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The year was 1969... "I Want You Back" was the first number one Motown hit for the Jackson 5. Their lead singer was 11-year old Michael Jackson.
The album cover suggests Diana Ross discovered them. She didn't. But it was all part of the legend of the Jackson 5. Their first four singles, ABC, I'll Be There, Stop the love you save, and I want you back went straight to number one.It was already clear that Michael was the star of the act and

by 1971, he was making his own solo albums at motown, Got to Be there, Music & Me, and Ben, while still working with his brothers on the groups projects.Their Music later changed when they left motown and signed with epic records, now they focused on more mature themes, and personal growth, especially since they wrote their own matireal. Plus the names of there albums; Destiny Triumph, victory, reflected their status in the entertainment industry. The Jacksons were now sending messages in their music, and it's very clear if you listen to the song Can You Feel It.
Together the Jackson five made many televison appearances. Jermaine & Jackie also made solo records, later followed by marlon, & Randy.Michael and the Jacksons continued to pile up hit after hit. In 1978, Hollywood came calling. Michael starred as The Scarecrow in "The Wiz." where he met Quincy Jones. The film grossed 19 millon at the box office, but had cost 21 million to make. It was seen as a failurer, patically because it centerd on one demografic, African Americans, with heavy messages of urban empowerment & freedom. Other races were not interested. But the collaboration with Quincy Jones turned out to be gold. In 1979, the album "Off the Wall" became the first solo album to have four Top 10 hits. It eventually sold over 20-million copies. Off the wall includes the songs, Rock with you, Off the wall, she's out of my life, working day and night, and Don't stop till you get enoughMichael Jackson accepts two 1981 American Music Awards for Favorite Male Vocalist and R&B Album of the Year for “Off the Wall

The album next album was "Thriller."

In just over a year, Thriller became -- and still is -- the best-selling album of all time, selling as many as 110-million copies worldwide. Seven of the album's nine songs hit the top 10. songs include Beat IT, Wanna Be Starting something, Thriller, The girl is mine(duet wtih paul Mc Carntney), Human Nature, PYT- pretty Young Thing, and Baby be mineDuring a Motown TV special in 1983, wearing a sequined glove. Michael debuted his signature dance move, ... the Moonwalk, to rave reviews. the dance move made history on it's own.

Just months later, while shooting a Pepsi commercial, Michael suffered serious burns when fireworks set his hair on fire. Michael sued Pepsi, for 1 million dollars, and won. He gave 100% of it to the burn unit that treated him when he was badly burned.


In 1984,U.S President Ronald Reagan wanted Michael to lend his song "Beat It" as backing music for a commercial on drunk driving. Jackson agreed and The president askd the singer to come to the whitehouse, he awarded with an honour from the President Reagan. And That was'nt the first time a US president wanted to work with Michael, later he was honored by George Bush sr., as Artist of the Decade for hs humanitarian work, and then he was asked to seranade Bill clintion in a tribute.

In March of 1985 Michael orcastrated We Are The World, It was a Star Studdet Charity single that raised money for the Aides sufferers in Africa, with a hundred percent of the profits going to the charity, the song raised 60 million plus for the cause.The cd "Bad" came out in 1987 and gave Michael seven more hit singles. The video for bad was a ratings high on network TV. Bad includes the songs, I Just Can't Stop loviing you, the way you make me feel, Smooth Criminal and ofcourse the tittle track, Bad.

Michael had his goal set on film making, and starred in his own production Moonwalker, a film where he takes down the head of a drug lord who's trying to get kids hooked on drugs. The film constist of many shorts, one of which michael runs away from over zelous fans in Speed Demon. The Film debuted in theaters overseas, and was the best selling home video in the U.S. Moonwalker was so successful video game developers came knocking at his door, and he approved Moonwalker the game

And then, in 1991, promoting his album for Dangerous he created a television sensation with the debut of an 11-minute long music video for "Black or White." Dangerous includes the hits Jam, Black or White, Why You Wanna Trip on Me, Dirty Diana, Heal The World, Remember The Time, Gone too Soon, Will You Be There, Who is it, and ofcourse Dangerous.In early 1993, Michael was at the height of his career. He received the living legend award at the Grammys, plus many more of that year.

