Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Biography
The Bio History of Michael Joseph Jackson began when he was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the 7th of nine children. (brothers: Sigmund "Jackie", Toriano "Tito", Jermaine, Marlon, Steven "Randy", and sisters Rebbie, Janet and La-Toya Jackson
Michael began his musical career at the age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 who formed in 1964. In these early years the Jackson 5, Jackie, Jermaine,Tito,Marlon and lead singer Michael played local clubs and bars in Gary Indiana and moving further afield as there talents grew and they could compete in bigger competitions. From these early days Michael would be at the same clubs as big talented stars of there days, such as Jackie Wilson and would be learning from them even back then. In 1968 the Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers discovered the Jackson five and from there they got an audition for Berry Gordy of Motown Records. The Jackson 5 signed for Motown and moved to California. Their first 4 singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" all made US No1 hits. The Jackson 5 recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 solo albums with Motown.
The Jackson 5 stayed with Motown until 1976, wanting more artistic freedom they felt they had to move on and signed up with Epic. The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it was owned by Motown, so they reverted to The Jacksons as they had be known in the early days. Brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy's daughter and stayed with Motown. Youngest brother Randy joined in his place. The Jacksons had a number of hit recordsand in total made 6 albums between the years of 1976 and 1984.
In 1977 Michael made his first film debut when he starred in the musical 'The Wiz' playing Scarecrow with Diana Ross in the lead role of Dorothy. It was at this time Michael met Quincy Jones who was doing the score for the film.
Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones as his producer for his first solo album with Epic Records. The album titled "Off The Wall" was a big success around the world and the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles in the US.
In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit singles, breaking yet again more records, and went on to sell over 50 million copies worldwide. Michael was keen to use music video or short films as he called them to promote his singles from the album. He worked with the best directors and producers, using the latest technology and special effects.for the hit song 'Billie Jean' The short film 'Thriller' used the latest make-up artists technolgy combined with fantastic dancing and cherography, to produce a 14 minute video, with a start, a middle and an ending. So successful was this video that 'The Making Of Michael Jackson's Thriller' became the world's largest selling home video combined with soaring album sales. In 1983 Michael performed the now legendary moonwalk for the first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This performance alone set Michael undoubtable into the realm of a superstar.
In 1984 Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy awards in one night. The awards were for his work on the 'Thriller' album and his work on the narrative for the 'ET Storybook'.
On December 9th 1984 at the last concert of the Jackson's Victory Tour, Michael announced he was splitting from the group and going solo.
In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album, titled 'Bad', and lauched his record breaking first solo world tour. 1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography talking for the first time on his childhood and his career. At the end of the 1980s Michael was named 'Artist Of The Decade' for his success off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums.
In 1991 Michael signed with Sony Music the largest ever recording contract and released his fourth solo album, 'Dangerous'. He toured world again in 1992, taking his concerts to countries that had never before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also Michael founded the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help improve the lives of children across the world.
In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley. The marriage only lasted for 19 months, as they divorced in 1996.
1995 saw Michael release a fifth solo album, 'HIStory', which was a double album, first half new material and second half half greatest hits. Michael toured again over a legs covering a 2 year period. In between legs of the tour on November 14th 1996, Michael married for his second time to Debbie Rowe who was a nurse that Michael had met in the treatment of his skin pigment disorder. Together they had their first child Prince Michael Joseph Jackson jr born on February 13 1997 and a daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson born on April 3rd 1998. In 1997 Michael released the remix album 'Blood On The Dance Floor' which also contained 5 new song linked with a 38min film "Ghosts". This film Michael played 5 roles using the latest special effects and make-up artistry, combined with his dance and music.
In September, 2001 Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary as a solo artist with two concerts to be held in New York, USA. Many artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Destinys Child, Shaggy and many more performed there own and Michael Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his brothers performed there biggest hits. Michael then went onto perform solo some of his biggest hits. In October 2001 Michael released the album 'Invincible' so far releasing only 2 singles including the big hit "You Rock My World". Since the release of this first single the album has been surrounded by rumours of a rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion of the album.
Background information
Birth name Michael Joseph Jackson
Also known as Michael Joe Jackson
Born August 29, 1958 (1958-08-29) (age 48)
Origin Gary, Indiana, United States
Genre(s) Pop, R&B[1]
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Record producer
Arranger
Actor
Choreographer
Dancer
Instrument(s) Vocals
Piano
Drums
Keyboards
Guitar
Multi-instruments
Years active 1968–present
Label(s) Motown, Epic, Sony, The Michael Jackson Company, Inc.
