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The eighth of ten children in a working class family, Michael Jackson is born in Gary, Indiana. His parents both have musical ambitions and set demanding expectations on their children for performing musically. Michael is beaten when he doesn't perform well enough.
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In 1965 Michael and his brother, Marlon, join their three other brothers, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, in their band, the Jackson Brothers, as backup musicians who play the tambourine and the congas. They are later promoted to lead singers, and the group becomes the Jackson 5. They set records for getting their first four singles on the Billboard Top 100 charts, and Michael quickly becomes the lead star of the bunch.
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Though still tied to the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson starts releasing his own solo albums, starting with Got to be There on January 24, 1972. This represents a shift from child star to teen heartthrob in Michael's career.
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The Jackson 5 moves to work with Epic Records in June 1975, though Jermaine chooses to stay with Motown. Randy joins instead, and the band changes their name to the Jacksons.
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Jackson stars as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz remake, The Wiz, which comes out on October 24, 1978. It is a financial disaster. However, Jackson makes contact with Quincy Jones on the set, and he starts producing Jackson's next album, Off the Wall.
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Quincy Jones co-produces Off the Wall with Jackson, which releases on August 10, 1979, and it is a hit that establishes Jackson as a solo performer. It is also a critical success, winning multiple AMA and Billboard awards.
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In continued collaboration with Quincy Jones, Jackson releases Thriller on November 30, 1982. It becomes the bestselling album worldwide the next year, as well as the first album with seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles. It wins a plethora of awards, including Grammies for producing, best vocal pop, and best album of the year.
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Aired on NBC, the live special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever reunites Jackson with the Jackson 5 on March 25, 1983. He is initially reluctant to be in the special because he is worried that he has been on television too much, but he negotiates a solo in exchange for his appearance. His solo performance of Billie Jean becomes iconic. He debuts his legendary moonwalk dance move on the performance.
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On December 2, 1983, Jackson releases a fourteen-minute-long music video to accompany Thriller, which is directed by John Landis. It revolutionizes the genre and draws attention to the fledgling MTV.
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The 25-year-old, later dubbed the ‘King of Pop’, was filming a staged concert performance for a new advertising campaign by Pepsi with members of his family, when sparks from a pyrotechnic explosion ignited his hair.
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Jackson develops a name for himself in charity work. In particular, he works with Lionel Richie to co-release the hit single, We Are the World, to raise money for African famine relief. The single releases on March 8, 1985
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release of "Bad," which sold 26 million copies and marked the end of his collaboration with Quincy Jones
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After purchasing land near Santa Ynez, California in March 1988, Jackson builds his iconic home, Neverland Ranch. It includes a carousel, a Ferris Wheel, a small zoo, and a movie theater.
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his autobiography "Moonwalk" comes out
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Michael Jackson is seen for the first time wearing a surgical mask in public
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Jackson tells Oprah Winfrey he has vitiligo, a skin disorder that destroys melanin and, in severe cases, can leave a victim devoid of skin color. He also reveals that his father emotionally abused him as a child
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Release of "Dangerous," which sold 22 million copies
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Michael adresses the first allegations in a very emotional speech. Please learn about the extortion that Evan Chandler put him through in this balanced link text
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After accusations of child molestation by thirteen-year-old Jordan Chandler and his father, Evan Chandler, police raid Jackson's home with a search warrant obtained on August 21, 1993. They find incriminating photos of young boys, but since they are not illegal to own, Jackson is not indicted. He is later strip-searched by the police, and although Chandler's descriptions match him, he is not convicted.
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Jackson settles the molestation case out of court. The boy is paid more than $15 million, to be held in trust until he is an adult. The parents of the boy receive $1.5 million each.
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Jackson and Presley had been childhood friends years ago, but then reconnect and start a friendship over the phone. Presley offers emotional support to Jackson during his trial, and eventually they get married on May 26, 1994. The marriage lasts about two years.
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Sony releases HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I. Janet Jackson performs a duet with her older brother on "Scream."
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Jackson marries Debbie Rowe, a nurse
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Jarvis Cocker of the British band Pulp accosts Jackson in mid-act at the BRIT Awards. Jackson was surrounded by children and a rabbi performing "Earth Song."
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Rowe gives birth to a son, Prince Michael. Jackson is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Rowe bears a girl, Paris Michael Katherine
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Financial troubles force closure on the main house on the Neverland Ranch. Jackson agrees to a Sony-backed refinancing deal. Jackson makes his first public appearance since the Arvizo trial to accept eight records from the Guinness World Records in London, including "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time." In late 2006, Jackson agrees to share joint custody of his first two children with ex-wife Debbie Rowe.
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Sony releases Invincible, which is panned by critics and does not sell well. Jackson battles a $21-million civil suit by a German concert promoter who says the singer backed out of two concerts and pocketed an advance
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Jackson accuses record labels of exploiting artists, especially African-Americans
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scandal after Jackson dangles his third son, nine-month-old Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony
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the singer's manager brings a 13-million-dollar lawsuit for back salary, which is settled out of court in June
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In documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed
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police raid Jackson's Neverland ranch in California as "Number Ones" album is released
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warrant issued for Jackson's arrest on several counts of child molestation
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Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail
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he is formally charged with child molestation
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Jackson pleads not guilty during his first appearance amid a media circus
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Michael Jackson trial begins with jury selection
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After a documentary in which Jackson is filmed holding hands with a thirteen-year-old and talking about sleeping arrangements, Jackson is again accused of child molestation. He is put on trial for seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating substance in relation to the boy in the film. He is acquitted of all counts, and subsequently leaves the country.
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Jurors begin considering their verdict
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Jackson acquitted on all charges against him
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Jackson issues Thriller 25, celebrating 25 years of the iconic album. The reissue hits number one in eight countries and reached number two in the U.S. Sony releases King of Pop, a fan-curated compilation.
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What began as a 10-night stand at London’s O2 Arena has exploded into a 50-concert affair as Michael Jackson added another 20 shows to his This Is It! run. As it stands, the 2009 concerts will end on September 29th, and then Jackson will return to the O2 on January 7, 2010 for at least 15 more shows, bringing the grand total to 50.
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After struggling with money issues, Michael Jackson passes away due to intoxication following cardiac arrest in a rented mansion in Los Angeles. His personal physician is convicted of involuntary manslaughter and serves two years for his death. Jackson's death triggers unprecedented sales of his music.
