Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. At the young age of four Michael took part in a musical group called the Jackson Five, which consisted of his four older brothers. He became their lead vocalist, imitating the styles of James Brown. Though onstage Michael was seemingly confident, offstage he was introverted and shy.

The Jackson Five was signed on to Motown Record at the end of 1968. The song entitled "I Want You Back" became the first of four straight hits. Most of the hits consisted of romance and love-like situations. Even though he hadn't experienced these, he sang them as if he did.

This soul based group brought competition in the music industry. As an attempt to keep up with the pace MGM records released the Osmonds in 1970 considered rivals to the Jackson Five. MGM released their 13-year old lead singer Donny Osmond as a solo artist. In return, Motown fe

Taking advantage of the tremendous success Michael did a duet with Paul McCartney titled " Say Say Say" which topped US charts for six weeks. In 1983 Pepsi-Cola offered Jackson the largest individual sponsorship deal in history. During 1984 the Jackson's went on a "Victory Tour" that made the greatest demand for concert tickets in the history of pop-music.

This career was in no doubt skyrocketing, but the future of his group wasn't looking too bright. Sales began to decline in the mid-70's. Due to that Michael set aside his solo career to help out the fate of his group. In 1976, what was known as Jackson Five was renamed as Jacksons.

As a result of Michael's refusal to go on public interviews, the media began to portray him as a "figure trapped in eternal childhood". This image qualified him to narrate the album of E.T. Even though this album was withdrawn, it won him another Grammy.

Quincy Jones partnered up with Michael on the soundtrack of Michael's musical film "The Wiz". In 1979 Jones teaming up with Michael produced "Off the Wall", a collection of contemporary soul. This step changed gears in Michael's career. This brought out the more mature side of him. The album did well letting out two number one singles. One of the songs "Don't Stop "Til You Get Enough" gave Michael his first Grammy.

Throughout his enormous career he refused several interviews. The media retaliated by giving him an image similar to that of a hypocondriac who isolated himself from reality. Michael then went on a rehearsed show of Oprah Winfrey for the benefit of his own reputation. Just as the media was more welcoming toward Michael's personality, the unthinkable occurred. While Michael wa

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