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| Michael Jackson The King Of Pop |
Singer, songwriter. Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to an African-American working-class family.
Legend Michael Jackson
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| Michael Jackson This Is It |
His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but had put aside his musical aspirations to provide for his family as a crane operator.  |
| Michael Jackson |
Believing his sons had talent, he molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s. |
| Michael Jackson Image |
At first, the Jackson Family performers consisted of Michael's older brothers Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. Michael joined his siblings when he was five, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist. |
| Michael Jackson Live |
He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions. Older brother Marlonalso became a member of the group, which evolved into the The Jackson 5.  |
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Behind the scenes, Joseph Jackson pushed his sons to succeed. |
| Michael Jackson Wallaper |
He was also reportedly known to become violent with them. Michael and his brothers spent endless hours rehearsing and polishing up their act. At first, the Jackson 5 played local gigs and built a strong following.  |
| Michael Jackson In Red Carpet |
They recorded one single on their own, "Big Boy" with the b-side "You've Changed," but it failed to generate much interest.  |
| Michael Jackson Image |
The Jackson 5 moved on to working an opening act for such R&B artists as Gladys Knight and the Pips, James Brown, and Sam and Dave. |
| Michael Jackson Best Dance Step |
Many of these performers were signed to the legendary Motown record label, and it has been reported that Gladys Knight may have been the one to tell Motown founder Berry Gordy about the Jackson 5. Impressed by the group, Gordy signed them to his label in 1968.  |
| Michael Jackson The Legend |
Relocating to Los Angeles, Michael and his brothers started work on their music and dancing with their father as their manager.  |
| Michael Jackson Legendary |
They lived with Gordy and also with Supremes singer Diana Ross when they first arrived there.  |
| Michael Jackson The King |
In August 1969, the Jackson 5 was introduced to the music industry at a special event, and later served as the opening act for the Supremes. |
| Legend Michael Jackson |
Their first album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, hit the charts in December of that year. It's first single, "I Want You Back," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970.  |
| Michael Jackson |
More chart-topping singles quickly followed, such as "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." |
| Michael Jackson Image |
At the age of 13, Jackson launched a solo career in addition to his work with the Jackson 5. He made the charts in 1971 with "Got to Be There" from the album of the same name. His 1972 album, Ben, featured the eponymous ballad about a rat. |
| Michael Jackson Best Image |
The song became Jackson's first solo No. 1 single.  |
| Michael Jackson Best Wallpaper |
For several years, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 maintained a busy tour and recording schedule, under the supervision of Berry Gordy and his Motown staff.  |
| Michael Jackson |
Gordy wrote many of the songs recorded by the group and by Michael Jackson as a solo artist. The group became so popular that they even had their own self-titled cartoon show, which ran from 1971 to 1973.
