Jackson’s 5Top groundbreaking moments

Some of the greatest events in the career of the ‘King of Pop’

‘Motown 25’ performance

Bettmann / Corbis

When “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,” a televised special celebrating Motown Records’ 25th anniversary, aired in 1983, viewers had no expectation of the pivotal pop-culture moment in store for them. The broadcast drew millions eager to see performances by Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, as well as the highly anticipated reunions of label legends The Supremes, The Miracles and the Jackson 5. But in the end, it was Michael Jackson’s solo spot that stole the show. It was the night the future “King of Pop,” sporting a single white glove, first lip-synched to the soon-to-be megahit “Billie Jean” and debuted his jaw-dropping moonwalk moves.

The release of ‘Thriller’
In November of 1982, Michael Jackson released what became the best-selling album of all time, “Thriller.” For the 24-year-old, “Thriller” proved a career-defining accomplishment. The seven singles that reached Billboard’s top 10 (some simultaneously) and the landmark music videos that accompanied them catapulted Jackson from famed singer to pop icon. But the phenomenon now known as “Thriller-mania” went beyond Jackson and his personal Grammy-sweeping success — it was a transitional moment in the history of pop music. The album’s fusion of pop, rock, funk, dance and R&B inspired countless acts and created a new musical direction in the post-disco/post-punk era.

Henry Diltz / Corbis

Redefining the frontman
By the time the Jackson 5 released their first chart-topping singles (including, “ABC,” “I’ll Be There” and “The Love You Save”) in 1970, the group’s 11-year-old centerpiece was already a veteran frontman. Michael Jackson began performing with his brothers (Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon) at the age of 6 and took over lead vocals three years before the act even landed on the Motown map. What made Jackson’s leading role unique wasn’t just his age — it was the fact that the child singer was no mere novelty act or in-name-only frontman. Performing along his siblings, Jackson stood out and packed enough preternatural talent and charisma to solidly lead the group.

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Rusty Kennedy / AP

The Super Bowl XXVII halftime show
The powers that be behind the annual Super Bowl halftime show decided to forgo the requisite ensemble tributes to Hollywood and cheesy Up With People routines in 1993 and instead selected a single star big enough to carry the show on his own. Thus Michael Jackson took over the helm of the Super Bowl XXVII halftime event, delivering one of the most memorable performances of his career and making halftime history. Jackson, with the help of a few backup dancers, fireworks and wind machines, mesmerized viewers with a medley of his hits. As a result, the sideshow overshadowed the main event, earning higher ratings than the game itself.

Mark J. Terrill / AP file

Creating Neverland
Long before Michael Jackson earned more money than he knew what to do with, past superstars Liberace and Elvis Presley showed the world the ropes of celebrity excess. But no amount of piano-shaped pools or jungle rooms could compete with what Jackson’s massive fortune and eccentric taste allowed. In 1988, the “King of Pop” took up residence in the custom-built, Peter Pan-inspired Neverland Ranch. The nearly 3,000-acre Southern California property functioned as home, private zoo and full-featured amusement park to Jackson. Though mounting debt and millions in annual upkeep eventually forced the late legend to part with his massive estate, for almost two decades it stood as the ultimate emblem of celebrity indulgence.

(source:-msnbc.msn.com)

Live Vote Which was the greatest Michael Jackson moment? * 1891 responses "Motown 25" performance 26% The release of "Thriller" 27% Redefining the frontman 0.6% The Super Bowl XXVII halftime show 2.8% Creating Neverland 0.5% The Jackson 5 reunion 0.6% 1984's Grammy sweep 3.2% Starring in Disney's "Captain EO" 0.5% Purchasing the Beatles catalog 1.4% The "Thriller" video 27% His film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz" 0.7% The release of "Off the Wall" 1.4% Duets with Paul McCartney 0.8% His first solo single, "Ben" 1.3% Co-writing and performing "We Are the World" 3.8% Creating the Heal the World foundation 2.4%