It's rare that the word "icon" feels like an understatement. But Michael Jackson's death, at 50, puts a cap on one of the most spectacular entertainment careers in memory. From his Motown audition at the age of 9 through his genre-busting videos of the 1980s and 1990s, Jackson was a performer so brilliant even his grim tabloid scandals couldn't eclipse his talent. As painful as it sometimes was to watch his private anguish made public, seeing him in his glory was nothing short of pure joy. Here is a video compilation of some of our favorite moments in his half-century career.
Motown audition, "I Got the Feelin'," 1968
Jackson 5, "I Want You Back," 1971
"Ben," 1972
"Rock With You," 1980
Motown's 25th anniversary, "Billie Jean" (debut of the "Moonwalk"), 1983
"Thriller," 1983
Pepsi commercial, 1984
"Black or White," 1991
"Smooth Criminal," "HIStory Tour," 1996
"Beat It," "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration," 2001
Jackson 5, "Never Can Say Goodbye," 1971
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