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'King of Pop' Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) Michael Jackson went from child star to the King of Pop to a figure of constant controversy.
Michael Jackson's career in music started early with the Jackson 5. He and Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon scored four No. 1 hits including "ABC" and "I'll Be There."
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Courtesy of Jackson Five
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The Jackson 5 were signed to Berry Gordy's legendary Motown record label in 1968.
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Michael, right, and the Jackson 5 appear on an episode of "The Flip Wilson Show." Each of the band's first four singles reached No. 1 on the pop charts.
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File Photo
The Jackson 5 experienced its greatest success during the 1969-1971, before Michael was even a teenager.
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In 1978, Jackson starred alongside Diana Ross, center, and Nipsey Russell, left, in the film "The Wiz." The movie was a remake of the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" and had an all-black cast.
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AP
He poses with longtime friend and mentor Diana Ross at the 1981 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Jackson won for favorite male soul artist and favorite soul album. Ross won for favorite female soul artist.
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AP
Jackson's 1983 video for "Thriller" is arguably the most successful music video of all time. The big budget, 13-minute film features now iconic scenes of Jackson performing choreographed dance routines with zombies.
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Jackson performs with the Jackson 5 during the group's 1984 reunion tour.
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Jackson and actress Brooke Shields arrive for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 16, 1984. The pair were romantically linked in the 1980s.
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The single white glove that Jackson often wore became part of his trademark look.
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UPI
Jackson performs during his 1987 world tour in support of his multi-platinum album "Bad." He became known as much for his dance moves -- including the moonwalk -- as his singing.
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Jackson performs during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 1993.
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Jackson's videos were highly anticipated events. The premiere of his video "Black or White" gave Fox its highest rating ever to that point on Nov. 14, 1991.
Toru Yamanaka
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Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.
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In 1994, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of fellow pop music icon Elvis Presley. The marriage lasted less than two years.
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Jackson and former South African President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1996.
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AP
Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and had 13 No. 1 singles in his career. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Jackson 5.
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Reuters
Jackson had a long-standing friendship with actress Elizabeth Taylor. She is godmother to two of his children.
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Jackson performs during his "HIStory" tour. The 1995 double album sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it the second-highest grossing album of his career. He would never again have as much chart success.
Dave Hogan
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The last decade of Jackson's life was filled with legal turmoil. Here he is seen testifying at a trial in which he was accused of cancelling concert appearances, costing the promoter several million dollars. It would not be his final appearance in court.
Los Angeles Times
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Jackson accepts the Performer of the Millennium at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. Jackson's videos were crucial in helping MTV expand its audience in the 1980s.
Timothy A. Clary
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AFP
In one example of the bizarre behavior that marked Jackson's final years, he is seen here dangling his child Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II from a third floor balcony in Berlin in 2002.
Tobias Schwarz
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Reuters
Jackson's Nov. 2003 police mug shot from when he was booked on suspicion of child molestation. In June 2005, Jackson was acquitted of all 10 charges of child molestation, including four counts of lewd conduct. He was also acquitted of three counts of conspiracy, one count of attempted molestation and four counts of plying his accuser with alcohol.
Robyn Beck
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Jackson's bizarre dress, multiple plastic surgeries and legal issues dogged him during the past decade. Here is seen showing up late, in pajama pants, for his child molestation trial.
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Reuters
Jackson performs during the 2006 World Music Awards in London. Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 concerts in England in 2010.
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