Michael Jackson dies at age 50, from heart attack

michaeljackson
According to multiple reports, Michael Jackson had a heart attack Thursday, June 25 in his home in Los Angeles. Paramedics were called to the house, and they arrived shortly before 12:30 p.m. Michael wasn’t breathing, so the paramedics began performing CPR. He was then taken, by ambulance, to UCLA Medical Center.

Around six p.m. tonight, TMZ confirmed Michael Jackson’s death. They claim Michael suffered cardiac arrest, and that the CPR performed on Michael at his home was unsuccessful. Michael’s body was taken to UCLA, where he was pronounced dead:

We’ve just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived.

LaToya ran in the hospital sobbing, after Jackson was pronounced dead.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Jackson had 13 number one hits during his solo career.

[From TMZ]

Michael Jackson was one of the biggest celebrities in the world. He sold millions of albums, entertained millions – if not billions – of people, and inspired countless others. He is survived by his three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 11, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 10, (both with second wife Deborah Rowe), and Prince Michael Jackson II, 6. It was known that he was in poor health in the past few years, but it’s shocking and terribly sad that he died so young. Prayers to his family, his kids, and his fans. Rest in peace, King of Pop.

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144 Responses to “Michael Jackson dies at age 50, from heart attack”

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  1. Alecto says:

    How sad.

  2. lena says:

    i’m so upset with this news, was really hoping to see him make a comeback…RIP King of Pop

    please no negative comments about him

  3. Obvious says:

    Well written Kaiser.

    While I was never a huge fan, he will be missed in the industry for being a leader in the craft and a supremely talented person, even though he was much challenged.

    Between Ed, Farrah and Michael Hollywood has taken a major hit this week. I wish the family, friends, and fans of these three amazing people all the best.

  4. Anni says:

    cnn says he´s in a coma. suffering a cardiac arrest doesn´t mean you die. he may still me alive…even if he´s on life support.

  5. Michelle says:

    Despite his transgressions in his short and troubled life, he was an extremely talented artist and a true entertainer. I grew up loving his music and still love it, and MJ deserves to rest in peace now.

    The world has lost an icon. No matter what you think of him, there is no doubt that he was exactly that.

    I hope his children are well taken care of. It’s got to be tough to be so young and lose one’s father.

  6. gee says:

    do you think he knew he was going to die soon? i ask because he brought his kids out in public a few weeks ago without their masks, so they could all be photographed together.

    so unfortunate r.i.p. MJ superstar

  7. gee_gee says:

    This is too much for one day.

  8. anjasmomma says:

    The news seems unbelievable. I was also hoping for some sort of comeback.

  9. debra says:

    How can Michael be gone.. OMG.. what a lost.. what a talent.. what a legacy to music he is.. HE WAS THE KING OF POP

    There will never be another like him..

  10. TinaWithPom says:

    Isn’t it June 25th today?

  11. Ggirl says:

    Wow this has been such a bad day. First Farrah, now Michael Jackson. Thriller was IT my junior year of high school. His talent is something you never forget. I hope he finds peace and his children are taken care of.

  12. Annie says:

    Kaiser darling, you work FAST.

    And everyone’s confirming it. CNN included.

    *raises glass* To the KING of pop. He will always be the King.

  13. Neelyo says:

    Sad. Despite all of his talent, I think show business was probably the worst thing that ever could have happened to him. A truly damaged soul.

  14. Sleepy says:

    This saddens me because he was a very talented and revolutionary artist. I wasn’t even born when the Thriller album came out but it’s one of my all-time favorites…

  15. Michelle says:

    So So Sad. I don’t usually blog, or leave comments…but Michael is different. I was really rooting for him to get his life, and health together. I was hoping for his comeback. Not only for him, but for his children’s sake. I hope people will only remember the positive things about Michael. So many people, were always so quick to judge him. I believe he was a good soul. He just was hurting soul. SO MUCH TALENT!

  16. paranel says:

    How tragic. He was a troubled soul. RIP. Very depressing news.

  17. Neelyo says:

    Renoir, you made me laugh.

  18. TB says:

    Sorry but I don’t think we’d all be commisserating over any other paedophile’s death. Now maybe someone else’s children (and his “own”) will be a little safer.

  19. Lem says:

    Raise your glass if you had that sexy butter yellow sweater vested poster on your wall.
    Raise your glass if you and your friends unsuccessfully tried to moonwalk
    Raise your glass if you can sing all the words to thriller
    Raise your glass if you know your ABC’s and 1,2,3’s

    A toast to MJ. 45 years of entertainment!

    (thanks K, your lovely loyals come here for gossip and HE’S earned it)

  20. TellysWorld says:

    I feel like I’ve lost a piece of my soul. It’s just so unexpected. With Farrah, we kind of knew it was coming, but I was waiting for his comeback. And now that will never happen. I’m so sad.

    🙁

  21. Ophelia says:

    Kaiser! Well written and fast! <3
    Since I’ve got nothing good to say about him as a man, and it would be inappropriate to say such things on here, I’ll say Billie Jean is one of the best songs ever, especially in mashups. He was indeed the King of Pop. My heart goes out to his kids left behind. Also I thought he didn’t have a heart attack necessarily.. cardiac arrest just means his heart stopped. Either way, RIP.
    Also TB, I echo your statement. Not only do I agree, but it’s a very good point.

