Michael Jackson's profile picture

Michael Jackson's Milestones

Michael Jackson (1958–2009), "King of Pop," revolutionized music and dance with groundbreaking hits and electrifying performances worldwide.
1958

Birth

Michael Joseph Jackson born in Gary, Indiana, the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family.

Family August 29, 1958
1964

Joined Jackson Brothers

Joined his older brothers' band, The Jackson Brothers (later The Jackson 5), initially playing congas and later as a backup vocalist.

Career January 1, 1964
1965

Became lead singer of Jackson 5

Became a joint lead vocalist of The Jackson 5 with his older brother Jermaine, due to his exceptional vocal talent and stage presence at a young age.

Career January 1, 1965
1968

Jackson 5 signed with Motown

The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records, moving to Los Angeles. Their first four singles ('I Want You Back', 'ABC', 'The Love You Save', 'I'll Be There') all hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Career July 26, 1968 - June 30, 1975
1972

Released 'Got to Be There' (Solo)

Released his first solo studio album with Motown, 'Got to Be There', while still a member of The Jackson 5.

Achievement January 24, 1972

Released 'Ben' (Solo Album)

Released his second solo album, 'Ben'. The title track, a song about a pet rat, became his first solo #1 single.

Achievement August 4, 1972
1975

Jackson 5 left Motown, signed with Epic

The Jackson 5 (renamed The Jacksons) left Motown Records for Epic Records, seeking more creative control. Jermaine stayed with Motown.

Career June 30, 1975
1979

First Rhinoplasty

Underwent his first rhinoplasty procedure after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine. He would have several more cosmetic surgeries over the years.

Other January 1, 1979

Released 'Off the Wall'

Released his fifth solo studio album, 'Off the Wall', produced by Quincy Jones. It marked his breakthrough as a solo adult artist, spawning hits like 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock with You'.

Achievement August 10, 1979
1982

Released 'Thriller'

Released his sixth studio album, 'Thriller'. It became the best-selling album of all time, with estimated sales of over 70 million copies worldwide, and won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984.

Achievement November 30, 1982
1983

Performed Moonwalk on Motown 25

Debuted his signature dance move, the Moonwalk, during a performance of 'Billie Jean' on the TV special 'Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever', electrifying audiences.

Achievement May 16, 1983
1984

Pepsi commercial accident

Suffered second-degree burns to his scalp after his hair caught fire due to a pyrotechnics accident during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

Other January 27, 1984

Victory Tour with The Jacksons

Embarked on the Victory Tour with his brothers, which was his last tour with them.

Career July 6, 1984 - December 9, 1984
1985

Co-wrote 'We Are the World'

Co-wrote the charity single 'We Are the World' with Lionel Richie to raise funds for famine relief in Africa. The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Achievement January 28, 1985
1986

Second Rhinoplasty and Cleft Chin

Underwent further cosmetic surgery, including a second rhinoplasty and reportedly the creation of a cleft in his chin.

Other January 1, 1986

Starred in 'Captain EO'

Starred in 'Captain EO', a 17-minute 3D science fiction film shown at Disney theme parks, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.

Achievement September 12, 1986
1987

Released 'Bad'

Released his seventh studio album, 'Bad', which spawned five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles, a record for one album. The 'Bad' world tour was also highly successful.

Achievement August 31, 1987
1988

Purchased Neverland Ranch

Purchased a large property in Santa Ynez Valley, California, which he developed into Neverland Ranch, complete with an amusement park and zoo.

Location March 1, 1988
1991

Released 'Dangerous'

Released his eighth studio album, 'Dangerous', which continued his global success with hits like 'Black or White' and 'Remember the Time'.

Achievement November 26, 1991
1993

Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show

Performed an iconic halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII, which significantly boosted television ratings and set a new standard for Super Bowl performances.

Achievement January 31, 1993

First child molestation allegations

Faced public allegations of child sexual abuse made by Jordan Chandler. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, and no criminal charges were filed at the time.

Other August 1, 1993
1994

Married Lisa Marie Presley

Married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, in a private ceremony in the Dominican Republic. They divorced in early 1996.

Relationship May 26, 1994 - January 18, 1996
1995

Released 'HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'

Released a double album, 'HIStory', with one disc of greatest hits and another of new material often addressing the media scrutiny and allegations he faced.

Achievement June 20, 1995
1996

Married Debbie Rowe

Married Debbie Rowe, a dermatology nurse, in Sydney, Australia. They had two children together.

Relationship November 14, 1996 - October 8, 1999
1997

Son Prince Michael Jackson I born

First child, Michael Joseph 'Prince' Jackson Jr., born to Debbie Rowe.

Family February 13, 1997

Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Jackson 5)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Jackson 5.

Achievement May 6, 1997
1998

Daughter Paris Jackson born

Second child, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, born to Debbie Rowe.

Family April 3, 1998
1999

Divorced Debbie Rowe

Divorced Debbie Rowe. Rowe relinquished custody rights of their children to Jackson.

Relationship October 8, 1999
2001

Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Solo)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, becoming one of the few artists inducted twice.

Achievement March 19, 2001

Released 'Invincible'

Released his tenth and final studio album, 'Invincible'. Despite some success, its sales did not match his previous albums, and disputes with Sony Music arose.

Achievement October 30, 2001
2002

Son Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket) born

Third child, Prince Michael 'Blanket' Jackson II (later known as Bigi), born via an unnamed surrogate mother.

Family February 21, 2002

Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his contributions to music.

Achievement June 13, 2002

Berlin 'dangling baby' incident

Caused controversy by briefly dangling his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony railing in Berlin in front of fans and media.

Other November 19, 2002
2003

Second child molestation allegations / Trial

Arrested and charged with multiple counts of child molestation involving Gavin Arvizo. After a highly publicized trial in 2005, Jackson was acquitted on all charges.

Other November 20, 2003 - June 13, 2005
2005

Moved to Bahrain

Lived in Bahrain for a period as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa following his acquittal.

Location June 1, 2005 - December 31, 2006
2009

Announced 'This Is It' concerts

Announced a series of 50 comeback concerts, titled 'This Is It', scheduled to be held at The O2 Arena in London, beginning in July 2009.

Career March 5, 2009

Death

Died at age 50 in Los Angeles, California, from acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering cardiac arrest. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Family June 25, 2009

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' film released

A documentary concert film, 'Michael Jackson's This Is It', compiled from rehearsal footage for the planned London concerts, was released posthumously to critical and commercial success.

Achievement October 28, 2009