by Aleksandra Dragieva

Created on: May 04, 2010

Michael Jackson was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the 7th of nine children. .

He began his musical career at the young age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, formed in 1964. At that time, the Jackson 5, composed of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Michael played in local clubs and bars  and moved further afield as there talents grew and they could compete in bigger competitions. At this young age, Michael sang at the same clubs as big stars, such as Jackie Wilson.

In 1968, the Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers discovered the Jackson 5 and from there they got an audition for Berry Gordy of Motown Records. The family moved to California and their first 4 singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, I'll Be There)  all became  US No1 hits. The band recorded 14 albums and Michael, alone, recorded 4 solo albums with Motown.

The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it was owned by Motown, so they became The Jacksons. Michanl's brother, Jermaine, married Berry Gordy's daughter, while the youngest brother, Randy, took his place. The Jacksons made 6 albums between the years of 1976 and 1984.

1977 was the year that Michael made his first film debut in the musical 'The Wiz'. his role was Scarecrow ,while Diana Ross was in the lead role of Dorothy. that's when Michael met Quincy Jones who was doing the score for the film.

Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones as his producer in order to produce his first solo album with Epic Records. The album was intitled Off the wall and  was an immense success around the world. It was also the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles in the US.

In 1982,  Michael Jackson released his famous album Thriller, which became the world's largest selling album of all time. This album contaned 7 hit singles, breaking more records, and sold over 50 million copies worldwide. So successful was the video of ths song Thriller 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 legendary moonwalk for thevery  first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This performance  set Michael  into the realm of a superstar.

In 1984 Jackson won a record breaking 8 Grammy awards in one night.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>