Associated
acts The Jackson 5
Website: michaeljackson.com
Michael Jackson album discography
The following is Michael Jackson's albums discography. The albums are separated into the record labels from which they were released.
Motown albums (1971-1984)
Got to Be There
Released: September 13, 1971
Sales: Worldwide: 4.1 million; USA: 3.0 million
Track(s):
"Ain't No Sunshine"
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
"Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me"
"In Our Small Way"
"Got to Be There"
"Rockin' Robin"
"Wings of My Love"
"Maria (You Were the Only One)"
"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone"
"You've Got a Friend"
Ben
Released: August 4, 1972
Sales: Worldwide: 4.4 million; USA: 3.3 million
Track(s):
"Ben"
"The Greatest Show on Earth"
"People Make the World Go Round"
"We've Got a Good Thing Going"
"Everybody's Somebody's Fool"
"My Girl"
"What Goes Around Comes Around"
"In Our Small Way"
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day"
"You Can Cry On My Shoulder"
Music and Me
Released: April 13, 1973
Sales: Worldwide: 2.0 million; USA: 1.0 million
Track(s):
"With a Child's Heart"
"Up Again"
"All The Things You Are"
"Happy (A Theme from "Lady Sings the Blues")"
"Too Young"
"Doggin' Around"
"Johnny Raven"
"Euphoria"
"Morning Glow"
"Music and Me"
Forever, Michael
Released: January 16, 1975
Sales: Worldwide: 1.7 million; USA: 1.0 million
Track(s):
"We're Almost There"
"Take Me Back"
"One Day In Your Life"
"Cinderella Stay Awhile"
"We've Got Forever"
"Just a Little Bit of You"
"You Are There"
"Dapper Dan"
"Dear Michael"
"I'll Come Home to You"
One Day in Your Life
Released: March 25, 1981
Sales: Worldwide: 1.6 million; USA: 0.7 million
Track(s):
"One Day in Your Life"
"Don't Say Goodbye Again"
"You're My Best Friend, My Love"
"Take Me Back"
"We've Got Forever"
"It's Too Late to Change the Time"
"You Are There"
"Dear Michael"
"I'll Come Home to You"
"Make Tonight All Mine"
Farewell My Summer Love
Released: May 8, 1984
Sales: Worldwide: 2.1 million; USA: 1.3 million
Track(s):
"Don't Let It Get You Down"
"You've Really Got a Hold On Me"
"Melodie"
"Touch The One You Love"
"Girl You're So Together"
"Farewell My Summer Love"
"Call On Me"
"Here I Am (Come and Take Me)"
"To Make My Father Proud"
Epic albums (1979-2005)
Off the Wall
Released: August 5, 1979
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
"Rock with You"
"Working Day and Night"
"Get on the Floor"
"Off the Wall"
"Girlfriend"
"She's out of My Life"
"I Can't Help It"
"It's the Falling in Love"
"Burn This Disco Out"
Sales: Worldwide: 20 million; USA: 7.5 million
Certification(s): RIAA: 7x Platinum; UK: 6x Platinum
Thriller
Released: December 1, 1982
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Baby Be Mine"
"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney)
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"Billie Jean"
"Human Nature"
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
"The Lady In My Life"
Sales: Worldwide: 104 million; USA: 27 million
Certification(s): RIAA: 27x Platinum; UK: 11x Platinum
Bad
Released: August 31, 1987
"Bad"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Speed Demon"
"Liberian Girl"
"Just Good Friends"
"Another Part of Me"
"Man in the Mirror"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"Dirty Diana"
"Smooth Criminal"
"Leave Me Alone"
Sales: Worldwide: 30 million; USA: 8.5 million
Certification(s): RIAA: 8x Platinum; UK: 13x Platinum
Dangerous
Released: November 20, 1991
"Jam"
"Why You Wanna Trip On Me"
"In the Closet"
"She Drives Me Wild"
"Remember the Time"
"Can't Let Her Get Away"
"Heal the World"
"Black or White"
"Who Is It"
"Give In To Me"
"Will You Be There"
"Keep The Faith"
"Gone Too Soon"
"Dangerous"
Sales: Worldwide: 30 million; USA: 7.5 million
Certification(s): RIAA: 7x Platinum; UK: 7x Platinum
HIStory - Past, Present And Future, Book I
Released: June 16, 1995
Disc one: HIStory Begins
"Billie Jean"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Black or White"
"Rock with You"
"She's out of My Life"
"Bad"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"Man in the Mirror"
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"The Girl Is Mine" featuring Paul McCartney
"Remember the Time"
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Heal the World"
Disc two: HIStory Continues
"Scream" featuring Janet Jackson
"They Don't Care About Us"
"Stranger in Moscow"
"This Time Around"
"Earth Song"
"D.S."
