The excitement that Michael Jackson generated on stage and in his videos continued to push him into a dimension of celebrity status few others had known. And with this new status came many difficulties. Among them were physical injuries that affected his health and challenged his abilities. A fall from a stage during a performance was one injury that befell Michael Jackson. Then, he suffered serious burns in an accident while filming a television commercial in the early 1980s. One result of these and other injuries and physical problems was his admitted dependence on medication for pain control. And, as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated, and details are slowly beginning to emerge, evidence suggests that the heart failure that ended his life on June 26 were in some way related to his reliance upon prescription medications.

When "Thriller" was released in 1982, the album – also produced by master composer and arranger Quincy Jones – a new media genre took shape: the music video. MTV and other music video channels were already showing performances by artists, but the creativity, intense attention to fine details, and overall look and feel ("production values", as they are called in Hollywood) of the "Thriller" videos set new standards. No longer would entertainers be content to stand in front of a camera, and simply sing and play. Michael Jackson's new way of demonstrating his art would revolutionize the way music and video worked together. "Thriller" went on to become be biggest-selling album in music history, and some argument persists regarding just how many million copies were sold. And of course: it is still selling today.

Many of the greatest jazz, R&B, and other pop music producers welcomed the chance to work with Michael Jackson – so admired and respected was this singer and stage performer. Quincy Jones, one of the greatest names in American music, produced Michael's first solo album, "Off the Wall", and the news was out: a new talent had established himself and a permanent presence on the American popular music landscape. Around the world, this album would be a dance-floor favorite, and a fixture of the international discotheque sound-track.

Young Michael's powerhouse of a voice would later be matched with his dazzling moves on stage to make him a singer-dancer with few if any equals. In his early days, the child star's unmistakable voice would make the group's most successful songs endure for more than 40 years. Later in his career, he popularized moves like the "Moonwalk" that quickly became an international fascination and a high point of his performances.

Young Michael and his brothers in The Jackson Five found a kind of popularity that was almost unknown before. Television appearances on the most popular programs like The Ed Sullivan Show, Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand', and other variety shows would launch The Jackson Five into international super-stardom. The group and their music transcended ethnic, economic, and cultural lines in America. They opened the door for many other entertainers to reach new levels of success outside of and beyond their 'traditional' audiences and fan bases.

When Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, was first told about 'an amazing new family singing group' from Indiana, he first reaction was: "When you've seen one family act, you've seen them all." But people who had seen and heard this new rhythm and blues act keep up their campaign, and when Gordy finally listened to his friends, he was an instant fan. He signed The Jackson Five to their first record contract. Gordy, who discovered many other phenomenal talents in the soul and R&B music worlds, could pick winners, and the brothers Jackson were among his greatest discoveries.