TIMELINE OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S LIFE

1958 Michael Jackson is born in Gary, Indiana

1967 Jackson 5 play the Apollo Theater in Harlem and win talent contest First record deal with Steeltown Records

1968 Jackson 5 sign a record deal with Motown Records

1969 Michael and family move to California

1970 Jackson 5 have three hit singles in one year

1976 Jackson 5 leave Motown Records and sign a deal with CBS

1978 Stars in The Wiz with Diana Ross

1979 Solo album Off the Wall produced by Quincy Jones

1983 Performs the Moonwalk on Motown 25 television special Thriller is released and becomes best-selling album of all time

1984 Wins eight Grammy Awards Burned during filming of Pepsi commercial Buys the Beatles’ songs

1985 Writes and records “We Are the World”

1988 Buys Neverland Ranch

1994 Marries Lisa Marie Presley

1996 Divorces Lisa Marie Presley and marries Debbie Rowe

1997 First son born, named Prince Michael Jackson

1998 Daughter born, named Paris Katherine Michael Jackson

2002 Second son born, named Prince Michael II

2005 Goes on trial and found not guilty

2009 Dies at age fifty