  22. voodoobetty says:

    Wow kind of stole Farrah’s thunder didn’t he?

  23. Stanley says:

    This thing about him being the ‘king of pop’.

    He started calling himself that and then forced Oprah to do it in exchange for an appearance on her gabfest.

    Not a totally genuine accolade.
    Frank Sinatra would be a better candidate.

  24. Kat says:

    Sad news.My heart goes out to his kids, and his family.

  25. Ally says:

    Hopefully he hadn’t abused his sons yet and they’ll be safe now.

  26. boo says:

    No! No no no no! 🙁

  27. wow says:

    Awh man. Gee Gee is right – this is too mcuh for one day.

    My heart goes out to his three children. And his family. His Mom- oh man. It has to be so hard for a parent to bury a child.

    Any one else feel as if a pieace of their childhood has gone? I honestly thought he’d pull through whenI first heard he’d been rushed to the hospital.

    Lem – I’m raising my glass on all of your bullet points. And just as Flava Flav would do, I’m pouring some champagne out on the floor for MJ.

    Sad. Sad. Sad.

  28. Anni says:

    why don´t we wait till his family confirms it? it´s the internet people. even CNN does not confim.

  29. Marie says:

    NOoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
    Tellysworld.. u said at all!!

  30. fizXgirl314 says:

    this is the only time i’m tearing up over a celebrity’s death. he was my idol when i was younger… i really loved his music and i always thought he’d make a comeback… he was so talented. i feel really sad 🙁

  31. paris herpes says:

    This totally SUCKS! I know he had his demons to contend with and looked very sickly…but it’s SHOCKING and totally surreal.

  32. sam says:

    Latest reports here (NZ) say he was found not breathing, then pronounced brain dead and then later died.

    Sad to say that the first thing the radio hosts here start asking is “did he commit suicide?”.

    Whatever he did or didn’t do – I always felt incredibly sad for him these past few years. He was supposed to be very ill and I can imagine very isolated.

  33. Cari says:

    @wow. Yeah a part of my childhood is definitely gone with the passing of two people who were the at top in the ’70s.

    Issues aside, what a loss. Sad, sad day.

    🙁

  34. Trey says:

    I think the 70s really just died this year.

    RIP David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Michael Jackson. You will be missed.

  35. Eileen Yover says:

    Kaiser-great photo montage! I love the old pics and that’s how I like to remember him. I did my first talent show to Billy Jean.
    I can’t imagine my 80’s without Thriller and Charlie’s Angels.

  36. CeciZahn says:

    Maybe as a person he was not the best (aren’t we all) but without a doubt he will be miss as a musician. He started music videos as we know now and his music will live forever…
    I was a fan, still I love is music now and forever

  37. MSat says:

    My childhood- growing up in the 70s and 80s- is so strongly associated with the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson. I had to admit, I was shocked to hear this news and I did get teary eyed. I think I was always hoping he had one more big album in him, and one of these days after he got himself together, he’d put it out there. Looks like he will never have a chance now.

    I also feel sad for his children. What will happen to them now? Where will they go? He was always very protective of their privacy and I wonder if whomever gets them now will be the same.

    I’ll be playing his music tonight. Count on it.

  38. crazymary says:

    Sad for his family. And his music was the soundtrack for my youth and teen years.I can’t hear “rock with u” without getting a huge smile on my face. I don’t condone the things he did but I feel he was a damaged and tortured soul. I pray for his children.

  39. Kylie says:

    Im shocked and truely sad. His concert was the BEST I have ever been to. He was a true artist and he will live on for ever.
    My heart goes out to his kids and his whole family.

  40. Eileen Yover says:

    MSat- I agree about his kids. I wonder if they were there with him when this happened and where will they go now?

  41. Kath Jaynes says:

    Such a sad day for the beautiful people.

    His life wasn’t easy, but then again whose is?

    For the songs and the memories… rest in peace MJ. We loved you.

  42. Jessie says:

    I am in complete shock. The man had a troubled personal life, but he was a musical genius, he obviously adored his children, and however misguided some of this things he may have done over his life were, he didn’t deserve to die this young. May he rest in peace. 🙁

    On another note, I am very very very angry at Perez Hilton for the way he has reported about Michael Jackson. When it was reported Michael Jackson went into cardiac arrest, he posted the following:

    “We knew something like this would happen!!
    Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance from his Holmby Hills home to a nearby Los Angeles hospital on Thursday afternoon!!
    Supposedly, the singer went into cardiac arrest and the paramedics had to administer CPR!!!
    His mother is even on the way to visit him!!!
    We are dubious!!
    Jacko pulled a similar stunt when he was getting ready for his big HBO special in ‘95 when he “collapsed” at rehearsal!
    He was dragging his heels on that just like his upcoming 50 date London residency at the 02 Arena, of which he already postponed the first few dates!!!
    Either he’s lying or making himself sick, but we’re curious to see if he’s able to go on!!!
    Get your money back, ticket holders!!!!”

    When it was reported that Michael Jackson had DIED, Perez EDITED his post to say the following:

    “Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance from his Holmby Hills home to a nearby Los Angeles hospital on Thursday afternoon!!

    The singer went into cardiac arrest and the paramedics had to administer CPR!!!

    His mother is even on the way to visit him!!!”

