Eleven years ago today (June 25th), Michael Jackson died at age 50 of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, after suffering from cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, Michael was preparing for his comeback tour at London's 02 Arena.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. At age 9, MJ and his brothers — who went by The Jackson Five signed a record deal with Motown. They rose to fame in 1969 with their hit “I Want You Back.” The song entered Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 90. It hit number one on January 31, 1970. The group's album Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, spawned the hits “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I'll Be There.” Between 1972-1975, MJ also recorded four solo albums with Motown, producing hits like “Got to Be There”, “Ben”, and a remake of Bobby Day's “Rockin' Robin.”
In June 1975, the group left Motown Records and signed to Epic Records. After changing their name to The Jacksons in 1976, the group released three albums on the label, The Jacksons, Goin' Places and Destiny. They scored top ten hits with “Enjoy Yourself” and “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).”