Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children.

Five of the Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was six. They walked off with first prize.

The Jackson Five was signed by Motown Records in 1968.

The Jackson Five recorded 14 albums. Jackson made his first solo album in 1972.

In 1976 the Jackson Five signed to Epic, changing their name to The Jacksons.

In 1979 Jackson teamed up with Quincey Jones to release Off The Wall, his first album with Epic and his first solo album as an adult recording artist.

He released the Thriller album in 1982. It was a smash hit and yielded seven top-ten singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide. It spent 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at Number One. The album made history as the first and only album to be America’s top-selling album two years running.

The following year, Jackson unveiled his signature “moonwalk” dance move while performing Billie Jean during a television special.

Jackson’s lifetime record sales tally is believed to be about 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he has received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

In 1987, Jackson released Bad.

In 1991, Jackson signed a huge recording contract with Sony Music and released Dangerous.

In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, and police raided his California ranch “Neverland.”

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