Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., on Aug. 29, 1958, and by the age of 6 the prodigiously talented singer and dancer was performing alongside his brothers. The Jackson 5 signed to Motown in 1968 and released a string of huge hits including “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” Jackson entered the charts as a solo artist in 1972 with the song “Ben,” and in 1978 he appeared in the big screen musical The Wiz alongside Diana Ross. The following year, his album Off The Wall established Jackson as a solo superstar. Yet, even the success of that release would be dwarfed by Thriller, which included a raft of global smashes, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”
Jackson followed up Thriller with 1987’s Bad, which itself eventually sold in the region of 30 million copies worldwide. But the star’s public profile was badly damaged in the '90s when he was accused of child sex abuse, and in recent years he had become an extremely reclusive figure. Despite his reputation as one of pop’s greatest dancers and all-round in-concert showman, he also effectively abandoned touring. However, Jackson had planned to play a series of dates in London, starting next month.
While his personal life often attracted criticism and controversy, the oft-dubbed King of Pop’s influence on the musical realm is unarguable. That influence was demonstrated in 2008 when Kanye West, will.i.am, Fergie, and Akon all contributed to the remixes featured on the 25th anniversary reissue of Thriller. In his long career Jackson also worked with some of pop’s most talented artists, including both Paul McCartney and Thriller producer Quincy Jones.
More on Michael Jackson:
Michael Jackson: 18 key moments in the life of the King of Pop
Michael Jackson: Colleagues and friends pay tribute
Jackson on TV: A classic artist, a revolutionary
Michael Jackson: Share your memories
More coverage on CNN.com
RIP, Michael.
You lived an amazing life and many people are going to miss you.
You’ll always be remembered.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Love you, MJ<3.
Farewell child molester, what comes around goes around.
May your soul rest in perfect peace MJ
I can’t believe an ICON like Michael Jackson is dead… You will be missed… You will never be forgotten… I grew up with you in the 80′s and I still rock to your songs… We love you… Prayers to his family and friends♥
miss you
RIP Michael….. We will miss you!!! His Thriller record was my second record I ever got!!! My prayers are with his family and friends…thank u for all of the talent you gave the world!!!
Still love his songs.
michael will be missd r.i.p
The children of the world will never have to worry about jesus juice and neverland ranch. Definately not a tragedy.
We will miss you. Rest in Peace. My brother
MJ YOU WERE A GIFT TO THIS WORLD. RIP WITH LOVE.
An amazing artist and performer and someone who will be totally missed in the world of music.
May you rest in peace.
Steve
Event Music director
Wow….
As shocked as I was when my favorite “new” actor Heath Ledger died, this, for me, is the most shocking death of a celebrity since Princess Di.
RIP Michael Jackson.
And today, really, is not the time nor place for nasty remarks that I’ve seen in these comments. There will be other days for comments and speculation of such things, but today is a day to mourn a talent who brought much joy and charity to so many. Everything else is unproven speculation and innuendo.
God bless you! It’s always the good die young. We loved you worldwide and we’ll always do. You as all the greats will be of the stars of all times….