[TIMELINE] Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Following is a timeline of milestones in the King of Pop's life.

1960-1970

The Jackson 5: Michael's launch pad

Aug. 29, 1958: Born at 12:13 a.m. as Michael Joseph Jackson in Gary,
Indiana, to Katherine Esther Scruse and Joseph Walter Jackson.

1962/1963: Michael becomes a member of the Jackson 5 along with his brothers Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon. He is the lead singer. Their father, Joe, is their manager.

1968: The Jackson 5 sign a contract with Motown records.

1969: Michael's band, The Jackson 5, has their first hit single "Want You Back." The debut single sells well over two million copies.

Jan. 24, 1972: Michael releases his debut album Got To Be
There.

1970-1980

Janet and Michael: 1977 American Music Awards

1976: The Jackson 5 change their name to The Jacksons and get their own TV show.

1979: Jackson made his movie debut playing the scarecrow in "The Wiz." It is said to be the first time Michael Jackson underwent plastic surgery for his nose after breaking it in a dance scene accident.

Aug. 25, 1979: Michael's album Off the Wall, produced by Quincy Jones, launches him to superstar stardom. The album sells over nineteen million copies worldwide.

1980-1990

1981: The Jacksons Tour

1980: Michael wins a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

Dec. 1, 1982: Michael releases Thriller. The album sells over fifty million copies worldwide and solidifies him

1983: Michael Jackson does the moon walk for the first time at a a "Motown 25 years" anniversary show while singing "Billie Jean."

1984: Michael Jackson officially goes solo.

1985 : Michael co-writes "We are the World" with Lionel Richie, the first pop song to raise money for charity.

Aug. 31, 1987: Michael releases the album Bad which sells over eight million copies.

Thriller video: MTV's most popular

1988: Michael Jackson creates his Neverland ranch.

Early 1992: Michael founds "Heal the World Foundation", an organization that will help improve the lives of children everywhere.

1993: A lawsuit is filed against Michael accusing him of seducing and abusing thirteen-year-old Jordy Chandler.

Dec. 1993: Michael makes a TV appearance saying he is innocent of the child molestation charges.

Breaking the record: Most awards in a single night (1984 Grammys)

1994: Michael settles lawsuit by paying the plaintiff twenty million dollars. The Los Angeles and Santa Barbara district attorneys do not file child-molestation charges against him.

Nov. 14, 1996: Michael marries his dermatologist's secretary, Debbie Rowe.

Feb. 13, 1997: Rowe has a baby boy, Prince Michael Joseph, Junior. The godmother is Elizabeth Taylor. The godfather is Macaulay Culkin.

Apr. 3, 1998: Rowe gives birth to Paris Michael Katherine. Macaulay Culkin is the godfather.

2000- 1990

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley : A 20-month marriage

Oct. 30, 2001: Michael releases the album "Invincible" which sells over eight million copies worldwide.

2001: Michael is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2002: Prince Michael II is born. The identity of the mother is never revealed.

Nov. 19, 2002: Michael dangles his newborn son, Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony, four stories high.

Nov. 20, 2003: Michael is taken into custody by the Santa Barbara County Sherriff's Department on charges of child molestation. He posts a three million dollar bail.

Michael Jackson posing with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the King of Bahrain.

Apr. 30, 2004: Michael pleads not guilty after grand jury indictment.

June 13, 2005: Jury finds Jackson not guilty.

Nov. 17, 2008: Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa sues Michael for a breach of contract. It is alleged that Jackson received payment in advance for writing and recording new material, but never delivered on his promise of a new album for Al Khalifa's record company.

June 25, 2009: Michael Jackson dies at 50 years old after being rushed to a hospital following a heart attack that paramedics were unable to revive him from.