Paul alexander nolan biography of michael jackson growing up

Michael Jackson rocketed to the top despite a childhood of extremes. Jackson died Thursday at age 50 after suffering cardiac arrest at his California home.

Growing up, all of the Jackson children were encouraged to study music.

An autopsy is scheduled for today with the results due this afternoon. Log on to ABCNews. Jackson grew up in Gary, Ind. While Katherine Jackson instilled a love of God and an appreciation of country music into her young son, it was Jackson's father Joseph, a guitar-playing steel worker, who was credited with creating the nation's first boy band in the form of the Jackson Five.

On stage, little Michael joined big brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, and by age 8 he was singing lead vocals.

Nine children in a two-bedroom house full of music, grueling work routines and a strict father were the beginnings of one of entertainment’s greatest families.

Two years later, he was taking Motown by storm, prompting Rolling Stone " to call him a prodigy with "overwhelming musical gifts. Jackson was 11 years old when the Jackson Five set a chart record when the group's first four singles peaked at No. The group's popularity even spawned a Jackson Five cartoon. Despite the success and the fame, fear and loneliness lurked behind the smiles and awards.

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