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A compilation of photos of the people surrounding Michael Jackson.
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Michael Jackson grew up in Gary, Ind., the seventh of nine children. Patriarch Joseph Jackson saw star potential in his sons, and molded Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon into a singing group called the Jackson 5.
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Gordy was especially taken with young Michael. This little kid had an incredible knowingness about him that really made me take notice he told author Gerald Posner in the 2002 book Motown. He sang his songs with such feeling, inspiration and pain like he had experienced everything he was singing about. Smokey Robinson recalled Jackson was a strange and lovely child an old soul in the body of a boy. He was driven, determined, intense.
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By 1972, Jackson had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which contained the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the title song from the movie "Ben."
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In 1979, Michael Jacksons fifth solo offering, Off the Wall, became the bestselling album of the year. With "Off the Wall," Jackson became the first artist to have four singles -- "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough," "Rock with You," "Off the Wall" and "She's out of My Life" -- hit the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. To-date, it has gone seven times platinum in the U.S. and has sold 20 million copies worldwide. In spite of critical and commercial acclaim, Jackson won just one Grammy for the album (best R&B; male vocal performance for "Don't Stop.")
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I never believed any of the allegations against Michael Jackson. It is sad that so many judged him / when all he tried to do was good. He was an ANGEL on earth. We lost a lot of years of Michael's charm and magic because of bogus lawsuits. Just very sad. Michael Jackson was a True Miracle.
Bella @ 4:50 PM CDT, Jul 20, 2009
you were simply put a blessing.
erik @ 2:42 PM CDT, Jul 20, 2009
he could of been purple with poka dots and I would love him still
christina @ 1:37 PM CDT, Jul 20, 2009
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