November 26, 1991: Jackson releases Dangerous
The singer's repeatedly delayed eighth solo collection is the first in a new six-album deal with Sony. Lead single ''Black Or White'' features guitar playing from Slash and an accompanying clip that stars Jackson and Macaulay Culkin. The album will be certified platinum seven times.
January 31, 1993: Super Bowl half-time show
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 52-17 at Super Bowl XXVII, which is held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. But Jackson fans are more interested in the half-time show, which sees the singer perform ''Billie Jean'' and ''Heal The World'' on a ten-ton stage.
February 10, 1993: Oprah interview
ABC airs a primetime special in which Oprah Winfrey interviews the singer at Neverland and quizzes the King of Pop about the way his facial structure and skin color have changed over time. Jackson admits to having had a nose job but claims that he suffers from ''a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of my skin.''
1993: Jackson is sued for child abuse
On August 17, Los Angeles police announce the singer is the target of a criminal investigation. The next month, a 13-year-old boy files civil suit against Jackson, accusing him of sexual battery. On November 12, Jackson announces he is canceling the remainder of the Dangerous tour because he has become addicted to pain killers as a result of the stress caused by the allegations. Jackson resolves the civil suit in January, 1994, by reportedly paying a settlement of $20 million. Jackson's attorney Johnnie Cochran says that the settlement ''is in no way an admission of guilt.''
May 26, 1994: Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley
In early August, Lisa Marie Presley issues a statement confirming rumors that she married Jackson eleven weeks before. The daughter of Elvis Presley also says that she intends to ''dedicate my life'' to being Jackson's wife. But on January 19, 1996, Presley's publicist announces that she is filing for divorce.
June 20, 1995: Jackson releases HIStory
The full title of this two-disc set: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The lead single is ''Scream,'' a duet with his sister Janet. The accompanying clip is directed by Mark Romanek. ''My mother visited the set, and Michael immediately charmed her, asking her to hold his jacket while he filmed, giving her a warm hug and kiss as he left the set each day,'' says Romanek. ''My mom felt like she had a new best friend. The chance to experience the phenomenon of his gift from only a few feet away was the treat of a lifetime. Over those ten days of filming, I felt like I had the single greatest job in the world. And I think, perhaps, I actually did.''
November 14, 1996: Jackson marries Debbie Rowe
Following a show in Sydney, Jackson marries Debbie Rowe, a nurse. Jackson's new wife gives birth to a boy on February 14, 1997. The singer names him Prince Michael Jackson Jr. The couple have a daughter named Paris Michael Katherine on April 3 1998. Rowe will file for divorce in October of the next year. ''I got to see him a lot with Paris and Prince,'' says Bayer Sager. ''I just want to say that he was a wonderful father. His concern for them and his love for them — cutting their food, and things people don't talk about. I just want to go on record saying that I saw him as a good father. I think that's important with all the other stuff that has been around.''
September 7 and 10, 2001: 30th anniversary shows
Jackson hosts a brace of shows at Madison Square Garden to mark three decades as a solo performer and promote his forthcoming album, Invincible. The concerts feature performances by Jackson, Britney Spears, and 'N Sync, among others. However, the massively expensive Invincible sells a disappointing 2 million copies in the U.S. ''One of the more fun things that happened that weekend was just spending some down time with the guy,'' recalls 'N Sync's JC Chasez. ''He had a million things to do, but he was so gracious and took the time to talk.''
November 19, 2002: Jackson dangles his son off of a balcony
The singer provokes widespread outrage after risking the life of his third child, Prince Michael II (known, for some reason, as Blanket), when he lifts him up over a fourth-floor balcony in Berlin so fans can see the infant.
February 6, 2003: ABC broadcasts Living with Michael Jackson
27 million viewers watch the Martin Bashir-fronted documentary, during which Jackson unwisely admits to having ''slept in a bed with many children.''
2005: Jackson is tried for child molestation
On November 18, 2003, police issue warrants for Jackson's arrest on several counts of child molestation. Jackson pleads not guilty, and on June 13 2005, a jury acquits the star. But his reputation never recovers from this second round of accusations.
August 2005: Jackson relocates to the Middle East
After being cleared of the child-abuse charges, the singer heads to Dubai, where he will spend much of the following year.
April 2007: Plotting a comeback
It is announced that Jackson has signed a recording agreement with 2 Seas Records, which is owned by Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the king of Bahrain. In a statement, the singer says that he is ''incredibly excited about my new venture and I am enjoying being back in the studio making music.'' Jackson records tracks — still unreleased — with both the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and Akon. ''He wanted to change the world with this new album,'' says Akon. ''I'm not sure how close the album was to being done, but he was doing a lot of recording. So I don't think he was too far away from it.''
February 12, 2008: Reissue of Thriller
Jackson re-releases his classic album in a deluxe version that features remixes by Kanye West and will.i.am, along with a new version of ''Wanna Be Startin' Somethin''' that features Akon. ''It was one of my favorite records, that's why I chose to do it,'' says Akon. ''He gave me 100 percent control. He said, 'Listen Akon, I want you to do this record like it was yours. Pretend I never had this record.' And that's exactly what I did. He didn't change a single note. He heard it and he loved it. He's probably the easiest artist I've ever worked with.''
2003-2009: Financial problems
Jackson suffers a number of financial crises following his trial. Indeed, during the trial itself a forensic accountant had testified that he was spending $20-30 million a year more than he earned. In 2008, he almost loses Neverland but is bailed out by the investment firm Colony Capital. In April 2009 he cancels an auction of belongings including a Rolls Royce limousine. After Jackson's death it will be reported that he may have been $400 million in debt.
March 5, 2009: Jackson announces London dates
At a press conference Jackson reveals that he is to play a series of shows at London's 02 venue starting in July. He describes the dates as his ''final curtain call.'' ''I was looking forward to getting to L.A. and checking out the rehearsals,'' says Akon. ''He was always saying, 'It's gonna be so big, I can't wait to get back on stage again'.''
June 25, 2009: The end
Jackson collapses and is rushed from his house in Holmby Hills to UCLA Medical Center, where he is declared dead. ''It's not even real to me right now,'' says Akon. ''I'm still thinking this is a big prank and he's gonna come up and get on TV and be like, 'April Fools!' I just don't believe it.'' ''I guarantee you right now there's a concert going on up in heaven with Michael Jackson, Jackie Wilson, and James Brown,'' says ex-CBS executive Ron Alexenburg. ''And though I wouldn't like to attend it right now, later on in my life, I think that will be a pretty good concert.''
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