Born: August 29, 1958, Gary, IN

Education: Gary public schools

Died: June 25, 2009, Los Angeles, CA

Jackson was one of nine children in a working-class and musically talented Gary, Indiana family. The youngest of five boys, he became lead singer of the Jackson 5, who signed with Motown Records of Detroit in 1969. They had four hit singles in 1970 and Michael began his solo career in 1971. Three more of the brothers left Motown to become the Jacksons in 1975.

Michael emerged as America's leading pop music figure in the 1980s. His best songs included “Got to Be There” (1971), “Rockin’ Robin” (1972), and “Ben” (1972), theme song of a noted movie about a boy and his pet rat. Songs in another film, The Wiz (1978), the African American version of The Wizard of Oz, were sophisticated and versatile. “Off the Wall” (1979) made him an international cross-over icon. As “Thriller” (1982) topped the charts, he earned American Music awards and was the black trailblazer on music-television. Critics acclaimed him the “King of Pop.” His philanthropy supported many causes, notably disadvantaged children. He also faced business and personal crises, such as prosecution for and acquittal of child sexual abuse in 2005. Michael died unexpectedly on the verge of a planned comeback tour. He received eighteen Grammy Awards.