Jackson 5...
Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958 to the proud parents of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Little Michael grew up the seventh child of nine children in a small home, no larger than a garage. In the early 1960's the Jackson boys went to the nearby high school, and practiced singing as soon as they got home, at the urgence of their determined father, Joe. Although the neighborhood kids would make fun of the Jacksons, they continued to perfect their singing and choreography. The group Joe formed out of his sons, was called The Jackson 5. It consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Michael began singing at the age of 5 with his brothers and was the lead singer for the majority of their songs. The brothers eventually landed a deal with Motown Records and struck it rich with such singles as, "I want You Back" and "ABC". The 1970's was the high point in the Jackson 5's career, but they soon felt that they needed more creative freedom and left Motown in 1976. Along with their success the Jackson Family moved to their new home, in Encino, CA. But, when the Jackson 5 decided to make the move from Motown to CBS Records, one brother was left behind. It was Jermaine, who had married the former president of Motown, Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel Gordy. From then on, the Jackson 5 became known as The Jacksons. Eventually the Jacksons had a few hits, but it just wasn't the same, especially for Michael.
Going Solo...
Michael soon released his first solo album, Off The Wall in 1978. The album went on to sell 8 million copies. Moving on throughout the years, Michael then released the biggest selling album of all time, Thriller, in December of 1982. Michael soon made his mark as a solo artist in the early 1980's and became a phenomenal success. He broke records left and right throughout the decade. Michael's last tour with his brothers, was the Victory Tour in 1984. Afterwards, Michael continued his own solo career, appearing in the news at every step he made. In 1987, Michael released Bad, which went on to sell 27 million copies or so. It became the second biggest selling album of all time. In 1992, Michael released his 4th solo album, Dangerous. Then in 1995 Michael released History. The follow up to Michael's double-platinum album, History, was an album entitled "Blood on the Dancefloor", containg remixes from the History album, and five new songs. Currently, Michael is working on his 7th solo album, due to be released by the summer of 1998.
Behind the Scenes...
Throughout these years, Michael became increasingly estranged from the public. People began speculating about him and his so-called " weird " habits. He gave reporters and tabloids field days with stories like the Elephant man's bones and the hyperbaric chamber in the mid-80's. With the birth of his second child, a baby girl, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, born April 3, 1998 to wife, Debbie Rowe-Jackson, Michael has finally settled down to a family life. Although the papparazzi still continue to spread rumors about Michael's personal life, including how his first child, Prince Michael Jackson, was conceived, Michael continues to show much optimism to the public and his many, devoted fans.