"Money"
"Come Together"
"You Are Not Alone"
"Childhood (Theme from "Free Willy 2")"
"Tabloid Junkie"
"2 Bad"
"HIStory"
"Little Susie"
"Smile"
Sales: Worldwide: 18 million copies (36 million units); USA: 3.5 million copies (7 million units)
Certification(s): RIAA: 7x Platinum; UK: 5x Platinum
Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
Released: May 11, 1997
"Blood on the Dance Floor"
"Morphine"
"Superfly Sister"
"Ghosts"
"Is It Scary"
"Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix)"
"Money (Fire Island Radio Edit)"
"2 Bad (Refugee Camp Mix)"
"Stranger in Moscow (Tee's In-House Club Mix)"
"This Time Around (D.M. Radio Mix)"
"Earth Song (Hani's Club Experience)"
"You Are Not Alone (Classic Club Mix)"
"HIStory (Tony Moran's HIStory Lesson)"
Sales: Worldwide: 6 million; USA: 1 million
Certification(s): RIAA: Platinum; UK: Platinum
Invincible
Released: October 30, 2001
"Unbreakable"
"Heartbreaker"
"Invincible"
"Break of Dawn"
"Heaven Can Wait"
"You Rock My World"
"Butterflies"
"Speechless"
"2000 Watts"
"You Are My Life"
"Privacy"
"Don't Walk Away"
"Cry"
"The Lost Children"
"Whatever Happens"
"Threatened"
Sales: Worldwide: 8 million; USA: 2.1 million
Certification(s): RIAA: 2x Platinum; UK: Platinum
Greatest Hits - HIStory Volume I
Released: November 13, 2001
"Billie Jean"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Black or White"
"Rock with You"
"She's out of My Life"
"Bad"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"Man in the Mirror"
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"The Girl Is Mine" featuring Paul McCartney
"Remember the Time"
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Heal the World"
Sales: Worldwide: 3 million; USA: 1 million
Certification(s): RIAA: Gold
Number Ones
Released: November 18, 2003
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'"
"Rock with You"
"Billie Jean"
"Beat It"
"Thriller"
"Human Nature"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"Bad"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Dirty Diana"
"Smooth Criminal"
"Black or White"
"You Are Not Alone"
"Earth Song"
"Blood on the Dance Floor"
"You Rock My World"
"Break of Dawn"
"One More Chance"
Note: The U.S. version substitutes "Human Nature" and "Blood on the Dance Floor" for "Man in the Mirror" and "Ben".
Sales: Worldwide: 6.5 million; USA: 1.2 million
Certification(s): RIAA: Platinum; UK: 4x Platinum
Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection
Released: November 16, 2004
Disc one
"I Want You Back"
"ABC"
"I'll Be There"
"Got to Be There"
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
"Ben"
"Dancing Machine" (Single Version)
"Enjoy Yourself"
"Ease on Down the Road" (w/Diana Ross)
"You Can't Win" (From "The Wiz")
"Shake A Body" (Early Demo)
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
"Rock with You"
"Off the Wall"
"She's out of My Life"
"Sunset Driver" (Demo)
"Lovely One"
"This Place Hotel"
Disc two
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"The Girl Is Mine" (w/Paul McCartney)
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"Billie Jean"
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (Demo)
"Someone in the Dark"
"State of Shock" (w/Mick Jagger)
"Scared of The Moon" (Demo)
"We Are the World" (Demo)
"We Are Here to Change the World" (From "Captain EO")
Disc three
"Bad"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Man in the Mirror"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"Dirty Diana"
"Smooth Criminal"
"Cheater" (Demo)
"Dangerous" (Early Version)
"Monkey Business"
"Jam"
"Remember the Time"
"Black or White"
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix)
"Someone Put Your Hand Out"
Disc four
"You Are Not Alone"
"Stranger in Moscow"
"Childhood (Theme from "Free Willy 2")"
"On the Line"
"Blood on the Dance Floor"
"Fall Again" (Demo)
"In the Back"
"Unbreakable"
"You Rock My World"
"Butterflies"
"Beautiful Girl" (Demo)
"The Way You Love Me"
"We've Had Enough"
