| Michael Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson in 1983 | |
| Born | August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana, USA |
| Died | March 14, 1986 (aged 27) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Acute mixed drug intoxication |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer |
| Years active | 1964-1986 |
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - March 14, 1986) was an American singer, songwriter, and member of the Jackson family, the younger brother of Jermaine Jackson. He was the lead vocalist of The Jackson 5, and played tambourine. He is best known for his hits "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, which topped the charts in multiple countries. Influencing a wide variety of artists in the later decades, he popularized the dancing style of moonwalk, and the robot.
The eighth child of the Jackson family, Jackson made his professional debut in 1964 with his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons). Jackson began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records. He became a solo star with his 1979 album Off the Wall. He set the stage for MTV to gain popularity, and frequently collaborated with his older brother Jermaine and child actor Corey Feldman. He released two more albums, Woe and Starlite, which were not commercially successful. He died unexpectedly in his Cincinnati hotel room on March 14, 1986, at the age of 27.
Jackson's dance moves and vocal style have continued to influence modern pop culture, and a large number of artists, including Desmond Amofah, Lil Peep, and Kurt Cobain have all cited him as a significant influence on their work. Jackson has sold 26 million albums worldwide, and was nominated for one Grammy Award in 1984. For the twentieth anniversary of his passing, The Jackson 5 had a memorial concert in his hometown on the night of March 14, 2006.
| ||||||||||||||||||
