Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine living siblings born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. As time went on, each child would become a household name, and little Michael would, of course, grow up to become the world famous "King of Pop."
From oldest to youngest, the nine Jackson children are: Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson (born May 29, 1950), Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson (May 4, 1951), Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (October 15, 1953), Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (December 11, 1954), La Toya Yvonne Jackson (May 29, 1956), Marlon David Jackson (March 12, 1957), Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958), Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson (born October 29, 1961), Janet Damita Jo Jackson (May 16, 1966). A tenth sibling, Brandon Jackson, was born March 12, 1957 but died at birth.
Joseph Jackson had brief careers as a boxer and as a musician before going to work full-time to provide for his family as a crane operator at a steel mill. He is most known, however, for being the sometimes-harsh manager of his many talented children.
The Jackson 5Originally, the family's performers were the three oldest sons: Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie, who together called themselves "The Jackson Brothers." When younger siblings Marlon and Michael Jackson joined the trio, the group evolved into "The Jackson 5," with Michael, then only around nine years old, impressing audiences with his vocals and dance moves.
The group had some initial success with performances in local clubs and talent shows and then, with a little help from Gladys Knight, got the attention of Motown Records. After an audition, in which they performed James Brown's "I Got the Feelin,'" they were signed by the label in 1968. The family was moved to California and began to make their way into the mainstream music scene.
The Jackson 5's first single, "I Want You Back," made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970. This hit song was the first of many. Later chart-toppers included "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There."
"Jacksonmania" soon took the nation by storm, and in addition to their hit songs, the group had television specials, a Saturday morning cartoon, and a very successful line of merchandise including everything from posters to sew-on patches to coloring books.
Solo CareerMichael began his solo career with Motown in 1971 at the age of 13, but still remained a part of the Jackson 5 as well. His first single, "Got to Be There," was a Top 5 hit. He released four solo albums under the Motown label before his father moved The Jackson 5 to Epic Records to escape declining sales and controlling management.
Michael Jackson's first album with Epic, "Off the Wall," debuted on August 10, 1979, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 in the USA, eventually going multi-platinum and selling 20 million copies worldwide.
His next album, Thriller, released November 30, 1982, was even more successful, reaching #1 in not only the USA, but also in other countries including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia. And with Thriller came Michael's signature dance move: the moonwalk, as well as his trademark single sequined white glove.
Later albums included Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995), and Invincible (2001).
DeathMichael Jackson died June 25, 2009 when he went into cardiac arrest and doctors were unable to revive him. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined, as toxicology reports are still pending.
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