Little Michael's huge voice leads the funky family band (Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine) during a 1969 TV performance. "Want You Back" wasn't just one of their biggest hits, now it's also how we all feel about Michael.
The pop icons brought a jolt of electricity and gallons of glam to the 1991 Oscars afterparty at Spago.
Michael and sister Janet bask in the Grammy glow backstage at awards show in 1993. Over the years, Michael won a total of 13 Grammys, while Janet earned 5.
Giving his all onstage was a given for the charismatic star, seen here rocking the World Music Awards in 2006 at Earls Court in London.
In March 2009, the singer announced he was launching a massive concert undertaking: a two-month residency at London's O2 Arena. But the triumphant announcement led to lawsuits about whether this conflicted with a planned Jackson Family reunion tour. In the end, it was not to be.
Seen here with his brothers in 1978, Michael would step out on his own the following year with his Off the Wall album.
The pop star and the young Blue Lagoon star stepped out on the town in the 1980s.
Seen here at an afterparty for the 1991 Academy Awards, these two powerful pop stars were at the height of their fame.
Two iconic families united when the King of Pop wedded the daughter of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Lisa Marie Presley—and sealed the union with a very public kiss at the 1994 MTV Video Music awards. Alas, the marriage didn't take.
Two icons, one friendship: This megafamous pair understood the world of celebrity in ways most people could not. Elizabeth Taylor was "devastated" by his death.
Jackson surprised many when he wed Debbie Rowe, a woman who had worked in his dermatologist's office. The couple had two children together before divorcing in 1999.
When the megastar stepped out with his children, he was sure to keep them covered up.
At the height of his fame, Jackson was one of the most dynamic performers the world has ever seen.
Famously friends with Macaulay Culkin when the tyke was starring in the Home Alone films, Jackson and his pal were still in contact in 2001 at Madison Square Garden.
Looking to reassert his position at the top of the pop heap, Jackson promoted his Invincible album in New York City in 2001.
Jackson and Britney Spears met up at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002.
Jackson teamed with fellow song and dance legend James Brown at the BET Awards in 2003.
Seen here with his dad Joe, Michael appeared at a Santa Barbara courthouse in 2005 during his trial on child-molestation charges.
Two days before his untimely death in 2009, the singer worked on his arena moves at Staples Center in L.A. in preparation for his planned shows in London to kick off his tour.