Biography

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. This is not a title that he gave himself. It was given to him by his millions of fans around the world and by his peers, among whom he has no equal. How did he get the title, you ask? He came by it the old fashioned way. He earned it! No other performer in history has generated the massive sales that he has. No other performer in history has received as many awards and accolades as he has. No other performer in history draws the kind of excitement and mass hysteria that he does. And no other performer in history has done so much in the way of humanitarian efforts than he has. There has never been one like him before, and there will never be one like him again. He is in a class all by himself.

Michael became a superstar at an age when most other children are learning things like the alphabet and how to count to 20. Born the seventh child in a family of nine, Michael and his older brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon) were thrust into the spotlight when their father, Joseph Jackson, a steel mill worker in Gary, Indiana, formed a singing group out of his sons and called them The Jackson 5. Even though Michael was the youngest, it became immediately obvious that he had something special. Armed with a magical voice mature beyond its tender years and a crowd-charming charisma that rivaled any seasoned entertainer, little Michael lead his brothers from winning local talent contests to a recording contract with Motown Records in the late 1960's. The group quickly began turning out hit after hit for their new record label and remained a hit-making machine throughout the '70's. During their time at Motown, Michael also began a successful solo recording career that would run parallel to his work with his brothers.

In 1976, the Jacksons left Motown and signed with Epic Records where they continued to crank out one hit after another. In 1978 Michael ventured into film when he starred opposite Diana Ross in The Wiz, an African-American remake of the Wizard of Oz. The film itself was unexceptional but it did put Michael on a collision course with destiny because it introduced him to legendary producer Quincy Jones who arranged the film's score.

Michael and Quincy collaborated on his next solo project, Off The Wall. And with that album Michael was immediately transformed from a cute little kid act into an adult superstar. The album was released in 1979 to critical praise for its crossover blending of soul and rock and its non-stop boogie grove. With the help of number one hits "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You", the album sold 10 million copies and went multiplatinum. It's hard to believe that any artist could top a success like that.

But in 1982, that's just what Michael did with the release of a monster of an album called Thriller.

Thriller broke all kinds of records. It sold more than 50 million copies worldwide (that's more than any other album before it or since). The album spawned a record six top ten singles and spent a record breaking 37 weeks at number one. It remains the best selling album of all time. That year Michael also won an unprecedented eight Grammy Awards - 7 for Thriller and 1 for E.T.-The Storybook. Much of Thriller's success was due, in part, to a new thing called music videos. Hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller" came alive before our very eyes when paired with a cool story line and Michael's amazing dancing ability. Michael's short films not only helped pioneer the video medium but also broke MTV's color barrier in the process. Thriller made Michael Jackson an American pop icon.

So, what do you do after recording the number one best-selling album in history? You record the number two best-selling album in history, of course! Bad, Michael's next solo project released in 1987, sold over 25 million copies worldwide and included the hit singles "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "The Way You Make Me Feel," and "Man In The Mirror." Accompanied by his first ever solo world tour (the biggest concert tour in history), the Bad album generated 5 consecutive number one hits (a feat unequalled since).

In 1991,with his next album, Dangerous, Michael continued the astronomical sales figures with 23 million copies sold worldwide. With Dangerous came more state of the art videos and another amazing concert tour. Michael also made history in 1993 when the notoriously private superstar sat down for a 90-minute live interview with talk show host extraordinaire, Oprah Winfrey. The interview was conducted from Michael's home, Neverland Valley Ranch in Santa Ynez, California and was the most watched program of 1993 attracting nearly 100 million viewers around the world.

In 1995, Michael released his most ambitious project yet. HIStory Past, Present and Future Book I was a massive double album containing 15 of Michael's greatest hits from his previous four albums and 15 brand new songs. HIStory saw Michael turning a corner creatively as the 15 new songs were some of the most personal songs he has ever recorded. By January of 1996, HIStory had been certified six times platinum in the United States alone and it is still the most successful double album of all time. In 1997 Michael released Blood On The Dance floor: HIStory In The Mix. The album contained 5 new songs (some of the best work he's ever done, according to many critics), and 8 remixes from HIStory. Some saw this remix CD as a brilliant idea because it brought a two-year-old album back to the forefront.

