History Hub
Michael Jackson: a full career chronology
This page brings together the historical side of the site. Below is a 46-entry chronology from 1958 to today, a table of the six solo eras, and links to our timeline, discography and tour chronology.
By Jordan Hale · Dates are checked against Billboard, the Recording Academy, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Library of Congress and contemporary press coverage. Where accounts differ, we say so.
Explore the history
Era timeline
The key moments of each of the six solo eras, with citations.
Discography
Every solo studio album with release dates, producers and singles.
Tour chronology
Every major tour from the Jacksons' Triumph Tour to This Is It, leg by leg.
Era guides
Long-form guides to Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible.
Sourced facts
Chart records, awards and firsts, each with a source.
Articles
In-depth pieces on songs, videos, performances and the people behind them.
The six solo eras at a glance
| Era | Years | Main producers | Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off the Wall | 1979 – 1982 | Quincy Jones | Triumph Tour (with the Jacksons, 1981) |
| Thriller | 1982 – 1987 | Quincy Jones | Victory Tour (with the Jacksons, 1984) |
| Bad | 1987 – 1991 | Quincy Jones | Bad World Tour (1987 – 1989) |
| Dangerous | 1991 – 1995 | Teddy Riley, Bill Bottrell, Bryan Loren | Dangerous World Tour (1992 – 1993) |
| HIStory | 1995 – 2001 | Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, R. Kelly, David Foster and others | HIStory World Tour (1996 – 1997) |
| Invincible | 2001 – 2009 | Rodney Jerkins, Teddy Riley and others | No tour; This Is It planned for 2009 |
Era years are our editorial grouping, running from each album's release to the next.
Chronology
1958 – 1969: Gary, Indiana to Motown
A family group from a steel town becomes Motown's newest act.
August 29, 1958
Born in Gary, Indiana
Michael Joseph Jackson is born, the eighth of ten children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson.
Mid-1960s
Joins his brothers' group
Michael joins Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon in the group that becomes the Jackson 5, playing talent shows and clubs across the Midwest.
1967 – 1968
First recordings
The group records singles for the small Gary label Steeltown Records, including Big Boy.
1968 – 1969
Motown audition and contract
The Jackson 5 audition for Motown in 1968 and sign with the label in 1969; the family relocates to Los Angeles.
October 1969
I Want You Back released
The group's first Motown single, written and produced by the Corporation.
1970 – 1979: Child star to adult artist
Four straight number ones, a first solo career, a label move, and Off the Wall.
1970
Four number ones in a row
I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There all reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
1971 – 1972
Solo career begins
Got to Be There is Michael's first solo single and album. In October 1972 Ben becomes his first solo Hot 100 number one.
1975 – 1976
Leaving Motown
The brothers (without Jermaine, with Randy) sign to Epic Records and perform as the Jacksons, because Motown owns the Jackson 5 name.
October 1978
The Wiz
Michael plays the Scarecrow in the film version of The Wiz, where he works with music supervisor Quincy Jones.
August 10, 1979
Off the Wall released
His first adult solo album, produced by Quincy Jones. It becomes the first album by a solo artist with four US top-ten singles.
1980 – 1989: Thriller and Bad
The biggest album in pop history, the moonwalk, and a first solo world tour.
February 1980
First solo Grammy
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough wins Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Summer 1981
Triumph Tour
The Jacksons tour North America; the recordings become The Jacksons Live!
November 30, 1982
Thriller released
Produced by Quincy Jones. It becomes the first album to send seven singles into the Hot 100 top ten and is widely cited as the best-selling album of all time.
March 25, 1983
Motown 25 taping
Michael performs Billie Jean and the moonwalk in Pasadena. NBC broadcasts the special on May 16, 1983.
December 1983
Thriller short film
John Landis's 13-to-14-minute film premieres. In 2009 it becomes the first music video in the National Film Registry.
February 28, 1984
Eight Grammys in one night
A single-night record, later tied by Santana in 2000.
July – December 1984
Victory Tour
The last tour with all six brothers. Michael says he will donate his earnings to charity.
1985
We Are the World and ATV
Michael co-writes We Are the World with Lionel Richie for USA for Africa, and acquires the ATV music publishing catalogue, which includes many Beatles songs.
