EARLY YEARS

1958: Born Aug. 29 in Gary, Ind. He is the seventh child of Joseph and Katherine Esther Jackson.

1969: In Los Angeles, the Jackson 5 debut as Motown's newest act. In December, the group's single "I Want You Back" hits No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40 Chart.

1970: Jackson 5 hits "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" all reach No. 1 on Billboard charts.

1972: First No. 1 solo hit "Ben," a song about a movie rat.

1974: Introduces a dance step called the robot on "Soul Train." The step sweeps the country.

1978: Played "The Scarecrow" in the movie "The Wiz," alongside Diana Ross, Richard Pryor and Nipsey Russell.

1979: "Off the Wall" solo album catapults Jackson to superstar status.

KING OF POP

1982: "Thriller" is released, eventually selling more than 100 million copies. The record becomes one of the best-selling albums of all time.

1983: "Beat It" reaches No. 1 on the charts.

"Billie Jean" also becomes a gigantic hit, and the influential video, featuring more of Jackson's electric dancing, remains a landmark.

"Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever," airs on NBC. After a memorable performance by "The Jacksons," Michael wows the crowd with a rendition of "Billie Jean," which included the jaw-dropping moonwalk.

The high-concept, 13-minute "Thriller" video, directed by John Landis, becomes a huge sensation.

1984: Jackson's hair catches on fire during filming of a Pepsi commercial.

1987: News reports say Jackson tries to buy the skeleton of the "Elephant Man." The album "Bad" is released and sells more than 8 million copies.

1988: Jackson releases "Moonwalk," an autobiography.

PERSONAL TRIALS

1991: Releases "Dangerous" album, with 7 million in sales.

1993: In his first TV interview in 14 years, Jackson tells Oprah Winfrey that the change in his skin complexion is from a disorder called vitiligo.

A lawsuit claims that Jackson seduced and abused a 13-year-old boy.

1994: Settles the lawsuit with substantial payment to the plaintiff.

Marries Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley.

1996: Presley files for divorce.

Jackson marries nurse Debbie Rowe.

1997: Jackson performs Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 at Aloha Stadium, reportedly his final concerts in the U.S.

Rowe gives birth to son Prince Michael.

The Jackson 5 are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1998: Rowe gives birth to daughter Paris Michael Katherine.

DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA

2001: The "Invincible" album is released with a respectable 2.1 million copies sold.

2002: Third child, Prince Michael II is born.

2003: Faces charges of child molestation. Posts $3 million in bail and throws up the "V" sign, while standing on a black Suburban outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif.

2004: Pleads not guilty to child molestation charges in January.

2005: In June, Jackson was acquitted of child-molestation charges.

2009: Tickets to Jackson's 50 London concerts sell out within hours.