Michael Jackson was born in Indiana in 1958. The seventh of nine children, Michael and his siblings had a knack for music. Their father, whom Michael claims was abusive, organized a band featuring a handful of his sons called The Jackson 5.
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After appearing in The Wiz with Diana Ross, Michael becomes a solo singing sensation in '80s with hit songs like "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller."
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As Michael's popularity grew, so did his odd behavior. The "Bad" singer adopted a chimp and began getting plastic surgery. Sleeping in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and buying the bones of The Elephant Man lead to the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Ensconced in "Neverland", sleeping in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and buying the bones of The Elephant Man lead to the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Things got crazier when Jacko married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. They divorced less than two years later.
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In 1996, Michael married nurse Debbie Rowe — with whom he fathered a son and daughter. Debbie helped Michael cope with vitiligo, a skin condition that made his skin turn white.
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In 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation of a young boy and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in order to commit that felony. At his 2005 trial he wore pajama pants to court due to a back injury. Jacko denied the allegations and was acquitted on all counts.
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After the trial, Michael went into seclusion in the Persian Gulf. Saddled with financial and health problems, Jacko returned to the United States but rarely emerged in public. Jacko's face is almost always covered with a mask. He also keeps his children --like his third son Blanket who born via surrogate and was dangled over a hotel balcony as a newborn --out of the spotlight.
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Back in the spotlight, Jacko announced plans for 10 concerts at London's O2 Arena in July. Sadly it was not to be — as he was found dead June 25, 2009 at his LA home.
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Taken too soon...MJ bids the world adieu.
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Goodnight sweet prince......
MICHAEL JACKSON 1958-2009
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