Gary, Indiana, would change forever on August 29, 1958. That is the day that Michael Jackson made his debut. Michael was born into music. His father, Joseph Walter Jackson performed with The Falcons, a Rhythm and Blues band. His mommy, Katherine Esther Scruse was a devout Jehovah’s Witness. Although he had limited success, Joseph would find recognition and wealth on the backs of his children.

Joseph Jackson wasted little time achieving vicariously through his kids. Joseph turned his kids into performers and started a family group. Michael Jackson and his brother Marlon would join this group in 1964. Michael was only eight years old when he began singing backup vocals and dancing. Michael and Marlon quickly became lead singers and the band was named The Jackson Five.

Success would eventually find The Jackson Five. Critics have argued that The Jackson Five would not have made it without Michael Jackson. They may be right. Michael Jackson was the standout musician from the start. He struck out on a solo career in the late 1970s. Thriller was released in 1982, spent 80 weeks on Billboards Top 200, and earned Double Diamond status.

Jackson was not content to only be a performer. In 1988, he added the title of writer to his arsenal. He released his first autobiography, Moon Walk. Moon Walk took him four years to complete. The book sold over 200,000 copies.

1982 was a banner year for Michael Jackson. However, the year between 1984 and 1985 would prove to have its ups and downs. Michael spent $47.5 million to purchase the Beatles music rights. That expenditure would turn me green but I am not Michael Jackson. The low point on the year was being burned on his scalp. He was burned during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

1988 would also see the beginnings of the infamous Neverland Ranch. Michael Jackson purchased land near Santa Ynez, California. He spent $17 million building a zoo, movie theatre, and a Ferris Wheel. Michael Jackson also hired a security staff of over 40 people. Neverland would be appraised for over $100 million in 2003.

In 1996, Jackson would enter his second marriage with his dermatology nurse, Deborah Rowe on November 14. Together they would have two children: a son named Michael Joseph Jackson,Jr-now known as Prince Michael Jackson, and a daughter, Paris Katherine Michael Jackson. The couple would divorce 3 years later in 1999 while still remaining friends, and with Deborah Rowe giving full custody of the children to Jackson.

In 2002, thanks to a surrogate mother, an artificial insemination and Michael Jackson’s own sperm calls, a third child would be brought into this world for Michael. The child was dubbed the nickname Blanket,but is known as Prince Michael Jackson II.The King of Pop never revealed the mothers identity.

In 2003, Michael Jackson was once more accused of child molestation by then 13 year old Gavin Arvizo. Jackson would be charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor.. Jackson would deny all allegations.

The People vs. Jackson would begin on January 31, 2005, in Santa Maria, California, and would last five months. Jackson would eventually be acquitted on all counts.

Right before his death in 2009, Jackson was to be in the spotlight once again. He was scheduled to perform at London’s O2 arena, starring in 50 sold out concerts. They were to begin July 13, 2009, with the last concert scheduled to be on March 6, 2010. The ticket sales, according to Jackson’s website, broke numerous records.

On June 25,2009, Jackson would collapse at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. All attempts at rescuing him by his personal physician would be unsuccessful. Los Angeles Paramedics would receive a call at 12:22 p.m (PDT), and would arrive three minutes later at Jacko’s residence. According to sources on the scene, Jackson was not breathing and CPR was administered. The CPR would continue for an hour while en route to a local Los Angeles hospital, where Jackson would be pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. local time.

His memorial would be held on July7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angles. His casket was present at the memorial, which was broadcast live all around the world and watched by up to one billion people, but no information would be released about the final resting place of Michael Jackson’s body. RIP Michael “King of Pop” Jackson.