Jackson Beat It To The Top With Hits

This story originally aired June 26, 2009.

Michael Jackson had a tumultuous life, beginning with his childhood at home and ending with public accusations and controversy. But he will always be remembered for the legendary music he created, including 13 number one hits.

Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith said Friday that the world was first introduced to the sweet sound of Jackson's voice in the late 1960s with his four brothers, with hits like "ABC," "I'll Be There," and "Who's Loving You."

"He was just this galvanizing young performer," Anthony DeCurtis, a contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine, told CBS News, "he here was this 12-year-old kid skating across the floor who had this great voice."

Jackson exposed a new generation to the Motown legacy, and there were no questions about Jackson's talent when he released the album "Off the Wall" in 1979.

"From being this child star, he suddenly was this young adult in full command of his talents," DeCurtis said. "It was sleek, it was aware of things like disco, it was aware of the history of black pop music, but at the same time it seemed immediate, contemporary and fun."

In 1982, Jackson released "Thriller," which earned him the title "King of Pop" with several hit songs such as "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."

"['Thriller''s] impact was total," DeCurtis said. "It made Michael a superstar on a scale that really almost no one else has ever experienced."

"Thriller" also revolutionized the music video, Smith said, taking the art to new heights.

"Michael was one of the first artists to really take video seriously," DeCurtis said. "He took his videos as seriously as he took the music he was putting on his album."

In 1987, "Bad" produced even more unforgettable hits, including "Man in the Mirror" and "Smooth Criminal."

Smith said Jackson's passing will bring a new generation of fans to his music, and for others, it's a time to remember why Jackson will always be "The King of Pop."