Michael Jackson: 1958 - 2009

Michael Jackson was just 12 when this picture was taken in May 1971,  but his career was already stratospheric. Berry Gordy had signed the  Jackson 5 to Motown Records in 1968, and Michael and his brothers had  already topped the charts with "ABC" and "I'll Be There." It was a  bright start for the boy from Gary, Ind.

Little boy Michael

Michael Jackson was just 12 when this picture was taken in May 1971, but his career was already stratospheric. Berry Gordy had signed the Jackson 5 to Motown Records in 1968, and Michael and his brothers had already topped the charts with "ABC" and "I'll Be There." It was a bright start for the boy from Gary, Ind.