Michael JacksonMichael Jackson was born on April 29, 1958 to a working-class family in Gary, Indiana. His parents, Joe and Katherine, had ten children and Michael Jackson was the eighth child. The Jackson family was very musically inclined. Michael's father played guitar in a small R&B band, his mother sang frequently, and his brothers often played their father's guitar (Michael Jackson Biography, 2002). Michael Jackson was no exception to his family's musical abilities. At the age of four, Joe Jackson pushed his children to start a band. This group was called the Jackson 5. The Jackson 5 quickly became famous. The group initially began performing in local talent shows, then landed a contract with Motown Records in late 1968. The Jackson 5 first rose to prominence with their hit "Baby" with Michael as vocalist leader of the group. The group grew quickly and in just seven years, the Jackson 5 released thirteen albums and had several number one R&B hits (Michael Jackson Biography, 2014). The first four singles were "I Want you Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll be There". "These songs broke a record reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot One-Hundred (Biography of Michael Jackson, 2002). The Jackson 5 were unstoppable and at such a young age, their music career would continue to grow. Home Motown soon began taking over the Jackson 5 and taking away their creative control, so the Jackson 5 left Motown Records and signed with Epic Records. During the Jackson 5's final years, Michael began recording solo records with. Motown Records, the former record label of the Jackson 5. In 1976, the Jackson 5 broke up due to ...... middle of paper ...... wice (Pristine Michael Jackson n. d). died on June 25, 2009 of a propofol overdose and benzodiazenphine poisoning, a drug he used to help him sleep (Michael Jackson 2011). his music will last a lifetime Works Cited Michael Jackson Biography. 2002. http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/biography.html (accessed May 3, 2014). Biography of Michael Jackson. 2014. http://www.biography.com/people/michael-jackson-38211#awesm=~oDqI3SGGoercfK (accessed May 2, 2014). Pristina, Jeff. Guinness World Records and Achievements. nd http://www.michaeljacksonbilliejeanjacket.com/webpages/Michael_Jacksons_Guinness_World_Records.htm (accessed May 4, 2014). “Rolling Stones Articles”. Triumph and Tragedy: The Life of Michael Jackson, 2009. The New York Times. “Michael Jackson.” November 29, 2011.