Born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, he has his first No. 1 solo single, "Ben," in 1972 as the lead singer and youngest member of the Jackson 5.

Jackson and actress-singer Diana Ross attend a news conference in 1977 for the movie musical "The Wiz." Jackson plays the Scarecrow, and Ross is Dorothy in the film version of the Broadway hit.

Jackson's "Thriller" becomes one of the best-selling albums of all time when it was released in December 1982. It racks up an unprecedented seven Top 10 hits, including the No. 1 smashes "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."

Jackson, pictured during a 1984 performance in the Victory tour, wins eight Grammys for "Thriller" in February 1984.

In August 1987, the self-styled King of Pop releases "Bad," topping the charts for eight weeks and generating seven hit singles.

Jackson gives a televised statement in December 1993 proclaiming his innocence in light of child molestation accusations against him. A multimillion-dollar settlement is reached the next year and no charges are filed.

Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley, in 1994; the marriage lasts 19 months.

Jackson marries nurse Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of two of his children, Prince Michael and Paris, in 1996. The couple divorce in 1999. Little is known about his third child, Prince Michael II.

Jackson is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

In November, Jackson dangles Prince Michael II over a fourth-floor balcony in Berlin, Germany, in front of dozens of fans waiting below. Jackson admits he got carried away when fans below the window asked to see the baby. There is no criminal investigation.

Jackson appears in court in December for a trial in a $21 million breach-of-contract lawsuit alleging he failed to appear for a pair of concerts.

In February, two two-hour TV specials about Jackson's life air. More than 27 million people watch the original ABC telecast of "Living with Michael Jackson."

In November, Jackson faces charges of child molestation, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.