Michael Jackson, a singing sensation who was known not only for his chart-topping songs such as “Billie Jean”, “Thriller” and “Beat It” but also for his electric dance moves, died Thursday.  He was 50 years old.

Jackson was taken to UCLA Medical Center after collapsing from a cardiac arrest at his home in Holmby Hills, according to brother Randy Jackson.  The police responded to a 911 call around noon.  According to anther brother Jermaine Jackson, multiple doctors tried to resuscitate the pop icon for an hour, but weren’t successful.  An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Popularly known as the “King of Pop” and for doing the moonwalk, Michael Jackson burst onto the entertainment scene as the lead singer of the Jackson 5.  He didn’t start out as the main attraction.  His father Joseph Jackson originally made him sing backup, but at the ripe old age of eight, Jackson and brother Jermaine became lead vocalists.  The band started out in 1964 as something Jackson, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, and Marlon did for fun and for talent shows.  Two years later, they began winning competitions and became so popular, they signed with Motown Records in 1968.  The band made several records.  Their first four singles, “I’ll Be There”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save” and “I Want You Back” were number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Jackson slowly started building his solo career in 1972, releasing the first of four solo albums with Motown Records but with little mainstream success. Famed music producer Quincy Jones helped Jackson find his first triumph as a solo artist with the 1979 release of Off the Wall, Jackson’s first platinum album.  Despite the success, Jackson continued performing with the Jackson 5 until 1984 when he chose to pursue a solo career exclusively. 

In 1982, Jackson released perhaps his most successful album, Thriller. The critically acclaimed record has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, far and away the best-selling album in music history. Thriller contained three of Jackson’s most famous songs, “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and the titular “Thriller.” One year later, in December of 1983, Jackson released a revolutionary music video for “Thriller.” The nearly 14-minute long video is recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as the best-selling music video of all time, having sold nine million units.
But just one month later in January 1984, Jackson suffered a major setback while filming a commercial for Pepsi Cola. The ad simulated a live concert, during which Jackson’s hair and scalp were severely burned by show pyrotechnics. Jackson sued and donated the settlement he received to a burn center founded by Jackson himself. 

One of the most discussed aspects of Jackson’s life was his changing appearance. During the 1980’s, Jackson was diagnosed with vitilgo, a rare condition which caused Jackson’s skin pigmentation to lighten significantly. Jackson revealed he suffered from vitilgo in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, bringing exposure to a previously little-known disorder. He also received numerous plastic surgeries during his lifetime, including several rhinoplasties.

As the 80’s ended and the 90’s began, Jackson shifted more and more of his focus into philanthropic work. In 1988, he built Neverland Ranch, an entertainment complex including a theme park, zoo, and movie theatre, on 2,700 acres of land near Santa Ynez, California. Jackson would later use the ranch to entertain under-privileged children as part of the efforts of his charity, the Heal the World Foundation. Jackson was also an outspoken voice for the cause of HIV/AIDS, publicly pleading with the Clinton Administration to donate more to fund HIV/AIDS charities and research.

The King of Pop won 13 Grammys and was given the Living Legends Award in 1993 at the 35th Annual Grammys.  Six of his albums, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, Invincible, Off the Wall, and HIStory went platinum.

Jackson was born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph and Katherine Jackson.  He was the seventh of nine children.  He had five brothers and three sisters, including famous pop star Janet Jackson. Jackson is survived by three children, Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 6.