Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted “King of Pop” who emerged from childhood superstardom to become the entertainment world’s most influential singer and dancer before his life and career deteriorated in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50.

 

The person said Jackson died in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

 

The circumstances of his 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 UCLA Medical Center, 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” — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 26 million copies.

 

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

 

As years went by, he became an increasingly freakish figure. His skin became lighter and his nose narrower. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

 

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

 

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson’s rented home, was roped off with police tape.

 

In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

 

“No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow,” Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. “It’s like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died.”

 

Source: Yahoo, By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY and DERRIK J. LANG, Associated Press Writers Nekesa Mumbi Moody And Derrik J. Lang, Associated Press Writers

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Tags: michael jackson

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  Michael Jackson

  26. June 2009, 9:55 pm

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

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  bodydetoxdietgirl

  26. June 2009, 10:46 pm

  It is such a great loss that a man with great talent like Michael Jackson dies. RIP King of POP

  Reply
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  фото

  27. June 2009, 7:01 pm

  Michael Jackson is an AMAZING Person , he has a caring heart and will ALWAYS be the best Entertainer. Such a genius and will never be replaced. My Daughter and I attended his 45th B’Day Party and he was so sweet to talk to, he spoke to me about Glasgow, Scvotland, Edinburgh and he really liked it there on his visits.
  People that think he is weird or wacko, I think that is sad. Don”t Judge a book by its cover. There are many werd people out in the world. He was loved for being the Greatest Performer and for being such a caring person.
  He was done wrong in his short life.
  His Childhood was taken away from him and My heart goes out to Michael Jackson.
  R.I.P Michael

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  28. June 2009, 4:47 am

  I am still in shock about this, the same way I was when Bernie Mac died. I loves MJ music and my daughter was always everyday on Y-tube listening to MJ’s video’s.. we will all miss seeing him RIP Michael, WE LOVE YOU!!!

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  myarthritistreatments78

  28. June 2009, 6:53 pm

  Michael Jackson is my favorite pop artist ever since i was a child. He is truly the King of Pop and i am saddened by this news.

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  MJFAN

  01. July 2009, 5:02 am

  AEG needs to rethibunk its ticket refund policy

  Reply
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  07. July 2009, 12:51 am

  Just like the rest of the world, I was very sad when he died, he will always be remembered by his music. The world has lost a great artist, and he will be greatly missed.

  Reply