- Riding the Dream 5225Riding the Dream 5225

Riding the Dream 5225

He, the Legend…

Photo Story

June 25, 2009: Michael Jackson is pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles

June 24, 2009: Michael arrives at the Staples Center around 6:30 p.m. and gives a “bioluminescent” performance, as Ortega puts it; He returns home excited.

June 22, 2009: Michale shows up for the first day of dress rehearsals at the Staples Center “in a completely changed state of mind,” as Kenny Ortega puts it

June 20, 2009: Randy Phillips tells Frank Dileo that he needs to get his client in line; Dileo leaves a message for Conrad explaining that Michael is “sick” and that blood tests are needed to “figure out what he’s up to”; Murray asks for a meeting with Ortega and Phillips at Carolwood Castle

June 19, 2009: Michael arrives on the last night of rehearsals at the Forum; he is in a pitiful condition and Kenny Ortega sends him home

June 18, 2009: Michael doesn’t show up for what should be the penultimate test at the Forum; Randy Phillips goes to Carolwood Castle to demand, in the presence of Dr. Murray, that Michael stop going to Dr. Klein and to take the drugs that he claims Klein is providing him.

June 17, 2009: According to John Branca, the lawyer has a conversation with Michael and Frank Dileo at the Forum

June 1, 2009: Rehearsals for This Is It are transferred to the Forum

Late May 2009: Randy Phillips tells the Los Angeles Times that concerts at the O2 are a matter of life and death for Michael Jackson

May 25, 2009: Michael sends Leonard Rowe a letter informing him that he is not his representative

May 20, 2009: AEG announces postponement of This Is It concerts

May 15, 2009: Michael’s brothers publicly deny any involvement in the Jacksons’ alleged reunion concert
which should be organized by AllGood Entertainment. Michael, Randy Phillips, Paul Gongaware, Leonard Rowe, Joe and Katherine
Jackson are seen at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In the afternoon, Michael goes to see Dr. Klein

May 14, 2009: Michael and his sons attend a 60th anniversary dinner for Joe and Katherine Jackson at the Chakra restaurant in Beverly Hills

May 12, 2009: Conrad Murray orders propofol and an assortment of benzodiazepines from Applied Farmacy Services in Las Vegas

May 8, 2009: AEG reaches a verbal agreement to hire Dr. Conrad Murray as Michael Jackson’s personal physician; Murray begins to spend the night at Michael’s house.

May 5, 2009: Raymone Bain files a lawsuit against Michael Jackson in Washington, D.C. seeking $44 million in damages. Ola Ray files a lawsuit against Michael Jackson in Santa Monica. A letter written by Frank Dileo and (apparently) signed by Michael Jackson is sent to various collaborators announcing that Michael has fired Thome Thome.

May 2, 2009: A letter purporting to be signed by Michael Jackson is delivered to various collaborators announcing that Frank Dileo has been named “one of my tour representatives and managers.”

April 21-30, 2009: Paparazzi catch Michael on his way to Dr. Klein‘s office in Beverly Hills

Late April-early May 2009: Michael is often absent from rehearsals at Center Staging

April 14, 2009: Julien’s Auctions is expected to begin exhibiting Michael Jackson items at the Beverly Hilton in preparation for the April 22 auction. Michael Jackson meets his father Joe, Leonard Rowe and Patrick Allocco at Sportsmen’s Lodge; Michael signs a letter acknowledging Rowe as his “authorized representative”; he also signed the revocation of Thome’s power of attorney. Thome reaches an agreement with Darren Julien that puts an end to the legal dispute, avoids the auction of Michael’s belongings and provides compensation for Julien: it is not enough, since Michael breaks off all relations with Thome.

April 13-15, 2009: Auditions are held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood for the dancers who will accompany Michael on the This Is It concerts

April 12, 2009: Michael asks Cherilyn Lee if she can get and administer propofol

April 6, 2009: Dr. Conrad Murray orders propofol from the Applied Pharmacy Service in Las Vegas

March 27, 2009: Leonard Rowe issues a press release stating that he has been hired as the new manager by Michael; from that moment Michael refuses to answer his phone calls. Allgood Entertainment sends a cease and desist letter to AEG’s Randy Phillips, claiming that Michael Jackson’s manager is Frank Dileo, who has signed a deal with them.

