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Birth of Michael Jackson
Born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana -
Period: to
Life of Michael Jackson
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The Jackson 5
Michael joined his siblings when he was just 5 years old, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist.
http://www.jackson5abc.com/ -
Independent Career
At the age of 13, Michael Jackson was still with The Jackson 5 however, he began to work on a solo career. -
First solo No. 1 single.
Jackson made the charts in 1971 with "Got to Be There,"
Got to Be There: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dp2FiFfCNY -
Solo album: Off The Wall
The overwhelmingly positive response to Off the Wall also helped the Jacksons as a group. This also really kick started Michael's solo career even more.
Off the Wall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3MFbhwfEXU -
Biggest Hit Yet: Thriller
Thriller topped the charts in 1982 which generated seven Top 10 hits and became the best-selling album in history.
Thriller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA -
PepsiCo Endorsement
Jackson signed a $5 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo in 1983. -
Michael Jackson's Accident
Jackson was badly injured while filming a commercial for PepsiCo in 1984, just one year after the endorsement. He suffered burns to his face and scalp. Jackson had surgery to repair his injuries, and is believed to have begun experimenting with plastic surgery around this time. -
Even More No. 1 Hits
in 1987, Jackson reached the top of the charts with Bad. He also released five No. 1 hits, including "Man in the Mirror," and "The Way You Make Me Feel".
Bad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUXAEzaC3Q
Man in the Mirror: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps
The Way You Make Me Feel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As -
Career Decline
Jackson's musical career began to decline with the bad reception to 1995's HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I, which featured some of his earlier hits as well as new material. -
End of Career
Jackson encountered legal woes when he was arrested on charges related to incidents with a 13-year-old boy in 2003. Facing 10 counts in all. The resulting 2005 trial was a media circus, with fans, detractors and camera crews surrounding the courthouse.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/14/us/michael-jackson-cleared-after-14week-child-molesting-trial.html?_r=0 -
Death
Died June 25, 2009, in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, CA
