Michael Jackson was born on the 29th of August 1958. He has 8 siblings: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Rebbie, Janet and La-Toya Jackson.


In 1964, at the young age of 5, Michael became the lead singer of the Jackson Five with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon. In 1968 the Jackson Five signed to Motown Records and released singles including, I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There, they all went to number 1 in the US. The Jackson Five recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 additional solo albums during his time with Motown.


In 1976 the Jackson Five signed to Epic, changing their name to The Jacksons in the process. At this point Michael's youngest brother Randy replaced Jermaine so that Jermaine could continue his solo career as a Motown artist. The Jacksons made 6 albums with Epic.


In 1979 Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones to release Off The Wall, his first album with Epic and also his first solo album as an adult recording artist. The album went on to huge global success and included songs such as Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Off The Wall and She's Out Of my Life.


Originally released in the US 25 years ago on November 30th, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. Introducing the "robot" and the "moonwalk" into the international lexicon of clubland dance moves via the pulsing sounds of Thriller, Michael Jackson revolutionised all aspects of mainstream pop culture - from radio airwaves to the newly emerging art form of music videos - becoming the world's most popular entertainer in the process.


The original Thriller spent an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at number 1. Seven of the album's original nine tracks became Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 while Individual singles from Thriller reached number 1 chart positions in the US, Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand and Canada.


Thriller made history as the first and only record to be America's top-selling album two years running (1983 and 1984).


Thriller has been certified 27 x platinum by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond Award status in the US. In addition, the album has achieved Diamond or Multi-Platinum status in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.


The Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition includes the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson's ground-breaking short films from Thriller ("Thriller," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean") and the artist's Emmy-nominated breakout performance of "Billie Jean" from the legendary "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" television special (first broadcast on NBC on May 16, 1983).


The newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: "Beat It 2008" with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of "Billie Jean"; a new 2008 version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Akon; will.i.am remixes of "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T."; and "For All Time," a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.


The deluxe Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition packaging contains a personal greeting from Michael Jackson to his fans penned exclusively for this special release.


In February 1984, Michael Jackson held a record-breaking 12 Grammy nominations, going on to win eight, which stands as the record for most Grammy Awards to be won by anyone in a single year. Seven of Michael's Grammys that year were for Thriller: Album of the Year; Record of the Year ("Beat It"); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Thriller"); Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Thriller); Best Male Rock Vocal Performance ("Beat It"); Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Billie Jean"); Best R&B Song ("Billie Jean"). (Michael's eighth Grammy that year was in the Best Recording For Children - Single or Album, Musical or Spoken category for "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"). That same year, Michael Jackson took home eight American Music Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. The following year, "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" took home the Best Video Album trophy at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.


In 1987 Michael released Bad his long awaited third solo album with Epic Records.


In 1991 Michael signed a massive recording contract with Sony Music and released his fourth solo album, Dangerous.


In 1994 Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis Presley) we're married. They subsequently divorced in 1996.


HIStory was released in 1995. This double album featired one CD of new material and a second CD of his greatest hits.


On February 13th 1997 Michael had his first child, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, with his new wife Debbie Rowe. On April 3rd 1998 they had a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.


In 1997 Michael released Blood On The Dance Floor a remix album containing five additional new songs and his latest short film Ghosts.


Named the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by the Guinness World Records, Michael Jackson is among the most highly acclaimed and influential artists in pop culture. He was named the World Music Award's Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award. He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist in 2001.


Michael Jackson is set to perform 50 dates at the O2 Arena in London starting on Wednesday 8th July 2009. For more information check out Michael Jackson Live.