Zoë Blackler
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1964: Michael Jackson’s career began at the age of six when he teamed up with his four siblings to tour the down-at-heel clubs of the American Midwest. Calling themselves the Jackson 5, they were soon discovered by Motown and enjoyed a string of hits. The group set a chart record when its first four singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There) all peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. But it was the young Michael that came to the fore, earning the attention of the press, with Rolling Stone identifying him as an overwhelmingly gifted prodigy.
2. Going solo
1972: Off the back of the group’s success, Jackson began to forge a sole career releasing four successful albums with Motown, including Got to Be There and Ben.
1978: Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz, alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor.
4. First nose job (and the rest!)
1979: After breaking his nose dancing, Jackson underwent rhinoplasty surgery – the first in what would become a string of nose jobs.
5. Off the Wall
1979: During the filming of Wiz, Jackson met Quincy Jones who had arranged the musical scores. Jones agreed to produce Jackson’s next solo album, Off the Wall. Other contributors to the album included Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. It was the first album to generate four US top 10 hits, including the Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and Rock with You, with Off the Wall reaching number three on the US’s Billboard 200 and selling over 15 million copies worldwide.
5. Song for ET
1982: Jackson’s song Someone In the Dark for the film ET won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children.

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Dear Michael,
i believe u had a truly pure heart and soul just like a child.
i grew up loving you and even though i lost track of you in the passed couple years, i feel great respect and love for you and deeply hope u are in a happy place right now and feel our love all the way in heaven x
charisse, antwerp,
what can u say he was the undisputed king of pop, an icon across the world. the music industry has lost an artist who brought about the way we know pop music today. a very shy man who even in the face of the public still stood up 4 what he believed in world peace. we love u michael always and 4ever.
sarah taylor, colchester, united kingdom
love you king of bob your die its not easy for us its real shock to the world your music will live onnnnnnnnnnnnnn jacko
ithink some one kill him ??????we will see
ahmed salem, giza, egypt
we love michael jackson always and will never forget him as king of bob
god bless him
funky bros, giza, egypt
ilove you michael
you are avery unique artist and all the time you touched our lives and your music will live on with us forever ,,
rest in peace.
ahmed salem, giza, egypt
Michael Jackson you were amazing !!!!!!
i feeel soo sorrry for your children
no one could understand you
you were a legend and your name will be remembered forever
your music will live on
you were one of the wonders of the world!
Zoya Khan, Heston,
A very unique artist of all time. HIs sudden death is a real shock to the world. Wherever may be now...I am sure he is happy...just how his fans, family and friends sre showing their last respect ...Uhbelievable...Rest in Peace Michael...
Maryanne McCutcheon, Singapore, Singapore
RIP Michael. May you find the peace that you spent your life searching for. You touched our lives and your music will live on with us forever.
Hazel , Chester,
I'm a music graduate and therefore tend to lean towards the rewards to be found in Bach Rachmaninoff etc. Little of the commercial music world interests me, but even i bought "thriller" over 20 years ago. A unique man.
Noel, Berlin, Germany
Long live the KING of POP - you are and always will be a Legend - watching you in the Smooth Criminal video.. Genius.. XX R.I.P !!!
Sally Bethell, London, UK
my years as a child and a teenager have all been under his influence. now that he's gone it feels as if i'm forced to say goodbye to a part of my life. my only hope is that together with his 50 concerts in UK being sold out in a matter of minutes he's received a confirmation he's been greatly loved.
Ema, Bucharest, Romania
You will always be with us in your songs.
R.I.P.
Simona, Ljubljana, Slovenia
He was truly, one helluva a legend! There will never be anyone like him! RIP MJ! My heart goes out to his family and friends. Such a sad day for music :(
Irfat, London, UK
A 20th Century Icon scarred by opertunists. They took his self respect and his image in the public domain. They took his health and his sanity. One thing is certain, however, an Icon he will remain and his music will live on. "what more can i give?" ..............You gave enough! RIP
Kevin Murphy, Bucharest, Romania
I love michael jackson ! It's superb artist
brenda, los angeles,
I love you Michael may god be with you, i can't stop crying, i miss you already.
YOu have changed the world...for the better
Mayuran Kandasamy, London,
superb artist!
jude, durgapur, india
I think no body will replace him in the world ..of such a great dancer and musician.......I love Jackson especially his moon walk step....
Kiran Kumar Singani, Bangalore, India.
Whatever you think about Jackson's lifestyle, appearance, behaviour, whatever, you can't deny that he's produced some of the most successful and powerful pop music ever, entertaining millions of fans along the way. Happy birthday Michael!
Ian Dickson, Brighton, UK
What a silly idea Kevin. Which artist will not eventually fade in to relative obscurity? Will our children know of Pavarotti? Will they know of Malcom x, or the works of Thomas Hardy? I'd always thought that the point of art was to make something relevant for its time.
John Fowles, London,
err $47.5 to buy Northern Songs ? Is there an "M" missing or was Paul on the dole at the time ?
john, tokyo,
Does not the idolisation of this midget artist say everything the future historian will want to know about our dumb-downed, meretricious and superficial society? The works of MJ in the history of art will scarcely warrant a footnote.
Kevin Straw, Leicester,
George W bush was not president in 1989. I think you meant George H Bush.
Rupert, princeton, USA
He is the greatest artist of all time.Happy birth day to MJ and God bless him.
Bhaskar Gollapudi, London, Uk
Michael are the best ever.
i love all his songs!!!!! i love him..
happy birthay soon Michael !
Monica, Leikanger, Norway