    The comments are going nuts on the post and there are some people who have screen shots of what he wrote (unfortunately not me, because when I first saw the post I was on my iPhone). I have tried in vain to see if it was cached but I can’t find it, I have found to links where the original can be found, though:

    http://myprops.org/content/Michael-Jackson-Suffers-Heart-Attack-Rushed-To-The-Hospital/

    http://gigulate.com/story/Michael-Jackson-Suffers-Heart-Attack–Rushed-To-The-Hospital-

    What Perez posted about Michael Jackson was probably the most accurate painting you can get of this disgusting human being. I ask that everyone please boycott his site and write to ALL his advertisers, so that he can never ever have the chance to write this vitriol about a human being again.

  43. Livia says:

    I grew up listening to the Jackson 5, then to Michael in the 80’s – we were pretty close in age, and his music was the soundtrack for the first half of my life. Considering his health, I thought this might happen someday – but, not today, you know? Not today. When he was at the top of his game, he was the best in the world. He’s left behind an incredible musical & cultural legacy that no one can touch. I hope he’s found peace, wherever he is.

  44. Marie says:

    we was a trully complete artist!! Great song-writer, dancer and all the rest. He had his demons (don’t we all?) but a great part of the music entertainment died today!! MJ will be with the stars.. He’s among the few that their music will live forever!

  45. vida says:

    First of all I totally agree with TB.
    At the end of the day he was a guy who sang some good songs, danced the same moves for years, created his own personal freak show and molested some kids.
    Do you really think thats going to hold a candle in heaven?

  46. someone says:

    RIP Michael.

  47. SixxKitty says:

    I read that John Mayer Twittered an eloquent post when he heard the news.
    “John Mayer: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we’ll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.”
    I gotta say, I feel the same way. I don’t know what Im more shocked over, that MJ is dead or that I agree with JM!
    RIP Michael…

  48. Annie says:

    People aren’t mourning him as a man, they’re mourning the music legend, you may hate the choices he made in his personal life and I agree, they were quite deplorable. But at the end of this, he is someone everyone recognizes as a musical talent. He has been the musical inspiration for many of the artists today.

    And Frank Sinatra was NOT pop. Don’t ever say that about the great Blue Eyes.

  49. Eileen Yover says:

    Personally Vida, it’s not for anyone to judge who’s holding candles in heaven. Even celebrities can be troubled souls-his having started at childhood. I am one of the many who believe he has had problems and for the last decade got called out on them, but when someone leaves this earth-as humans we should release our opinions with their life and honor the dead and their family, or keep our mouths shut.

  50. fizXgirl314 says:

    i’m not saying i know exactly what happened in his personal life, but let’s keep in mind that he WAS found not guilty of child molestation…

  51. Jen says:

    It’s slightly disturbing that on the BBC news page about his death the google ads are advertising “Great seats for Michael Jackson at The Amazing o2 Arena!”

  52. Aspie says:

    I’m in total shock (like most). I can’t believe it, he was still young…

    And ditto to the above poster, no negative comments about him…this is not the time and place. We’ve lost a musical legend.

  53. Caitlan says:

    “”Maybe as a person he was not the best (aren’t we all)”

    Yes I’ll agree that most people have issues and aren’t perfect human beings but I wouldn’t say that it’s the norm for someone to molest little children, and steal music rights from The Beatles.

  54. Celebitchy says:

    @Jessie that is pretty despicable about Perez’s site, thanks for sharing that. I really doubt he wrote that though. He has ghost writers now who are as lousy at writing and cruel as he is. He’s definitely accountable, especially since he hires goons that write like that and acts like he’s still running things – without crediting the authors by name at all – but I don’t think he did it. He definitely did things like that in the past so it’s possible, but we’ll never know. He’ll blame someone else for it if he has to make a statement, but he would never credit those people who work behind the scenes with running the site for him. Someone else also sent it to me. It’s nearly 2am here and I might cover it tomorrow, I don’t know.

  55. Caitlan says:

    I will say that he was a very talented performer at one time and I was a fan of his music. My heart goes out to his friends and his children.

  56. jennifer says:

    I’m very torn. I absolutely 100% believe the man was a pedophile, but he was such a HUGE part of my childhood that I still can’t help but feel sad.

    I guess today I’m just going to wish him peace. RIP Michael.

  57. Hannah says:

    how can they confirm his death at 6pm tonight? i’m in LA and its not even 5pm…if he was in LA, which he was, then wouldn’t they use pacific time? its kinda odd, im gonna wait for a real confirmation.

  58. stellapurdy says:

    His music when he was a child was great. Whether or not he has a place in heaven isn’t for us to judge.

    I’m no big fan but I have to say that when you’re tortured as a child you almost always end up with a tough row to hoe as an adult. And it’s not always the easiest thing to move on.

    I hope he is finally at peace.

  59. Zoe (The Other One) says:

    Whatever, he was a legend. Despite what he became. A true talent has gone.

    RIP.

  60. Jessie says:

    Thanks CB! Poor Michael Jackson died and he didn’t need to be lampooned by that attention seeking jerk off at a time like this. It almost makes me lose faith in humanity. 🙁

  61. CeeJay says:

    Now the pandemonium will begin. I dread having to watch the news when his ex-wife Debra comes to claim the kids who may or may not be hers.

