King of Pop: 1958 - 2009
Updated on 26 June 2009
He was the child star who became a global icon. Yet, in recent years, he was a frail and eccentric figure.
The singer was a child star by the age of nine with his brothers in the Jackson Five and his solo album Thriller - released 25 years ago - is the biggest selling album ever.
Sir Paul McCartney said his music will be remembered forever and described him as "a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul".
Michael Jackson's perpetually bizarre personal life attracted as much attention as his musical talent, from persistent allegations of child abuse to his ever-evolving physical appearance.
Singer Beverley Knight and Kevin Smith, the co-founder of the news and picture agency Splash, discuss the impact made by the king of pop.
