LIFE - Michael Jackson: Life and Times

Michael Jackson and His Brothers Go on Tour

Mon, 02 Oct 1972 03:00:00 EDT

Michael (second from left) with his brothers at Heathrow Airport. Though he was loved the world over as the precocious frontman of the Jackson Five, Michael has said that being famous at such a young age robbed him of his childhood.

Michael Jackson Dates Brooke Shields

Tue, 31 Mar 1981 03:00:00 EST

The painfully shy Jackson escorts Brooke Shields to the Academy Awards in 1981. Through the '80s and early '90s, the two attended several events and parties together.

Michael Jackson Celebrates the Success of 'Thriller'

Fri, 25 Feb 1983 03:00:00 EST

Jane Fonda presents Jackson with a platinum award for his classic, hit-packed "Thriller," still the best-selling album of all time.

Michael Jackson Is a Dancing Machine

Fri, 01 Jul 1983 03:00:00 EDT

In his "Thriller" heyday, Jackson (pictured in 1983) electrified audiences with his moves -- including a slick, backwards slide step fans called the "moonwalk" -- and, of course, those sparkly socks.

Michael Jackson Brings Friends to the Grammys

Tue, 28 Feb 1984 03:00:00 EST

At the '84 Grammys, Jackson arrives with two dates: Brooke Shields is on one arm, and tween "Webster" star Emmanuel Lewis is cradled in the other.

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones Rule the Grammys

Tue, 28 Feb 1984 03:00:00 EST

Jackson (with his "Thriller" producer Quincy Jones) holds one of the eight Grammys he picked up in 1984.

Michael Jackson Advertises Pepsi, Pre-Accident

Sat, 25 Feb 1984 03:00:00 EST

Jackson dances with a young Alfonso Ribiero at a Pepsi convention. In '84, while filming a commercial for the soft-drink company, Jackson was badly burned when pyrotechnics set his hair on fire.

Michael Jackson at the White House

Mon, 14 May 1984 03:00:00 EDT

In 1984, Ronald Reagan presents Michael Jackson with a presidential commendation for using "Beat It" in a campaign against teen drunk driving. "Well, isn't this a thriller?" joked Reagan.

Michael Jackson Introduces the World to Bubbles

Tue, 13 Oct 1987 03:00:00 EDT

Jackson's reputation as an eccentric began to solidify after he bought a chimpanzee, Bubbles, whom he dressed in elaborate outfits and toted to places like the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Michael Jackson Gives Sheryl Crow Her Break

Sun, 01 May 1988 03:00:00 EDT

Supporting "Bad" in May 1988, Jackson performs in Rome with a backing singer who later becomes a superstar in her own right: Sheryl Crow.

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Fascinates, Mystifies

Tue, 18 Nov 2003 03:00:00 EST

In 1988, Jackson bought the land on which he built Neverland Ranch, a "Peter Pan"-inspired world outside Santa Barbara, Calif., where he lived and hosted many young playmates over the years.

The Fans, the Fame

Mon, 01 Jan 1990 03:00:00 EST

In London in 1990, Michael Jackson is besieged by the media outside Madame Tussauds.

Jackson on Tour in 1990

Mon, 01 Jan 1990 03:00:00 EST

Jackson, wearing a Thriller-esque jacket, performs onstage in 1990. In terms of style and energy, Jackson was unmatched as a performer.

Michael Jackson and Madonna Turn Heads at the Oscars

Mon, 25 Mar 1991 03:00:00 EST

The King of Pop and the Material Girl cause a stir by showing up together at the Academy Awards in 1991.

Michael Jackson Scores a Touchdown at the Super Bowl

Sun, 31 Jan 1993 03:00:00 EST

Jackson rocks the Super Bowl halftime show in 1993. Following his performance, viewed by a record audience, his "Dangerous" album shoots up the albums chart.

Health Problems Mount

Tue, 09 Mar 1993 03:00:00 EST

Michael Jackson attends the Soul Train Music Awards in a wheelchair, March 1993. In the fall of that year, Jackson announced he'd become addicted to painkillers. There is speculation that painkillers may have caused Jackson's death, CNN reports.

Michael Jackson Shows Off His Bride, Lisa Marie Presley

Thu, 08 Sep 1994 03:00:00 EDT

Michael Jackson shocks the audience at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards by opening the show with his new wife, Lisa Marie Presley; moments later, the newlyweds awkwardly smooch for the cameras.

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie at Neverland

Tue, 18 Apr 1995 03:00:00 EDT

The couple hold hands on Jackson's ranch. The couple divorced after less than two years of marriage.

Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe Battle the Crowds

Sun, 28 Apr 1996 03:00:00 EDT

Michael Jackson with his second wife, Debbie Rowe, a nurse he'd met at his dermotologist's office. Rowe is the mother of Jackson's two elder children; they divorced in 1999.

Michael Jackson's Friends Celebrate His Career

Fri, 07 Sep 2001 03:00:00 EDT

Jackson's longtime friends Elizabeth Taylor and Macaulay Culkin cheer him at the Sept. 10, 2001, New York taping of "30th Anniversary Celebration," marking Jackson's three decades as a solo artist.

Michael Jackson Unites Pop Stars for a Cause

Sun, 21 Oct 2001 03:00:00 EDT

Jackson fronts the all-star lineup of the "United We Stand" concert, an event he spearheaded as a Sept. 11 benefit.

Michael Jackson Dangles His Baby From Balcony

Tue, 19 Nov 2002 03:00:00 EST

While in Berlin to accept a lifetime achievement award in November 2002, Jackson attempts to show off his 8-month-old son, Prince Michael II (nicknamed "Blanket"), by dangling him over a balcony.

Michael Jackson's Veiled Children

Wed, 20 Nov 2002 03:00:00 EST

Amid the furor of the baby-dangling incident, minders escort Jackson's older children, the constantly shrouded Prince Michael I and Paris, on a trip to the Berlin zoo.

Michael Jackson Greets Fans at His Arraignment

Fri, 16 Jan 2004 03:00:00 EST

Jackson, facing allegations that he sexually molested a 14-year-old boy, waves from the top of his car following his January 2004 arraignment in Santa Maria, Calif.

Michael Jackson Shows Up to Court in Pajamas

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 03:00:00 EST

Michael Jackson wears pajama pants and is aided by bodyguards as he arrives more than an hour late with his father Joe Jackson (right) for a March 10, 2005, court date in his child molestation trial. His excuse: he was sick and had spent the morning at a hospital.

Michael Jackson Is Acquitted

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 03:00:00 EDT

Triumphant outside Neverland Ranch, fan Laureen Rocks holds a special edition of the Santa Maria Times newspaper announcing the verdict in Jackson's trial. Following the ordeal, Jackson shut down Neverland and moved with his children to Bahrain.

Michael Jackson Announces London Concerts... But Will He Make Them?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:00:00 EST

After a long absence from the spotlight, and amid rumors of his money troubles, Jackson holds a press conference in March 2009 to announce a series of summer shows at London's O2 arena. On June 25, 2009, the pop star suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at an L.A. hospital. (Want more Jackson? Pre-order LIFE Books' commemorative "Remembering Michael.")