Early Life
The eighth of ten children, Jackson began performing as a child with his brothers in the Jackson 5, which signed with Motown Records in 1968 and topped the charts with “I Want You Back” in 1969.
Career
Jackson launched his solo career while still a teenager, and Off the Wall (1979) established him as an adult star. Thriller (1982) produced hits including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”, and its videos helped transform music television. Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) followed. He became known for signature moves such as the moonwalk, which he performed on the 1983 television special Motown 25.
Legacy
Jackson won dozens of awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, with the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist. His later years were marked by legal controversies, including a 2005 trial on child-abuse charges, of which he was acquitted. He died in Los Angeles in 2009 at the age of 50.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24