1997 also saw the beginning of a whole new world for Michael on a personal level. In February of that year his wife Debbie, whom he married in November of 1996, gave birth to their first child, a son named "Prince" Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. A daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson followed in 1998. Michael has said that fatherhood is his greatest dream come true.

The King of Pop is currently in the studio working on the next, and most eagerly awaited album of his career.

Name: Michael Joseph Jackson

Birth Date: August 29, 1958

Star Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, USA

Current Residence: Neverland Valley Ranch, Los Olivos, California, USA

Parents: Katherine (*May 4, 30) & Joseph Jackson (*July 26, 29)

Siblings:

Rebbie (Maureen Reilette, *May 29, 50)

Jackie (Sigmund Esco, *May 4, 51)

Tito (Toriano Adaryll, *October 15, 53)

Jermaine (Lajaun, *December 11, 54)

LaToya Yvonne (*May 29, 56)

Marlon David (*March 12, 57)

Randy (Steven Randall, *October 31, 61)

Janet Damita Jo(*May 16, 66)

Marriages:

Lisa Marie Presley (May 26, 1994 - January 1996)

Deborah Rowe (Nov. 14, 1996 - filed for divorce in October 1999)

Children:

Prince Michael Joseph, Junior

*February 13, 1997

- godmother: Elizabeth Taylor, godfather: Macaulay Culkin

Paris Michael Katherine

*April 3, 1998

- godfather: Macaulay Culkin

Godchild: Michael Gibb (son of Barry Gibb - 'Bee Gees')

Height: 5' 10" (1,78 m)

Eye Color: Dark brown

Hair Color: Black

Shoe Size: US 10 (European 42)

Secondary School Qualifications: high-school diploma

Occupation(s): Singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, choreographer, actor, director, entrepreneur

Interests & Hobbies: Reading, painting, martial arts, dancing, acting, drawing, animals, philanthropic and humanitarian causes, going to amusement parks, traveling, shopping, going to the movies, spending time with children (especially terminally ill and underprivileged children), collect paintings, sculptures, movie memorabilia and old costumes, investing

Best Friend: Elizabeth Taylor

Idols: Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelley, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Three Stooges, Walt Disney

Favorite Accessory: Black Fedora

Favorite Actor/Actress: Shirley Temple, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Morgan Freeman, Marlon Brando

Favorite Artists: Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci

Favourite Board Game: Monopoly

Favorite Books: 'Peter Pan' by James Matthew Barrie, 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull' by Richard Bach, 'The Old Man And The Sea' by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Classical Composers: Claude Debussy ('Afternoon of the Fawn'), Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky, Sergei Sergejewitsch Prokofjew

Favorite Colors: Red, black

Favorite Disney Characters: Mickey Mouse, Peter Pan, Pinocchio

Favorite Drink: mineral water (e.g. Evian, Perrier), fruit juice (orange), vegetable juice (carrot), Gatorade (during concerts)

Favorite Food: Mexican, exotic, spicy & vegetarian food, Sushi, pizza, chicken, fish, fresh fruits, popcorn, vanilla ice with cookie pieces, sunflower seeds, glazed doughnuts, frosted flakes with milk, M&Ms

Favorite Movies: 'Peter Pan', 'E.T.', 'Star Wars'

Favorite Singers: James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Sammy Davis Jr., The Temptations, Diana Ross

Favorite Songs When He Was A Child: 'Tobacco Road', 'You Are My Sunshine', 'Cloud Nine' by The Temptations

Favorite TV Shows: Flip Wilson Show, Brady Bunch, Road Runner Show, The Simpsons

First Movie Debut: 'The Wiz' (1978)

First Record Ever Bought: 'Mickey's Monkey' by Smokey Robinson and Miracles

First Record Ever Made: 'Big Boy' (Steel Town Records)

Current Record Label: Epic Records (Sony Music)

Own Record Label: MJJ Music

Famous Duets: Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson

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