There has never been a musical debut that could match Jackson's. In the early 1980s, Jackson became the first African-American entertainer to enjoy a massive crossover following on MTV. His music videos -- "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" -- transformed the face of English pop music, forever.
On stage, Jackson electrified his crowd with some signature dance moves such as "the robot" and "the moonwalk". MJ is considered the beacon-holder for all post-modern hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.
We bow to you, MJ, for all those hours that we spent drooling over your fantabulous tunes. For all those days that were spent mourning your "transgressions"!
As they would say in medieval England, The King is Dead! Long Live The King!
Click on, for a pictorial tribute to The King of Pop!
Source: India Syndicate
Michael Jackson began performing live at an early age. By the time he was eight years old, the 'prodigy' from Gary, Ind., became a lead vocalist for the Jackson 5, which included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. Michael quickly became the main draw of the group and by 1969, with 'I Want You Back', was an international sensation. Here, he poses with style in London in 1972.
The Jackson 5 were in some ways the original 'boy band,' able to dance, sing and play multiple instruments. In 1970 they released their second album on Motown Records, 'ABC'. Its resounding success propelled Michael to the world stage as 'J5' became Motown's biggest act. Here, they rock out with signature moves in London, February 1975. Michael, center, began a solo career on the side in 1979.
Michael Jackson reluctantly assumed a 'sex symbol' role in his teenage years. Here, Michael poses with a little skin three days before his 19th birthday at the 6th Annual RFK Tennis Tournament in New York City in August 1977.
Michael Jackson's father, Joseph 'Joe' Jackson, moved his family and famous sons into the gated "Hayvenhurst" mansion in Encino, Calif., in 1971. Here, Michael poses in the backyard on August 17, 1978, sporting a Dukes of Hazzard look.
Michael Jackson's solo career shot to the moon in 1979 with the chart-topping album, 'Off the Wall', produced by Quincy Jones. Despite his burgeoning solo career, Michael continued as lead vocalist for the Jackson 5. Here, he sparkles with some sequins and a sleeked down afro, his signature look by the late 1970s.
Michael Jackson attends the 12th Annual NAACP Image Awards in 1980. Despite a sharp decline in his public image in later years, Michael retains the unofficial title of "King of Pop". His dancing skills are especially legendary. He popularized his signature move, the moonwalk, on the 1983 television special 'Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.'
Michael Jackson's hairstyle changed to the 'Jheri curl' by the early 1980s. Michael also got rhinoplasty surgery after he broke his nose during a complex dance routine. He complained of breathing problems after the first surgery and underwent successive surgeries.
Michael Jackson poses at the downtown Los Angeles set for the "Beat It" music video, a crossover hit that featured guest guitarist Eddie Van Halen. "Beat It" was one of seven Top 10 singles on Michael's second album, 'Thriller', released in 1982. It is the best-selling album of all time.
With the huge success of 'Thriller', Michael Jackson became a household name, as well as, the "King of Pop". Here, he poses with friends Brooke Shields and Emmanuel 'Webster' Lewis at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, on Febrauary 28, 1984. Just one month before, Michael's hair accidentally caught fire from pyrotechnics while he was filming a Pepsi Cola commercial, giving him second degree burns on his scalp.
Michael Jackson gets tough with another hit song, "Smooth Criminal", from his 1987 album, 'Bad'. The year prior to its release Michael had his fourth rhinoplasty and a cleft put in his chin. He also intentionally spread the rumor that he slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, an apparent attempt to create a sci-fi persona. Soon after, he starred in Francis Ford Coppola's 3-D film, 'Captain EO', which played in Disney theme parks for years.
Michael Jackson remained in the spotlight throughout the 1980s. Further heightening his mystique and 'Wacko Jacko' reputation, the singer claimed his pet chimpanzee named Bubbles shared his toilet and cleaned his bedroom. He also spread the false rumor that he owned the bones of The Elephant Man. Here, Michael performs live in Berlin, Germany, in June 1988.