    Jessie: I heard about the negative, misleading posting on Perez Hilton from my assistant. By the time I could visit the site the original posting was edited and gone. What an ass. I hope everyone catches on to the leech that he is and stops viewing his site. You’d think a guy would learn from all that he’s had going on but it seems none of it touched him a single bit. He is and will always be a mean-spirited creep who is using his website to hurt and demean the very people who he makes his living off of.

  62. CeeJay says:

    Forgot to add: Despite the negative aspects of his life, I grew up with his music, danced my heart out to it at many a club and will continue to listen to it and share it with others. You cannot take away from him or his legacy the contributions he made to American Pop Music.

  63. Aspie says:

    To Stanley:

    Please do not compare MJ to Frank Sinatra. Two totally different singers of two totally different genres. Can’t we just mourn the man today without getting into “who’s the better singer?” and posting irrelevant and unproven rumors regaring if Michael “made” Oprah call him the King of Pop to appear on her show? What is the point in rehashing something like that? To take away from his legacy? Can’t you take your negativity somewhere else because it’s not wanted here.

    As far as I’m concerned, his title was and is very well-deserved!

  64. Jen says:

    Hannah I think TMZ are using Greenwich Mean Time which means it would have been 12 or 1 pm LA Time

  65. Caitlan says:

    Yeah I feel sad too,I’m not sure why? I want to know why he got so weird and why psychiatrists ‘therapists and doctors couldn’t stop him from hacking up his face and fix his problems from being emotional and physically abused by his father. He obviously needed help and he just lived in his delusional world and wouldn’t listen to anybody. I think his death is prescription drug abuse amongst other things. I sure hope it wasn’t intentional suicide.

  66. Jamie says:

    oh my gosh, my stomach literally dropped when I read this headline. I am only early twenties, but I have grown up on his music through my mum. His life in recent times has been extremeley controversial but it can’t be denied that he will always be the absolute king of pop. RIP and my condolences to the Jackson family.

  67. diddy says:

    MJ was my first childhood idol and still one of my fav muscians till today, i love almost all his songs even some from his latter albums.

    God bless him , may he rest in peace

  68. RAN says:

    Geez people… GTFU! A man died! Now is not the time or place to discuss his failures in life. For the record, I don’t believe he was ever convicted of child molestation – despite the overwhelming certainty that he may be guilty, he was never convicted. Therefore, let him rest in peace.

    I also feel like a piece of my childhood has gone… Michael was a big part of my adolescent years – before all the drama and scandal entered his life. I’ll remember him with Thriller, Billy Jean, and even the song Ben (which had it’s own controversy). RIP Michael…

  69. MonicaBee says:

    RIP, Michael.

    Your legacy will live on. And I will be listening to my 25th Anniversary Thriller CD tonight.

  70. Allie says:

    I’m still in shock. Words cannot describe such a loss like this. Michael was so talented and endeared so much in his life. I was hoping he’d have one last big comeback in his life, such a loss. I love you Michael, you’ll be missed!

  71. Jackie says:

    Well, THIS will certainly knock Jon & Kate off the tabloids.

    RIP Michael; I grew up with them too

  72. mrg says:

    even tho i think he was a pedo i still remember loving him when i was a kid. sad.

  73. Ally. says:

    http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/mjdec1.html

    Because this paedophile wrote a few songs, he deserves such sympathy?

    As for the blind who will use the fact that he wasn’t convicted as meak evidence that this man must have been innocent – I have two words for you…

    OJ. Simpson.

  74. CannesLover says:

    Jackson family friend and attorney claims prescription drug abuse probably was a factor. He claims it was worse than Anna Nicole Smith’s.

    That’s quite the claim, and he said he witnessed it.

    http://tinyurl.com/m5e3py

  75. aleach says:

    Ugh.
    MJ was a little ahead of my time (Im in my early 20s), but I am a huge fan. He was the King of Pop! Always will be. Hes an icon. Most times, I feel a little sad when a celeb dies, but when I heard this news today I just didnt want to believe it.
    RIP MJ.
    great article, Kaiser.

  76. Ben says:

    Moreso than any other musician, in my experience everyone loved Michael Jackson music. Sure, they’d like to pretend to not like it but really everyone did. He’s the one artist (more than Elvis, The Beatles, etc), where all my friends whether they were heavy metal, rap, rock, etc They all liked him.
    Also if you went to any nightclub in the past, or any school social and I Michael Jackson song came on everyone would suddenly smile and call it out like ‘Thriller!’. The dance floor would become more packed and everyone would dance.
    I don’t really know I any other musician like this.

  77. Boo! says:

    “Made mistakes in life?” “Wasn’t perfect?” Wow, a child molester gets such accolades because he was a mediocre singer and a passable dancer? Perverts of the world rejoice! As long as you’re rich and famous, you still get worshipped in death!

    This outpouring for such a disgusting excuse for a human being is a truly disturbing picture of what western culture has become.

  78. Ben says:

    Oh and everyone should go to Perez Hilton’s website get the names of his sponsors (don’t click on the links he’ll get money) but google the names and wrtie to them telling them to pull support from his site. For this Michael Jackson comment, the hate speech and the general fact that he is an asshole.

  79. natalie says:

    Healing the World with YOU Michael

    thank you SO much for being part of my life

    love you

  80. Cletus says:

    I mourned Michael Jackson’s demise when he started molesting children. Okay, so maybe ONLY molested a couple of them and the cases were settled out of court. I don’t care. THAT’S when Michael Jackson died. Now it’s just official.

