7 The 100 Most Influential Musicians of All Time 7

Williams of the hit-making duo The Neptunes. In 2008
she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Michael Jackson

(b. Aug. 29, 1958, Gary, Ind., U.S.—d. June 25, 2009, Los Angeles,
Calif., U.S.)

A

merican singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael
Joseph Jackson was the most popular entertainer in
the world in the early and mid-1980s. Reared in Gary, Ind.,
in one of the most acclaimed musical families of the rock
era, Michael Jackson was the youngest and most talented
of five brothers whom his father, Joseph, shaped into a
dazzling group of child stars known as the Jackson 5. In
addition to Michael, the members of the Jackson 5 (all also
born in Gary) were Jackie Jackson (b. May 4, 1951), Tito
Jackson (b. Oct. 15, 1953), Jermaine Jackson (b. Dec. 11,
1954), and Marlon Jackson (b. March 12, 1957).
Motown Records president Berry Gordy, Jr., was
impressed with the group and signed them in 1969. Sporting
the loudest fashions, the largest Afros, the snappiest cho-
reography, and a youthful, soulful exuberance, the Jackson
5 became an immediate success. They scored four consec-
utive number one pop hits with “I Want You Back,” “ABC,”
“The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There” in 1970. With
Michael topping the pop charts as a solo performer with
“Ben” and reaching number two with “Rockin’ Robin,”
and with the Jackson 5 producing trendsetting dance
tracks such as Dancing Machine, the family’s string of hits
for Motown lasted through 1975. As Michael matured, his
voice changed, family tensions arose, and a contract stand-
off ensued. The group finally broke with Motown, moving
to Epic Records as the Jacksons. Jermaine remained at
Motown as a solo performer and was replaced by his young-
est brother, Randy Jackson (b. Oct. 29, 1961). As a recording