March 26, 2009: Leonard Rowe and Frank Dileo meet for the first time, at the request of Katherine Jackson

March 25, 2009: Joe Jackson and Leonard Rowe manage to enter Carolwood Castle

March 24, 2009: Roger Friedman publishes an article in which Darren Julien claims to have been threatened by James Weller

March 16, 2009: Roger Friedman’s column raises suspicions about Thome and spreads the insinuation that he is not really a doctor

March 13, 2009: The number of concerts scheduled at the O2 Arena rises to fifty in the space of four hours: all tickets for each date are sold out

March 11, 2009: Ticketmaster’s presale of Michael’s concerts at the O2 is a staggering success

March 6-11, 2009: Michael learns that Thome and AEG are considering adding more dates to the O2 Arena concerts; Thome and Phillips persuaded him to commit to play thirty-nine concerts.

March 5, 2009: Michael announces the series of concerts (10 in all) This Is It to be held at the O2 in London

March 4, 2009: MJJ Productions files a lawsuit against Julien’s Auctions to prevent the auction of Michael’s properties scheduled for April 22, 2009

February 12, 2009: Leonard Rowe and Patrick Allocco meet Dennis Hawk in Dennis Hawk’s office

February 9, 2009: Thome’s partner, James Weller, meets Darren Julien at a fast food restaurant on Whahine Boulevard

February 3, 2009: Leonard Rowe and Patrick Allocco take Katherine Jackson to lunch, inform her about the proposal of the concert to reunite the Jacksons and assure her a fee if Michael signs the contract.

February-March 2009: When Michael tells Thome and Hawk that he has not made a will and wants to make one, the two ask lawyer Sean Najerian to prepare a will and a trust contract.

January 26, 2009: At Carolwood’s Beverly Hills residence, apparently surrounded by Phil Anschutz, Tim Leiweke, Paul Gogaware and Randy Phillips of AEG, Michael signs a contract to perform 10 concerts at London’s O2 Arena.

January 1, 2009: AllGood Entertainment hires Leonard Rowe as “consultant”

Early December 2008: With Barrack’s help, Thome convinces Michael to commit to ten concerts at the O2 Arena; Thome Thome, Lopez and Dennis Hawk begin negotiations with Randy Phillips.

November 26, 2008: Frank Dileo and Patrick Allocco sign a preliminary contract for the Jackson reunion concert

November 23, 2008: Michael and Thome prepare to catch a plane to London, when news spreads that an agreement has been reached with Sheikh Abdullah and the trial is averted.

November 20-21, 2008: Patrick Allocco meets Franck Dileo in Nashville

17 November 2008: Sheikh Abdullah begins his trial against Michael at the High Court in London

October 31, 2008: Together with his children Michael attends the Halloween party at Natalie Maines’ house with Veronique Peck

Early November 2008: negotiations continue for concerts at the O2 Arena; Grace arrives in Los Angeles but is sent away

October 21, 2008: Patrick Allocco of Allgood Entertainment flies to Los Angeles for a meeting with Joe Jackson about a possible “Jackson Family Reunion Concert”; Joe sends Allocco to talk to Frank Dileo

End of October 2008: Michael Jackson leaves Las Vegas and arrives at the Hotel Bel-Air without Grace

Late September – Early October 2008: Michael and Thome meet with Phil Anschutz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

Early September 2008: Tohme begins consulting with Peter Lopez to plan a new Michael concert tour.

