s with many record breaking hits including "Bad," "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," and "Man in the Mirror" to name a few.
In 1991, Jackson went on to releasing his next album "Dangerous" which features the song "Black and White." The video for this release was much anticipated around the world and featured the child star and friend to Jackson, Macaulay Culkin. "Dangerous" did not have the success of Jackson's other albums, however, Jackson's music continued to gain popularity. He performed the half-time show for Superbowl XXVII in 1993 and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey to answer many unanswered questions about his life. During 1993 is also the time when Jackson was accused of child molestations at the Neverland Ranch which Jackson claimed he was innocent of.
In August 1994, Jackson married Lisa Presley but soon divored in 1996. After the divorce many people believed that the marriage was a "sham." Debbi Rowe, long time nurse and friend, married Jackson in November 1996. They made a arrangement that she would become the surrogate mother to Michael's children as a "gift" to him. Debbi was the surrogate mother to Michael's first two children, Prince Michael (born on Feburary 13, 1997) and Paris Michael Katherine (born on April 3, 1998). The two of them agreed that Michael would raise the kids and Debbi would visit occasionally since she live apart from him. Jackson and Rowe divorced in the later part of 1998. Michael's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (nicknamed Blanket, born in 2002) was born to an unknown surrogate mother. While Michael's children brought him much happiness, he continued to stuggle with pain and addiction. He battled an ongoing struggle with his appearence and underwent many surgeries making dramatic changes throughtout 1995 to 2001. This was a difficult time for Michael because of the endless lawsuits.
By 1995, Jackson's popularity was waning in the U.S. but he remained very popular world over. He released the album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I," which featured "You Are Not Alone," and "Scream" which featured his sister, Janet Jackson. During this time there were reports that portrayed Jackson in a negative light. Allegations continued to be made about child molestation cases and Jackson was shown in the media with a mask over his face and his children covered in veils.
Jackson's reputation continued to be tarnished in the media. In 2002, Jackson was criticized worldwide for dangling his child, "Blanket" over a balcony to show his fans in Berlin, Germany. In 2003, the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," raised more questions about the pop star and his relationships with minors. Over the next few years, Jackson would go to court based on more allegations of child molestation. He was acquitted of all charges on June 14, 2005. Jackson's image and financial status suffered tremendously. Jackson had to sell many of his valued treasures in order to pay his debts.
Reports of a Michael Jackson final tour surfaced. It didn't take long, despite all the rumors and allegations against Jackson, for this news to spark interest in Jackson fans. It was reported that the "This Is It" tour was scheduled to appear in London, England. This concert sold out in only four hours.
On June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, Michael Jackson died in his Los Angeles home. It was reported that he suffered a cardiad arrest and that his physician, Dr. Conrad Murry, was to be charged for administering lethal drugs which led to Jackson's death. In 2010, Conrad was found guilty of these charges. News spread quickly around the world and Jackson's death became a major cultural event. There was a huge global response to news of Jackson's death. The Internet couldn't handle the overwhelming hits and many websites closed or shut down due to this. It is estimated that over one billion people watched the Michael Jackson memorial.
The "This Is It" documentary which featured Jackson preparing for his comeback tour made $23 million on opening weekend and was number one at the box office. This documentary of Jackson's final tour made more than $260.8 million worldwide, and became the highest grossing documentary of all time.