Thriller journey comes to an end at 50

Michael Jackson(1958-2009), defined in equal parts as the world's greatest entertainer and perhaps its most enigmatic figure, was about to attempt one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Then his life was cut shockingly short. The 50-year-old musical superstar died on 26 June 2009, just as he was preparing for what would be a series of 50 concerts, starting July 13 at London's famed 02 arena. Jackson had been spending hours and hours toiling with a team of dancers for a performance he and his fans hoped would restore his tarnished legacy to its proper place in pop.

Michael Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in the posh Los Angles neighborhood of Holmes Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a unifier of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His 1982 album, Thriller, which included the blockbuster hits Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller, is the best selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide. Yet after selling more than 61 million albums in the US and having a decade-long attraction open at Disney theme parks, Jackson died reportedly awash in about $400 million in debt, on the cusp of a final comeback after well over a decade of scandal.

Michael Jackson was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters.

Achievements and Awards

• Guiness Book of World Records(Biggest Selling Album of All Time): Michael Jackson's Thriller Album is the biggest selling album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide.


• (Most No1 Hits in 1980's): By the end of 1980's Michael Jackson had more No1 hits than any other artiste for the decade.


• Guiness Book of World Records(Greatest Audience): The highest ever viewership was 133.4 million viewers watching the NBC transmission of Super Bowl XXVII on June 31,1993. Michael was spotlighted during the half-time performance.


• Michael has sold over 100 million singles and albums outside of the US.


• Michael Jackson is the first person in the 37 year history of the Billboard chart to enter straight in at No1, with his single You Are Not Alone. The previous record Earth Song which had debuted at No5.


• Michael Jackson's The Making Of Thriller is the biggest selling video to be released by an artiste.


• Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart: Most No1 Hits by Male Artist(13)


• Michael Jackson's Bad, Dangerous, and History albums all debuted in at No1 on Billboard Chart.


• In 1983 Jackson became the first artist to simultaneously hold the number one spots on Billboard's rock albums and rock singles charts, as well as the R&B albums and singles charts.


• Jackson 5 were the first group to ever have four consecutive No1 singles.


• 2000 World Music Awards: Best Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium.


• Michael Jackson has 13 Grammy Awards in his name.