A look back at Michael Jackson's life and career

Jackson, at age 12, sings at his home in Encino, Calif.

The Jackson 5, made up of Jackson and his older brothers (from left, Tito, Marlon, Michael, Jackie and Jermaine), perform on the 'Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour' television program in Los Angeles. The group was a fixture on variety shows and even had their own cartoon series.

7. Michael Jackson's Thriller.According to michaeljackson.com, a website run by Sony Music and owned by the Michael Jackson record label, 70 million copies of the album have been sold since its release in 1982. (Source: 24/7 Wall St.)

Jackson performs at Madison Square Garden in 1984 in one of his trademark glittery ensembles.

After the release of 'Thriller,' Jackson won a record-breaking eight Grammy awards, including album of the year. Jackson holds his armful of trophies while producer Quincy Jones clasps his shoulder.

Jackson reunited with his brothers for their 'Victory' tour in the summer of 1984. Here, they perform at Chicago's Comiskey Park.

He followed 'Thriller' up five years later with the album 'Bad.' Jackson performs in support of the album before a sold-out crowd at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Jackson performs during halftime at the 1993 Super Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The singer performs a medley at the 1995 MTV Music Video Awards, sporting shorter hair and a glittery black jacket.

Jackson joins president-elect Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea as well as Diana Ross in singing 'We Are the World' during a pre-inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. Co-written with Lionel Richie in 1985, the song is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Jackson's career was not without controversy and legal difficulties. In 1993 and 2003 he faced allegations of child molestation. The first allegations were settled out of court. Here, he stands on top of his car and gives the victory sign after his arraignment for child molestation in 2004 at the courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif. He was later acquitted of all charges.

In 2009, Jackson announced 'This Is It,' his first major tour since 1997. Jackson died while rehearsals were underway. Video recordings of the rehearsals were turned into a movie of the same name. Here, Jackson rehearses for the tour.

Jackson's death prompted an outpouring of public displays of grief, mourning and celebration, such as this dance led by Matthew Chai, center, outside of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, in New York.

Kiana Enriquez, 5, dressed as Michael, got to place a flower on the pop icon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the day after his death.

A star-studded lineup for a memorial service held the month after his death at the Staples Center in Los Angeles included Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Brooke Shields, Kobe Bryant and Stevie Wonder. Alynette Gladney, 34, of Oxnard, Calif., dressed like Jackson, dances in front of the Staples Center.

Benedict Jones, 28, hugs his sister Deborah Jones, 30, in front of a large screen showing photos of Michael Jackson before a memorial service at the Staples Center.