Singer Michael Jackson died on 25 June, 2009, at the age of 50, after suffering a heart attack at his Los Angeles home.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on 29 August, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, America and found fame as a child star surrounded by his brothers in pop group the Jackson Five.
The seventh of nine children, he joined his brothers' pop group in 1964 playing tambourine and bongos. The five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was six and won first prize.
He took on lead vocals and went on to become a megastar in his own right, his most acclaimed album, Thriller, selling 65m copies.
The star was due to begin a series of comeback concerts with an appearance at London's O2 arena on 13 July, 2009.
His biggest hits included I Want You Back, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Billie Jean, Bad, Black or White and Earth Song.
He had a history of health problems and had not completed a concert tour in the 12 years prior to his death.
In 1978 Quincy Jones produced the classic solo album Off The Wall, which went on to sell 10m copies, and spawned hit singles Don't Stop Til You Get Enough and Rock With You.
It was in 1978 that Michael released the album, Thriller, with its ground-breaking video clips. The Guinness Book of World Records records it as having sold 65m copies. Seven of its nine tracks make the charts.
And an x-rated promo video of the title track was directed by John Landis and saw the singer transform into a zombie and 'werecat'.
In the 1980s his business acumen was highlighted by his securing of the publishing rights to the Beatles' back catalogue for $47.5m.
The 80s also saw his Bad album selling more than 30m.
The 1990s brought the album Dangerous and his revelations on TV that he was bullied by his father, had plastic surgery twice, and suffered a disorder that destroys the pigmentation of his skin.
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
The 1990s also saw him marry nurse Debbie Rowe, then pregnant with his child, Prince Michael. They also had a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine, but divorced in 1999. He was also survived by a third child, Prince Michael II.
Report this message By sandie goode on 30th Dec 2009You were my life for 22 years i still cant believe your gone. I love you and will miss you until the day we are together in paradise. goodnight King of pop, rest well in neverland Peter Pan xxxx
Report this message By yvonne sellers on 13th Oct 2009Sweet Michael, you are missed so much,I miss you terribly,a light has left this world.
You were a caring soul,who tried to make others aware of the plight of many and the damage being done to our planet,You gave so much,you will live in our hearts forever more,we will protect your legac.Iif more would only look into your life and what you have done for humanity,many more would love you.....
We Love you more Michael............. ..................
Report this message By sarah williams on 27th Sep 2009Michael jackson was my idol,the best entertanier the world has ever known.
It doesn’t take a special day to call you to our mind,
A day without a thought of you is very hard to find.
Memories are a gift to treasure,
Mine of you will last forever.
Time may pass and fade away,
But silent thoughts and memories stay.
It's not the words, they are but few,
It's love and memories we keep of you.
A quiet thought, a hidden tear,
A constant wish that you were here.
R.I.P MJ.XXXXX
Report this message By Dawn Richardson on 18th Sep 2009God Bless You Michael Jackson Your Music has made my life a Lot sweeter knowing and listening to your Unique Sound and Beat...
Thank You remembering you Forever xx
Report this message By Kerry Tubb on 30th Aug 2009Michael, you will live in my heart always. I have grown up listening to your music. I miss you and feel a huge sense of loss. Rest in peace my darling. I hope you have found peace. Love you MJ x
Report this message By Sophia Lowrey on 29th Aug 2009Michael was someone I always thought of as eternally young and it's hard to believe he is no longer with us.
Thinking of you on what would have been your birthday, Michael. Wish you were still here, well and happy.An amazing dancer, I used to love watching you. I never doubted you were a beautiful soul on the inside. I hope you are at peace now and in a beautiful place. Goodnight, Sweet One, sweet dreams.
Thinking especially of Michael's children at this very difficult time.
Report this message By Zoe Simpson on 29th Aug 2009Dear Michael,
Whatever else we fail to do,
We never fail to think of you.A lonely heartache, a silent tear,
A birthday wish that you were here.It doesn’t take a special day to call you to our mind,
A day without a thought of you is very hard to find.You never failed to do your best, your heart was true and tender,
You simply lived for those you loved and those you loved remember.I love you Michael. You are and have always been a true inspiration to me. A true legend. You were a true humanitarian and all you did was alot of good to the world. You have always been a music genious in your own right. Your music and dance will live on forever.
