Born – 29th August 1958
Died – 25th June 2009
Father – Joe Jackson (1928 – 2018)
Mother – Katherine Jackson (b. 1930)
Partners – m. 1994, div 1996 – Lisa Marie Presley (b. 1968); m. 1996, div 1999 – Debbie Rowe (b. 1958)
Children – Michael Joseph Jr – known as Prince (b. 1997); Paris-Michael Katherine (b. 1998); Prince Michael II – known as Blanket (b. 2002)
1958 (29th August)
Michael Joseph Jackson was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson in Gary, Indiana. He was the couple’s eighth child, his elder siblings had been born previously – Rebbie (1950), Jackie (1951), Tito (1953), Jermaine (1954), La Toya (1956), Marlon (1957). Jackson’s mother, a devout Jehovah’s Witness, was a pianist and a singer, his father was a boxer and music hopeful. Music featured heavily in the Jackson children’s lives.
1961 (29th October)
Michael’s brother, Steven Randall was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. He was known as Randy Jackson.
1963 (during)
Tito Jackson used his father’s guitar without permission and broke a string. When Joe Jackson heard what his son could play on the guitar he decided that his children could form a group and fulfil his musical ambition for him.
1963 (during)
Joe Jackson formed the Jackson Brothers made up of Jackie, Tito and Jermaine Jackson. He entered them in local talent shows.
1963 (September)
Michael began his education at Garnett Elementary School, Gary, Indiana.
1965 (August)
Marlon Jackson joined the Jackson Brothers. They soon became known as the Jackson Five. They were managed by their father, Joe Jackson who implemented a strict routine of rehearsals and imposed physical punishments for mistakes.
1966 (during)
The Jackson Five won a talent competition at the Theodore Roosevelt High School in Gary. Afterwards they were booked to play in small music halls in Gary and the Chicago area.
1966 (16th May)
Michael’s sister, Janet was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson.
1967 (13th August)
The Jackson Five won the talent competition held at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York.
1967 (November)
Joe Jackson signed a contract on behalf of the Jackson 5 with Steeltown Records.
1968 (31st January)
The Jackson Five’s first single ‘Big Boy’ was released.
1968 (March)
The Jackson Five opened for Etta James at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York.
1968 (July)
The Jackson Five opened for Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers at the Regal Theater, Chicago.
1968 (23rd July)
The Jackson Five auditioned at Motown Records. After seeing their performance, owner Berry Gordy offered them a contract. However, Steeltown Records were reluctant to let them go.
1969 (11th March)
The Jackson Five signed an exclusive seven-year contracct with Motown Records.
1969 (after March)
After signing with Motown Records, Joe Jackson moved the family to Los Angeles.
1969 (after March)
Michael was enrolled at Gardner Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California.
1969 (September)
Michael attended Emerson Junior High School, Davis, California.
1969 (September)
Berry Gordy had formed a team of songwriters to produce material for the Jackson Five.
1969 (6th October)
The single ‘I Want You Back’ was released. It reached number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1969 (18th October)
The Jackson Five performed ‘I Want You Back’ on the TV variety show The Hollywood Palace hosted by Diana Ross.
1969 (12th December)
The album ‘Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5’ was released. It reached number 16 in the UK and number 5 in the US charts.
1969 (14th December)
The Jackson Five performed ‘I Want You Back’ on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1970 (21st February)
The Jackson Five performed their upcoming single ‘ABC’ on the show American Bandstand.
1970 (24th February)
The single ‘ABC’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 8 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1970 (8th May)
The album ‘ABC’ was released by the Jackson 5. It reached number 22 in the UK and number 4 in the US charts.
1970 (13th May)
The single ‘The Love You Save’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 7 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1970 (28th August)
The single ‘I’ll Be There’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1970 (8th September)
The album ‘Third Album’ was released by the Jackson 5. It reached number 4 in the US charts.
1970 (15th October)
The album ‘Jackson 5 Christmas Album’ was released by the Jackson 5. Holiday albums were banned from the regular charts but it was a top seller.
1971 (during)
It had become clear that Michael was very talented and could perform without his brothers. Motown Records began producing music for Jackson to record as a solo artist.
1971 (7th January)
The single ‘Mama’s Pearl’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 25 in the UK and number 2 in the US charts.
1971 (16th March)
The single ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 2 in the UK and number 9 in the US charts.
