Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was 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 singing and dancing skills helped the group produce a string of number one singles, including "ABC" and "I Want You Back."http://www.biography.com/articles/Michael-Jackson-38211

Jackson died on June 25, 2009, after suffering cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles, California, home.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/pop-star-michael-jackson-was-rushed-to-a-hospital-this-afternoon-by-los-angeles-fire-department-paramedics--capt-steve-ruda.html 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.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/lethal-levels-of-anesthetic-propofol-killed-michael-jackson.html Jackson's body was entombed in a mausoleum at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California on September 3, 2009.http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/music/2009/09/04/10750311.html

Rehearsal footage shot in Jackson's final weeks, titled This Is It, hit theaters in late October of 2009.http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1624395/story.jhtml Jackson’s Captain EO returned to Disneyland for a limited time in February of 2010.http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/12/21/michael-jacksons-captain-eo-returns-to-disneyland-feb-2010/

An article on May 3, 2010, Jason Pfeiffer, a former dermatologist's assistant and current CEO of a medical company, claims that he and Michael Jackson had a homosexual affair and was Jackson's boyfriend until the day that he died.http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2010/05/jason-pfeiffer-alleges-gay-affair-with-michael-jackson-dr-arnold/

On January 20, 2010, it was announced that there would be a tribute to Michael Jackson at the Grammy Awards. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher would join the voice of Michael Jackson during the tribute. It would also feature a 3-D mini-movie entitled “Earth Song” that had never been seen before and was created by Michael Jackson. The mini-movie was originally intended for his “This Is It” tour.http://www.grammy.com/news/michael-jackson-tribute-announced

At the Grammys, the tribute was introduced by Lionel Richie and then the singers started their song. The 3-D mini-movie waas seen by the audience, who wore 3-D glasses to get the full effect. The movies featured nature scenes and children.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1247644/Grammy-Awards-2010-Michael-Jacksons-children-Prince-Paris-steal-emotional-speech.html

Michael Jackson’s children, Paris and Prince Michael, accepted the award for their father.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1247644/Grammy-Awards-2010-Michael-Jacksons-children-Prince-Paris-steal-emotional-speech.html

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. Jackson followed this up with 1982's Thriller', which included such songs as "Beat It," "Thriller" and "Billie Jean." Thriller sold 27 million copies in the United States, with seven top 10 singles and became the best selling album of all time.

Jackson's success continued with albums like Bad and Dangerous, but his reputation and public image 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 suffer.http://allmusic.com/artist/michael-jackson-p4576/biography

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".http://www.livedaily.com/news/18405.html

• 1972: Got to Be There

• 1972: Ben

• 1975: Forever Michael

• 1979: Off The Wall

• 1982: Thriller

• 1987: Bad

• 1991: Dangerous

• 1992: Remember The Time (Silky Soul 7)

• 1995: HIStory - Past, Present And Future - Book I

• 1997: Blood On The Dance Floor

• 1997: Blood On The Dance Floor - HIStory In The Mix

• 2001: Invincible

• 2001: Michael Jackson Greatest Hits HIStory Volume I

• 2002: Music & Me

• 2003: Number Ones

• 2003: One More Chance

• 2004: Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection

• 2005: Essential Michael Jackson

• 2008: Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller

• 2008: Thriller 25 Super Deluxe Edition

• 2009: This Is It

• 2010: MICHAELhttp://www.michaeljackson.com/us/albums