He rocked our world.
Michael Jackson is dead at age 50. The pop star, who had scheduled a series of potential comeback concerts in London to start on July 13, was found unconscious at his home and was rushed to UCLA medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Many reports stated that he was in a coma upon arrival.
Jackson's life was documented mercilessly on television, though he seemed to become less comfortable with his exposure as years passed. His life on the small screen began with his child stardom in the Jackson 5, peaked during his chart-topping musical career and culminated in surgery rumors, health problems, child molestation charges and generally odd behavior. He may have charted some unknown, controversial and even downright creepy territory in his later years, but separating his bizarre personal life from his performance career, it's impossible to deny his genius. Everything from his lyrics to his beats to his costumes to his choreography set him apart from all other musicians. Screeches, white socks, single gloves and the moonwalk are among his many contributions to pop culture.
As television fans, we'll especially miss his music videos, which revolutionized the genre. The light-up cement blocks in "Billie Jean," the bar fight in "You Rock My World," the monster mash in "Thriller," the West Side Story-dance in "Beat It" -- without these videos, the songs would have rocked, but not rolled. Each one was an extended glimpse into his musical mind, and it was a brilliant one. Not many artists are able to put their music to images, but MJ was the King of Pop because of it. He changed music television, and music television made him a legend.
Michael Jackson's life was defined by television, for better and for worse. Television was both his personal artistic canvas and the world's voyeuristic window into the short life of a tragic, complex, talented individual.
Comments (63)
As I heard about Elvis, I'll say about Micheal Jackson; I think its a good career move!
MJ, you'd be greatly missed.
I liked Jacko's singing but I didn't like him as a person if that makes sense. I'm not a huge fan of his but there's no doubt about it that Michael Jackson was one of the most influential & talented performers that ever lived. Yeah sure he was nuts but everyone in the entertainment industry is a bit in some way or another right? That's what makes them so larger than life.
RIP Michael. I greatly mourn on your passing away.Hopefully you will rest in peace.You will always be in my heart.
RIP
R.I.P Micheal jackson you had a great life!!
Wouldn't it be so neat if, after he was buried, he rose up from the grave and started singing, like in the "Thriller" video? That would just make my day.
NOOOOO!!!!!The king is dead!!!!!That sucks.
He is legend R.I.P
May he rest in piece! You will be forever in our hearts, and you will live forward trough your music. My heart goes out to all his loved ones. R.I.P.
saraVaio: So if Jackson did do those things you dont mind that's pretty sick if you ask me.
R.I.P King of pop , there will never be KOP again . MJ was the one and only . I love all his Music videos . I always listen to his songs . I grew up with his songs . I can't believe he is dead . I think his body couldn't handle the plastic surgeries , medications and stress . so I assume that led him to die .we love Michael and we always love his songs . he is unique . he changed the history and style of music . He created his own style in dancing and music and that is something rare to create a style of your own .To the people who are saying he is child molester , well we can't be 100% percent sure , his sentence in court was innocent . Whether he really did it or not , it's his personal life and I don't care if he is guilty or not , it's something that up to him . I love his songs and I enjoy it . MJ is loved worldwide . He should be respected and appreciated at this time . Michael Jackson was gift to America and to world . Rest in peace .moreless
agreed
When people are alive you'll all gladly rip them, Jade goody was a 'Racist ignorant heartless person' but when she got cancer and died she was the most perfect human being in the world... And when Michael Jackson was alive people branded him a pedo and now all of a sudden that he's dead most people suddenly love him
Questionable behaviour aside --- he was a very talented man who contributed to music in such a way, so as to have raised the bar for all others! There are plenty of other celebrities whose behaviour is questionable & excessive - but have not been as scrutinised & demonised to the extent that MJ was - his odd life style made him an easy target.
Let's remember him for his valuable contributions rather than as an eccentric -- as we are all a little bit eccentric. Thankfully, we do not have a bus load of media tracking every screwup we manage or money hungry oportunists willing to look for any chance to line their pockets!
