Here's a look at the pop legend Michael Jackson over the years,
Michael Jackson's brothers recently launched their 'Unity' tour to mark the third death anniversary of the singer. Jermaine Jackson, one of the members of Jackson 5 of which MJ was also a part, said in an interview that the group plans to pay tribute to the late star during the concerts with a slideshow and medley that will conclude with the tune Gone Too Soon. This will be the first time the brothers will be touring together since their Victory Tour in 1984.
Michael Jackson's daughter Paris said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that coping with her father's death has never been easy and the loss is difficult even after three years.
Coming Up: Remembering the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson was pronounced dead on June 25, 2009 after paramedics found him in a coma at his Bel-Air mansion in Los Angeles. He was 50. His death triggered an outpouring of grief from around the world. Michael was at that time preparing for This Is It concert.
Michael Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty. Jackson's casket was present during the memorial but no information was released about the final disposition of the body.
Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Jermaine Jackson, and Shaheen Jafargholi performed at the event. Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Katherine, cried as she told the crowd, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... I just wanted to say I love him ... so much."
Here's a look at his journey - the family, the fame and the fall. The king of Pop died of a cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009.
Michael Joseph Jackson began his career in showbiz at the age of 11 as a member of the family music band The Jackson 5.
It was not until 1971, that Michael turned solo and left his brothers way, way behind. His first few solo albums were also produced by the record label that worked with the Jackson 5, Motown Records. His first solo songs included 'Got to be there' and 'Ben'
In spite of being a solo success, Jackson didn't quit the band, in fact the band continued till 1973, two years after Michael had also recorded solo albums
Michael soon got signed on by Epic Records, with whom he recorded the album 'Off the Wall' which reached no. 3 at the Billboard 200. The album featured the hit song 'Don't stop 'til you get enough'.
In 1982, he won several awards, including a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'
The biggest breakthrough in Jackson's life came with the album Thriller, that appeared in 1982. The album occupied seven places in the top ten at Billboard
Jackson was referred to as a 'musical phenomenon' and New York Times made a statment staing, in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else. Thriller featured songs like 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat it'
On the hind side of all the success were a number of accidents, Michael Jackson has had about four rhinoplasty surgeries follwing an accident in the early 80s and a not so satisfying first surgery. During the shooting of a Pepsi commercial, his scalp caught fire and he suffered second degree burns
1984 turned out to be another glorious year as Michael won eight Grammy Awards.
In 1985, he co-wrote the song, 'We are the world' with Lionel Ritchie. It was a USA for Africa initiative and a number of stars from the music industry participated in the song and the video. Strangely, Jackson opted out (as protest) of the We are the World concert that took place subsequently.
All success aside, Michael hasn't got the 'Wacko-Jacko' tag for nothing. The strangest of all things is that he was prone to spreading rumours about himself. For instance, he spread the story that he slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to slow the ageing process.
The Moonwalker, who redefined dance moves for the whole world, apparently suffered from bouts of anorexia and insisted on changing his face with his altering weight. He wanted a slimmer body to adjust to his flexible dance routines
One of the funniest MJ incidents relates to his pet Chimpanzee. Rumour has it that the chimp, Bubbles, was not just a pet, but a housemaid as well! And all this, according to Jackson himself.
The rumour that has haunted him for a better part of his fame-ridden life is the accusation of paedophilia and child abuse. These rumours started with the Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin spending nights at MJ's Neverland estate
It seems he almost made a career out of getting facial surgeries. He also got a cleft put in his chin surgically, to appear (this is priceless!) 'more masculine'! Wow, did that go wrong?!
While most die-hard fans claim that Jackson's skin tone changed so drastically because he is a victim of the skin disease called vitiligo, that's not the popular opinion. Most people believe that Jackson actually bleached his skin or went through a skin-colour-change operation (you can't blame anyone for thinking that now, can you?)
And for those who were scared of his make-up for the 'Thriller' video, here is something more advanced. It seems here his love for Bubbles was never-ending
But thankfully, he has finally decided to grant himself some dignity and age with grace, a recent cover-shoot shows a much-improved image of Jackson