1971 (12th April)
The album ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was released by the Jackson 5. It reached number 11 in the US charts.
1971 (May)
The Jackson family moved to a larger property in Encino, California.
1971 (June)
The single ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 20 in the US charts.
1971 (16th September)
The Jackson 5 TV special ‘Goin’ Back to Indiana’ aired. An album of music performed on the show was released later in the month.
1971 (7th October)
Michael Jackson’s first solo single ‘Got To Be There’ was released. It reached number 5 in the UK and number 4 in the US charts.
1971 (23rd November)
The single ‘Sugar Daddy’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 10 in the US charts.
1971 (9th December)
The album ‘Greatest Hits’ was released by the Jackson 5.
1972 (24th January)
Michael Jackson’s first solo album ‘Got To Be There’ was released. It reached number 37 in the UK and number 14 in the US charts.
1972 (February)
The single ‘Rockin’ Robin’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 2 in the US charts.
1972 (2nd May)
The single ‘Got To Be There’ was released. It reached number 16 in the US charts.
1972 (23rd May)
The album ‘Lookin’ Through the Windows’ was released by the Jackson 5. It reached number 16 in the UK and number 7 in the US charts.
1972 (3rd July)
The single ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ was released. It reached number 8 in the UK charts.
1972 (12th July)
The single ‘Ben’ was released. It reached number 7 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts. It was Jackson’s first solo number 1.
1972 (4th August)
The album ‘Ben’ was released. It reached number 17 in the UK and number 5 in the US charts.
1972 (September)
Michael began the first of two years education at the private Montclair Prep High School, Van Nuys, California.
1972 (November)
‘The Jackson 5 Show’ began airing.
1973 (29th March)
The album ‘Skywriter’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 44 in the US charts.
1973 (15th April)
The album ‘Music & Me’ was released. It reached number 92 in the US charts.
1973 (5th May)
The single ‘With a Child’s Heart’ was released. It reached number 50 in the US charts.
1973 (10th July)
The single ‘Happy’ was released. It reached number 52 in the UK charts.
1973 (August)
The single ‘Get It Together’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 28 in the US charts.
1973 (12th September)
The album ‘G.I.T.: Get It Together’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 100 in the US charts.
1973 (October)
The single ‘Music & Me’ was released.
1972 (around)
Michael and his brothers were becoming increasingly frustrated with Motown Records. They were denied any creative input into their music yet it was clear that the old formula was not working as sales continued to drop.
1974 (19th February)
The single ‘Dancing Machine’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 2 in the US charts.
1974 (September)
Michael Jackson attended California Prep High School.
1974 (5th September)
The album ‘Dancing Machine’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 16 in the US charts.
1974 (1st October)
The single ‘Whatever You Got, I Want’ was released by the Jackson Five.
1974 (23rd December)
The single ‘I Am Love’ was released by the Jackson Five. It reached number 15 in the US charts.
1975 (16th January)
The album ‘Forever Michael’ was released. It reached number 101 in the US charts.
1975 (April)
The single ‘Just a Little Bit of You’ was released. It reached number 23 in the US charts.
1975 (June)
The single ‘Forever Came Today’ was released by the Jackson 5. It reached number 60 in the US charts.
1975 (June)
It was announced that the Jackson 5 had signed a contract with Epic Records which would come into effect in March 1976. Motown continued to own the name Jackson 5 so the group’s name was changed to The Jacksons. Jermaine Jackson, who had married Berry Gordy’s daughter, chose to remain with Motown and he was replaced in the group by his brother Randy Jackson.
1975 (28th August)
The greatest hits album ‘The Best of Michael Jackson’ was released. It reached number 11 in the UK and number 156 in the US charts.
1975 (October)
The single ‘All I Do Is Think of You’ was released by the Jackson Five. This was the last single released under the Motown label.
1979 (22nd January)
The Jacksons began their Destiny World Tour which included 129 shows.
1979 (10th July)
The single ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1979 (10th August)
The Album ‘Off the Wall’ was released. It was the first album released under the new contract with Epic Records. It reached number 3 in the US charts.
1979 (3rd November)
The single ‘Rock with You’ was released. It reached number 7 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1980 (2nd February)
The single ‘Off the Wall’ was released. It reached number 7 in the UK and number 10 in the US charts.
1980 (19th April)
The single ‘She’s Out of My Life’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 10 in the US charts.
