Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958), often referred to as The King of Pop, is an American musician and entertainer. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of eleven as a member of the Jackson 5. He went on to begin solo career in 1972, becoming a pop icon in subsequent years. Five of his albums, Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), have become some of the world's best selling pop records. Jackson's successful career has made him a part of pop culture for almost four decades.

Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music in the late 1970s as the first black entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his videos aired on MTV, such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean", helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map", while videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson a staple on MTV into the 1990s. He transformed the music video into an art form and a promotional tool as well. Jackson popularized physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, along with a distinctive musical sound and vocal style that have influenced numerous hip hop, pop, and R&B artists.

Jackson has donated and raised several hundred million dollars for good causes, but his personal life has generated significant controversy; plastic surgery, a lightening skin tone and eccentric behavior have damaged his reputation among the public. He was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, although the matter was settled out of court. Jackson was tried, and later acquitted, of futher child molestation allegations and several other charges in 2005. Recently, he has begun work on new material in Ireland amidst financial difficulties.

Jackson is one of few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. His awards include eight Guinness World Records, thirteen Grammy Awards, thirteen number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of over 750 million units worldwide. In early 2008, Jackson issued Thriller 25, a commercial success that sold more than 1.8 million copies worldwide in 12 weeks.