About Michael Jackson
Before fame
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph and Katherine Jackson and grew up in a large, musically inclined family. His father worked at a steel mill and helped organize a singing group featuring Michael and his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.
Michael began performing while still a young child, quickly becoming the group's lead vocalist. Early local performances helped the brothers build experience before Motown signed the Jackson 5 in the late 1960s.
Their debut Motown single, "I Want You Back," topped the US pop chart, followed by "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." The success brought Michael nationwide recognition before he was a teenager.
He began recording as a solo artist in the early 1970s, scoring his first solo No. 1 with "Ben" in 1972.
Trivia and noteworthy facts
Historic Grammy achievement: Michael Jackson won eight Grammy Awards in one night in 1984, becoming the first artist to accomplish that feat.
Two Rock Hall inductions: He entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Jackson 5 in 1997 and as a solo performer in 2001.
Record-breaking album: His 1987 album Bad became the first album to produce five Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles.
The moonwalk: Jackson famously performed his moonwalk during the televised Motown 25 special in 1983, turning the dance move into an international sensation.
Humanitarian songwriting: He co-wrote the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie to support African famine relief.
Music video innovation: The 1983 Thriller short film, directed by John Landis, helped establish music videos as ambitious storytelling productions.
Solo breakthrough: His 1979 album Off the Wall produced four US Top 10 singles and marked a major turning point in his adult recording career.
Lifetime recognition: Jackson received the Grammy Legend Award in 1993 and was posthumously honored with the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Family life
Michael was the son of Joseph Jackson, who managed the Jackson 5, and Katherine Jackson. His siblings included performers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet Jackson. He worked with several brothers in the Jackson 5 and later recorded "Scream" with Janet.
Michael married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994; they divorced in 1996. He married Debbie Rowe in 1996, and the couple divorced in 1999.
Jackson had three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., widely known as Prince; Paris Jackson; and Prince Michael Jackson II, who is also known as Bigi. His children have occasionally spoken publicly about their father and his musical legacy.
Associated with
Janet Jackson: His younger sister and fellow recording artist. They collaborated on the 1995 song and music video "Scream."
Quincy Jones: Acclaimed producer who worked with Jackson on Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.
Lionel Richie: Singer and songwriter who co-wrote the humanitarian anthem "We Are the World" with Jackson in 1985.
Diana Ross: Singer and actress who appeared alongside Jackson in the 1978 musical film The Wiz and inducted the Jackson 5 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Paul McCartney: Former Beatles musician who recorded the duets "The Girl Is Mine" and "Say Say Say" with Jackson.
Eddie Van Halen: Rock guitarist who contributed the famous guitar solo to Jackson's 1982 recording "Beat It."
