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Biography
Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. He was known as the "King of Pop" and is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.[1]
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Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the son of Joseph Walter Jackson (1928-2018) and Katherine Scruse.[2][3] He grew up with five brothers and three sisters, all of whom became singers and entertainers.[3]
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The oldest five Jackson brothers first gained a following as the pop band The Jackson 5, with youngest brother Randy later replacing Jermaine. Their first hit was "I Want You Back" in 1969. Michael began a solo career in 1971 and became one of the most successful artists of all time, earning the moniker "The King of Pop", best known for his album "Thriller", which was certified platinum 28 times. Some of his accomplishments include:[3][4]
- Sold more than 750 million albums
- 8 platinum or multi-platinum albums
- 13 number one singles
- 13 Grammy Awards
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among other Halls of Fame
- American Music Awards' Artist of the Century
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He later faced accusations of child molestation (although he was never convicted) and speculation about plastic surgery and an expensive, eccentric lifestyle.[3]
Michael married twice. He first married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, on May 26th, 1994 in La Vega in the Dominican Republic. They divorced in 1996.[5] Michael's second wife was Debbie Rowe. They had two children. Michael also had a third child via a surrogate mother.[3]
Michael died on June 25th, 2009 in Los Angeles at the age of 50.[3][2] He was interred in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.[6] His death was later ruled a homicide, and his doctor was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for his role in using an anesthetic in "a reckless, obscene manner," to help Michael sleep, which led to his death.[7]
Sources
- ↑ Wikipedia: Michael Jackson
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQMF-F2D : accessed 12 Jan 2023), Michael Joseph Jackson, 25 Jun 2009; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Brooks Barns, "A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50," The New York Times, 25 Jun 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/music/26jackson.html; archived at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Eric Ditzian, "Michael Jackson's Groundbreaking Career, By The Numbers," MTV, 26 Jun 2009, https://www.mtv.com/news/0ths0k/michael-jacksons-groundbreaking-career-by-the-numbers : accessed 12 Jan 2023.
- ↑ Matthew McCann Fenton, "Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley wed," Entertainment Weekly, updated 30 May 2001, https://ew.com/article/2001/05/30/michael-jackson-and-lisa-marie-presley-wed/ : accessed 13 Jan 2023.
- ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38746353/michael-jackson: accessed 12 January 2023), memorial page for Michael Jackson (29 Aug 1958–25 Jun 2009), Find A Grave: Memorial #38746353, citing Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
- ↑ Alan Duke, "Conrad Murray sentenced to four years behind bars," CNN, 30 Nov 2011, https://www.cnn.com/2011/11/29/justice/california-conrad-murray-sentencing/index.html : accessed 13 Jan 2023.
See also:
- Wikidata: Item Q2831, en:Wikipedia
- IMDb - Michael Jackson
- Artist's website
- Discography of Michael Jackson
- Artist on Spotify
| Jackson 5 Artist on Spotify