Michael Jackson was born in 29/Aug/1958 as one of nine children to Katrine and Joseph. Familly happened to be multitalented [not just musically, just see pictures of La Toya :)]. Soon family singing group started, with Michael as a main puppet and four of his older brothers. After all it seemed to be the simplest way to earn money to feed so many kids. If you can't feed your kids teach them how to feed themselves. Anyway Michael soon outgrown his brothers with his unique talent not just for singing but for dancing as well. They were back then on the most powerful laber promoting black artists - Motown. Motown had own style, own composers and did not let preformers grow to much. As for Michael Jackson that was a mistake. The carriere of family group began fading away as they came of age and weren't any different from all the rest Motawn's artists. Michael Jackson - the youngest in a group - decided it was time to leave. He choose own carriere over familly relations as leaving Motown meant also leaving his older brother Jermaine - already married with Motown owner's daughter. Jermaine was replaced with younger brother Randy, name of group was changed from Jacksons5 to The Jacksons and they took off once again, this time on Epic label - part of former CBS, now Sony Music company. Epic believed rather in Michael Jackson than in all group as right to release any solo productions by Michael Jacksons was demanded.Well soon the group was a part of history and Michael created best selling album ever - "Thriller". He changed also way of promoting music with his record breaking video for song "Thriller" and changing concerts into huge shows. He became first black artist on a MTV rotation, (in the middle of 80's they played only withe artists!) because he was so popular that he just coudn't be ignored. The 80's were definitely the decate of Michael Jackson. American Ambassy in Poland (then one of communist countries) had a huge poster of MIchael Jackson next to the main gate along with information that he is American citizen. He didn't have that much luck in 90's though, but apart from accusation of sexual abusing teenage boys and oppinion of major freak, two marriages and two divorces, he managed to stay one of the best selling artists anyway. He also is one of the most influential artists - Genuine and Sisquo (Dru Hill) among the others claim to be his fans, many others woudn't never admit that, but you can hear their fascination in their music. He co-worked with such musicians as Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Quincy Jones and Notorious BIG. His music is sampled even by Flavour Flav from Public Enemy."Can you feel it" - the old song by The Jacksons is covered again and again almost every year. And of course MTV woudn't be what it is now without Michael Jackson's innovative ideas about music videos. So ladies and gentelmen take your hats off to Michael Jackson. What new is going to bring new millenium, we'll see....