1980 (16th July)
The single ‘Girlfriend’ was released in the UK. It was written for Jackson by Paul McCartney.
1981 (25th March)
The compilation album ‘One Day in Your Life’ was released.
1981 (25th March)
The single ‘One Day in Your Life’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 55 in the US charts.
1981 (8th July)
The Jacksons began their Triumph Tour which included 44 shows in the United States and Canada. Michael included some tracks from his ‘Off the Wall’ album.
1982 (18th October)
Jackson and Paul McCartney released the single ‘The Girl is Mine’. It reached number 8 in the UK and number 2 in the US charts.
1982 (30th November)
The album ‘Thriller’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide. It remains the best selling album of all time.
1983 (around)
There was intense media speculation over the colour of Jackson’s skin which had whitened over time. A dermatologist diagnosed Jackson with vitiligo.
1983 (2nd January)
The single ‘Billie Jean’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
1983 (14th February)
The single ‘Beat It’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1983 (8th May)
The single ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” was released. It reached number 8 in the UK and number 5 in the US charts.
1983 (16th May)
Michael and his brothers appeared in a television special ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever’.
1983 (3rd July)
The single ‘Human Nature’ was released. It reached number 7 in the US charts.
1983 (June)
Motown Records released the album ‘Greatest Hits’ by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 in the United Kingdom. It reached number 1 in the charts.
1983 (19th September)
The single ‘P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)’ was released. It reached number 11 in the UK and number 10 in the US charts.
1983 (3rd October)
Jackson and Paul McCartney released the single ‘Say Say Say’. It reached number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1983 (November)
The Jackson brothers signed a promotional deal with PepsiCo worth around $5 million.
1983 (7th November)
The single ‘Thriller’ was released. It reached number 10 in the UK and number 4 in the US charts.
1984 (27th January)
Michael some of his siblings filmed a Pepsi advert. During the filming Michael’s hair was accidently set alight causing second degree burns. He was later awarded $1.5 million damages from Pepsi which was donated to charity.
1984 (28th February)
The album ‘Thriller’ won eight Grammy awards.
1984 (14th May)
US President Ronald Reagan present Jackson with an award for his continuing support of alcohol and drug abuse charities and the Drunk Driving campaign.
1984 (15th May)
Motown Records released the Michael Jackson compilation album ‘Farewell My Summer Love’. It reached number 9 in the UK and number 46 in the US charts.
1984 (15th May)
Motown Records released the Michael Jackson single ‘Farewell My Summer Love’. It reached number 7 in the UK and number 38 in the US charts.
1984 (during May)
Motown Records released the Michael Jackson single ‘Girl You’re So Together’ in the United Kingdom. It reached number 33 in the charts.
1984 (6th July)
The Jacksons began their Victory World Tour which included 55 shows. The set comprised mostly of Michael Jackson’s hits from ‘Off the Wall’ and ‘Thriller’.
1984 (December)
Michael Jackson announced he was leaving The Jacksons to concentrate on his solo career.
1985 (around)
Jackson purchased a chimp from a research facility in Texas. He named him Bubbles and kept him as a pet.
1985 (7th March)
The charity single ‘We Are the World’ performed by USA for Africa was released. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and charts around the World.
1985 (10th August)
After months of negotiations, Michael Jackson completed the purchase of ATV Music. the purchase made him copyright holder of more than 4,000 songs.
1986 (around)
Michael Jackson signed a new deal with Pepsi worth around $10 million.
1986 (11th February)
Motown Records released the Michael Jackson compilation album ‘Looking Back to Yesterday’.
1986 (14th November)
Motown Records released the Michael Jackson compilation album ‘Anthology’.
1987 (20th July)
The single ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ featuring Siedah Garrett was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and US charts.
1987 (31st August)
The album ‘Bad’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
1987 (7th September)
The single ‘Bad’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1987 (12th September)
Michael Jackson began his first solo tour. The Bad Tour, sponsored by Pepsi, included 123 shows worldwide.
1987 (October)
Motown Records released the remix album ‘The Original Soul of Michael Jackson’.
1987 (October)
Motown Records released the single ‘Twenty Five Miles’.
1987 (9th November)
The single ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1987 (15th December)
Jackson featured on the Stevie Wonder single ‘Get It’. It reached number 80 in the US charts.
1988 (during)
Jackson purchased Sycamore Valley Ranch from property developer William Bone. The name of the property was changed to Neverland.
1988 (1st February)
Michael Jackson’s autobiography ‘Moonwalk’ was published by Doubleday.
1988 (6th February)
The single ‘Man in the Mirror’ was released. It reached number 21 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1988 (12th April)
The single ‘Dirty Diana’ was released. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1988 (11th July)
The single ‘Another Part of Me’ was released. It reached number 15 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
1988 (14th November)
The single ‘Smooth Criminal’ was released. It reached number 8 in the UK and number 7 in the US charts.
1989 (during)
Jackson was increasingly known as the ‘King of Pop’.
1989 (13th February)
The single ‘Leave Me Alone’ was released in most countries. It was not released in the US or Canada. It reached number 2 in the UK charts.
1989 (3rd July)
The single ‘Liberian Girl’ was released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It reached number 13 in the UK charts.
1990 (9th November)
The Simpsons single ‘Do the Bartman’ featuring Michael Jackson was released. It reached number 1 in the UK charts.
1991 (March)
Michael Jackson signed a deal with Sony worth around $65 million.
1991 (11th November)
The single ‘Black or White’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
1991 (26th November)
The album ‘Dangerous’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
1992 (during)
Michael Jackson founded the Heal the World Foundation. The aim of the organisation was to help disadvantaged children and end World poverty.
1992 (14th January)
The single ‘Remember the Time’ was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and US charts.
1992 (9th April)
The single ‘In the Closet’ was released. It reached number 8 in the UK and number 6 in the US charts.
1992 (27th June)
Michael Jackson’s second solo tour began. The Dangerous Tour, sponsored by Pepsi included 69 shows in Europe, Asia and South America.
1992 (during)
Jackson’s second book ‘Dancing the Dream’ a collection of poems and reflections, was published.
1992 (13th July)
The single ‘Jam’ was released. It reached number 13 in the UK and number 26 in the US charts.
1992 (31st August)
The single ‘Who Is It’ was released. It reached number 10 in the UK and number 14 in the US charts.
1992 (23rd November)
The single ‘Heal the World’ was released. It reached number 2 in the UK and number 27 in the US charts.
1993 (31st January)
Michael Jackson performed during the Super Bowl XXVII halftime break. He sang four songs – Jam, Billie Jean, Black or White and Heal the World.
1993 (10th February)
Michael Jackson was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. During the interview he revealed the abuse meted out by his father and spoke of the effect that his loss of childhood had on him.
1993 (15th February)
The single ‘Give In To Me’ was released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It reached number 2 in the UK charts.
1993 (30th March)
The Eddie Murphy single ‘WhatzUpWitu’ featuring Michael Jackson was released.
1993 (28th June)
The single ‘Will You Be There’ was released. It reached number 9 in the UK and number 7 in the US charts.
1993 (August)
Jackson faced an accusation of child sexual abuse. Jordan Chandler, a 13 year old boy made the accusation and his father reported the abuse to the police.
1993 (1st December)
The single ‘Gone Too Soon’ was released. It reached number 33 charts. The song was dedicated to Jackson’s friend Ryan White who had died from HIV/AIDS.
1994 (January)
Jackson agreed an out-of-court settlement with the Chandler family. The settlement was reported to be around $23 million. Following the settlement the case was dropped by the police due to lack of evidence.
1994 (January)
Over the past year, Jackson had become overly dependent on painkillers to help with the stress of the abuse case.
1994 (26th May)
Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, in La Vega, Dominican Republic.
1995 (29th May)
Michael and Janet Jackson released the single ‘Scream’. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 5 in the US charts.
1995 (20th June)
The greatest hits double album ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
1995 (15th August)
The single ‘You Are Not Alone’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and US charts.
1995 (November)
Michael Jackson merged his ATV Music catalogue with Sony creating Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Jackson owned half of the merged company.
1995 (27th November)
The single ‘Earth Song’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK charts.
1995 (December)
Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley separated on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.
1995 (26th December)
The single ‘This Time Around’ was released.
1996 (11th January)
The single ‘Why’ was released. It reached number 2 in the UK charts.
1996 (16th April)
The single ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ was released. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 30 in the US charts.
1996 (20th August)
The divorce of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was finalised.
1996 (7th September)
Michael Jackson began his third and final solo tour. The HIStory World Tour included 82 shows.
1996 (4th November)
The single ‘Stranger in Moscow’ was released. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 91 in the US charts.
