Known as The King Of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson became a household name around the world, his crossover singles as a solo artist and as a member of The Jackson Five have put him in the Guinness Book Of Records as “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time”. His highly publicised personal life and incredible musical contributions made him part of pop culture for almost half a century. Dances such as The Moonwalk and The Robot owe Michael a great debt, and his distinctive voice and style is instantly recognisable.
On 25th June 2009, Michael passed away of a suspected cardiac arrest, although the exact cause of death is still unclear. His memory will live on through his incalculable contribution to music, and his two children, son Prince Michael Jackson, Jr. and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.
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Born to parents Joseph and Katherine in 1958, Michael was the seventh of eleven children. He was thrust into the world of show business early in life, alongside his brothers, as a member of The Jackson Five. The group soon caught the attention of Motown, and were catapulted into the mainstream limelight.
The seventies resulted in a string of hits including ABC, I Want You Back and I’ll Be There; their first five singles reached number one in the US charts – an unprecedented feat in musical history.

A move to CBS Records in ’75 saw the group rebranded The Jacksons, with Michael becoming the group’s lead songwriter. During a 1978 filming for The Wiz, Michael formed a partnership with legendary producer Quincy Jones, a collaboration that would sell over 200 million records, and bring both of them worldwide attention.

In 1979 Michael released Off The Wall with Quincy, which featured the single Don’t Stop Will You Get Enough, penned by Michael. The album also featured songs written with artists such as Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder – a testament to the incredible talent of the still-young performer.

Jacko’s career peaked with his sixth studio album, Thriller. Again, Quincy Jones worked on production, blending Funk, Disco, Soul, Rock and Pop into what is widely agreed to be one of the most culturally significant albums of all time. Seven of the nine songs were released as singles, and all reached the top ten in the US and countries around the globe.

1987 saw the release of Bad, again produced by Quincy Jones, and again spawning a vast number of successful singles, including Bad, Smooth Criminal and Leave Me Alone. By now Michael was known around the world, partially for music, but also due to the dramatic changes in his appearance between the releases of Thriller and Bad.

The early ‘90s, and Dangerous was released, his eighth solo project. This album was very different to his earlier albums, incorporating the fashionable New Jack Swing sound, heavily influenced by producer Teddy Riley. This was his fastest selling album ever, with over 4 million US sales within one month. Singles such as Black Or White played on the media interest in his apparent Vitiligo (a skin disease which results in loss of pigmentation).

Jackson’s later life was plagued by accusations of child molestation, and despite the media frenzy and public interest in the case, the courts found him not guilty. His addiction to prescription pain-killers further weakened his public image and eventually lead to a spell in rehabilitation.

It would be a decade before his next studio album, 2001’s Invincible, and although it wasn’t its intended comeback, it was a reminder of Michael’s musical talent.

On 25th June 2009, Michael died of a suspected heart attack, although the exact cause of death is still unclear. His memory will live on through his incalculable contribution to music, and his two children, son Prince Michael Jackson, Jr. and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.
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