    I hope his kids aren’t too hosed.

  81. Maya says:

    This is sad news. I went from shock to sadness to feeling the huge loss. As much smack as people talked about Micheal, he was an irreplaceable legend that can never be replaced. People never left him alone, which must have added to his stress.

    He was a huge part of my childhood..I have so many happy memories with each of his songs. RIP Michael..may you find eternal peace now..

  82. Maya says:

    And for all of you commenting with bad comments..that’s just bad karma to talk about the dead that way

  83. jaudicemachine says:

    He was a very sad, isolated man. How much of his isolation was self-imposed, and how much of it was neurological? We’ll never know.

    He was a big part of my early exposure to music, and he will be mourned.

  84. Lucinda says:

    Sadly, we lost MJ a long time ago. I don’t think he’s done anything relevant that I’m aware of in the last 20 years. Nearly every poster I’ve read mourns the lost of that guy from the 70’s and 80’s who made some AMAZING music and wrote the soundtrack to our lives. THAT guy disappeared years ago. Now the body is gone too.

    I pray for his children because they are the ones who will suffer this loss more than any one of us. I don’t think his financial situation was very stable. I hope someone takes care of those children.

  85. Stanley says:

    Annie, the reason I used that term is because Frank himself used it. And respected commentators also used it to describe him and his style.

    But maybe back in the day, pop, swing and standards were kind of interchangeable.

    He was an icon with a microphone and an innovator as well. Dominating the scene for many years. And when his star faded he had a successful comeback.

    http://tinyurl.com/lcmzr2

    http://tinyurl.com/lwfe8c

    http://tinyurl.com/krxsz9

  86. Aspen says:

    QUOTE: Maybe as a person he was not the best (aren’t we all)

    ————-

    Uh…no. No, we are not “all” flawed like Michael Jackson. I do not mourn the death of pedophiles…especially those who had children in their custody at the time of death.

    That said, I DID mourn the loss of Michael Jackson years ago. When he went off the deep end, which was a slow process that we all watched with horror over a decade, the world lost one of the largest musical talents of modern time.

    He was most definitely deserving of his title. He is the King of Pop in every way.

    We didn’t lose him this week. We lost him 10-15 years ago.

  87. Persistent Cat says:

    Thriller was the biggest thing when I was in grades 5 & 6. I had the yellow sweater poster, plus a bunch of others. My dad would make fun of him (as dad’s do) and I’d flip out and take it personally. As I grew up, my music tastes changed.

    But to me, he died years before the child molestation accusations. He just stopped looking human, I always wondered if he breathed.

    CNN was talking about his relevance but he hasn’t been relevant for years. I do agree that no musician has been as big as him. There are better but none had the world the way he did.

    I also think that maybe this could be a good thing for his kids. I know it sounds harsh now but in the long run, maybe this is their chance at a more normal life. I’m sure the dividing of his assets is going to get really dirty, I have a feeling his family will fight for everything.

    On a totally bitchy sidenote, what’s about to get really tragic are the crazy fans that are going to come out of the woodwork (or are en route from Holland and Japan) and are going to mourn the way only crazy people can. Loud and overdramatic.

  88. Diana says:

    It’s my understanding there is a difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack.

    As Brian Oxman said, (Jackson family attorney for many years) today, he believed this was due to Michael’s ongoing drug use.

    Michael said he did not expect to live beyond age 40, and given his life style I’m surprised as well.

    I hope the best for his children.

  89. Marlene says:

    May God be with you Michael, you are now truly NOT ALONE!! You will be the forever child you always wished to be and you will play in the gardens of Heaven Forever, may you Rest in Peace.

  90. Anons says:

    A voice and entertainer that changed the American and world music industry forever. Michael, you will be much missed and admired for the inspiration and changes you brought. RIP.

  91. I Choose Me says:

    R.I.P MJ. That is all.

  92. What evs says:

    Well said Aspen. I feel the same way.
    I was hoping he would get better. Turn it all around some how. Sadly that did not happen.

  93. Aspie says:

    Just because some of you leave nasty comments about Michael, DOES NOT mean that he won’t be missed and will always be known as the King of Pop!

  94. What evs says:

    Gosh Get a grip! Nobody is leaving nasty comments. We’re all just talking out our thoughts about his death.

  95. Ronnie says:

    Years ago I bought the Thriller tape for my little sister for her 10th birthday gift, she loved her annoying older sibling for it and forgave all my past transgressions against her. He was a legend, a true musical genius.

  96. Feebee says:

    Have just watched the ABC specials on Michael Jackson and Farrah… it’s been a heavy hearted evening.

    RIP Michael, it is a shame the world misses out on being reminded of your talent and creativity on stage.

  97. sisi says:

    I think comparing MJ to OJ is totally off base. He never wrote a book admitting he committed the crime. By many accounts he was a perpetual child in his own mind bc he was deprived of his childhood. And many think that explains his strage behavior of always socializing w kids and yes, even sleeping w them. Like a slumber party. I’m not saying he definitely did not do anything untoward, but I am saying that there are not enough facts that make it clear to me he was guilty. S lot of folks who are not guilty also get acquitted. I think a lot of the name calling on this board, and over the years, is due to people reacting emotionally to a perceived wrong that is one of the most vile crimes we can think of, rather than based on real facts. Looking back tonight at the interviews MJ did describing his lack of a childhood, you can almost see how he was perpetually stuck in his mind as a 12 year old.

