Michael Jackson on stage during his HIStory concert tour in New York, 1997.
Below are the principal dates in the life of pop star Michael Jackson, 50, who has died in Los Angeles after suffering a cardiac arrest.
August 29, 1958: born in Gary, Indiana
August 1962: singing debut with his brothers, The Jackson Five
March 1969: first Jackson Five contract with Tamla Motown, Detroit's black-owned record label. Michael's voice propels the group onto the hit parade with ABC and I'll Be There
1970: launch of solo career alongside that of the Jackson Five
August 1979: release of Off The Wall album, produced by Quincy Jones, which sold 11 million copies
December 1982: release of Thriller album, whose seven hits included Billie Jean and Beat It, pushing sales to 50 million copies worldwide
1984: Jackson's face gets burnt during filming for a Pepsi ad
1985: buys ATV Music - a company with rights to John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs - for $US47.5 million
1985: Jackson writes We Are The World, which benefited the fight against hunger in Africa
1987: release of Bad, which sold 26 million copies and marked the end of his collaboration with Quincy Jones
1988: his autobiography Moonwalk comes out
1990: Michael Jackson is seen for the first time wearing a surgical mask in public
1992: release of Dangerous, which sold 22 million copies
August 1993: a father accuses Jackson of molesting his 13-year-old son, but settles out of court
May 1994-February 1996: marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis
June 1995: release of HIStory album
November 1996-October 1999: marriage to Debbie Rowe, a 37-year-old nurse with whom he has two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine
October 2001: release of Invincible
July 2002: Jackson accuses record labels of exploiting artists, especially African-Americans
November 19, 2002: scandal after Jackson dangles his third son, nine-month-old Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony
January 31, 2003: Sotheby's auction house sues for non-payment of $US1.7 million for two paintings
February 3: in documentary Living with Michael Jackson broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed
February: the singer's manager brings a $US13 million lawsuit for back salary, which is settled out of court in June
November 18: police raid Jackson's Neverland ranch in California as Number Ones album is released
November 19: warrant issued for Jackson's arrest on several counts of child molestation
November 20: Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail
December 18: he is formally charged with child molestation
January 16, 2004: Jackson pleads not guilty during his first appearance amid a media circus
January 31, 2005: Jackson trial begins with jury selection
February 28, 2005: Opening arguments begin in trial
June 4, 2005: Jurors begin considering their verdict
June 13, 2005: Jackson acquitted on all charges against him
March 5, 2009: Jackson announces series of comeback concerts in London - billed as the "final curtain" - his first major shows for more than a decade
May 20, 2009: Jackson delays comeback shows. Concert organisers say singer's health is "fantastic"
June 25, 2009: Jackson reported dead in Los Angeles after suffering cardiac arrest
