In which year did Michael Jackson start his solo career? Michael Jackson began his solo career in 1971.
His first solo single, "Got to Be There," was released by Motown on October 7, 1971, while he was still performing with the Jackson 5. Jackson was only 13, so his early solo work developed alongside the group's continuing success rather than replacing it immediately.
The album Got to Be There followed in January 1972 and included the title track, "Rockin' Robin," and "Ain't No Sunshine." His second solo album, Ben, arrived in 1972 and became an even larger success; its title song gave him his first solo number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Many people associate Jackson's solo superstardom with Off the Wall in 1979 or Thriller in 1982. Those albums marked his adult breakthrough and worldwide dominance, but they were several years after his solo career had already begun. The year 1971 refers to the first solo single, while the debut solo album itself was released in 1972.