August 28-29, 2008: Michael is interviewed on Good Morning America and praised by British fans crowded in front of the gates of the Palomino estate; receives a copy of the letter released by neighbors saying they do not like the presence of a man accused of child molestation

Early July 2008: Tohme Tohme officially becomes Michael Jackson’s new manager

Early – mid-May 2008: Colony Capital announces that it has acquired notification on the Neverland ranch and the auction is avoided

April 2008: Fortress Investments sets a date in May to auction the Neverland ranch and all that is part of the property

February 27 – March 2, 2008: Michael and the children move from the Palms to Palomino’s hacienda; Jermaine Jackson introduces Tohme Tohme to his brother

February 20, 2008: Fortress Investments issues default notice on Neverland ranch

11-13 February 2008: Thriller 25 is released in Europe and the USA

December 31, 2007: Refinancing of loans granted on Michael’s share of the Sony/ATV catalogue

Mid November – Beginning of December 2007: Michael, Grace and the children are guests of Ron Burkle; Michael refuses to talk to Raymone Bain on the phone

November 7, 2007: Michael Grace and the kids fly to Los Angeles to attend the sixty-sixth birthday party of Reverend Jesse Jackson

October 31, 2007: Michael is recognized while shopping with Frank Cascio in the Halloween Store in New Jersey

October 15, 2007: Sheikh Abdullah files a lawsuit against Michael Jackson in the High Court in London and seeks compensation of approximately seven million dollars.

Mid-August 2007: Michael, Grace and the children arrive at the Cascio home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

July 25, 2007: Howard King collects Michael’s testimony in connection with Dieter Wiesner‘s complaint in the offices of Venable Law Firm in Wahsington D.C.

July 2007: When his only credit card is blocked, Michael and his children are forced out of hotels.

late June – early July 2007: Michael is seen around Washington D.C.

June 18, 2007: Just as a jury is about to be selected in Manhattan Federal District Court, Michael’s lawyers settle with Prescient Acquisitions.

17 April 2007: Sony/ATV acquires the Leiber-Stoller catalogue

April 2007: Randy Phillips flies from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to meet Michael and discuss concerts at London’s O2 Arena; soon after, Raymone Bain calls him back to inform him that Michael is not ready to perform.

March 31, 2007: Audit of Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio and Associates reveals Michael Jackson has a net worth of $236 million

Late February 2007: Joe and Randy Jackson make two separate attempts to enter the Las Vegas mansion, where Michael has taken refuge, but are kicked out.

January 25, 2007: The Associated Press reports that Michael Jackson has returned to the United States.

December 30, 2006: Michael speaks at the funeral of James Brown

December 29, 2006: Michael watches over the body of James Brown

December 23, 2006: Michael, Grace and the children take a private jet from Dublin to Las Vegas where Jack Wishna is waiting for them; together with Grace and the children Michael moves into the house on South Monte Cristo Drive

November 15, 2006: Shorter-than-expected performance by Michael at Earls Court during the World Music Awards ceremony

October 15, 2006: Billy Bush interviews Michael for Access Hollywood, also at Grouse Lodge

Early October 2006: Michael works on the “album of return”, with Will.I.Am, at Grouse Lodge

October-November 2006: After Michael reveals to Raymone Bain that he has neither a will nor a valid trust contract, and that he needs one, she creates the Neverland Fund whose executor Katherine Jackson appoints

September 29, 2006: Michael and his companions are at Grouse Lodge, when his lawyers and those of Debbie Rowe reach an agreement to settle the ongoing legal dispute.

August 29, 2006: Michael and his companions are at Lugala Castle, County Wicklow, Ireland, where Michael is celebrating his 48th birthday.

July 14, 2006: The Schaffel trial against Jackson ends with a “double verdict”: Schaffel is awarded compensation of nine hundred thousand dollars, Jackson an indemnity of two hundred thousand dollars.

July 3, 2006: Michael and his entourage move to Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, Ireland

June 28, 2006: The Schaffel trial against Jackson begins in Santa Monica

June 23-25, 2006: Jackson and his companions fly to Cork, Ireland, and stay at Blackwater Castle

14-22 June 2006: Michael and his companions stay at the New York Hotel in Disneyland Paris and visit the Jardin des Planets

May 26, 2006: Michael, Grace and the kids arrive in Tokyo for the MTV Japan Awards

May 24, 2006: California Supreme Court rejects Michael’s appeal in Debbie Rowe’s case

22-23 May 2006: Michael arrives in London for the second deposition related to the Schaffel case

20-21 May 2006: Sheikh Abdullah sees Michael for the last time

April 19, 2006: Michael meets King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the palace in Safriya

April 17, 2006: Joseph Bartucci‘s complaint is filed

April 13, 2006: Michael Jackson has restored his finances through an agreement with Fortress Investments.

Late March – early April 2006: Michael and his sons are followed by Tony Buzan; an assistant of Michael Jackson is stopped at the airport in Manama with a suitcase full of OxyContin

February 15, 2006: The California Court of Appeals rules that Debbie Rowe’s parental responsibility has not been struck down by a previous ruling and that she can fight for custody of Prince and Paris.

January 26, 2006: Michael, Grace and the children take a flight to Hamburg and settle into Anton Schleiter’s house.

January 15-22, 2006: Michael travels to Orlando, Florida, and meets Lou Pearlman

December 9, 2005: The National Enquirer reports that Michael Jackson is in critical condition following an overdose of medication and alcohol.

November 12, 2005: Michael is escorted by police after a scene in the ladies’ toilet at the Egyptian Court of the IBN Battuta Mall in Dubai.

October 27, 2005: Michael files a counter-complaint against Marc Schaffel

23 September 2005: Michael arrives at the Dorchester Hotel in London for the Schaffel case testation

July 11, 2005: Prescient Acquisitions sues Michael Jackson and seeks $48 million in compensation

June 29, 2005: Michael, Grace and the children go to Bahrainn

June 14, 2005: Michael Jackson acquitted of all charges

2-3 June 2005: Ron Zonen and Tom Meserau deliver their final harangues

March 1, 2005: opening speech by Tom Meserau

February 28, 2005: Tom Sneddon delivers his opening harangue

January 31, 2005: Jury selection begins for The People vs. Michael Jackson trial

November 16, 2004: Howard King sues Michael Jackson, in Los Angeles, on behalf of Marc Schaffel

November 4, 2004: Joseph Bartucci sues Michael Jackson for abuse in New Orleans

September 13, 2004: Ray Chandler’s book, All That Glitters, is published

April 25, 2004: Michael fires his lawyer, Geragos, and replaces him with Tom Mesereau.

April 21, 2004: Michael, in Orlando, learns of the indictment by the Santa Barbara grand jury

March 25, 2004: A grand jury is formed in Santa Barbara County to screen evidence against Michael Jackson

March 19, 2004: The Department of Social Services determines that there is no reason to remove Michael Jackson’s custody of the children.

February 7, 2004: Michael hires Raymone Bain to replace Stuart Backerman, who tendered his two resignations

February 1, 2004: Michael is at Ron Burkle’s house in La Jolla, where he watches Janet’s performance; her breasts come out while singing during the Super Bow halftime.

January 16, 2004: Michael appears in court in Santa Maria and pleads not guilty.

January 15, 2004: Gloria Allred asks the Department of Social Services to remove custody of Michael’s children.

December 31, 2003: Debbie Rowe calls for her rights of access to her children to be restored

Late December 2003: Michael leaves Neverland to move into a rented house in Beverly Hills

December 18, 2003: Prosecutors officially indict Michael Jackson: seven counts of child sexual molestation are charged with him

Early December 2003: The Nation of Islam begins to take over Michael’s security service, and all contact between the star, Wiesner and Schaffel is cut off.

November 19, 2003: Tom Sneddon and Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson announce that an arrest warrant has been issued for Michael Jackson.

November 18, 2003: Number Ones is released. The search warrant of the Neverland ranch is executed

October 24, 2003: Michael arrives in Los Angeles with Dieter Wiesner, Marc Shaffel and Stuart Backerman to promote What More Can I Give?, and Mayor Oscar Goodman gives him the keys to the city.

August 29, 2003: Michael Jackson’s forty-fifth birthday party in downtown Los Angeles

August 26, 2003: Barry Siegel sends a letter announcing his resignation as executor of Michael Jackson’s estate

June 13, 2003: Larry Feldman and Stan Katz report to Santa Barbara County authorities about allegations of child sexual molestation against Michael Jackson by Gavin and Star Arvizo

May 15-19, 2003: At Larry Feldman’s request, the Arvizos’ children meet Dr. Stan Katz

April 16, 2003: The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department announces that it does not have sufficient evidence to arrest Michael Jackson. The Arvizo family meets Larry Feldman.

March 14, 2003: A jury rules that Michael Jackson must pay Marcel Avram $5.3 million

March 2003: Michael Jackson allegedly signed a will appointing Al Malnik as his executor

February 20, 2003: Fox broadcasts rebuttal video Take Two: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See

February 18, 2003: Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office opens an investigation into Michael and Gavin Arvizo’s relationship with Gloria Allred and Carol Lieberman.

February 14, 2003: The Los Angeles Department of Social Services opens an investigation into Michael Jackson’s relationship with Gavin Arvizo.

February 7, 2003: Mark Geragos becomes Michael Jackson’s new lawyer

February 6, 2003: Jordan Chandler’s 1993 affidavit describing Michael Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse is posted on the Smoking Gun website.

February 5, 2003: Janet Arvizo and her three children arrive in Miami aboard a private jet with Chris Tucker; stay at the Turnberry Isle Resort, where Michael and his entourage are also located

February 4, 2003: Michael fires his accountant Barry Siegel

3 February 2003: Premiere of Bashir’s documentary-interview Living with Michael Jackson on ITV; Listening ratings are astronomical. Michael fires his lawyer John Branca

November 19, 2002: Michael arrives in Berlin with Dieter Wiesner, Marc Shaffel, Grace Rwaramba and their children to receive the Bambi Award; arouses worldwide outrage by dangling Blanket from the hotel balcony

30-31 July 2002: Martin Bashir arrives in Neverland to start shooting the documentary-interview entitled Living with Michael Jackson

6,8,9 July 2002: Michael is photographed in New York

July 7, 2002: Michael Jackson seems to be in Los Angeles to sign his last will; appoints John Branca, John McClain and Barry Siegel as executors

July 6, 2002: Michael arrives in a double-decker bus at Sony’s headquarters in New York, where his fans are protesting.

June 11, 2002: During a dinner in London, Uri Geller introduces Michael Martin Bashir

February 21, 2002: Michael Jackson’s youngest son, Prince Michael Jackson II, aka Blanket, is given birth to an anonymous surrogate mother at Grossmont Hospital in San Diego.

October 30, 2001: Invincible is released

October 17, 2001: Debbie Rowe legally announces her rights to Prince and Paris

October 15, 2001: Michael finishes recording What More Can I Give?

September 16, 2001: Michael announces the release of What More Can I Give?, the proceeds of which will be donated to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks: the charity symbol will be produced by Marc Schaffel

September 7-10, 2001: Michael performs “Thirtieth Anniversary” concerts at Madison Square Garden

June 2001: Michael meets Marc Schaffel at Dr. Arnold Klein’s home

March 6, 2001: Michael gives his speech in Oxford

August 27, 2000: Gavin Arvizo goes to the Neverland ranch for the first time

June 23, 2000: Marcel Avram sues Michael Jackson for canceling Millennium concerts

August 29, 1999: On his forty-first birthday, Michael cancels the Millennium concerts scheduled for December 31 in Seoul and Honolulu

April 3, 1998: Debbie Rowe gives birth to Paris Michael Katherine Jackson at Spalding Pain Medical Clinic in Los Angeles

November 25, 1997: Debbie Rowe announces that she is expecting a baby girl, whose name will be Paris Michael Katherine Jackson

February 13, 1997: Debbie Rowe gives birth to Paris Michael Katherine Jackson at Spalding Pain Medical Clinic in Los Angeles

November 14, 1996: Michael marries Debbie Rowe immediately after a concert in Sydney

May 1996: Debbie Rowe becomes pregnant with Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. in Los Angeles

February 19, 1996: Michael is interrupted by Jarvis Cocker while singing Earth Song at the BRIT Awards in London

January 18, 1996: Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce

December 6, 1995: Michael faints during rehearsals for the HBO special and is rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

November 1995: Michael and Sony merge their song catalogs: worth $600 million

June 15, 1995: HIStory is released accompanied by huge statues of Michael Jackson placed in a series of European cities

June 14, 1995: Diane Sawyer interviews Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie on Primetime Live

September 24, 1994: Tom Sneddon and Gil Garcetti announce that, due to Jordan Chandler’s refusal to testify, they have failed to gather enough evidence to convince grand juries in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to indict Michael Jackson for child molestation.

May 25-26, 1994: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley arrive at the Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic, where they marry in secret

End of February 1994: Michael Jackson arrives at Trump Tower in New York, the city where he will begin recording the album HIStory at the Hit Factory Studio

February 1994: District Attorneys Gil Garcetti and Tom Sneddon both begin proceedings on the grand jury to investigate allegations of child molestation against Michael Jackson.

January 25, 1994: Larry Feldman, Carl Douglas, Howard Weitzman and Johnnie Cochran reach a plea bargain agreement

January 24, 1994: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announces it does not have enough evidence to charge Evan Chandler with extortion.

December 20, 1993: Johnnie Cochran replaces Bert Field in Michael’s legal team; on that same day Michael is forced to undergo a genital analysis at Neverland

November 24, 1993: Jordan Chandler’s civil lawsuit against Michael Jackson is set for March 21, 1994.

November 16, 1993: A warrant is issued in Los Angeles to examine Michael Jackson’s genitals

November 12-14, 1993: Michael flies to London with Liz Taylor and Larry Fortensky from Mexico, following a route via Canada and Iceland; in the English capital he is admitted to a clinic to detoxify

September 14, 1993: Gloria Alled resigns from office and is immediately replaced by Larry Feldman; a civil complaint is filed against Michael Jackson in the Los Angeles Supreme Court

August 31, 1993: Michael undergoes a brain CT scan at Singapore hospital; in Los Angeles Gloria Allred is hired to represent Giordan Chandler.

August 30, 1993: Michael passes out backstage at the Singapore concert

August 21, 1993: Michael arrives in Bangkok to start the third leg of the Dangeorus Tour; LAPD searches Neverland ranch and Century City home

August 17, 1993: The Los Angeles Police Department officially opens the investigation into Michael Jackson

Early July 1993: Evan Chandler hires Barry Rothman; Michael’s attorney Berr Fields hires Anthony Pellicano

May 9, 1993: Michael arrives at the Hotel de Paris, Monaco, with Jordie, June and Lily accompanied by Bob Jones

Evan Chandler invites Michael to sleep with Jordie at his house

March 28-30, 1993: Michael takes Jordan Chandler, June and Lily to Las Vegas

February 27-28, 1993: Michael invites Jordan Chandler to Neverland for the first time, along with his mother June and sister Lily

February 10, 1993: Michael, guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, speaks for the first time in public about the abuse suffered by his father as a child.

January 31, 1993: Michael performs at halftime of Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

January 25, 1993: Jordan Chandler goes to the Westwood Hideout for the first time

January 19, 1993: Michael sings Heal the World at the inaugural gala honoring new US President Bill Clinton

January 1993: Lisa Marie Presley is introduced to Michael Jackson at the home of Brett-Livingstone Strong in Pacific Palisades

May 1992: Michael meets Jordan Chandler in Los Angeles

1992: Deepak Chopra introduces Grace Rwaramba to Michael Jackson

November 21-22, 1991: Dangerous album is released

November 14-15, 1991: Black or White video is released

October 7, 1991: Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky get married at Neverland

June 23, 1989: The Jacksons‘ contract with CBS/Epic Records expires; without Michael in the group the contract is not renewed.

April 20, 1988: Michael’s autobiography Moonwalk is published

September 12, 1987: Bad’s world tour kicks off in Tokyo

August 31, 1987: Bad is released

April 1987: Michael Jackson leaves Jehovah’s Witnesses

January 5 – July 9, 1987: the album Bad is recorded at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles

Early 1987: Michael Jackson buys Century City property that will become known as “The Hideout”

September 16, 1986: Michael appears on the cover of the “National Enquirer” in a hyperbaric chamber

June 1986: Michael is seen wearing a surgical mask for the first time in Los Angeles

Autumn 1985: Michael Jackson buys ATV Music Publishing Company for $47.5 million

January 22, 1985: Recording of We Are the World begins at the Lionel Share Recording Studio in Los Angeles

January 21, 1985: with the collaboration of Lionel Richie Michael Jackson completes the lyrics and music of We Are The Word

