Jackson won 13 Grammys, 8 for 'Thriller'

LOS ANGELES, June 25 (UPI) -- Pop music icon Michael Jackson, who died Thursday in Los Angeles, was a 13-time Grammy Award winner whose 1983 album "Thriller" broke global sales records.

"Thriller," on which Jackson collaborated with producer Quincy Jones, won eight Grammys, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Producer of the year for Jackson and Jones. The album was No. 1 on Billboard for 37 weeks and featured seven Top 10 hit singles.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Recording Academy President and Executive Officer Neil Portnow in a statement. "He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."

Portnow said Jackson's career "transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories."

Jackson -- who was 50 when he suffered cardiac arrest at his house and was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center -- won his first Grammy in 1980 when the Recording Academy honored him with the prize for best R&B male vocal performance for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" from the "Off the Wall" album.

Jackson won vocal performance Grammys for "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller."

A documentary about his landmark "Thriller" video won a Grammy for best video album.

Jackson and Lionel Richie won a Song of the Year Grammy in 1986 for "We Are the World."