Michael Jackson

About

Michael Jackson, often referred to as the "King of Pop", was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, USA. Starting his music career as a member of the 'Jackson 5' in 1964, Jackson emerged as a solo artist in the mid-'70s, quickly becoming an international superstar. Known for his exceptional dancing talent and unique voice, he transformed the landscape of pop music. His hit albums include "Off the Wall", "Thriller", and "Bad," among others. Jackson's life was marked by a series of controversies, including accusations of child molestation. Despite this, he remains one of the most influential figures in music history. Jackson died on June 25, 2009, leaving a lasting impact on the global music industry.

Associated With

Michael Jackson maintained a highly intertwined relationship with figures in the entertainment industry throughout his career. Notably, Jackson worked alongside Quincy Jones, who produced his best-selling albums, "Off the Wall", "Thriller", and "Bad". He also collaborated with Paul McCartney on songs like 'Say Say Say' and 'The Girl Is Mine'. His most high-profile romantic relationship was with Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, whom he married in 1994, although they divorced two years later. Jackson associated with a number of prominent figures in the acting world as well; Elizabeth Taylor was a close friend, and he starred in "The Wiz" alongside Diana Ross. Additionally, his ground-breaking music videos often involved collaborations with high-profile directors such as John Landis and Martin Scorsese.

Career Highlights

• 1958: Michael Jackson was born on August 29 in Gary, Indiana, USA.
• 1964: Joined his siblings in the music group, Jackson 5.
• 1971: Launched his solo career with Motown Records.
• 1979: His solo album "Off the Wall" became the first album in history to generate four No.1 hits in the U.S.
• 1982: Released his best-selling album, "Thriller". This album received eight Grammy Awards in 1984, a record for a single album.
• 1987: Release of the album "Bad," which spawned a record-breaking five No.1 hits.
• 1988: Jackson’s autobiography, Moonwalk, reached No.1 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
• 1991: Released the album "Dangerous" which was the first album to have four No.1 hits in the UK.
• 1995: The album "HIStory" became the best-selling multiple-disc album of all time, earning a Grammy for the video of "Scream."
• 1996: Jackson's "HIStory World Tour" became his highest-grossing tour.
• 2001: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
• 2009: Michael Jackson died on June 25th in Los Angeles, California.
• 2010: He posthumously won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his contributions to the music industry.
• Clearly, Michael's career was marked by record-breaking success, making him a global icon in the music industry.

Notable Awards

• Michael Jackson, often regarded as the "King of Pop," has won numerous awards throughout his career. Here are some of the most notable ones:
• Grammy Awards: Jackson won a total of 13 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for "Thriller" and twice for Record of the Year with "Beat It" and "We Are the World."
• American Music Awards: He received 26 American Music Awards, including awards for "Artist of the Century" and "Artist of the 1980s."
• MTV Video Music Awards: Jackson was bestowed 18 MTV Video Music Awards, including the Vanguard Award which was later renamed the "Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award" in his honor.
• Billboard Music Awards: He received several Billboard Music Awards, including "Artist of the Decade" for the '80s.
• Inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Jackson was inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and as a solo artist in 2001.
• World Music Awards: He won 12 World Music Awards, including the World's Best Selling Pop Male Artist and World Outstanding Contribution to the Pop Industry.
• Brit Awards: Jackson won 6 Brit Awards, including Artist of a Generation in 1996.
• Songwriters Hall of Fame: Jackson was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
• Guinness World Records: Michael Jackson has multiple entries in the Guinness World Records for his achievements in the music industry, including "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time".
• Presidential Humanitarian Award: In 1984, U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave Jackson a humanitarian award for his charitable contributions.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Michael Jackson Song/Album?

Michael Jackson, widely known as the King of Pop, has countless popular songs and albums. However, his most iconic song is arguably "Thriller," which is also the title track of his best-selling album. Released in 1982, the "Thriller" album broke numerous records and remains the best-selling album of all time globally. It has sold over 66 million copies worldwide. The "Thriller" song is world-renowned, particularly for its groundbreaking music video, which played a pivotal role in catapulting MTV into mainstream popularity.

How Did Michael Jackson Get Famous?

Michael Jackson became famous as the youngest member of his family's band, The Jackson 5, which was formed in 1964. His exceptional singing and dancing abilities stood out even at this young age, making him the focal point of the group. They signed with Motown Records and enjoyed immediate success with their debut single "I Want You Back" in 1969. Jackson's solo career took off in the 1970s with the release of his album 'Off The Wall.' His popularity soared to unprecedented heights in the 1980s with the release of 'Thriller,' which became the best-selling album in history. His unique style, innovative music videos, and unforgettable performances established him as a global icon and the 'King of Pop.'