Never forgotten.
You are always in my heart.And also a very big Happy Birthday to you.
Much love always and god bless,
Zoe Simpson xxxxxx
xxxxxx
Report this message By Denise Pfeiffer on 11th Aug 2009Michael, you got me through my childhood and went on to show us that dreams can come true. You handled those who hurt you and caused pain with dignity and humility. You are surely with God now, and finally at peace where people can no longer hurt, use or take advantage of you. May He bless and protect your children as they grow up. You will live on through your music, and through all the hearts you have touched whilst you walked this earth. Finally, people are starting to focus on your legacy - the music that influenced generations past and generations to come, and of course, your humanitarian work. Many aren't aware that you hold the world record for the number of charities helped and supported by a pop star, and that's not counting all the millions of individual lives you touched. I feel blessed to have known you, to have spent so many precious moments with you and to have seen you perform so many times. I am still trying to come to terms with this. Over forty days of weeping and pleading, 'How can this be? When will the pain end, Lord?' I miss you so much.
Report this message By Syed Arbab Ahmed on 13th Jul 2009There was no one like him who was as popular as he was all over the world even where people don't even understand English, so many careers he started e.g. Sonu Dangerous (A Pakistani singer and dancer), Farah Khan (Film director, choreographer) and so many people copied his style of dancing and make a career out of it, how many trends he started are simply countless, we all will miss him for ever.It was a tragic end of a story which started with a bang of wonderful wonders, I don't know how many super stars will continue to self destruct themselves.
Report this message By louise salley on 11th Jul 2009Well i have always liked michaels music,i grew up listening to jackson 5s and i will miss him and his music,i send my condolences to all three of his children and his family.my heart goes out to the kids exspecially,they must be going through so much turmoil right now,WE WILL AL MISS YOU MICHAEL MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND SING YOUR SONGS TO THOSE UP THERE WITH YOU,
Report this message By Judi Clark on 9th Jul 2009Michael Joseph Jackson, from the age of 12 you were my whole world. I got to see you perform at Wembley and spent hours outside the Shaftesbury Hotel in London just for a glimpse. I would have loved to have met you, spent just a little time with you but I like so many others have had to love and admire you from afar. The fact that you are gone is hard to take, the whole of the UK were getting ready to see you again after so much time. You should not have had to endure the false accusations and allegations that were made, you should not have had to shield yourself from the world. We never met but you are my friend, you will always be my friend and I will think of you often. If there is one good thing to come out of your death it is this - millions of children, mine included, now see you for the superstar you were and they love you. We all love you and I am just so sorry that you never knew how much. Rest in peace my dear love you will always be missed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Report this message By sharon hancock on 8th Jul 2009May you rest in peace Michael our love to your family and children. xx
Report this message By Stephanie Goble on 7th Jul 2009The lies will not be remember,
Your music will always live on.U are remembered as a GREAT artist and a GOOD person.
Love, Stephanie from Holland
Report this message By Jill Hicks on 7th Jul 2009Michael 'You are not alone'.. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family today, may 'God Bless You'.
Report this message By Joanne Bhart on 5th Jul 2009I still cannot believe michael jackson has passed away i'm absolutely devastated. Michael was an absolute legend he could sing, dance and perform he was a very friendly man that never upset nobody, and also he was a great dad. Mj had a tough life his dad was very strict on him and he never had a childhood because he was always singing/performing all the time. I don't understand why some people think bad of him he was found not guilty for goodness sake so why are people still doubting him please let MJ REST IN PEACE NOW.
MJ you will always have a place in my heart, you will never be forgotten, your songs we will never get bored of hearing them, they are very positive songs which were carefully written and with so much meaning.
My thoughts are with MJ's 3 children they must be absolutely devastated and his family.
God Bless MJ's children and family it's a very difficult time for you all.REST IN PEACE MJ. Love you. xxxxxxxxxxx
PS. Remember nobody is perfect!!!
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In all newspapers:
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You gave us all...
Report this message By eileen cotter on 25th Jun 2010