Disc five (DVD)
"Jam"
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Human Nature"
"Smooth Criminal"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"She's out of My Life"
"I Want You Back"
"I'll Be There"
"Thriller"
"Billie Jean"
"Working Day and Night"
"Beat It"
"Will You Be There"
"Black or White"
"Heal the World"
"Man in the Mirror"
Sales: Worldwide: 0.25 million; USA: 0.06 million
The Essential Michael Jackson
Released: July 19, 2005
Disc one
"I Want You Back" (The Jackson 5)
"ABC" (The Jackson 5)
"The Love You Save" (The Jackson 5)
"Got to Be There"
"Rockin' Robin"
"Ben"
"Blame It on The Boogie" (The Jacksons)
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (The Jacksons)
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"
"Off the Wall"
"Rock with You"
"She's out of My Life"
"Can You Feel It" (The Jacksons)
"The Girl Is Mine" (Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney)
"Billie Jean"
"Beat It"
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Human Nature"
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett)
"Thriller"
Disc two
"Bad"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Man in the Mirror"
"Dirty Diana"
"Another Part of Me"
"Smooth Criminal"
"Leave Me Alone"
"Black or White"
"Remember the Time"
"In the Closet" (Duet by Michael Jackson and Mystery Girl)
"Who Is It"
"Heal the World"
"Will You Be There"
"You Are Not Alone"
"Earth Song"
"They Don't Care About Us"
"You Rock My World"
Note: The U.S. version substitutes "They Don't Care About Us" and "Earth Song" for "Enjoy Yourself" and "Dangerous".
Sales: Worldwide: 2 million; USA: 0.2 million
Certification(s): UK: Platinum
Other compilations
A Collection of Michael Jackson's Oldies
Released: December 8, 1972
Side one
"I Want You Back" (The Corporation)
"ABC" (The Corporation)
"The Love You Save (The Corporation)
"2-4-6-8" (Jones/Sawyer)
"I'll Be There" (Gordy/West/Davis/Hutch)
"Goin' Back to Indiana" (The Corporation)
"Mama's Pearl" (The Corporation)
"Can I See You in the Morning"
Side two
"Got to Be There" (Willensky)
"Maria (You Were the Only One)" (Brown/Glover/Gordy/Story)
"Ain't No Sunshine" (Withers)
"Rockin' Robin" (Thomas)
"I Wanna Be Where You Are" (Ware/Ross)
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" (Cosby/Moy/Wonder)
"People Make the World Go Round" (Bell/Creed)
"The Greatest Show on Earth" (Larson/Marcellino)
"Ben" (Black/Scharf)
Label: Motown Records
The Best of Michael Jackson
Released: 1975
"Got to Be There"
"Ain't No Sunshine"
"My Girl"
"Ben"
"Greatest Show on Earth"
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
"Happy" (love theme from Lady Sings the Blues)
"Rockin' Robin"
"Just a Little Bit of You"
"One Day in You Life"
"Music and Me"
"In Our Small Way"
"We're Almost There"
"Morning Glow"
Label: Motown Records
Chart position(s): #155 (US); #11 (UK)
Sales: Worldwide: 2.2 million; USA: 0.5 million
18 Greatest Hits
Released: July 1983
Chart position(s): #1 (UK)
Sales: Worldwide: 0.5 million; USA: 0.05 million
14 Greatest Hits
Released: 1984
Chart position(s): #168 (US)
Sales: Worldwide: 0.3 million; USA: 0.2 million
Looking Back to Yesterday
Released: 1986
Sales: Worldwide: 0.3 million; USA: 0.09 million
Love Songs
Released: 1987
Chart position(s): #12 (UK)
Sales: Worldwide: 0.6 million; USA: 0.05 million
The Michael Jackson Mix
Released: 1987
Chart position(s): #27 (UK)
The Original Soul of Michael Jackson
Released: 1987
Sales: Worldwide: 0.4 million; USA: 0.15 million
Motown's Greatest Hits
Released: 1992
Chart position(s): #53 (UK)
Sales: Worldwide: 0.2 million; USA: 0.05 million
Anthology
Released: March 1995
Sales: Worldwide: 2.7 million; USA: 0.7 million
The Best of Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5
Released: July 1997
Chart position(s): #5 (UK)
Sales: Worldwide: 0.5 million; USA: 0.1 million
The Millennium Collection
Released: 2000
Sales: Worldwide: 0.2 million; USA: 0.05 million
Sources: Allmichaeljackson.com, en.wikipedia.org