A career of triumphs and turbulence

1972 - Motown begins grooming Jackson for a solo career, and he scores his first number one solo hit with “Ben,’’ an ode to a killer rat from the films “Ben’’ and “Willard.’’

1977 - Jackson costars with Diana Ross in the film version of “The Wiz,’’ through which he meets his future “Thriller’’ collaborator Quincy Jones.

1979 - After recording the successful album “Destiny’’ with his brothers, Jackson resumes his solo career, recording “Off the Wall’’ with Jones. Disco-influenced soul songs “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’’ and “Rock With You’’ set the stage for “Thriller’’-mania.

1982 - Jackson releases “Thriller.’’ The album spends 37 nonconsecutive weeks at number one, eventually sells more than 100 million copies worldwide, and seven of its nine tracks end up in the top 10.

1983 - As he dominates the pop charts, Jackson helps break racial barriers on MTV with epic videos for “Billie Jean,’’ “Beat It,’’ and the 14-minute “Thriller.’’ On a televised celebration of Motown’s 25th anniversary, Jackson creates a sensation performing the moonwalk dance.

1985 - Jackson co-writes “We Are the World’’ with Lionel Richie for the all-star USA for Africa. The charity single becomes one of the fastest-selling singles at the time.

1987 - Jackson releases “Bad,’’ the follow-up to “Thriller.’’ “Bad’’ is the first album to produce five number one hits. His rapidly changing appearance, brought on by plastic surgery and claims of the skin disorder vitiligo, add fuel to rumors surrounding his personal life.

1991 - Jackson’s “Dangerous’’ album hits number one.

1993 - The singer is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy who was a frequent guest at Jackson’s Neverland ranch in California. He is never charged but two years later pays a settlement to the boy’s family of $18 million to $20 million.

1994 - He marries Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. The marriage lasts 19 months.

1995 - A greatest hits package, “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1,’’ features “Scream,’’ his first duet with sister Janet.

1996 - Jackson marries nurse Debbie Rowe. The couple has two children, Prince Michael Jackson Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.

1999 - Jackson and Rowe divorce.

2002 - Jackson sparks controversy by holding his third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (known as “Blanket’’), over the balcony of a hotel room in Germany. Jackson never revealed the identity of the boy’s mother.

2005 - Jackson is acquitted of charges he molested 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo in 2003.

2009 - Jackson announces ambitious comeback concerts, with 50 dates scheduled at London’s O2 Arena.

CHRISTOPHER MUTHER