by While Michael Jackson is most famous and accomplished for his legendary solo career, his rise to fame began at a very young age as the lead singer of The Jackson 5.
Formed in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, the group consisted of Michael and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. They began performing in local talent shows and clubs in the Midwest, quickly gaining attention for their dynamic performances. In 1968, they were discovered by Motown executive Suzanne de Passe and signed to the legendary label.
Motown was taking a risk in signing an entire family group, as they had primarily focused on breaking individual artists. However, the Jackson 5’s talent was undeniable. Their first four singles for Motown – “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There” – all reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1969-1970. This made The Jackson 5 the first group in history to have their first four singles reach number one. They were also the youngest act to top the charts, with Michael being just 11 years old during their initial success.
The Jackson 5 became one of Motown’s most successful groups of the early 1970s. Their four number one hits helped establish them as global pop stars. Michael’s impressive vocals, charismatic stage presence, and dance moves made him a standout, even at such a young age. By establishing themselves so early on at Motown, The Jackson 5 paved the way for Michael’s even larger success as a solo artist later in his career. Their string of hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s helped break down racial barriers and introduced Black artists to mainstream pop audiences. This set the stage for Michael to become one of the best-selling artists of all time.
“Ben” (1972)
While still a member of The Jackson 5, Michael showed he had what it took to achieve success outside of the group with his first solo single – the theme song for the 1972 horror film “Ben.” The haunting ballad allowed Michael’s emotive vocals to shine through. Released in November 1972, “Ben” became Michael’s first number one hit as a solo artist, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
At just 13 years old, Michael’s performance on “Ben” displayed a level of artistry well beyond his years. He helped to establish the template for the pop ballad that would define much of his solo career. The song’s success proved that Michael Jackson was more than just the lead singer of a popular family band – he had true star power as an individual performer. While still very young, “Ben” was an early sign that Michael was destined for even greater heights as a solo artist separate from The Jackson 5. It remains one of his most underrated early works.
Off the Wall (1979)
After leaving The Jackson 5 as a solo artist signed to Epic Records, Michael’s highly anticipated solo debut album was 1979’s “Off the Wall.” By this point, disco dominated the airwaves but Michael infused the album with his signature blend of pop, rock, funk and R&B. Produced largely by Quincy Jones, “Off the Wall” was a commercial and critical smash, selling over 20 million copies worldwide.
The album contained several massive hit singles, including the number one hits “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.” It also included the top five hits “She’s Out of My Life” and “Off the Wall.” With its infectious grooves and Michael’s soaring vocals and emotive delivery, “Off the Wall” helped bring disco to a wider mainstream pop audience. The album’s success cemented Michael as a true superstar in his own right, separate from his earlier work with The Jackson 5.
“Off the Wall” won Michael his first Grammy Awards, including awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “Off the Wall.” It was a commercial breakthrough that sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time at that point. With “Off the Wall,” Michael Jackson had truly arrived as a global pop icon and one of the biggest solo stars in the world.
Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show (1993)
After the blockbuster success of his 1982 album “Thriller,” Michael Jackson’s star power reached new heights. So when the NFL approached him to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in 1993, it was a perfect opportunity for Michael to showcase his talents to one of the largest global television audiences. What resulted was a performance that transformed the Super Bowl halftime show into a must-see cultural event.
On January 31, 1993, Michael took to the stage amidst a football stadium in Pasadena packed with over 90,000 fans. In just 12 minutes, he delivered a dynamic medley of his biggest hits including “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and “Heal the World.” With elaborate choreography and Michael’s signature dance moves, the performance was a spectacle unlike anything seen before during a Super Bowl halftime show. An estimated 900 million viewers tuned in worldwide to watch Michael’s electrifying performance.
While halftime shows today feature multiple big-name performers, Michael’s 1993 appearance was groundbreaking as a solo 12-minute tour de force. He established the template for the halftime show as a platform for the biggest pop stars to reach a mass global audience. The performance is still considered one of the greatest and most watched in Super Bowl history. It cemented Michael’s status as the “King of Pop” and showed the power of his live performances to captivate audiences on the biggest stages. His Super Bowl appearance helped turn the halftime show into a must-see cultural event watched by hundreds of millions around the world each year.
Legacy and Continued Impact
These are just a few of the many incredible milestones and achievements throughout Michael Jackson’s prolific career. From his early success as a child star with The Jackson 5, to hit solo singles like “Ben,” and genre-defining albums such as “Off the Wall” and “Thriller,” Michael continuously raised the bar and broke new ground. His talent, showmanship, and charismatic personality allowed him to transcend racial barriers and popularize Black music for worldwide audiences.
Even after his untimely death in 2009, Michael Jackson’s influence can still be felt throughout popular culture. His music and videos continue to inspire new generations of artists and fans. Landmark performances like his 1993 Super Bowl halftime show changed the way major live events are produced and viewed. Michael left an indelible mark and redefined what it means to be a global pop icon. He left behind an unmatched legacy as the best-selling artist of all time, with over 350 million records sold worldwide. More than a decade after his passing, Michael Jackson remains “The King of Pop” – an artist who continually broke new boundaries and reshaped music and entertainment as we know it.
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