Singer Michael Jackson died on 25 June, 2009, at the age of 50, after suffering a heart attack at his Los Angeles home.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on 29 August, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, America and found fame as a child star surrounded by his brothers in pop group the Jackson Five.

The seventh of nine children, he joined his brothers' pop group in 1964 playing tambourine and bongos. The five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was six and won first prize.

He took on lead vocals and went on to become a megastar in his own right, his most acclaimed album, Thriller, selling 65m copies.

The star was due to begin a series of comeback concerts with an appearance at London's O2 arena on 13 July, 2009.

His biggest hits included I Want You Back, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Billie Jean, Bad, Black or White and Earth Song.

He had a history of health problems and had not completed a concert tour in the 12 years prior to his death.

In 1978 Quincy Jones produced the classic solo album Off The Wall, which went on to sell 10m copies, and spawned hit singles Don't Stop Til You Get Enough and Rock With You.

It was in 1978 that Michael released the album, Thriller, with its ground-breaking video clips. The Guinness Book of World Records records it as having sold 65m copies. Seven of its nine tracks make the charts.

And an x-rated promo video of the title track was directed by John Landis and saw the singer transform into a zombie and 'werecat'.

In the 1980s his business acumen was highlighted by his securing of the publishing rights to the Beatles' back catalogue for $47.5m.

The 80s also saw his Bad album selling more than 30m.

The 1990s brought the album Dangerous and his revelations on TV that he was bullied by his father, had plastic surgery twice, and suffered a disorder that destroys the pigmentation of his skin.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.

The 1990s also saw him marry nurse Debbie Rowe, then pregnant with his child, Prince Michael. They also had a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine, but divorced in 1999. He was also survived by a third child, Prince Michael II.