Michael Jackson Dead

[neko1]

Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50
Newspaper reports pop star wasn’t breathing when ambulance arrived

BREAKING NEWS
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 3 minutes ago

The Los Angeles Times reports that Michael Jackson has died at age 50 after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the newspaper that Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home and CPR was performed.

TMZ.com reported that he may have suffered cardiac arrest.

Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits included “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.

The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

He lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation.

There were concerns about Jackson’s health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

A life in music
Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys — Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael — first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.

Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released “Thriller” in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.

The next year, he unveiled his signature “moonwalk” dance move while performing “Billie Jean” during an NBC special.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley’s only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.

Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.

Check back with msnbc.com for updates on this breaking story.

[caseysmom]

They are showing him when he was 10, he was such a cute kid.

[dukedogsmom]

Wow. I'm in total shock. And I don't quite know how I feel about this yet. I did like his music but his antics in the later years kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

[pomtzu]

What a shame. He was so talented, but led such a troubled life. I like to remember "the old" Michael Jackson, before he started on his downward spiral. Hopefully, he is finally at peace with himself and the world.

[carole]

He was way too young to go, he will be so missed by so many of his fans, they will be gutted, my son had a friend when he was 13,he was obsessed with MJ, i wonder if he still is, if so he will be upset,feeling for his family,friends and fans.

[RICHARD]

Yep, it's true, the hard rock station announced he was in the hospital and about .5 hours later I heard "Beat It" being played, they never play any MJ songs.

-----------------------


I saw him and his family recording a song for a CBS show years ago. We were doing a trip with my TV production class and we got to sit in on the rehersal.

RIP, Dude!

[finn's mom]

It literally took my breath away when I heard about this on the radio. How sad. I loved Michael Jackson. Always will. I hope he is finally at peace.

[caseysmom]

A family spokesperson is saying those around him were enabling him and leading him to destructive behavior with prescription drugs.

[Edwina's Secretary]

How very sad. Such a great talent and gifted performer. Too many people around him stood to gain too much from him.

Godspeed.

[RedHedd]

It's a sad day. Guess they're going to have a big party over the Hollywood Rainbow Bridge tonight. RIP Ed, Farrah and MJ.

[kuhio98]

Shocking news. I feel so badly for his children. I can only imagine the kind of life they have had to this point. What will become of them?

[CountryWolf07]

Shocking news. I feel so badly for his children. I can only imagine the kind of life they have had to this point. What will become of them?

I agree. That's who I first thought of, after hearing the news... how unfortunuate!!

[sparks19]

I'm so sad. I had hoped this was some kind of mistake... of course I knew deep down it wasn't.

I was obsessed with him when I was a kid... like 2 or 3 years old lol. I would sleep with his album cover, my favorite movie? the recording of him winning all thos grammy awards for the Thriller album. On my birthday the day care I went to surprised me when I got there and played "beat it" when I got there and let all of us dance around.

I can't believe he's actually gone.

[momcat]

I was listening to the news while making dinner when I heard he was taken to the hospital and was in a coma. Maybe 10 minutes later they announced his death. This was so sudden!

While I was never a real fan, I did like a few of his songs. To me, he'll always be remembered for "Thriller"...Michael Jackson at his best. Would all of you excuse me while I listen to the "Thriller" CD?

RIP Michael

[Medusa]

When they replayed his Thriller video and the Beat It video, it just made me very sad. It took me for a ride in the way back machine. I had a totally different life then, I was married, my son was still living at home, my dogs were still alive. Isn't it something how you can hear a song or see a video and recall your life at that time in such vivid detail? His family is going to have a rough go of it.