Michael Jackson was an American singer and dancer who was known as the King of Pop. He was born in 1958 in Indiana and began his music career in the 1970s as the lead singer of The Jackson 5. Some of his most popular songs included "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Thriller". Though controversial at times due to changing appearances and relationships, Jackson had immense success and won numerous music awards. He passed away in 2009 from cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles.