The Bio History of Michael Joseph Jackson began when he was
born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the
7th of nine children. (brothers: Sigmund "Jackie", Toriano
"Tito", Jermaine, Marlon, Steven "Randy", and sisters Rebbie,
Janet and La-Toya Jackson Michael began his musical career at
the age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 who formed in
1964. In these early years the Jackson 5, Jackie,
Jermaine,Tito,Marlon and lead singer Michael played local clubs
and bars in Gary Indiana and moving further afield as there
talents grew and they could compete in bigger competitions.
From these early days Michael would be at the same clubs as
big talented stars of there days, such as Jackie Wilson and
would be learning from them even back then. In 1968 the Bobby
Taylor and The Vancouvers discovered the Jackson five and from
there they got an audition for Berry Gordy of Motown Records.
The Jackson 5 signed for Motown and moved to California. Their
first 4 singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save",
and "I'll Be There" all made US No1 hits. The Jackson 5
recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 solo albums with
Motown. The Jackson 5 stayed with Motown until 1976, wanting
more artistic freedom they felt they had to move on and signed
up with Epic. The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it
was owned by Motown, so they reverted to The Jacksons as they
had be known in the early days.
Brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy's daughter and stayed
with Motown. Youngest brother Randy joined in his place. The
Jacksons had a number of hit recordsand in total made 6 albums
between the years of 1976 and 1984. 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. Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones as his
producer for his first solo album with Epic Records. The album
titled "Off The Wall" was a big success around the world and
the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles
in the US.
In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling
album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit
singles, breaking yet again more records, and went on to sell
over 50 million copies worldwide. Michael was keen 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
latest make-up artists technolgy combined with fantastic
dancing and cherography, to produce a 14 minute video, with a
start, a middle and an ending. So successful 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 undoubtable into the realm of a
superstar. In 1984 Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy
awards in one night. The awards were for his work on the
'Thriller' album and his work on the narrative for the 'ET
Storybook'.
In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album,
titled 'Bad', and lauched his record breaking first solo world
tour. 1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography 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, taking his concerts to countries that had never
before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also Michael founded
the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help improve 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 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.
Michael Jackson Funeral Held in L.A.
Michael Jackson's outdoor funeral service began at Forest Lawn Glendale Thursday after a more than hour delay, keeping Elizabeth Taylor and other celebs waiting in the stubborn L.A. heat. (Sept. 4)
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,
Destinys Child, Shaggy and many more performed there own and
Michael Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of
his brothers performed there biggest hits. Michael then went
onto perform solo some of his biggest hits. In October 2001
Michael released the album 'Invincible' so far releasing only 2
singles including the big hit "You Rock My World". Since the
release of this first single the album has been surrounded by
rumours of a rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion
of the album
While preparing for the This Is It concert tour in 2009, Jackson died at the age of 50 after suffering from cardiac arrest. He reportedly had been administered drugs such as propofol and lorazepam, and his death was ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County coroner. His memorial service was broadcast live around the world, attracting a global audience of up to one billion people. Jackson was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California on September 3, 2009 at a private ceremony.