    Rip Michael. I grew up w you & loved your music.

  98. justathought says:

    Close you eyes… now think ‘The Jackson Five’….think ‘Michael Jackson’.
    Do you hear the music in your head?
    That is what makes a legend.
    RIP MJ.

  99. oldschool says:

    I am a lurker on this site but the
    Jackson 5 was the first concert I ever attended, must have been 37 years ago!
    They transcended racial barriers and MJ was clearly a talented leader back then, even as a tweenager. Of course, as mentioned before he provided a soundtrack to my life (and others) until the 80’s.
    RIP Michael Jackson.

  100. omondieu says:

    While I’ve only considered myself to be a casual fan at most, the news of his passing broke my heart. I may not have been a devoted, ardent follower, but his spirit (as well as those of many other 80s pop icons) has had a profound influence on my artwork over the years, and will continue to.

    I keep praying that this is all just some super elaborate publicity stunt, and that he’ll embark on his tour…I just don’t want to believe it.

    May God finally grant him the love and peace he never had. <3 <3 <3

  101. Just a poster says:

    Justathought exactly!

    Oldschool, my first concert was the Jackson 5, and I went on to see him with the Jackson 5 with family, and the Jacksons.. and the last show I saw was during is Bad Tour. Those lucky enough to see him perform know what the magic was all about.

    So much of my childhood, so many memories are tied to him and his music.

    The first alligations I didn’t quite believe, and sadly with the second trial, I did have to think a bit and wonder. And that broke my heart. He was the king of Pop and that was just too hard to think.
    (I know haters will lamblast me.. so what these are my thoughts and feelings(

    We lost a true legend today, one that we will never see again. And today I am heartbroken about his passing.

    Like someone else said, we lost part of our childhood today. Maybe we did a while ago, but today just cements it and hurts a hell of a lot.

  102. Giz says:

    Could we cut it out with the accusations of molestations. No one really knows what went on except MJ and the supposed victims. The man was trashed in life, now leave it to the hafeful and the jealous to continue it in death! How truly sad you are!

    In regards to whether or not Frank Sinatra (sp) should have been dubbed The King of Pop, I seriously doubt it. While he was dubbed Chairman of Board. If Rolling Stone and record companies can claim that Mr. Jackson recorded the biggest selling album of all-time,he certainly deserved the title of King Of Pop, just as Elvis could lay claim to being dubbed King of Rock and Roll. Jackson didn’t take from Sinatra what Sinatra never claimed.

  103. Alin Azmi says:

    I grew up listening to his musics…now that he’s gone..this is such a massive loss. it’s hard to believe that we have lost the King of Pop. RIP Jacko..:(

  104. fizXgirl314 says:

    “like a comet blazing across the evening sky, gone too soon ” 🙁

  105. Gus Uruguay says:

    You, american people don’t deserve artists like MJ, hours after his death all of you are picking the pieces of a truly, amazing idol, like vultures in a funeral!! God, give him a break now he’s dead! Pedophile or not, he helped more people than several good cristians.

  106. Zoe says:

    To all the people ranting about pedophilia, I know you get all of your news from blogs and National Enquirer. Perhaps you should have taken the time to read the court transcripts which were available to the public EVERY DAY of the trial so you could see what garbage it was. Not only does he molest people, but he kidnaps them and tries to sail them away in a hot air balloon to South America. Not kidding, the kid and his mother alleged that too. Not coincidentally, both of his “accusers” had parents with criminal histories for suing for false claims in the past. Guess you wouldn’t know anything about that either.

    The loss of Michael Jackson is a major one, I had the pleasure of seeing him in person several times, going to his ranch for lunch, and attending his birthday party five years ago. I can honestly say, the man his friends, fans, and family knew was such a stark contrast to his image. He was funny, humble, sincere, and had an amazing heart, nonetheless for being the most famous talented man around. I am so grateful for the glimpses I received into this extraordinary being, I wish everyone could have. We are all left to ponder his unfathomable talent and I honestly wish him all the eternal peace there is.

  107. Brianne says:

    Michael was the best THRILLER in Pop Music History, the real King of Pop. NO one, absolutely no one redefined music like he did. MTV exists because of MJ. RIP Michael. It was such sadness & shock of his untimely & sudden death. Truly a lost to the World!

  108. linda says:

    Such a great loss to the music world. His music will live on.

  109. Asiont says:

    so sad 🙁

  110. morgs says:

    The essence of Michael Jackson was dead years ago. His body finally caught up.

    I wish only good things for his children, may they find some peace.

  111. BabySanta says:

    This is… WOW. somehow i can’t believe this.
    this is so incredibly sad.
    RIP MJ.

  112. Lara says:

    Just to say that there is a massive difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest. Not sure about heart attack stats but if you suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital you have a 2% chance of survival.

    I had a cardiac arrest at christmas (I’m only 24) and still the doctors have no idea what caused it (I don’t do drugs and have a fairly healthy lifestyle) so there may be a chance that they will never find out the reason for MJ’s attack

  113. Nony says:

    Whatever peace there is to be found, I hope he’s found it now.

