Hollywood Child Stars

Michael Jackson: A King is Born.

Michael Jackson, or better known as the King of Pop, was born on August 29th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Michael’s musical career began at the tender age of 5. He was catapulted into stardom in 1964 when he became the lead frontman for the Jackson 5, a band that also featured his brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Jermaine.

The Jackson 5
In 1968, the Jackson 5 scored an audition with the famed Berry Gordy of Motown Records after being discovered by Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers. Motown Records quickly signed the five Jackson brothers, who soon after made their way to California. In 1976, the Jackson 5 started to yearn for more control over their artistic direction and left Motown Records for Epic Records. However, at this point, Jermaine, having married Berry Gordy’s daughter, decided to stay with Motown. Randy, the youngest of the Jackson family, took his place. With this move to Epic came a name change as well. The name Jackson 5 belonged to Motown, therefore the group reverted back to being called The Jacksons, as they had been known in their earlier days.

The 1980’s
The 1980’s were good to Michael. Under Quincy Jones' watchful eye, Michael’s first album ‘Off the Wall’ was released, and his popularity immediately soared. This was only the beginning for this Indiana native.

In 1982, ‘Thriller’ was released and Michael Jackson became a household name. This album would become the largest selling album of all time. He chose the best producers and directors in the industry. Michael began using music videos and short films to his advantage in order to promote his record singles and his career. His music videos, especially his single ‘Thriller’, awed audiences with special effects and mind-blowing choreography.

In 1983, at the Motown 25 Years Anniversary Show, Jackson took the stage by storm and stunned his audience when he performed for the first time the now-legendary Moonwalk. At that moment, Michael Jackson showed the world that he was not just another performer, but had the makings of a superstar. In 1984, Michael won eight Grammy awards in one evening. Later that year, he would announce that he was leaving the band.

In 1987, Michael released his album ‘Bad’, and set out on his first solo world tour. As the 1980’s came to a close, Michael released a book recounting his childhood and the beginnings of his career. He was named “Artist of the Decade.”

The 1990’s
At the onset of the 90’s, Michael signed on with Sony Music and released a new album ‘Dangerous’. He embarked on another world tour in 1992 that had him forging into countries never-before visited by a pop star. He broadened his philanthropic goals by organizing the “Heal the World Foundation” to help underprivileged children.

Controversy
Life was not all rosy for this one-time child prodigy. In 1993, Michael Jackson came under fire when he was hit with child abuse charges. There were claims that he had molested a 13-year-old boy who had stayed overnight at his famed Neverland Ranch. Michael always preferred the company of children over the company of adults. This penchant, paired with his somewhat asexual manner and childish demeanor, made him seem odd in the eyes of the public. No criminal charges were filed and the matter was settled out of court - Jackson paid the boy’s family between 18 and 20 million dollars.

In 1994, Michael married for the first time. His bride was no other but Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa-Marie. The marriage only lasted 19 months and drew much criticism; it was judged as a mere publicity stunt to rejuvenate his tarnished image.

In 1995, Michael refocused his efforts on his music and released ‘HIStory: Past, Present, and Future.’ It featured one disc of new material and another compiled of his hit singles.

In 1998, Michael married a nurse, Debbie Rowe. The marriage produced two children, son Prince Michael Jackson Jr. and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. The couple divorced in 1999.

Michael in the New Millennium
In early 2001, Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He held a spectacular show at Madison Square Garden celebrating the 30th anniversary of his first album. The show was attended by huge names, from Whitney Houston to Marlon Brando, and even featured an on-stage reunion of The Jacksons. Later that year, Jackson released ‘Invincible’, his first album featuring all brand new material since ‘Dangerous.’

However, Michael Jackson’s legal woes were nowhere near over. In 2003, police stormed Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, initiating a massive search for evidence related to child molestation. Michael was arrested on charges of child molestation. His trial began in early 2005; he was acquitted in May of that same year. Shortly thereafter, Michael sold his beloved Neverland Ranch and relocated to the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain. He began working on a new single to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The single never surfaced, but a new box set titled ‘The Essential Michael Jackson’ was released. It is rumored that Jackson is currently working on a new album set to be released in 2008.

More on Michael Jackson
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