Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana), is an African-American singer, dancer, screenwriter, songwriter, philanthropist and record producer. Jackson began his career as the lead singer of Motown act The Jackson 5 in the 1960s and 1970s. After beginning a full-fledged solo career in 1979, Jackson went on to become the most successful solo artist in music history. He is known as the King of Pop, a nickname that Elizabeth Taylor gave him in 1989 during an awards ceremony. One of the most awarded entertainers, Jackson has won many of music industry’s highest honors including 18 Grammy’s and was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 for his solo accomplishments. He has sold about 250 million records worldwide as a solo artist and another estimated 170 million records with The Jackson 5 and The Jacksons. Jackson is also heralded for his humanitarian efforts often giving out to needy children all over the world. However, Jackson’s relationship with children, both his own and others, has been controversial in the past. He has also been dogged by media fascination with his alleged transracially changing physical appearance and what some perceive as an eccentric lifestyle.