Michael Jackson

The "King of Pop" was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was number eight of ten children and was legally named Michael Joseph Jackson. He was a recording artist, actor, dancer, businessman, producer, and philanthropist and contributed to music, dance and fashion.
Michael landed on the music scene with his brothers as a participant in The Jackson 5 in 1964. Jackson began his solo career in 1971. He was a dominant figure with songs like Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller. These songs broke down racial barriers and his videos were literally an art form. His videos Black or White and Scream helped him forge a reputation as a solo artist. He popularized complicated dance techniques such as the moonwalk and the robot. His distinctive music, dance and singing styles motivated changes in pop and rock, hip-hop, contemporary R&B and post-disco music.
His album Thriller still is the highest selling album of all times. Off the Wall in 1987, Dangerous in 1991 and HIStory in 1995 are also among the bestselling albums in the world. He was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two times and the Dance Hall of Fame as the only dancer from pop and rock. He has thirteen Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael also has twenty-six American Music Awards as well as Artist of the Century. He garnered hundreds of honors and is the most awarded recording artist in in the history of music. He was also the support for 39 charities.
He did generate controversy. In the mid-1990s he was accused of child sexual abuse and he was tried gain in 2005 (acquitted). He was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 1994 until 1996 when they divorce and then married Deborah Jeanne Row from 1996 to 1999 when they divorced. Michael has three children. Michael passed away on June 25, 2009 after suffering from cardiac arrest. His death was ruled a homicide after propfol and benzodiazepine were found in his bloodstream.