Michael Jackson's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Michael Jackson. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Michael Joseph Jackson, the "King of Pop," was a highly influential American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. His four-decade career broke racial barriers and made him a global icon. He popularized dance moves like the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean, significantly impacting visual performance in popular music. Guinness World Records recognizes him as the most successful entertainer of all time.
August 1967: Apollo Theater Amateur Night Win
In August 1967, while touring the East Coast, the Jackson 5 won a weekly amateur night concert at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, marking a significant milestone in their early career.
1980: Secured Highest Royalty Rate
In 1980, Michael Jackson secured the highest royalty rate in the music industry, receiving 37 percent of wholesale album profit.
1980: Jackson Inducted onto Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1980, Michael Jackson was inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a member of the Jacksons.
1980: Won Three American Music Awards
In 1980, Michael Jackson won three American Music Awards for his solo work, recognizing the success of 'Off the Wall'.
1981: Won Two American Music Awards
In 1981, Michael Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.
May 14, 1984: President Reagan Honors Jackson for Support of Charities
On May 14, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented Michael Jackson with an award recognizing his support for alcohol and drug abuse charities and his involvement with the Ad Council's Drunk Driving Prevention campaign. Jackson also allowed the campaign to use his song "Beat It".
1984: Jackson Honored with Presidential Public Safety Commendation
In 1984, Michael Jackson was honored with a "Presidential Public Safety Commendation" award by Ronald Reagan for his humanitarian endeavors.
1984: Jackson Inducted onto Hollywood Walk of Fame as Solo Artist
In 1984, Michael Jackson was inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a solo artist.
1984: Time Magazine Recognition
In 1984, Time pop critic Jay Cocks wrote that "Jackson is the biggest thing since the Beatles," describing him as a phenomenon across various media and a "one-man rescue team for the music business".
1985: "We Are the World" Release
In 1985, Michael Jackson co-wrote "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie, a charity single that raised $63 million for the poor in the US and Africa.
1987: Bad Album Release
In 1987, Michael Jackson's highly anticipated album Bad was released.
1988: Fisk University Honored Jackson with Honorary Doctorate
In 1988, Fisk University honored Michael Jackson with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
1988: Jackson Received MTV Video Vanguard Award
In 1988, Michael Jackson received the MTV Video Vanguard Award, later renamed in his honor in 2001.
1988: Bad Album Success
In 1988, Michael Jackson's Bad album was the bestselling album worldwide.
1989: King of Pop
In 1989, Elizabeth Taylor called Jackson "the true king of pop, rock and soul."
1989: American Music Award
In 1989, Jackson won an Award of Achievement at the American Music Awards after Bad generated five number-one singles.
1989: "Leave Me Alone" Video Wins Golden Lion Award
In 1989, Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone" video, though not officially released in the US, was nominated for three Billboard Music Video Awards and won a Golden Lion Award for its special effects.
1990: Grammy Award
In 1990, Bad won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Short Form for "Leave Me Alone".
1990: Jackson Honored as Artist of the Decade
In 1990, Michael Jackson was honored as the "Artist of the Decade" by George H. W. Bush.
1990: Artist of the Decade
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush designated Michael Jackson as the White House's "Artist of the Decade".
1992: Jackson Honored as Point of Light Ambassador
In 1992, Michael Jackson was honored as a "Point of Light Ambassador" by George H. W. Bush for inviting disadvantaged children to his Neverland Ranch.
1992: Jackson Invested as Titular King of Sanwi
In 1992, Michael Jackson was invested as a titular king of Sanwi, a traditional kingdom in the Ivory Coast.
1992: Dangerous album tops charts
In 1992, Michael Jackson's album Dangerous was the best-selling album of the year worldwide, and "Black or White" was the best-selling single of the year worldwide at the Billboard Music Awards.
January 1993: American Music Awards
In January 1993, Michael Jackson won three American Music Awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Dangerous, Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Remember the Time", and the International Artist Award of Excellence.
1995: "You Are Not Alone" Grammy Nomination
In 1995, Michael Jackson's song "You Are Not Alone" received a Grammy nomination for "Best Pop Vocal Performance".
1997: Jackson 5 Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1997, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1997: Earth Song Video Nominated for Grammy
In 1997, Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" video was nominated for the Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.
1999: Jackson 5 Inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
In 1999, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
2000: Guinness World Records Recognition
In 2000, Michael Jackson was recognized by Guinness World Records for his extensive support of 39 charities, more than any other entertainer.
2001: Jackson Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as Solo Artist
In 2001, Michael Jackson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
2001: MTV Video Vanguard Award Renamed in Jackson's Honor
In 2001, the MTV Video Vanguard Award was renamed in honor of Michael Jackson, recognizing his significant impact on music videos.
January 9, 2002: American Music Award
On January 9, 2002, Michael Jackson received his 22nd American Music Award for Artist of the Century.
2002: Jackson Added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2002, Michael Jackson was added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
2002: "You Rock My World" Wins NAACP Image Award
In 2002, Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World" video won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video.
October 2003: Key to the City of Las Vegas
In October 2003, Michael Jackson received the Key to the City of Las Vegas from Mayor Oscar Goodman.
2003: The Daily Telegraph Writer Tom Utley described Jackson as a "genius"
In 2003, The Daily Telegraph writer Tom Utley described Jackson as "extremely important" and a "genius", solidifying his legacy as a musical innovator and icon.
June 13, 2005: Acquittal on All Charges
On June 13, 2005, Michael Jackson was acquitted on all counts of child molestation in the People v. Jackson trial.
2005: Acquittal of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations
In 2005, Michael Jackson was tried and acquitted of child sexual abuse allegations and all other charges.
2006: Most Famous Person in the World
In 2006, Craig Glenday, the Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records, called Michael Jackson the most famous person in the world, recognizing his global impact.
2009: Posthumous Awards and Record Sales
In 2009, Michael Jackson posthumously won four American Music Awards. In the year following his death, Jackson sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, surpassing any other artist in 2009, and became the first artist to sell one million music downloads in a week.
2010: Jackson Inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame
In 2010, Michael Jackson was the first recording artist to be inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame.
2013: Top-Earning Dead Celebrity
Forbes recognized Michael Jackson as one of the top-earning dead celebrities, and placed him at the top spot from 2013 to 2023.
2014: Top-Ten Single in Five Decades
In 2014, Michael Jackson became the first artist to have a top-ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades, showcasing his enduring appeal.
2014: Jackson Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
In 2014, Michael Jackson was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
2018: National Portrait Gallery named Jackson the most depicted cultural figure of the century
In 2018, the National Portrait Gallery named Michael Jackson the most depicted cultural figure of the century, later suggesting his artistic influence rivaled that of Jesus Christ. Nicholas Cullinan highlighted Jackson's unprecedented impact on art.
2019: Countering Claims and Increased Album Sales
In 2019, after the release of "Leaving Neverland", documentaries presented information countering the claims, and Michael Jackson's album sales increased.
2021: Jackson Inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
In 2021, Michael Jackson was among the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
2021: Tax Court Ruling
In 2021, the Tax Court issued a ruling in favor of Michael Jackson's estate, stating the estate's total combined value was $111.5 million and the value of Jackson's name and likeness was $4 million.
2023: Top-Earning Dead Celebrity
Forbes recognized Michael Jackson as one of the top-earning dead celebrities, and placed him at the top spot from 2013 to 2023.
