Michael Jackson Dies

Oh wow. How old is he?

He’s 50…dob.8-29-58. I hope he’ll be OK.

Oh no! This saddens me! I hope everything will be alright!

I want nothing to happen to the man who is an icon the world over, but I always thought he never looked healthy in general..he always looked so frail in the past years.

I hope he gets better fast and takes good care of himself afterwards…

@LATimes: Pop star Michael Jackson rushed to a hospital by L.A. paramedics. He was not breathing when they arrived. http://bit.ly/1WsqG

Hmmm bummer. Hope he’s ok. Weird how just this morning after Farrah’s passing I was wondering if the “celebrity death comes in 3s” superstition would play out. Here’s hoping it doesn’t.

Oh my gosh! I hope he’s ok. Guess this is where I will be hanging out waiting for any updates.

How scary. Hope hes okay.

I’m so sorry to hear it. I hope it’s not too serious. I grew up with Michael, I just bought his Thriller video on Itunes, I really wish him a speedy recovery.

So sad. It’s all over Twitter, too, in case you tweet.

I always thought he was very healthy- dancing, being a vegan.

God, my 54 years feel old when I hear something like this…

jericho says I was wondering if the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“celebrity death comes in 3sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  superstition would play out.
===========================================
Yeah first Ed then Farrah! Oh no!

They just said on the news here that he wasn’t breathing when the paramedics got there.

Just…damn.

I don’t think I can deal with this. This is just too much.

Wow. I hope he’s okay. This is sad with both Farrah and Michael. Farrah’s death struck me harder than I imagined it would. They were both huge when I was in Jr. High/HS.

I thought this headline first read Michael Johns.

This is really awful! And he’s just 50! Hoping for better news soon.
I keep refreshing.

Frpm Twitter:

@BreakingNews OK! Magazine: Streets surrounding Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. blockaded by police with yellow tape.

less than 5 seconds ago from web

CNN confirms the LA Times story.

From TMZ

UPDATE: A Jackson family member tells TMZ Michael is in “really bad shape” and the brothers are headed to UCLA.

UPDATE: We just got off the phone with Joe Jackson Michael’s dad, who says “he is not doing well.”

ETA… There is a pic of them taking him from the ambulance now on TMZ

More updates from Tmz

*** Another update:
UPDATE: We just got off the phone with Joe Jackson, Michael’s dad, who says “he is not doing well.

**** Another update:
UPDATE: A Jackson family member tells TMZ Michael is in “really bad shape” and the brothers are headed to UCLA

leome says

This is really awful! And heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just 50! Hoping for better news soon.
I keep refreshing.
===================================
Yeah I keep refreshing too.

This isn’t sounding good at all.

I seriously want to cry. I hope that twitter is BS.

This is awful. I hope he’s okay.

I was so happy a few minutes ago after hearing Adam sing. Now….
This is so so sad.

Now x-17 is claiming he may have passed away

… Oh my god…

I hope he gets through this. Michael Jackson was like my hero.

…

Oh my gosh. Very sad.

This news makes me so sad ! I pray he’s alright .

perez and tmz saying he passed away..

TMZ reporting that he has died.

Wow..just read this about Michael, I hope he can recover
He is such a part of my youth

GeminiDolly says

Now x-17 is claiming he may have passed away
====================================== what is x17?

OMG he died

From TMZ

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

Sonyab, X-17 is a gossip site.

I’m really hoping Perez, TMZ, and X-17 are wrong. If it’s true… wow. Farrah and Michael in the same day.

No he can’t be dead! This is like a dream! I’m in a dream! We need more proof!

The way CNN is covering this story it’s as if they’re expecting it to ultimately be a story of the Death of Michael Jackson.

I have a feeling he’s gone. Oh no!!!!!

Victoria says

Sonyab, X-17 is a gossip site.
=====================
Oh!

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m really hoping Perez, TMZ, and X-17 are wrong. If ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s trueà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ wow. Farrah and Michael in the same day.
===================================
I hope they are all wrong!

TMZ says he is dead. ABC radio just repeated it using TMZ as a source, so still no corroboration.

Oh wow!

omg, this is terrible, I am feeling so sad right now

TMZ:

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

Oh my lord.

I just saw in the news that he is dead.
This is terrible.

Oh Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such sad news.

Oh how very very sad, I want to cry, so many memories growing up with him – wow -

I just saw on the news that he may be dead!