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Through out his career Michael Jackson was involved in several charites, even starting his own called Heal The World Foundation. Many programs benifited form michael, so many that he is in the guiness book of world records for the celebrity that has given the most, to the most charities ever.

December 1993 he famously sat down with Oprah Winfrey, it was the highest her ratings has ever been to date.

In 1996 Michael Jackson made history with the album "HIStory", which is the best selling multiple disc album of all time. On the first disc the album consisted of all his past hits. The second disc was filled with all new recordings, Scream (duet with sister Janet) Earth Song, They Dont Care About us, You Are Not Alone, Stranger in moscow, Come together and more.

In November of '96, he married his long time on again, off again girlfriend Debbie Rowe. They welcomed two children together, Prince Michael Joseph, and Paris Michael Katherine, The family was relentlessly hounded my media. Michael And Debbie divorced after three years.

In 1997 came the cd Blood on the Dance Floor, a remix of the new songs from his prievious studio album History, along with brand new recordings, includes Blood on the Dance floor, Superfly Sista, 2 Bad, Is It Scary, and GhostsThe latter song was one of the songs fetured in a short film of the same name that debut on Vh1, and premeird at the cannes film festival in 1997.

Michael Jackson wins multiple awards at the 1993 Soul Train Music Awards. File photo: Gina Yarbrough

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Michael in 2001, for his 30th year as a solo artist. Later, he was named Artist of the Century by the American Music Awards.

In 2001 Michael Jackson put out the highley anticipated, but poorly promoted Invincible CD, thus began the public rift between Michael and his record label, which Michael accused of not properly promoting his work, leading to the layoff of the head of Sony, Tommy Mettola. Michael decided to take matters into his own hands and promote the album himself. Songs from the Cd included You Rock my World, Butterflies, Heart Breaker, Cry, Invincible, Break Of Dawn, Threated, and You Are my Life.

Michael promoted his new Cd with two concets in New York city, which was later aired as the 30th Aniversary consert special. The consert celebrated 30 years of his solo career. On Friday september 7th and Monday September 10th he was honored by Marlon Brando, Usher, Whitney houston, Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli, Chris Tucker, Destiney Child, Luther Vandross, Elisabeth Taylor, Mark Anthony, and Gloria Estefan. At the consert he performed with his early hits with his brothers The Jackson Five, and his solo hits, Black or White, Beat it, The Way You Make Me Feel, and promoted his recent release You Rock My world.
In 2002, he welcomed his third child named Prince Michael Jr. , and nicknamed him Blanket.

In 2003 Michael appeard on numerous Tv & media specials. Most notably he attended the BET awards honoring James Brown. A month later joined Nsync on their song Pop in a guest appearance on MTV Video awards.

Later that year Michael gathered together top entertainers for a charity Tv special for the victims of 9/11 called What More can I Give. He debuted a new video of the same name with all proceeds of the song going to charity. The tv special included songs & apearances from Mariah Carey, Usher, Backstreet Boys, Boys to Men, Nsyc, Maya and Celine Dion

In 2008 Michael put out Thriller 25, in celebration of 25 years of sthe uccess of the original. Thriller 25 consisted of the orignal tracks from thriller plus new renditions of the songs with guest vocals with Fregie on Beat It, Will-I-am on The Girl is mine, and Acon on Wanna Be Starting Something. With no Promotion Thriller 25 debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts.

In March 2009, Michael announced his farewell concerts, called "This is It." He said it would be his final curtain call. He wanted to take a bow from performing and spend more time with his family. He was prepairing to work behind the sceans in the entertainment industry and venture into producing, and film production. Sadly he passed away on June 25th, 3 years ago today.




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