1. Child prodigy

1964: Michael Jackson’s career began at the age of six when he teamed up with his four siblings to tour the down-at-heel clubs of the American Midwest. Calling themselves the Jackson 5, they were soon discovered by Motown and enjoyed a string of hits. The group set a chart record when its first four singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There) all peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. But it was the young Michael that came to the fore, earning the attention of the press, with Rolling Stone identifying him as an overwhelmingly gifted prodigy.

2. Going solo

1972: Off the back of the group’s success, Jackson began to forge a sole career releasing four successful albums with Motown, including Got to Be There and Ben.

3. Film role in The Wiz

1978: Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz, alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor.

4. First nose job (and the rest!)

1979: After breaking his nose dancing, Jackson underwent rhinoplasty surgery – the first in what would become a string of nose jobs.

5. Off the Wall

1979: During the filming of Wiz, Jackson met Quincy Jones who had arranged the musical scores. Jones agreed to produce Jackson’s next solo album, Off the Wall. Other contributors to the album included Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. It was the first album to generate four US top 10 hits, including the Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and Rock with You, with Off the Wall reaching number three on the US’s Billboard 200 and selling over 15 million copies worldwide.

5. Song for ET

1982: Jackson’s song Someone In the Dark for the film ET won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children.

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