Michael Jackson was born the eighth of ten children.  In 1964, Michael joined a band three of his brothers had formed.  In 1966, Michael stepped up to the front to become the lead singer, backed by four of his brothers, in a band called The Jackson Five.

Michael Jackson

People who grew up as child stars have the same thing in common. You're cute, they love you; you go through the awkward stage, they don't accept you any more. Very few make the transition to adult star.

The Early Years

Michael Jackson was born the eighth of ten children.  In 1964, Michael joined a band three of his brothers had formed.  In 1966, Michael stepped up to the front to become the lead singer, backed by four of his brothers, in a band called The Jackson Five.  Their first four singles, I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There, hit #1 on the Billboard charts.  

In 1979, Michael Jackson released his first solo album, with the help of Quincy Jones, while still performing with The Jackson 5.  Off the Wall was different from the Motown sounds of The Jacksons, offering more of a funk and disco sound.  The album earned Jackson a Grammy Award, as well as a fan base of his own.

A Legend

In 1982, Michael Jackson released Thriller, which became the most commercially successful album of all time, generating seven #1 hits.  Jackson's screen time on MTV was an excellent showcase, not only for his songs, but for his choreography and tremendous dance talent.  The fame that came to Jackson as a result of this album, combined with his stage presence and ability to dance was likened at the time to that of Elvis Presley or The Beatles at their peaks.  

Jackson's follow-up album to Thriller was 1987's Bad.  The much anticipated album was not the commercial phenomenon that Thriller had been, but did offer seven Top 10 singles, including five #1 hits. Even as his fame was growing, Jackson was already suffering under the weight of his fame.  Rumors of eating disorders and plastic surgeries began to surface, but his fiercely loyal fan base was not phased.

Bigger than Life

In 1991, Jackson released Dangerous, another commercial success.  The first single, Black and White, peaked at #1.  His follow-up single, Remember the Time, spent four weeks in the Top 10, peaking at #3.  The Dangerous World Tour started in February, 1992, and lasted a year and a half.  During that time, he performed before 3.5 million people in 67 performances.  At the 35^th Annual Grammy Award Show, he was given the Living Legend Award.

Michael Jackson's career created a wild ride of fame and notoriety.  His life was full of controversial observations of bizarre behavior and speculation.  From his home at “Neverland,” with a constant flow of visiting children, to the long series of plastic surgeries, the public was constantly seeing another side of Jackson, but his raw talent and unbelievable performances never failed to thrill.  In 2009, Jackson died from misuse of prescription drugs.  

Did you know . . .

1. Michael Jackson starred in Francis Ford Coppola's 3-D movie, Captain EO, in 1986.  He played the title role.

2. In November, 2009, Michael Jackson's signature sequined gloved auctioned for  $350,000.

3. Over the course of his career, Jackson won 26 American Music Awards, 40 Billboard Awards, 17 Grammy Awards, and 13 Guinness World Records.

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