August 29: Michael Jackson was born on this day in 1958...

... he died June 25, 2009.


Michael was one of the most famous singers, songwriter, arranger and dancer, first with "The Jackson Five" in the mid-1960, and later during his solo career which began in 1971.

Jackson's 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling albums.

SF Gate Photo

Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Other honors include 13 Grammy Awards - as well as the Grammy Legend Award - and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century").


He also had 13 number-one singles in the U.S. and sold an estimated 800 million records worldwide.


He was also a humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for beneficial causes and supporting more than 39 charities.

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