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Michael Jackson Biography

Michael Jackson was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. His birth name is Michael Joseph Jackson. But also known as ‘The King Of Pop’. He was the 7th of nine children. His brothers are Sigmund "Jackie", Toriano "Tito", Jermaine, Marlon, Steven "Randy", and sisters Rebbie, Janet and La-Toya Jackson. His five studio albums, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and History remain some of the world’s best selling pop records.

Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a group act and 2001 as a solo artist, becoming one of a few to be inducted twice. In 2006, Jackson received eight Guinness World Records; these included "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time” and best-selling album ever for Thriller. Jackson has received thirteen Grammy Awards (eight on a single night in 1984), and two of his solo albums have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jackson has charted thirteen number one singles in the United States, more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era.

He debuted on the professional music scene at the age of eleven as a member of the Jackson 5 and went on to become a pop icon as a solo artist. The group set a record when all of their first four singles which are "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There") charted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael works his first solo album with Quincey Jones as his producer. 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.

In 1983 Michael performed the legendary moonwalk dancing 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'.

At the end of the 1980s Michael was named 'Artist of the Decade' for his success off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums. In 1992, Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation;" named after his humanitarian single "Heal the World". The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's Neverland Ranch, located outside Santa Ynez, California, to go on theme park rides which Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it in 1988. It also spread millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease.

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.

In 1995 Michael release a fifth solo album, 'History', which was a double album, first half new material and second half greatest hits. Around 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. Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999.

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, Destiny’s Child, N’SYNC, Mya, Shaggy and many more performed there own and Michael Jackson’s past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his brothers performed there biggest hits. At that time Michael Jackson and thirty-five other artists recorded a charity benefit single entitled "What More Can I Give", designed to raise money for 9/11 victims; however, it was never released.

His third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) was born in November 2002. In early 2008, Jackson issued Thriller 25, a commercial success, selling more than 1.7 million copies
worldwide in ten weeks.

Discography
Studio albums
Motown releases
1972: Got to Be There
1972: Ben
1973: Music & Me
1975: Forever, Michael
Epic releases
1979: Off the Wall
1982: Thriller
1987: Bad
1991: Dangerous
1995: History: Past, Present and Future - Book I
1997: Blood on the Dance Floor: History in the Mix
2001: Invincible
2008: TBA

Number one singles
United States (18)
1972: "Ben" (US #1)
1979: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1980: "Rock with You" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1982: "The Girl is Mine" (US R&B #1)
1983: "Billie Jean" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1983: "Beat It" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1983: "Say Say Say" (US #1)
1987: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1987: "Bad" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1987: "The Way You Make Me Feel" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1988: "Man in the Mirror" (US #1; US R&B #1)
1988: "Dirty Diana" (US #1)
1988: "Another Part of Me" (US R&B #1)
1991: "Black or White" (US #1)
1992: "Remember the Time" (US R&B #1)
1992: "In the Closet" (US R&B #1)
1995: "You Are Not Alone" (US #1; US R&B #1)

Filmography

Notable music videos
1983: "Billie Jean"
1983: "Beat It"
1983: "Thriller"
1987: "Bad"
1987: "The Way You Make Me Feel"
1988: "Smooth Criminal"
1989: "Leave Me Alone"
1991: "Black or White"
1992: "Remember the Time"
1995: "Scream"
1995: "Earth Song"
2001: "You Rock My World"

Films
1978: The Wiz
1986: Captain EO
1988: Moonwalker
1997: Ghosts

Source: allmichaeljackson.com and wikipedia.com

How To Moonwalk

The moonwalk is legendary all over the world. First made popular by Michael Jackson in the early 1980s, it's part walking backward and part shuffle. Michael did not invent the move, but perfected it and made it his own.First shown to the world at the Motown 25th Annviverary in a performance of "Billie Jean". Although to the viewing world the performance fantastic, Michael himself was not happy with it, being the perfectionist he is. It's easy to moonwalk as long as you remember a few key tips:

1. Just find a pair of low grip shoes with smooth soles (not hiking boots) or maybe even Keds. If all else fails, just wear socks.
2. Find a flat and smooth surface, not too greepy. You can try a polished floor or wood floor.
   Stand with both feet close to each other, left foot slightly ahead of the right (toes of right should be in line with half the left foot).
3. Now raise the heel of the right foot so that you are standing on the front of the right foot as if you are taking a step. The left foot must stay where it is (take care not to move it).
4. As you lower the heel of the right foot, lean all your weight on the right foot, and drag back the left foot to so that its toes are in line with the heel of the right foot. The left foot's heel must be slightly off the ground at this stage.
5. As you drag back, do not push down on the left foot at all or it will not glide. Make sure as you lower the heel of the right foot (slowly) the left moves at an equal speed. This will need lots of practice to master the right speed.
6. Just keep practicing, because practice makes you perfect.

Tips & Warnings

1. Extend your neck ahead of the rest of your body so that it appears as if your head has been left behind. This give the appearance of defying gravity. Snap your head back, and then forward with each step.
2. Alternate arm movements. This will enhance the dance. With each step "pull" the opposite arm back toward the body. In combination with your head and feet movements you will appear as the perfect moonwalker!

Source: allmichaeljackson.com and ehow.com