Jackson showed the makings of a great soul artist

As a founder member of the Jackson Five at the age of four, Michael Jackson has spent virtually all of his life in the spotlight.

His first solo release was the ballad Got To Be There, followed by the sugar-soul classic Rockin' Robin, which reached number two in the US charts in 1972.

 Watch Michael Jackson sing Rockin' Robin on Top Of The Pops

1977

He was an immediate hit but put his career on hold when the fortunes of the Jackson Five began to slip.

Under their new name, The Jackson's topped the UK charts with Show You the Way To Go in June 1977. It is the Jackson brothers' only UK No.1.

 Watch The Jacksons sing Show You The Way To Go on Top Of The Pops

November 1998

The offending story, published in June 1992

Jackson settled a libel action against The Mirror newspaper in November 1998 over allegations he had been disfigured by plastic surgery.

The tabloid had claimed that the 40-year-old singer's face had been hideously disfigured by extensive plastic surgery in a quest for perfect looks.

 The BBC's June Kelly reports

February 2001

Jackson founded another charity Heal the World with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Michael Jackson launched his Heal the Kids charity in New York's Carnegie Hall.

He told fans that the charity aimed to put more love in parent-child relationships and change the world children live in.

The superstar was frequently interrupted by shouts of "I love you" and screams from fans, some of whom had travelled from Japan and Europe to see their idol.

 Listen to Michael Jackson in February 2001

February 2001

Jackson received a standing ovation at Oxford

Jackson was greeted by screaming fans as he arrived in central London for the launch of a book by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Uri Geller.

Boteach, who is president of the Heal the Kids charity, joined the superstar in March when he addressed the Oxford Union.

Jackson spoke about balancing love and family and his charity.

It was seen by many as a bold move for Jackson who faced allegations of child abuse in 1993.

 The BBC's Matt Prodger reports

June 2001

Reports say Jackson has recorded more than 50 tracks for the album

The forthcoming album, Invincible, has taken three years and a reported �20m ($28m) to make, but critics are already questioning if Jackson can recapture his glory days.

His last album to contain new material was HIStory in 1995. Around 15 million copies were sold.

Invincible is scheduled for release on 30 October.

 The BBC's Carla Maria Lawson reports