A biography of michael jackson childhood photos

Michael Jackson’s death at age 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, at his Los Angeles residence robbed the world of the King of Pop. Though his musical and creative legacy endures, as a individ he died an enigma.

A talented, outgoing child, he dazzled in the spotlight as part of the Jackson 5. By the early 1970s, Jackson was a fresh-faced teen fronting a Motown-signed family musical group who had their own television series, a Saturday morning cartoon and recorded hits such as “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.”

Jackson said he could relate to Peter Pan

Jackson had a successful career before he was of high-school age, but it came at the cost of his childhood.

“I never had the chance to do the fun things kids do,” Jackson once said of his early life. As an adult, Jackson created a haven in Neverland Ranch, an amusement park-like California home named after a location from the tales of the fictional

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Michael Jackson: His Life In Photos

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To celebrate the King of Pop, we take a look back at some of the iconic images from Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life.
MICHAEL JACKSON’S TOP 50 BILLBOARD HIT SONGS

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Aug. 29, 1958: Michael Joseph Jackson is born in Gary, Ind., the seventh of nine children.

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1966: After several years of training, The Jackson 5 hit the stage for the first time.

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March 1969: With 10-year-old Michael as lead singer, the Jackson 5 signs with Motown Records.

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December 18, 1969: The group’s debut album, “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5,” is released, spawning just one single “I Want You Back,” its first No. 1.

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Remembering Michael Jackson's Life in Photos

Michael Jackson's Early Years

Born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to Joe and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson - the seventh child in a family of nine kids - showed a gift for singing at an early age, quickly becoming known as the little boy with a big voice. During his days with the Jackson 5, Rolling Stone magazine hailed the young singer as a prodigy with "overwhelming musical gifts."

Michael Jackson and His Siblings

"Michael was the little cute one," Jermaine told PEOPLE in 1984 about his younger brother, who joined his siblings — (clockwise from left) Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon — in the group the Jackson 5 at the tender age of 6. Though he started out as a backup musician playing congas and tambourine, it wasn't long before he was the frontman, leading the group to massive success with No. 1 hits including "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save" and