August 31, 1987
Bad released
His last album with Quincy Jones and the first album to produce five Hot 100 number ones.
September 1987 – January 1989
Bad World Tour
His first solo world tour, including seven nights at Wembley Stadium in 1988.
1988
Moonwalk, Moonwalker and Neverland
He publishes his autobiography Moonwalk, releases the film Moonwalker, and buys the ranch he renames Neverland.
1990 – 1999: Dangerous and HIStory
A new sound with Teddy Riley, a global video premiere, the Super Bowl, and his last full world tour.
November 14, 1991
Black or White premiere
The short film premieres on Fox, MTV and BET and in many other countries on the same night.
November 26, 1991
Dangerous released
His first album without Quincy Jones, and his first to debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
June 1992 – November 1993
Dangerous World Tour
Profits pledged to the Heal the World Foundation, founded in 1992. The tour ends early in Mexico City.
January 31, 1993
Super Bowl XXVII halftime
His performance at the Rose Bowl changes the halftime show into a headline slot for major stars.
February 1993
Grammy Legend Award
He receives the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th Grammy Awards.
June 1995
HIStory released
A double album pairing a greatest-hits disc with fifteen new songs.
September 1995
You Are Not Alone
The first song to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and his last US number one.
December 1995
Earth Song, UK Christmas number one
Six weeks at number one in the UK; not released as a commercial US single.
September 1996 – October 1997
HIStory World Tour
His last full world tour, from Prague to Durban.
1997
Blood on the Dance Floor
A remix album with five new songs; the Jackson 5 are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
June 1999
MJ & Friends concerts
Benefit concerts in Seoul (June 25) and Munich (June 27).
2000 – 2009: Invincible and This Is It
A final studio album, a solo Hall of Fame induction, and a planned return in London.
March 2001
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, again
Inducted as a solo artist, four years after his induction with the Jackson 5.
September 7 and 10, 2001
30th Anniversary concerts
Two concerts at Madison Square Garden, including his last performance with all his brothers.
October 30, 2001
Invincible released
His last studio album released in his lifetime; it debuts at number one on the Billboard 200.
2002
Public dispute with Sony
He criticises Sony Music's promotion of Invincible.
November 2003
Number Ones
A compilation of his biggest hits, with the new song One More Chance.
June 13, 2005
Acquitted
A jury in Santa Maria, California acquits him on all counts.
March 5, 2009
This Is It announced
He announces concerts at London's O2 Arena; the run grows to fifty dates.
June 25, 2009
Passes away in Los Angeles
Michael Jackson passes away at the age of 50. A public memorial is held at the Staples Center on July 7, 2009.
October 2009
This Is It film
Kenny Ortega's film, assembled from rehearsal footage, is released worldwide.
2010 – today: Legacy
Posthumous releases, business decisions by his estate, and new stage and screen projects.
January 2010
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded posthumously by the Recording Academy.
December 2010
Michael
The first posthumous album of previously unreleased material.
May 2014
Xscape
Earlier recordings reworked by contemporary producers, including the hit Love Never Felt So Good.
2016
Sony/ATV stake sold
His estate sells its share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing to Sony for $750 million.
February 2022
MJ on Broadway
The musical MJ opens on Broadway and later wins several Tony Awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Myles Frost.
Tours in brief
- Destiny World Tour and Triumph Tour · The Jacksons · 1979 – 1981
- Victory Tour · The Jacksons · July 6 – December 9, 1984
- Bad World Tour · Michael Jackson · September 12, 1987 – January 27, 1989
- Dangerous World Tour · Michael Jackson · June 27, 1992 – November 11, 1993
- HIStory World Tour · Michael Jackson · September 7, 1996 – October 15, 1997
- Later concerts: 1999 – 2001 · Michael Jackson · June 1999 – September 2001
- This Is It (planned residency) · Michael Jackson · Announced March 5, 2009 · planned July 2009 – March 2010
Sources and notes
- Chart positions: Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 archives.
- Awards: Recording Academy (Grammy) winner database; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee pages.
- Thriller film registry listing: Library of Congress National Film Registry (2009).
- Autobiographical details: Moonwalk (Doubleday, 1988), attributed as his own account.
- Sales, attendance and financial figures are widely reported estimates, not audited totals.
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