1996 (14th November)
Michael Jackson married Debbie Rowe, a dermatology assistant who he had met while receiving treatment for vitiligo. The marriage was one of convenience because Jackson wanted children. The couple’s children were conceived by artificial insemination.
1997 (11th January)
The single ‘On The Line’ was released.
1997 (13th February)
A son, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, was born to Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. He was given the nickname Prince.
1997 (21st March)
The single ‘Blood on the Dance Floor’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 42 in the US charts.
1997 (20th May)
The album ‘Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 24 in the US charts.
1997 (30th July)
The double A side single ‘History / Ghosts’ was released. It reached number 5 in the UK charts.
1997 (7th September)
The single ‘Is It Scary’ was released.
1997 (28th December)
The single ‘Smile’ was released. Although it had been cancelled a few copies were released in the UK, South Africa and the Netherlands.
1998 (3rd April)
A daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, was born to Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe at Spaulding Pain Medical Clinic, Beverley Hills, Los Angeles.
1999 (25th June)
Michael Jackson performed a charity concert in Seoul, South Korea, to raise money for deprived children. He was joined on stage by other musicians and singers.
1999 (27th June)
Michael Jackson performed a second charity concert in Munich, Germany, to raise money for deprived children. He was joined on stage by other musicians and singers.
1999 (8th October)
Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe were divorced. Rowe gave Jackson full custody rights of their children.
2000 (21st November)
Motown Records released the compilation album ’20th Century Masters – The Millennium collection: The Best of Michael Jackson’ was released.
2001 (22nd August)
The single ‘You Rock My World’ was released. It reached number 2 in the UK and number 10 in the US charts.
2001 (7th and 10th September)
Michael Jackson performed two concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York to celebrate his 30th year in showbusiness. Footage of the concerts were later shown on CBS.
2001 (21st October)
Michael Jackson performed a charity concert at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC as a tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks.
2001 (30th October)
The album ‘Invincible’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK, US and many other charts worldwide.
2001 (27th November)
The single ‘Butterflies’ was released in the United States. It reached number 14 in the US charts.
2001 (5th December)
The single ‘Cry’ was released. It reached number 25 in the UK charts.
2002 (21st February)
A son, Prince Michael Jackson II was born to Michael Jackson and an unknown donor at Shart Grossmont Hospital, La Mesa, California. He was given the nickname ‘Blanket’.
2002 (15th January)
Motown released the compilation album ‘Michael Jackson Love Songs’.
2002 (24th April)
Michael Jackson performed a concert at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Money raised by the concert was used to fund a campaign to encourage people to vote.
2002 (20th November)
Michael Jackson caused widespread criticism after he held his young son, Blanket, over the balcony of his fourth floor Berlin hotel.
2003 (February)
A Martin Bashir documentary entitled ‘Living with Michael Jackson’ was broadcast. Bashir had been with Jackson for several months filming material for the broadcast. During the broadcast it was revealed that Jackson frequently had sleepovers with children sharing his bed. Jackson emphasised that the sleepovers were shared sleep and that nothing sexual took place.
2003 (18th November)
The greatest hits album ‘ Michael Jackson Number Ones’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 13 in the US charts.
2003 (22nd November)
The single ‘One More Chance’ was released. It reached number 5 in the UK and number 83 in the US charts.
2003 (18th December)
Michael Jackson was charged with seven counts of child abuse and two of allowing a minor to drink alcohol. Jackson denied the charges.
2004 (during)
Debbie Rowe brought a lawsuit to have her parental rights restored.
2004 (16th November)
The compilation box set ‘The Ultimate Collection’ was released. It reached number 154 in the US charts.
2005 (13th June)
Michael Jackson was found not guilty on all charges against him.
2005 (Summer)
The two-year investigation and trial had taken a toll on Jackson’s health and after his acquittal, Jackson withdrew from public and spent time in Bahrain. Michael was also in financial difficulties, he was earning much less from his music but he continued to spend extravagantly.
2005 (19th July)
The greatest hits album ‘The Essential Michael Jackson’ was released. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 31 in the US charts.
2006 (during)
The custody case brought by Debbie Rowe was settled. The terms of the settlement were not made public.
2006 (20th February)
The album ‘The Video Singles’ was released.
2006 (April)
Jackson was in debt to the Bank of America, owing around $270 million. He used a portion of his ATV catalogue as collateral to increase his loan to $300 million.
