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The world of Michael Joseph Jackson
began when he was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana.
He was the 7th of nine children. (brothers: Sigmund "Jackie", Toriano "Tito",
Jermaine, Marlon, Steven "Randy", and sisters Rebbie, Janet and
La-Toya Jackson
Michael began his musical career
at the age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 who formed
in 1964. In these early years the Jackson 5 ,
Jackie, Jermaine,Tito,Marlon and lead singer Michael played local clubs and
bars in Gary Indiana and moving further afield as there talents grew and they
could compete in bigger competitions. From these early days Michael would be
at the same clubs as big talented stars of there days, such as Jackie Wilson
and would be learning from them even back then. In 1968 the Bobby Taylor and
The Vancouvers discovered the Jackson five and from there they got an audition
for Berry Gordy of Motown Records. The Jackson 5 signed for Motown and moved
to California. Their first 4 singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" all
made US No1 hits. The Jackson 5 recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 solo
albums with Motown. The Jackson 5 stayed with Motown until 1976, wanting more artistic
freedom they felt they had to move on and signed up with Epic.
The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it was owned
by Motown, so they reverted to The Jacksons as they had be
known in the early days. Brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy's
daughter and stayed with Motown. Youngest brother Randy joined
in his place. The Jacksons had a number of hit recordsand in
total made 6 albums between the years of 1976 and 1984. In 1977 Michael made his first film debut when he starred in
the musical 'The Wiz' playing Scarecrow with Diana Ross in
the lead role of Dorothy. It was at this time Michael met Quincy
Jones who was doing the score for the film. Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones as his producer for his first
solo album with Epic Records. The album titled "Off The Wall" was a big success around
the world and the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles
in the US.
In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling
album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit singles,
breaking yet again more records, and went on to sell over 50 million
copies worldwide. Michael was keen to use music video or short
films as he called them to promote his singles from the album.
He worked with the best directors and producers, using the latest
technology and special effects.for the hit song 'Billie Jean' The
short film 'Thriller' used the latest make-up artists technolgy
combined with fantastic dancing and cherography, to produce a 14
minute video, with a start, a middle and an ending. So successful
was this video 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 now legendary moonwalk
for the first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This
performance alone set Michael undoubtable into the realm of a superstar.
In 1984 Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy awards in one night.
The awards were for his work on the 'Thriller' album and his work
on the narrative for the 'ET Storybook'. In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album, titled
'Bad', and lauched his record breaking first solo world tour.
1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography talking for the
first time on his childhood and his career. At the end of the
1980s Michael was named 'Artist Of The Decade' for his success
off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums. In 1991 Michael signed with Sony Music the largest ever recording
contract and released his fourth solo album, 'Dangerous'. He
toured world again in 1992, taking his concerts to countries
that had never before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also
Michael founded the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help improve
the lives of children across the world. In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock
legend Elvis Presley. The marriage only lasted for 19 months,
as they divorced in 1996. 1995 saw Michael release a fifth solo album, 'HIStory', which was
a double album, first half new material and second half half
greatest hits. Michael toured again over a legs covering a 2
year period. In between legs of the tour on November 14th 1996,
Michael married for his second time to Debbie Rowe who was a
nurse that Michael had met in the treatment of his skin pigment
disorder. Together they had their first child Prince Michael
Joseph Jackson jr born on February 13 1997 and a daughter Paris
Michael Katherine Jackson born on April 3rd 1998. In 1997 Michael
released the remix album 'Blood On The Dance Floor' which also
contained 5 new song linked with a 38min film "Ghosts". This film
Michael played 5 roles using the latest special effects and make-up artistry,
combined with his dance and music.
In September, 2001 Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary
as a solo artist with two concerts to be held in New York,
USA. Many artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Destinys
Child, Shaggy and many more performed there own and Michael
Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his
brothers performed there biggest hits. Michael then went
onto perform solo some of his biggest hits. In October 2001
Michael released the album 'Invincible' so far releasing
only 2 singles including the big hit "You Rock My World". Since the
release of this first single the album has been surrounded by rumours of a
rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion of the album. |