Performer

“Michael Jackson was one of the most creative and successful recording artists of the last 40 years. He became an instant star when he was only 11 years old, fronting the Jackson 5,” said Jim Henke, vice president of exhibitions and curatorial affairs at the Rock Hall of Fame and Museum. “His solo career was so extraordinary that he became known as the King of Pop. Few other artists of his era reached the peaks that he did, both in terms of sales and critical acclaim. His legacy will live on for a long, long time. We join the world in mourning the loss of this twice-inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”


Essential Songs


Billie Jean

Beat It

Thriller

Bad

Black or White

Rock With You

Wanna Be Startin' Something

Man in the Mirror

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Scream


Recommended Reading

Michael Jackson Unauthorized

Christopher P. Anderson. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994.

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop

Lisa D. Campbell. Wellesley, MA: Branden Books, 1993.

Moonwalk

Michael Jackson. New York: Doubleday, 1988.

Michael Jackson: The Music and the Madness

J. Randy Taraborrelli. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group, 1991.