JACKSON, MICHAEL

born August 29, 1958, Gary, Indiana, U.S. Michael Jackson, 1996. in full Michael Joseph Jackson American singer, songwriter, and dancer who was the most popular entertainer in the world in the early and mid-1980s. Reared in Gary, Indiana, in one of the most acclaimed musical families of the rock era, Michael Jackson was the youngest and most talented of five brothers whom his father, Joseph, shaped into a dazzling group of child stars known as the Jackson 5. In addition to Michael, the members of the Jackson 5 were Jackie Jackson (byname of Sigmund Jackson; b. May 4, 1951, Gary), Tito Jackson (byname of Toriano Jackson; b. October 15, 1953, Gary), Jermaine Jackson (b. December 11, 1954, Gary), and Marlon Jackson (b. March 12, 1957, Gary). Motown Records president Berry Gordy, Jr., was taken with the group and signed them in 1969. Sporting the loudest fashions, the largest Afros, the snappiest choreography, and a youthful, soulful exuberance, the Jackson 5 became an immediate success. They scored four consecutive number one pop hits with I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There in 1970. With Michael topping the pop charts as a solo performer with Ben and reaching number two with Rockin' Robin and the Jackson 5 producing trendsetting dance tracks such as Dancing Machine, the family's string of hits for Motown lasted through 1975. As Michael matured, his voice changed, family tensions arose, and a contract standoff ensued. The group finally broke with Motown, moving to Epic Records as the Jacksons. Jermaine remained at Motown as a solo performer and was replaced by his youngest brother, Randy Jackson (in full Steven Randall Jackson;b. October 29, 1961). As a recording act, the Jacksons enjoyed consistent success through 1984, and their sister Janet Jackson embarked on her own singing career in the early 1980s; however, Michael's solo albums took on an entirely different status. Jackson's first solo effort for Epic, Off the Wall (1979), exceeded all expectations and was the best-selling album of the year. Produced by industry veteran Quincy Jones, Off the Wall yielded the massive international hit singles Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough and Rock with You, both of which showcased Michael's energetic style and capitalized on the contemporary disco-dance fad. Three years later he returned with Thriller, a tour de force that elevated him beyond measure as a worldwide superstar. Thriller sold more than 40 million copies, captured a slew of awards, including a record-setting eight Grammys, and became the best-selling album in history. Another collaboration with Jones, Thriller featured an array of guest artists. The first single, The Girl Is Mine, an easygoing duet with Paul McCartney, went to number one on the rhythm-and-blues charts and number two on the pop charts in the fall of 1982. The follow-up single, Billie Jean, an electrifying dance track and the vehicle for Jackson's trademark moonwalk dance, topped the pop charts, as did Beat It, which featured a raucous solo from famed guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Moreover, Beat It helped break down the artificial barriers between black and white artists on the radio and in the emerging format of music videos on television. By 1984 Jackson was renowned worldwide as the King of Pop. His much anticipated Victory reunion tour with his brothers was one of the most popular concert events of 1984. Further solo albumsBad (1987) and Dangerous (1991)solidified Jackson's dominance of pop music, and in 2001 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his many efforts to speak out on social issues, Jackson's eccentric, secluded lifestyle grew increasingly controversial in the early 1990s. His reputation was seriously damaged in 1993 when he was accused of child molestation by a 13-year-old boy who claimed to have stayed at his Los Angeles ranch. In 1994 Jackson secretly married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, but their marriage lasted less than two years. Shortly thereafter Jackson married again, this marriage producing children. While he remained an international celebrity, his image in the United States was slow to recover. Rickey Vincent Additional reading Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five are profiled in Nelson George, The Michael Jackson Story, new updated ed. (1987). Further information may be found in Irwin Stambler, Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock & Soul, rev. ed. (1989), pp. 316321; Colin Larkin (ed.), The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 2nd ed., vol. 3 (1995); and Patricia Romanowski, Holly George-Warren, and Jon Pareles (eds.), The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (1995), pp. 483490. The recording of their top singles is chronicled in Adam White and Fred Bronson, The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits (1993). Representative Works: The Jackson 5/The Jacksons Michael Jackson