Michael Jackson Dies Aged
50
 June
26 - Music fans all over the world are still in shock at the
news that
music legend Michael Jackson has died from a
cardiac arrest at his rented house in Los Angeles yesterday
afternoon
(Thursday, June 25). The King of Pop was just 50 years
old and about to embark on a 50-date tour in London.
Although in recent years the singer was known more for his
controversial private life than his music,
he was still loved
and respected by his millions of fans and will always be
remembered for his 80s album, Thriller, which is still the
biggest selling album of all time, selling over 109 millions
copies worldwide.
The pop icon reportedly
collapsed in his Holmby Hills house at
around 12:15 yesterday afternoon. When paramedics arrived nine
minutes later, the star was not breathing and despite their best
efforts,
struggled to revive him, a struggle that continued for
a further hour at the close by UCLA Medical Center.
However, it was too late, and he
was officially pronounced dead,
sending shockwaves around the globe. As tributes continue to
pour in from fans and celebrities alike, there are many who
cannot believe that Michael Jackson is actually dead. Despite
his many foibles,
Jackson was almost considered 'immortal'.
Born and bred in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, from an early
age Michael was
thrust into the spotlight by his
overly-domineering father, who managed the Jackson Five, a group
made up of Michael and his four brothers - Jackie, Tito,
Jermaine, Marlon and Randy - which enjoyed hits all over the
world.
But it was when Michael embarked on his solo career
with the
launch of Off The Wall in 1979, that his career skyrocketed.
The
album turned him into a global sensation and a 'superstar'. His
follow up album Thriller sealed his reputation as the
King of
Pop, resulting in adoration and
sold out venues for decades to come.
He also became
well known as great humanitarian, preaching love
and peace wherever he went,
and played his part to help generate
money for various charities and non-profit organizations to aid
third world countries. One of his biggest hits,
Heal the World,
reflects Jackson feelings and dedication on the subject.
Despite this, however, the King of Pop gained a
less flattering
nickname - Wacko Jacko
- as his personal life became stranger
than fiction. Who could forget his best friend Bubbles (a
chimpanzee), or when he bought the Elephant Man's skeleton, his
very own hyperbaric chamber or, of course, when he
developed a
scary addiction to plastic surgery.
All of these things were put down as eccentricities, but it was
rumours about Michael's
alleged fondness for children
that finally burst the King of Pop's bubble and delivered a big
blow to his reputation.
Accusations, court cases and undisclosed
settlements ensued,
but the singer's behaviour became even more
erratic.
He also had a
short-lived marriage to Lisa-Marie Presley,
continued to run his creepy Neverland Ranch, started wearing
surgical masks in public, and even had three children of his own
- from two different women.
Due to hefty legal fees over the
years, the star was reportedly close to bankruptcy. This is one
of the reasons many say why
he signed up for the upcoming and
arguably grueling London tour,
which was expected to net the
singer over 50 million pounds.
But when all is said and done, while
Michael Jackson can be
described as a child prodigy, a superstar, a humanitarian, an
eccentric, a husband and a father, he will and should always be
remembered for one thing - his music, which has always spoken
for itself.
RIP Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009.
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