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• Michael Jackson was one of the most popular performers of all time and the highest grossing musician of the 1980s. His career began at the age of eight when he joined The Jackson 5 along with four of his brothers. His precocious singing and dancing skills helped the group produce a string of number one singles, including "ABC" and "I Want You Back," and established him as a bona fide child star.

  Jackson died on June 25, 2009, after suffering cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles, California, home.Los Angeles Times: Michael Jackson is Dead (June 25, 2009) An autopsy was performed on Jackson on June 26, 2009. On August 24th, it was revealed that Jackson died as a result of "lethal levels" of the anesthetic propofol.LA Times: 'Lethal levels' of anesthetic propofol killed Michael Jackson (August 24, 2009) Jackson's body was entombed in a mausoleum at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California on September 3, 2009.Winnipeg Sun: Michael Jackson laid to rest (September 4, 2009)

  Rehearsal footage shot in Jackson's final weeks, titled This Is It, is expected to hit theaters in late October 2009.MTV: 'Michael Jackson's This Is It': Check Out A Featurette! (October 21, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Michael Joseph Jackson
  2. Born: August 29, 1958
  3. Birthplace: Gary, Indiana
  4. Ex-spouses: Lisa Marie Presley and Deborah Jeanne RoweCNN: She's Out of His Life (January 18, 1996)People: What Friends Are for (December 2, 1996)
  5. Had three children;
  6. Albums sold: Over 750 Million
  7. Singles: 13
  8. December of 2008: Was rumored to have suffered from a1-Antitrypsin deficiencyThe Sun: Jacko Needs Lung Swap (December 22, 2008)
  9. February of 2009: Was rumored to have suffered from a skin infectionThe Sun: Did Jacko get skin bug from nose job? (February 12, 2009)
  10. Was slated to perform 50 concerts at London's O2 Arena in 2009CNN: 750,000 tickets for Jackson concerts sell in 4 hours (March 13, 2009)
  11. Tickets for the concerts reportedly sold out in 4 hoursCNN: 750,000 tickets for Jackson concerts sell in 4 hours (March 13, 2009)
  12. Jackson had not released new material or played a full concert since 2001Billboard: Micheal Jackson May Play 25 London Shows (March 5, 2009)
  13. Died on June 25, 2009, from cardiac arrest

• Jackson Comeback

  Jackson, who had not performed a full concert since 2001, was scheduled for a 50-date residency at London's O2 Arena beginning in July 2009. At a press conference to announce the concerts, Jackson told reporters, "These will be my final shows performing in London. "This Is It"...I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. I'll see you in July and I love you so much".liveDaily: Michael Jackson extends 'This Is It' run (March 11, 2009) In 2007, Prince played 21 nights at the O2 Arena and earned $22,052,026 according to Billboard.Billboard: Micheal Jackson May Play 25 London Shows (March 5, 2009)

• Julien's Auction House Lawsuit

  TMZ.com reported on March 4, 2009, that Jackson's production company filed suit against Julien's Auction House claiming that they had no right to auction off several items belonging to him. Such items included rhinestone gloves and socks, the gates from Neverland and the hands from Edward Scissorhands.TMZ: Jacko Suing Over Creepo Auction (March 4, 2009) Julien's Auction House responded to the suit by saying that Jackson signed contracts giving them permission to auction off the items. The auction was scheduled to take place in April.TMZ: Jacko Approved the Event (March 5, 2009)

• Skin Infection

  The Sun reported on February 12, 2009, that Jackson had a skin infection, possibly MRSA or a staph infection, and was being treated with antibiotics. According to the report, it was a possibility that he may have contracted the infection from a plastic surgery procedure on his nose.The Sun: Did Jacko get skin bug from nose job? (February 12, 2009)

• Lawsuit

  In January 2009, the gossip website Perez Hilton reported that director John Landis filed suit against Jackson for past and future profits from the music video "Thriller".PerezHilton: Jackson Sued! (January 27, 2009) Earlier in the week, the Nederlander organization bought the rights for the Broadway musical.New York Daily News: "Thriller" to go to Broadway (January 26, 2009)

• Illness

  The Sun newspaper reported on December 22, 2008, that Jackson was suffering from a genetic disease, A1AD (a1-Antitrypsin deficiency), that left him 95% blind, barely able to speak and in need of a lung transplant.The Sun: Jacko Needs Lung Swap (December 22, 2008)

  News of the disease was reportedly leaked by Jackson's biographer, Ian Halperin. Halperin also revealed that Jackson was suffering from emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.The Sun: Jacko Needs Lung Swap (December 22, 2008)

  Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson, was said to have confirmed the report stating, "He's not doing so well right now. This isn't a good time."The Sun: Jacko Needs Lung Swap (December 22, 2008)

  Dr. Tohme, the official spokesperson for Michael Jackson, called the rumors a "total fabrication."People: No Truth to Michael Jackson Lung-Transplant Story (December 23, 2008)

  A1AD is a genetic disease that can afflict children and adults. The disease can lead to emphysema and cirrhosis.MERCK: α1-Antitrypsin deficiency

• Career

  In 1979, Jackson released the Quincy Jones-produced solo album Off the Wall, which included "Rock With You" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and sold millions of copies. Despite the smash hit status the album achieved, it still couldn't compare to the massive success of its follow up, 1982's Thriller. Thanks to a track list that included "Beat It," the title track (not to mention its accompanying video in which Jackson transforms into a zombie), and "Billie Jean." Thriller sold a staggering 27 million copies in the United States alone, spawned seven top 10 hits and became the best selling album of all time.Yahoo! Finance: Michael Jackson's Thriller - The World's Best-Selling Album of All Time (November 7, 2008)

  Jackson's success continued with hit albums like Bad and Dangerous, but his reputation and public image soon shifted from his music to allegations of child molestation. Although he was never found guilty, the charges, as well as his reclusive behavior, caused his reputation to flounder.

• Billboard Billboard Chart Toppers

  1. 1983: "Billie Jean" #1
  2. 1984: "Thriller" #1
  3. 1987: "Bad" #1
  4. 1991: "Black or White" #1
  5. 1995: "You are not Alone" #1 All Music: http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifuxqe5ldae~T51B Michael Jackson Charts

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Jackson 5 Reunion | Michael Jackson eBay Underwear | Michael Jackson Pamela Anderson | How to Moonwalk | Michael Jackson 50 | Thriller 25 Michael Jackson Album | Janet Jackson | Mariah Carey | Usher | Britney Spears | Justin Timberlake | Omarion | Ne-Yo | Chris Brown | Van Halen | The Jackson 5 | Lisa Marie Presley | Mark Geragos | Celebrity Halloween Masks | Carson Daly | Michael Jackson Auction | Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency | Ola Ray | Michael Jackson Islam | Michael Jackson Dead | Michael Jackson Death Quotes | Michael Jackson Funeral | Michael Jackson Death Photos | Michael Jackson Cardiac Arrest | Michael Jackson Demerol | Demerol | Michael Jackson Toxicology Report | How to Moonwalk | Watch Michael Jackson Memorial Online | Michael Jackson Memorial Gary Indiana | Omer Bhatti | Steven Hoefflin

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