"A Tribute To Michael Jackson"

MICHAEL JACKSON

(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
Friday June 26 (Philippines)

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.
Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

SOLD-OUT SHOWS

Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer 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.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.

"He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."
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.

Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson's death or condition.

Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.

"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.

"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.

CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR

Jackson was born on Aug. 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.

New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.

"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."

"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island. (Additional Reporting by Jill Serjeant in Los Angeles and Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Frances Kerry, Editing by Jackie Frank)

R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON - THE LEGEND - YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.
.. GONE TOO SOON ..

MICHAEL JACKSON (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

R.I.P

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

Everyone’s life follows the vein of his upbringing. Some people tell stories about a different way of life: experiences, traditions, customs, and routines that are often times exclusive to their families, cultures, or nationalities. While there are many differences among us, we have at least one great thing in common: Music. We all share music. We enjoy music, music, music. Irrespective of language, culture, customs, traditions, nationality, and religion, everyone makes a place for music in his life. Some of us write music. Some of us dance to music. Some of us sing music, and some just listen to it. Music is the thread that weaves our lives together in some way or another.

Consider a party guy who loves Disco, Pop, and Techno. From Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” to Jonas Brothers’ “Burnin’ Up” to MIA’s “Bamboo Banga,” he has no shortage of fun music to which he can shake his…Hmm! When he’s feeling more subdued and in the mood for a little culture, he appreciates Luciano Pavarotti’s Opera singing, Gustavo Dudamel & Simon Bolivar’s Classical “Fiesta,” and perhaps tops it off with a little Ella Fitgerald, the greatest Jazz songstress of all time. He listens to “Ella Sings Gershwin” and moves on to her lively “Rain on My Parade.” But he’s instantly trapped by her incredible scat, and he throws in her “Black Magic” for good measure. How can he stop there when there’s so much more to "Walk this Way" to? by Run DMC and Aerosmith.

If you walk into an elevator, you’re likely to hear smooth Jazz or Classical music. If you walk into a club, you’re met with a cocktail of funky sounds—Rock, Soul, Hip Hop, Latin, Ska, Metal, Punk, and Rap. If you stroll through a mall or an airport anywhere in the world, there is music in the air. When a baby is put to sleep, the music of a soft lullaby soothes his spirit. There’s music in the streets, churches, synagogues, schools, concerts, clubs, hospitals, homes, restaurants, shopping malls, banquets, and weddings. There is even music at funerals. Music consumes our lives from birth to death, and what a beautiful thing to be cradled by music, music, music!