Full name: Michael Joseph Jackson

Born: August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana

The Jackson 5: Signed with Motown in 1968; first single released in 1969. First four singles went to No. 1.

First No. 1 solo song: "Ben," 1972

"The Wiz": Jackson co-starred with Diana Ross in the 1978 retelling of "The Wizard of Oz."

Thrilling achievements: 1982 album "Thriller" became the best-selling album of all time, with around 45 million copies sold worldwide. The album produced seven Top Ten singles and won Jackson eight Grammy Awards.

'Bad' is good: 1987 album, "Bad," became the first album to produce five No. 1 hits. The supporting world concert tour was the highest-grossing tour ever to that time.

Trouble in Neverland: In 1993, Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy on his Neverland Ranch. Jackson denied the allegation, and no charges were ever filed. Jackson and the boy's family settled out of court in 1995.

Wedding stories: Married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley, in 1994; marriage lasted 19 months. Married nurse Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of two of his children, 1996; couple divorced in 1999.

Hall of Fame: Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
Full name: Michael Joseph Jackson by David Harrison Levi .... Timeline