He gave the world his talent and they took away his childhood, his teenage years was stolen away from him, gave him horror in his adulthood and didn't even give him a chance to live a fruitful old age. Cold world! RIP Michael
RIP king!
i disliked him as a person an only liked beat it & thriller but he was a human that has passed im a metalhead only listen to heavy music an rock in general an dislike pop crap an think he was a freak in my eyes but wow Rip lifes so short remember that ppl i kno i have cause ive personally lost 3 ppl in my life this yr an rly come to notice how much u need live life to the fullest thats my 2 cents.
Users that are making jokes are not funny, MJ is and always will be a legend.And for those who believe he is/was a pervert - I seriously doubt he was, why would the childrens parents only want money out of him, if someone did what MJ was accused of to my children I'd want him locked up, I wouldn't want a load of money.R.I.P Michael Jackson - King of Pop and a true legend.
Apparently not only did his nose fall off but so did the rest of him..
Okay for everyone stating that he was a pervert, I think only two people actually knows what happened in those alleged child molestation situations...God and MJ. To be fair, he was never convicted and he did pay the parents off but only because that was the best course of action at the time. MJ would always put himself in situations and it would make him an easy target for the media and parents with kids who wanted money. That's why he removed himself from the spotlight over the last few years.
Rest in peace Michael! You will always be the King of Pop and no one can take that away. Thriller will always be the best selling album of all time..always!... MJ was often imitated by the likes of people with no talent like JT, Usher, and Chris Brown, but he can never be duplicated. He is truly a legend.moreless
It's a shame his death will overshadow Farrah's. I'm with efc91 on this one.
Still in shock ... can't believe this happened ... he should wake up lol ... i wish ...
Michael Jackson set the standard for his generation and the next - the way he performed is still copied to this day, not just in dance - the thriller video made music videos a big deal. We have no present musician who can come near to his genius. I will not remember all the rumours - i will not remember some of his questionable moments. Just remember him as the greatest musician i ever saw. RIP Michael, you leave a wonderful legacy.
Rest in peace :( reallly sad when some one was that famous died :( but his music will remain ( King of POP )
RIP MJ, you'll be missed!!
R.I.P
It is just weird that he is gone. Rip MJ.
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The Grim Reaper of 2009 strikes again! Michael Jackson AND Farrah Fawcett on the same day? Its not fair and its very sad. Although I am scepitcal of his latest 'actions', I did like the man's music. He will be missed by me and a million other people - RIP.
Well said simpsonian100. Why has everyone forgot the FACT that he was sick pervert. Aalso he has been rubbish since the 80's .
I think thriller may be the best vid ever made..I was shocked when first i heard the news.. I'm really sorry for his death.. even though i wasn't a big fan of his..
Have we all forgotten about the way he was with kids? He had to pay off parents to avoid going to prison. Sure he was a great musician, but he was a messed up person. I think he's better off in the afterlife, if there is one. He'll be happier there (or not, depending on what could happen to him).
RIP Michael. You will be missed by everyone. This is just shocking, as one who owes music her life, he was a god. iluvMJ
RIP You're Legend.
The king of POP, he is right there, someplace, with the king of ROCK. What a week, ED, Farrah and now MJ, glad the week is almost over. To all rest in peace.
RIP Michael. His legacy through his music will always live on.
I'm still in shock! Never thought I'd see the day Michael Jackson died! As a singer and dancer, he was beyond his time and became a legend before most of us were born. No words can describe how sorry I feel for his family. RIP King of POP!
just makes ya sick very sad day
RIP MJ
R.I.P. Michael Jackson. You are truly one of the greatest pop icons that ever lived. Saying that you will be greatly missed does not say it properly. The world will remember you for your greatness and kindness forever.
RIP 'King of POP'
Shocking news... RIP
will be miss,lets do a preyer for them.
R.I.P.
Definately a shock waking up to this.
This damn near broke meMJ was such an Immortal Icon that we all forgot he was human and had to die as well. Just didn't think it would be this soon. The man is a legend. I think this will be one of the first times not just a whole nation but an entire planet mourns over one mans death. MJ's reach was that far...R.I.P