Michael Jackson

Early Life

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, a small city near Chicago. He was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family, a working-class African-American family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. His mother, Katherine Esther Jackson (née Scruse), played clarinet and piano, had aspired to be a country-and-western performer, and worked part-time at Sears. His father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, a former boxer, was a crane operator at U.S. Steel and played guitar with a local rhythm and blues band, the Falcons, to supplement the family's income.

A photograph of a typical street in Gary, Indiana during the 1950s.

Career

The Jackson 5

Michael's music career began in 1964 as a member of the Jackson 5, alongside his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. The group was managed by their father Joe and signed to Motown Records in 1968. Their first four singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There", all peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Solo Career

In 1971, Jackson released his first solo album, Got to Be There, which was followed by Ben in 1972. Both albums were commercially successful and produced hit singles such as "Got to Be There", "Rockin' Robin", and "Ben". In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown and signed with Epic Records, changing their name to "The Jacksons". Michael continued to release solo albums alongside his work with the group.

Legacy and Influence

Michael Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. His sound and style have influenced artists of various genres, and his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Personal Life and Controversies

Throughout his life, Jackson was the subject of intense media scrutiny and faced numerous allegations of child sexual abuse, as well as accusations of health and mental problems. Despite the controversies, Jackson's reputation as a singer, dancer, and humanitarian has remained largely intact.

Death and Posthumous Recognition

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician. His death was ruled a homicide and led to the conviction of his doctor. Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief and a live broadcast of his public memorial service was viewed by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.

References

1. ^ "Michael Jackson Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-01. 2. ^ "The Jackson 5". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-05-01. 3. ^ "Michael Jackson's Influence on Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-05-01. 4. ^ "Michael Jackson's Death and the Media". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-05-01. 5. ^ "Michael Jackson's Legacy". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-05-01.