Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson (born 29 August 1958, Gary, Indiana, United States; died 25 June 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. He became one of the most influential figures in popular music, noted for global album success, innovative music videos, and a distinctive performance style.

Jackson began performing as a child with the Jackson 5, achieving early fame through Motown in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His solo career expanded in parallel, and his adult breakthrough is often associated with the late 1970s, particularly Off the Wall (1979), which established him as a leading solo artist in pop and R&B.

His peak commercial era came in the 1980s with Thriller (1982), recognised as the best-selling album of all time by Guinness World Records. The album’s singles and videos, including high-rotation broadcasts on television, helped reshape the role of the music video in pop promotion. Jackson’s awards success included major Grammy recognition, and he continued this period with albums such as Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991), which produced multiple international hits.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Jackson continued releasing studio work and large-scale projects, including HIStory (1995) and Invincible (2001). His performances and choreography remained widely imitated, and his catalogue continued to generate significant cultural attention. A planned return to live concerts in 2009, titled This Is It, was cancelled following his death.

Jackson’s legacy includes induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2001 and a career total of 13 Grammy Awards. His long-term influence spans pop, R&B, dance, and visual performance, with recordings and stage innovations that remain reference points for later artists.