Michael Jackson's career opened the way for the sensational success of his little sister, Janet Jackson. Here, he poses with Janet after he received the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in February, 1993.
Michael Jackson kisses Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. Jackson and Presley were married for less than two years. The tabloid media speculated their marriage was a ploy to prop up Jackson's declining public image. In 1993, Jackson was accused of child molestation by a 13-year-old boy and his father. The allegations were never proven in criminal court and the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. Jackson settled a civil lawsuit for $22 million.
Wearing a black surgical mask, Michael Jackson arrives with his future second wife, Deborah Jeanne Rowe, at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, Calif. Rowe was a dermatologist's nurse who provided emotional support to Jackson for his changing appearance. They were married on November 14, 1996, but divorced three years later. They have a son and daughter together.
Dressed in a spacesuit, Michael Jackson arrives with his 'MJ-2040' spaceship at the stage of the People's Stadium, in Budapest , Hungary in September 1996. He launched his 'HIStory World Tour' three days before in Prague.
Michael Jackson performs in Singapore during his 'HIStory World Tour'. Influenced by sci-fi themes, Jackson also borrowed heavily from military imagery. 'HIStory' was Jackson's most successful tour in terms of audience numbers.
Michael Jackson rides the rock 'n' roll stallion with guitarist Slash of Guns 'n' Roses fame at a benefit concert in Munich, Germany in June 1999. Proceeds of the show went to Red Cross, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
Michael Jackson addresses the audience after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 19, 2001. He has been inducted twice. Jackson has also received 13 Grammy Awards and has released 13 number one singles.
Michael Jackson performs during his '30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years' tribute concert at New York 's Madison Square Garden in September 2001. He released his latest album, 'Invincible', the next month. The album followed a major falling out with the head of Sony Music Entertainment, Tony Mottola. The album earned a decent critical reception but failed to repeat his earlier best-selling successes.
Michael Jackson shows off his famous 'crotch grab' move during a taping of the American Bandstand's 50th anniversary show in April 2002. Jackson's edgy 'Wacko Jacko' -- as dubbed by the British press -- persona began to haunt him more and more as he faced another child molestation case in 2003. He was later acquitted on all counts.
Michael Jackson apparently suffered from panic attacks and stress-related problems during his many court battles. Here, Jackson takes the witness stand on Nov. 12, 2002, in a $21 million lawsuit by Marcel Avram, his longtime promoter, who accused Jackson of backing out of two major concerts.
Michael Jackson dangles his third child, son Prince Michael II, over a balcony in Berlin, his head hidden by a towel, on Nov. 19, 2002. Jackson had been waving to fans when he brought his baby onto the balcony. The image created a media storm with strong criticism against Jackson. According to Jackson, Prince Michael II is a result of artificial insemination. The mother's identity has not been released.
In 2003, Jackson was charged with several counts of child molestation involving Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged crime. Elizabeth Taylor came to Jackson's defense, appearing on Larry King Live. A mental health profile also concluded Jackson did not fit the profile of a pedophile, but that of a regressed 10-year-old child. Jackson was acquitted on all counts in June 2005. Here, Jackson appears for his booking photo at Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.
Michael Jackson, center, wears an abaya, the traditional Arabic women's veil and gown. He walks with his youngest son, Prince Michael II, also veiled, in Manama, Bahrain in January 2006. Jackson, a reclusive resident of the Gulf island country since being cleared of child molestation charges, was accompanied by his sister, Janet. In 2006, reports on Michael Jackson's foreclosure troubles surfaced - a potential loss of his Neverland Ranch estate. Through new financial arrangements, Jackson retained his property.
Michael Jackson reflected on his career in May 2008, at fan and charity events in Tokyo . 'I've been in the entertainment industry since I was 6 years old,' he told the Associated Press. 'As Charles Dickens says, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me.' Here, Jackson appears onstage during Designer Christian Audigier's 50th Birthday Bash at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, May 23, 2008.
Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 23,2009. This was his last public appearance.
