Michael Jackson

Born 29^th August 1958, the singer first gained fame in his pre-teens as a member of the phenomenally successful 1970s pop/R&B/disco band The Jackson 5. Appearing as the lead vocalist alongside his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, Michael quickly became a child superstar. The group released a total of thirteen albums between 1970 and 1976, selling in excess of 100 million records worldwide, and are best remembered now for catchy pop classics like I Want You Back, ABC and Rockin’ Robin.

Jackson released his debut solo album Got to Be There in 1972, at the age of fourteen, and it sold over five million copies in the US. This was followed by his second album in the same year, which produced the singer’s first solo US number one hit Ben, and a further two albums while still in his teens.

However, it was 1979’s Off the Wall that reinvented the singer and set him on the way to being a pop icon. It sold over twenty million copies worldwide and produced the number one hit Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough, as well as the Top 10 hits Rock with You, Off the Wall and She’s Out of My Life.

Since then, Jackson has rewritten the record books. His next album, 1982’s Thriller, sold over 110 million copies worldwide, making it the bestselling album of all time. He scored a record thirteen US number one hits during his career, including Billie Jean, Beat It, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Dirty Diana and Black or White, won 15 Grammy Awards and a record 26 American Music Awards. He is officially recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by the Guinness World Records.

Sadly, Michael Jackson passed away on 25th June 2009. However, his success continues, and he has sold a further 35 million records since his death.