  114. Lamar Cole says:

    The passing of Michael Jackson is like a star being plucked from the sky. The sky becomes a little dimmer.

  115. Snoopchew says:

    Let us rejoice in his music he so graciously left for us. What a gift!

  116. viper says:

    He will never moonwalk for us again. I’m only sorry he had to die so soon and so sick. This man toucjed us all at some point in our lives. For me it was Will you be there.

  117. geronimo says:

    Shocked. Fantastically gifted artist, very sad how his life unravelled. Still feel he was very much a victim of his fame. RIP.

  118. Techcrown says:

    R.I.P King of Pop Michael Jackson
    May he rest in peace.
    We all are going to miss him.
    He’ll live in our hearts forever.

  119. Ursula says:

    He touched many, I am so so so sad. Sob*

  120. Cece says:

    Are you people kidding me?

  121. Lita says:

    I have read most of the comments left so far and am surprised. The trite dismissive phrases used to gloss over the revolting last decade or so – “deplorable lifestyle choices” or similar? A deplorable lifestyle choice is drug addiction. For child abuse that falls a bit short! Nothing takes away his songs, his performances or the time of anyone’s life those songs were the soundtrack to. But it does take away from the overarching adulation he should be given in life or death. A POV most people seemed to agree with, until he died.

  122. viper says:

    Pop truely is dead. Now pop is garbage, Jackson was the only iconic pop artist that made pop enjoyable, solid and hold meaning. The world is that much darker now. Oh what a year 2009 has become, the rise of the first american black president to the demise of the first black iconic inspirational man.

  123. Best of British says:

    Totally agree with the posters that said we lost MJ 10-15 yrs ago, when he started all that crazy skin whitening / incubator stuff, and built his Neverland ranch and hung out with Bubbles the monkey and little children.. all very strange behaviour. However, he is an icon and I am sad at his passing, as he gave me a lot of pleasure in the 80’s. Thriller, Billie Jean and Cant Stop Til U Get Enough were my faves. I used to watch that Thriller video over and over and over again!! It used to scare the crap out of me tho!!! So yeah, I have mixed feelings about MJ but agree that he deserves the accolade of King of Pop.

  124. Ophelia says:

    It’s the only thing on the news! I could swear there were people dying in Iran..

  125. jillie says:

    viper, i dont know that anyone would characterize michael jackson as “The first black iconic inspirational man.” im fairly certain that would go to MLK or other such historical figure.

  126. Wif says:

    Persistant Cat, you raise some very good points.

    And Lita, you mentioned that most people are changing their POV’s now that he’s gone. So I will say what I said about him ever since I saw the Martin Bashir interview; the poor man never stood a chance. Being thrown into that industry at such an early age is akin to child abuse. He was stone-cold crazy, his family, and the rest of us, made him that way.

    I do not mourn his passing. I had no emotion for him before his death, it makes little difference to me that he’s gone now. But I will continue to enjoy his music for the rest of my life. And I thank him for that.

  127. Maritza says:

    It’s very sad but I can’t stop thinking what’s going to happen to his children? Will Debbie request custody of her kids? What about Blanket? I imagine someone is already thinking in making a major movie of his life. The tabloids must already be investigating more dirt to publish now that he is dead.

  128. Cinderella says:

    My childhood basically began with music from the Jackson 5 and ended with “Thriller”. Those were wonderful years. I can’t help but shed a tear for that little kid from Detroit who could move like James Brown and sing like nobody’s business.

    RIP, Michael.

  129. bros says:

    to be fair, CB, and i am not defending perez, Maureen Orth, who wrote extensively about him for Vanity Fair, and who was on morning joe this morning, said that she thought it was the same thing Perez said, because he did have a history of using hospital visits for publicity and doing other stunts to get coverage and that was her initial reaction to the news that he had collapsed and was taken away, which was later proved false. however, she had extensive knowledge of him, even if she didnt like him all that much and that was what she initially thought, so I dont think it is so beyond the pale that Hilton could have thought something similar. although i dont like or read his site, I dont think it is fair to vilify him for coming to that initial conclusion.

  130. Sky says:

    It is very sad news. R.I.P Greatest artist of the century. We’ll never forget you.

  131. Iggles says:

    I am so sad right now. He was one of a kind. We just lost THE GREATEST performer in history. Rest in peace Michael!

  132. Prissa says:

    People kill me with the negative comments (overarching adulation and such). How about we are just sharing our thoughts and paying respects to someone who touched many lives and who is now DEAD? Regardless of what he did or didn’t do that isn’t for us to question. I’m sure he is standing or has already stood in front of THE ONE JUDGE and JURY (as we all will), so who are we to try and judge from down here? Can’t we just remember the man as we see fit?

  133. Codzilla says:

    I remember trying to moonwalk across my parents’ coffee table as a child. And the time I came home from school and found Thriller propped up on the stairs (a surprise gift from my Mom). He was an enormous part of my childhood — RIP, Michael.

  134. Zoe says:

    ::when he started all that crazy skin whitening / incubator stuff, and built his Neverland ranch and hung out with Bubbles the monkey and little children.. all very strange behaviour.::

    Google ‘PopSpiracy’ to see photos of his vitiligo (which was very real) and reasons for why the trials were a sham. The incubator thing wasn’t true either, Michael didn’t sleep in a hyperbaric chamber to retain his youth. He was at a hospital and saw the chamber and asked about what it did. They told him and he climbed into it out of curiousity to see what it felt like to be inside of it. Someone snapped a shot and it went around the world saying he slept in it. As for Neverland, if you had billions of dollars and could build anything you wanted, it wouldn’t be so strange. I had the pleasure of going once and it was the most remarkable place. Everyone was a big kid the second they stepped foot on it, and it wasn’t creepy. RIP, MJ.