February 28, 1984: Michael Jackson wins a record 8 Grammy Awards for Thriller

February 7, 1984: Michael Jackson’s first date with Brooke Shields

January 27, 1984: Michael burns his scalp while shooting a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles

December 2, 1983: The Thriller video debuts on MTV

October 1982: Michael Jackson meets Emmanuel Lewis during the filming of the Thriller video

Early April 1983: Michael meets Dr. Arnold Klein

March 25, 1983: The special Motown 25 is recorded at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena

December 1, 1982: Thriller is released

November 12, 1982: Katherine Jackson files for a second divorce from Joseph Jackson in Los Angeles Supreme Court

April-November 1982: Michael Jackson records Thriller in Los Angeles; the producer is Quincy Jones

July 8, 1981: The Jacksons begin the Triumph Tour in Memphis

Autumn 1979: Michael Jackson hires John Branca as his lawyer

August 10, 1979: Michael Jackson’s album Off the Wall is released

April 14, 1979: The Jacksons kick off the Destiny Tour in Cleveland, which includes various dates in North America

Late 1979: Dr. Steven Hoefflin corrects previous rhinoplasty; his relationship with Michael will last for more than 25 years

Spring 1979: Michael breaks his nose in a fall on stage, first rhinoplasty operation

December 17, 1978: The Jacksons album Destiny is released

December 1978: Michael Jackson begins recording Off The Wall in Los Angeles

July 1977: Michael Jackson moves to New York to begin work on The Wiz

Spring 1977: Michael Jackson meets 13-year-old Tatum O’Neal at the On the Rox club in Los Angeles

June 16, 1976: The Jacksons show debuts on CBS

July 1975: After Motown contract expires, Jackson 5 signs with CBS and becomes The Jacksons

June-July 1975: Jermaine leaves the Jackson 5 and is replaced by Randy

April 9, 1974: The Jackson 5 open the show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

February 19, 1974: Michael Jackson meets Rodney Allen Rippy at the first American Music Awards ceremony

March 9, 1973: Katherine Jackson files for divorce from Joe Jackson in Los Angeles Supreme Court

October 29, 1972: The Jackson 5 arrive at Heathrow Airport in London to kick off their first European tour

August 4, 1972: Michael Jackson’s second solo album Ben is released

January 24, 1972: Michael Jackson’s first solo album, Got to Be There, is released

September 11, 1971: The cartoon series The Jackson Five debuts on the ABC Channel

April 29, 1971: Michael Jackson appears on the cover of Rolling Stone

February 25, 1971: Joe and Katherine purchase an estate at 4641 Hayvenhurst Drive in Encino, California

October 17, 1970: The Jackson 5 become the first band to have their first four chart-topping singles when I’ll Be There takes #1

October 10, 1970: The Jackson 5 performs the American national anthem – the star-Spangled Banner – at the first game of the national baseball championship at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati

December 18, 1969: The Jackson 5’s first album on Motown is released, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 – Full Album on Youtube

December 14, 1969: The Jackson 5 take part in the Ed Sullivan Show – Video

October 1969: the Jackson 5 single I want You back is released, on the Motown label

August 11, 1969: The Jackson 5 are introduced by Diana Ross at their performance at the Daisy in Beverly Hills, California

July 26, 1968: The Jackson 5 sign a contract with Motown

July 23, 1968: Jackson 5 audition for Motown Records in Detroit

January 31, 1968: Steeltown Records releases the Jackson 5’s first album with Big Boy on the A-side

August 1967: The Jackson 5 win the Amateur Night singing competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem

Early 1967: The Jackson 5 win the Talent Show at Chicago’s Regal Theater three times in a row

Late 1966 – Early 1967: The Jackson 5 begin performing on the Chitlin’ Circuit

16 May, 1966: Janet Dameta Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana

Spring 1966: The Jackson 5 win the Talent Show at Gary’s Roosevelt High School.

29 August, 1965: Under the name of Jackson 5, the brothers win the singing competition Tiny Tot’s Back to School Jamboree at Gary’s Big Top department store, thanks to their rendition of Doin’ the Jerk. It’s Michael Jackson’s seventh birthday.