Michael Jackson
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Author: Matthew Rolston; Distributed by Epic Records | License: Public domain
Biography
Where Was Michael Jackson Born?
Michael Jackson was born on August the 29th, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, a city on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in the American Midwest, near Chicago.
Gary was established as an industrial steel town in the early 20th century and remained a proletarian, working-class community during Jackson’s birth and upbringing.
Early Life and Family Background
Michael Joseph Jackson was the eighth of ten children born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson.
His father, Joe Jackson, worked as a crane operator and welder at the U.S. Steel Company and previously played guitar in a local rhythm and blues band.
His mother, Katherine Jackson (née Scruse), played clarinet and piano, worked part-time at Sears, and raised their large family in a modest household.
The Jackson family indeed lived in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street (the street is named after President Andrew Jackson) in Gary while raising their children.
Michael Jackson’s Childhood Home and Community
The Jackson family home on Jackson Street became a central location in Michael’s early life. Surrounded by his nine siblings, the house was small but filled with music and practice that would shape his later career.
The city of Gary remains associated with Jackson’s legacy; the family house has been maintained, and fans often visit the location on anniversaries of his birth.
First Musical Steps in Gary
Michael’s musical talent emerged early. By the early 1960s, he and his brothers were performing together - first in local talent shows and community events before gaining wider attention.
One of the earliest music venues connected with the family’s rise is Mister Lucky’s Lounge in Gary (located at 1100 Grant Street), where The Jackson 5 (with young Michael as a key performer) played their first public performances in 1964.
From Gary to National Success
In 1968, the group signed with Motown Records, launching a series of hit songs that brought national attention to the family and to Michael as lead singer.
Shortly afterward, the family moved from Gary to California to pursue broader opportunities in music and entertainment.
Legacy and Commemoration in Gary
Fans continue to honour Michael’s memory in Gary, especially at the family’s childhood home where annual remembrances and informal gatherings take place on his birthday and other significant dates.
Although not officially designated as a major historic site by national authorities, the house and nearby locations such as Mister Lucky’s Lounge are regarded locally as cultural landmarks for visitors interested in the origins of the “King of Pop.”
References
Notable Works
Off the Wall (1979)
Thriller (1982)
Bad (1987)
Dangerous (1991)
Museums & Memorials
Michael Jackson Family Home: 2300 Jackson St, Gary, IN, USA. Visit website
📍 Birthplace Location
Also born in Indiana
Born on this day
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