2006 (15th November)
Michael Jackson performed ‘We Are The World’ at the World Music Awards held in London. It was Jackson’s last public performance.
2006 (December)
Jackson returned to the United States and lived in Las Vegas.
2007 (during)
Jackson and Sony purchased Famous Music LLC.
2007 (25th November)
The remix single ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Akon’ was released. It reached number 69 in the UK and number 81 in the US charts.
2008 (during)
Michael Jackson agreed to a series of concerts in London which would bring in sufficient money to stave off his creditors.
2008 (14th January)
The single ‘The Girl is Mine 2008’ was released. The song is a remix by will.i.am featuring the Jackson original. It reached number 32 in the UK charts.
2008 (8th February)
The album ‘Thriller 25’ a 25th Anniversary version of the album Thriller, was released. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
2008 (22nd August)
The compilation album ‘King of Pop’ was released to commemorate Jackson’s 50th birthday internationally but not in the United States. It reached number 3 in the UK charts.
2008 (9th September)
Motown Records released ‘The Motown Years’ by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 in celebration of Michael’s 50th birthday. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 31 in the US charts.
2009 (March)
Michael Jackson announced a series of concerts at a press conference held at the O2 Arena in London. Tickets sold out in less than 2 hours and further dates were added. However, many people were concerned about Jackson’s health and whether he could physically take on such a challenging tour schedule.
2009 (25th June)
Michael Jackson died following a cardiac arrest at his home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.
2009 (29th June)
The compilation box set ‘The Collection’ was released. The release was planned before Jackson’s death and the release went ahead. It reached number 14 in the UK charts.
2009 (7th July)
A memorial service for Michael Jackson was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Hall of Liberty. It is estimated taht around 3 billion people watched the service worldwide.
2009 (7th July)
Motown Records released the remix album ‘The Stripped Mixes’ was released. It reached number 95 in the US charts.
2009 (24th August)
Following the reports of an autopsy carried out on Jackson, the coroner concluded that his death was caused by a concoction of drugs and a high level of Propofol. Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray was charged with manslaughter.
2009 (25th August)
Motown Records released the compilation album ‘The Definitive collection’. It reached number 39 in the US charts.
2009 (1st September)
Motown Records released the box set ‘Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection’.
2009 (17th October)
Motown Records released the remix album ‘The Remix Suite’.
2009 (26th October)
The soundtrack album ‘This Is It’ was released. It features music from a documentary film about the rehearsals for Jackson’s planned final concert at the O2 Arena, London. It reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US charts.
2010 (26th February)
The single ‘Mind is the Magic’ was released in Europe.
2010 (15th November)
The duet single with Akon ‘Hold My Hand’ was released. It reached number 10 in the UK and number 39 in the US charts.
2010 (10th December)
The compilation album ‘Michael’, featuring previously unreleased tracks, was released. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the US charts.
2011 (11th February)
The single ‘Hollywood Tonight’ was released. It reached number 152 in the UK charts.
2011 (21st February)
The single ‘Behind the Mask’ was released.
2011 (25th June)
The single ‘All in Your Name’ recorded with Barry Gibb in 2002, was released.
2011 (8th July)
The single ‘(I Like) The Way You Love Me’ was released.
2011 (1st November)
The megamix single ‘Immortal Megamix: Can You Feel It/Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black or White (Immortal Version)’ was released. It reached number 5 in the UK and number 83 in the US charts.
2011 (18th November)
The remix album ‘Immortal’ was released.
2011 (late)
Michael Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in jail.
2012 (1st June)
The single ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original.
2012 (5th June)
The single ‘Don’t Be Messin’ Round’ was released to promote the 25th anniversary release of the album Bad.
2012 (14th August)
The single ‘Bad (Afrojack Remix)(DJ Buddha Edit)’ was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original.
2012 (18th September)
The album ‘Bad 25’ was released as a 25th anniversary of the album Bad. It reached number 6 in the UK and number 23 in the US charts.
2014 (9th May)
The album ‘Xscape’ was released featuring previously unreleased tracks. It reached number 1 in the UK and number 2 in the US charts.
2017 (29th September)
The compilation album ‘Scream’ was released featuring Halloween themed songs. It reached number 9 in the UK and number 33 in the US charts.
Published Jan 6 2022 @ 9:10 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2022). Michael Jackson 1958 – 2009.