Close Gallery
Zoom Picture

Los Angeles.– Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday.

He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to the hospital, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

His 1982 album "Thriller" –which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller"– is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his four older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Share / Recommend this article: FacebookFacebook Digg thisDigg this del.icio.usdel.icio.us TechnoratiTechnorati YahooYahoo Facebook
COMMENTS
23 comment(s)
Written by: temetito, 25 Jun 2009 11:49 PM
From: Dominican Republic
The best ever!!!!!
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 26 Jun 2009 6:35 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
yeah and dont forget where he ripped off those dance steps a more gifted dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUlEBhGgEe0
Written by: BASTA, 26 Jun 2009 9:06 AM
From: Dominican Republic, = Ghetto-SPM-Barrio Blanco
he was so cute like our president
Written by: JD_Dominguez, 26 Jun 2009 9:47 AM
From: United States, Reality Check
I remember when Micheal Jackson came to the Dominican Republic and got married in secret (with Lisa Marie Presley).

Bob Fosse is NOT a more gifted dancer.... you gotta be kidding. It is clear to see that this was the origin of the moves from Billie Jean but it seems that they were improved, perfected and done better by Jackson. I guess you likely think that Micheal Jordan stole his moves from a more gifted Jerry West? Or Dan Quayle & George Bush I & II taught President Obama how to spell "potatoes" & connect with people. WTF?

It's a new world but some are still stuck in the old world of Strum Thurmond.

My sympathy goes out to the Jackson family and his children. It is sad to see anyone go down the road of self-destruction no matter who it is. A great lost for entertainment, humanitarism and his personal family. Clearly, it is a sad day of shock for many around the world (but most of us do not know if Bob Fosse is alive or dead or when he died.... a poor comparison).
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 26 Jun 2009 10:00 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
JD welcome back from the drug wars but obviously you have no idea who Bob Fosse was the billie jean music was edited to the video .even MJ gave credit to Fosse so look it up and do your home work ...this is 1955 one of many examples of the the art of Dance by Fosse...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBBoQxLQ9Rk
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 26 Jun 2009 10:09 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
and this from 1953 Fosse was the Maestro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0FSREoaLQ
Written by: anthonyC, 26 Jun 2009 10:15 AM
From: United States
MJ Dead?

So who will a*s kissing parents pimp out their little boys to?
Written by: xwill7, 26 Jun 2009 10:26 AM
From: United States, Chicago
now all of the radio stations are playing his songs. Now the songs are back on my head
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 26 Jun 2009 11:49 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
Just so you dont think I am promoting the honky dancers Fred Astaire said this was the greatest piece of tap dancing ever filmed and he could dance a taste as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 26 Jun 2009 11:50 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
Savion Glover maybe MJ no I dont thinks so
Written by: fantalover101, 29 Jun 2009 2:27 PM
From: United States, md
Well Michael Jackson Didn't molest any kids, he was just accused of it. He just wanted to have a childhood because he never had one his parents weren't very nice to him and he was never appreciated by them no matter what he did. So what, he might be WAKO but that's hereditary his fater was wako and I'm not defending him but he might have been a messed up person or he might not have been but he still had a great talent and well I don't really know what else to say but R.I.P. "King of pop"
Written by: Divinna, 1 Jul 2009 3:06 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Leave MJ alone, credit is given where credit is due.

He rocked all those moves, he was the king of pop.
Written by: fantalover101, 1 Jul 2009 3:11 PM
From: United States, md
Who me? Well yea he did I tottaly agree he was super good in "Thriller" it was awesome and I wanna learn how to do his moonwalk
Written by: Divinna, 1 Jul 2009 4:04 PM
From: Dominican Republic
The kid lied
http://bossip.com/126711/mjs-auto....station-accuser-lied/#more-126711
Written by: fantalover101, 1 Jul 2009 5:34 PM
From: United States, md
What do you mean?
Written by: fantalover101, 2 Jul 2009 1:02 PM
From: United States, md
I'm watching something about him and there is something that his kids know more of. There is a piece of him that only his kids know:the most loving piece. And I believe that all these pictures showing him and his kids want to make me cry. And they found drugs like anastesia that puts you to sleep (only found in hospitals) and other drugs similar to marijana in his house so who know how he died. Only he knows and god knows. Peace out.
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 5 Jul 2009 9:13 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
bird doing moonwalk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-wtO7pjJKk
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 5 Jul 2009 12:59 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
July 5, 2009 --

MICHAEL Jackson's death has triggered the release of a never-before-seen documentary, "Jackson 5 in Africa," about the band's 1974 show in Senegal. The 50-minute film, made by African investors who shelved it after running out of money, will screen July 14 at Harlem's National Black Theatre. "With Michael's tragic passing, we re quested permission to do a public screening, and the owner -- an international busi nessman who wants to remain anonymous -- agreed," said an insider. Included is a scene of a teary-eyed Joe Jackson get ting the Medal of the Lion, the highest Senegalese honor.
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 7 Jul 2009 7:52 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
Dame Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson's closest friends, said she was snubbing the “public hoopla'” of the event. Taylor, 77, was asked to speak at the memorial, but turned the organisers down. In a statement on Twitter, she wrote: “I've been asked to speak at the Staples Centre. I cannot be part of the public hoopla. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word. I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others."

Taylor, who coined the term “King of Pop” for Jackson, has not emerged in public since the singer's death on 25 June. She was packing to travel to London to see his planned O2 Arena shows when she learned he was dead.
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 8 Jul 2009 3:02 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
the horror the horror ....from todays coverage of the spectacle the best line from todays coverage and I quote from the forum.........................." . ("And up next," said Meredith Vieira on NBC's "Today," "a visit with the King of Pop's onetime best friend -- Bubbles the chimp.".............the banality of this whole thing is beyond belief
Written by: Divinna, 8 Jul 2009 3:59 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I love Bubbles!
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 8 Jul 2009 5:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
dont get caught blowing bubbles !
Written by: Divinna, 8 Jul 2009 6:27 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Nah that's your job
"how u doing"lol
Post Your Comment | Not a member? Create your account | Lost your password?
Write your opinion here. Please keep your comment relevant to this article. Please note that any comments which contain offensive language or discriminatory expressions may be edited/removed.
You must log in to post a comment:
Username Password