Entertainer Michael Jackson, one of the most popular artists of all time, died suddenly of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles just before his This Is It, comeback concert series. He was 50-years-old. Michael was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana.
His father, Joseph, a guitarist, believing his sons had talent, molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s. The Jackson Family initially consisted of older brothers Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie.
Michael joined his siblings when he was five, and became lead vocalist. Older brother Marlon also became a member of the group, which evolved into the world renowned Jackson 5.
Motown founder Berry Gordy signed them to his label in 1968. In 1979, working with producer Quincy Jones, Michael wowed the music world with his solo album, 1979’s Off the Wall.
Triumph (1980) sold more than one million copies. His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995) also among the world’s best selling albums.
Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Other achievements feature multiple Guinness World Records—including the “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time”—15 Grammy Awards (including the “Living Legend Award” and the “Lifetime Achievement Award”), 26 American Music Awards (24 as a solo artist, including one for “Artist of the Century”), 17 number one singles in the US (including the four as a member of the Jackson 5), and estimated sales between 350 million and 750 million records worldwide making him one of the best selling artists in history.
He was also a notable philanthropist and humanitarian who donated and raised over $300 million through support of 39 charities and his own Heal the World Foundation. While preparing for the This Is It concert tour in 2009, Jackson died and his death triggered an outpouring of grief from around the world with his live broadcast memorial service attracting an audience of up to one billion people.