Early 60's: Joseph Jackson forms a singing group consisting of his three oldest sons: Jackie, Jermaine, and Tito. Michael and Marlon join the group when they are 5 and 6, respectively.
1968: Jackson 5 is signed to Motown Records by Berry Gordon
August 1969: Jackson 5 opens for The Supremes
Decemeber 1969: Jackson 5 releases first album, "Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5"
January 1970: First single ("I Want You Back") hits number 1 on the music charts
1971: Michael first launches his solo career but remains with the Jackson 5
1971-1973: The Jackson 5 cartoon show airs on televesion.
1975: The Jackson 5 leaves Motown Records
1978: "The Jacksons" sign on with Epic Records and were now able to write all of their own songs
1979: Release of Michael's solo album, "Off the Wall"
1982: Release of Michael's solo album, "Thriller" (stayed on the charts for 80 weeks, 37 of which were the number 1 spot)
Thriller nominated for 12 grammys, wins 8.
At the Grammy's, Michael wins Best R&B Song (Billie Jean), Best Pop Vocal Performance (Thriller), and Best Rock Vocal performance (Beat It)
1983: Famous dance move, the moonwalk, debuts on a television special honoring Motown
1984: Michael's hair lights on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial. He sustains severe burns to the face and scalp.
1985: Co-writes and sings "We Are The World"
1987: Reaches the top of the charts with new album, "Bad"
Late 80's: Michael builds Neverland. Rumors about his personal life reach all-time highs.
1991: Released the album, "Dangerous." The public surprised by Michael's new sexual and violent gestures
1993: First allegations of child molestation surface
1994: A deal is made with the boy's family outside of court
August 1994: Marries Lisa Marie Presley
1996: Divorced
Late 1996: Marriage to Debbie Rowe
1997: First child, Prince Michael Jackson born.
1998: Daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson born.
1999: Michael and Debbie divorce, leaving Michael with full custody of Prince and Paris.
2001: Released album, "Invincible." Quirks begin to outshine his musical talent.
2002: Third child, Prince Michael II (Blanket) born. Michael receives criticism for dangling the infant out of a hotel window.
2003: Documentary, "Living With Michael Jackson," filmed by Martin Bashir, released
2004: Second child molestation allegations surface. Faced with 10 counts, charged with 5.
June 14, 2005: Acquitted of all charges after a media circus of court appearances.
Later 2005: Moves to Bahrain
2008: Financial hardships lead to the selling of Neverland Ranch
March 5, 2009: Michael announces his upcoming "Comeback" tour scheduled to commence on July 8th, 2009.
June 25, 2009: Michael dies suddenly of cardiac arrest.
I got the information for this timeline from this article: http://www.biography.com/articles/Michael-Jackson-38211 and my own recollections from past personal research. It's crazy--the man was basically born with a microphone in his hand.
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