  135. dubdub2000 says:

    Oh I’m sure it’s going to come out that he either ODed on some prescription med or that whatever med he took didnt mix with the pharmacopia he already had in his bloodstream.

    Year backs when I was a teen I saw a mini series about the Jacksons that focused on Michael and from that point on I always just felt really sorry for him, he was grossly abused by everyone since he was a child: his parents, his siblings, his minders , showbiz people etc… And became this tragic bizarre and even maybe deviant figutr but who only ever longed for 3 things: a childhood, a true friend and normalcy. He was surrounded by enablers of all kinds and had such a miserable life,while he brought such joy to many.

    When I heard the news this morning I was shocked by my response: intense sadness. If yesterday you told me that Michael Jacksons death would mean anything to me I would have laughed in your face. But thinking about it today and talking to friends who are just as bewildered by their own grief at the news I realize that to me anytime I heard about MJ I always thought of him as Thriller MJ or Off the Wall MJ, who brought to the worl such amazing soul lifting music + amazing dancing and well who really was the soundtrack to my childhood. For those of us who lived in the US in the late 70s/early 80s and were kids, MJ was and remained somekind of musical superhero.
    The freak he became after all the lawsuits and scandals and what not had no relevance to me, because all I thought about was MJ the genius artist. Also I think that in the back of my mind I wanted a happy ending to all of this, a renaissance for him of sorts, him finally feeling good in his own skin, but then I guess this is why this is called real life and not “movie of the week”.

    So anyways, he is in a much better place now and my thoughts go to his children who are now the ones surrounded by those rabid enablers and that evil jackson family, I hope, really hope that MJ had the good sense to make provisions for them in case something like this should happen. As he clearly thought he was immortal, my gut says he probably didnt. Add to that that if it comes out that he ODed they probably wont even get the life insurance. I hope that in the melee, some sane person will step in and be allowed to look after those kids.

    Ah well, he now belongs to history, may he RIP.

  136. JUSTINE says:

    When Michael Jackson first came out with his first song in the jackson5 everyone knew from that song he was gonna be brilliant well much more than that. He was greater every step of the way whether when he was in the Jackson 5 or doing solo he always made songs with brilliance and creativity. He wasn’t just a brilliant singer, But he also was the legend of pop. No one can take that away from him. I’m only 13 and i like every song by Michael Jackson and always will. He had the looks the hair and epically the legend and never be for gotten voice. When he made thriller when i first heard it i thought it was the most brilliant song and music video ever made. He skyrocketed to the #1 charts on every song. No singer has ever done that before and no one ever will. I love u Michael u will always be remembered by me and everyone else that loves u. May u rest in peace.

  137. Shannon says:

    Remember that kiss between him and Lisa Marie? Hawt… 😉

  138. kim says:

    i will miss michael jackson
    the one and only king of pop
    to those people saying bad comment, please look at yourself first before judge MJ…

  139. Snoopchew says:

    If there had been an intervention years ago, his family would not have destroyed him as they have done.
    His self-loathing could have been treated by a “good, honest friend and doctor” and this friend could have helped keep the “legal drug pushing doctors away”.
    Read the article from Depok Chopra, his dear friend who entered into his life a little too late.

  140. Mitch says:

    Kaiser you are a dumb ass! A heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest. You are to dumb to have a computer.

  141. Orangejulius says:

    Mitch, why don’t you learn how to spell before calling anyone else stupid?

  142. CB Rawks says:

    I always felt doubtful about the molestation charges, because the families accepted MONEY to make it all better. What the hell?!! If someone actually molested your child, you would want to KILL them, not get paid! How could you even look at the money?

    I don’t claim to know the truth of it either way, (nor does anyone who wasn’t actually there) but those families did not seem believable, more money-hungry.

    As for Michael’s strange Neverland ranch and childlike life, we know that he was emotionally and physically abused as a child (his dad is a MONSTER),
    and put to work like a donkey at eight years old, and in fact robbed of a childhood. I’m sure that has everything to do with his trying to recapture childlike events and surroundings, once he had freedom and money as an adult.

  143. DavidWest says:

    PEOPLE MAGAZINE is DEAD TO ME!!! I hope all who read this never buy that magazine again!
    To NOT GIVE FARRAH FAWCETT equal TRIBUTE cover space and only placing Michael “PEDOPHILE” Jackson on their cover makes me sick.
    FARRAH was the nicest lady and a TRUE POP ICON! Instead of having equal covers for two icons they give her a tiny square and celebrate that freak. And to all you losers who idolize him remember inspite of his talent which I will admit he had an abundance of and was a brilliant talent the man liked little boys. There are many cases not disclosed which he settled out of court. But it’s selective media. SHAME ON THE PEOPLE @ PEOPLE!

  144. barbara says:

    I wish Micheal Jackson’s the peace in death that he never had in life.I am glad he doesn’t have to suffer the pain anymore.
    I wish his family the best in the time of their lose.