Well because I just don’t want to believe the worst I’m not going to believe TMZ. I’m watching it on CNN and they are saying just hospitalized, they are not saying died so until they say it I just won’t believe it. Even then I don’t think I will be able to. So so sad.

So sad. His children lost their daddy

What a crazy day. So sad.

Even here in the UK the news channels are all quoting TMZ. But no one else has confirmed it yet…

I feel absolutely heartbroken. This just….just no.

My sister is going to take this so hard. She has loved Michael Jackson since birth.

I just watn to cry.

Oh my gosh… this does not seem real. Wow – talk about memories. This is so incredibly sad.

GeminiDolly says

So sad. His children lost their daddy
=========================
If this is true who is going to take care of the children?

Very sad. The major news outlets aren’t saying he died yet, but the way they’re covering the story really sounds like this is true. His family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Wow.

Wow, this story happened so fast. RIP MJ

I want to believe TMZ is wrong but this is pretty big for even them to report without having a solid source.

There was just recently a picture in RS of him with two of his children and their faces were not covered up. I was just thinking they were so cute! And now this!

This is just very, very sad. You know the idols are going to take this hard, esp. Adam and Kris because they both loved his music!

RIP Michael.

This just seems so unreal.

I still want a CREDIBLE news source besides TMZ or Perez Hilton.

Wow.

That’s so young. Hopefully, he’s found peace.

I wonder what will happen to the kids…

I haven’t seen any confirmation of this yet on any of the major news stations, cnn, foxnews, msnbc. Where is everybody hearing that it is confirmed?

OMG first Farrah today now Michael. This is surreal. He was the same age as I am. Wow……RIP Michael.

I put on CNN and they’re still saying he’s hospitalized and is receiving “emergency treatment”.

This is just awful, though.

I would love to believe TMZ is wrong, but that is a pretty bold thing for them to say. I doubt they would if they didn’t know for sure, or at least have very solid evidence. So sad

This hasn’t been my week. Among the celebrity deaths I’ve also lost a beloved High School math teacher who died from a massive heart attack as well as a friend who drowned.

This week needs to end…and it shouldn’t have ended with the man who owned Pop music dying.

This just sucks.

OMG, Just saw the headline here and I’m reeling.
This is so shocking, I don’t even know what to say.
RIP Michael, you gave us beautiful music.

Sad Sad day, RIP.

Really sad. TV News outlets are not yet reporting this.

The NY Times and CNN have not confirmed it yet. And TMZ is…well….TMZ.

How ironic that Idol did an MJ night this season. As Kara said, I hope he got to watch it.

E! News announced the death on television maybe 4-5 minutes ago.

CNN nor MSNBC is reporting that he died.

St.Lucia says

This hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been my week. Among the celebrity deaths Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve also lost a beloved High School math teacher who died from a massive heart attack as well as a friend who drowned.

This week needs to end.
============================
Oh no I’m so sorry. *BEARHUGS*

yeah victoria.. i dont think they would even say itif it wasnt true

What? No way. No freaking way. I can’t comprehend it. I won’t believe it.

Just heard that due to hippa laws until the family confirms the death it cannot be announced publicly.

I would love to believe TMZ is wrong, but that is a pretty bold thing for them to say. I doubt they would if they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know for sure, or at least have very solid evidence. So sad

I agree. Sadly more times than not TMZ turns out to be correct.

E! News claims to have confirmation from an unamed source at the hospital.

Wow. This saddens me so much.

I know he became a punchline but he made such fantastic music, and he was an ICON. I have so many memories from being a kid and listening to his stuff. It was his music/videos and the Beatles that shaped so much of what I love about music.

Tragic.

Yeah-he probably is dead. The hospital won’t issue a statement until the family gives them permission to. So it could be a few hours after the death.

How old are his kids anyway. Two have a mother who had some visitation rights I think–Debbie Rowe? Is that right?–but the third was by a surrogate. So one of MJs siblings would probably the next of kin for that child. Their lives are so messed up. Poor kids.

Fox News is now saying that they are unsure of his condition at this point and that sources from the family are saying he’s not well but that is all that is being said.

ETA: I’m thinking he is probably dead as mj is saying and that we are just waiting for confirmation. This has been a very sad news day.

Mainstream news will not report a story unless they are rock-solid sure. So, I’m not surprised there was a delay.

Fox just reported that someone from hospital or family is going to give a statement really soon.

ETA…and a reporter on Fox just let it slip. “First Ed, then Farrah and now Michael”

Mainstream news will not report a story unless they are rock-solid sure. So, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not surprised there was a delay.

Most likely he has died, but they are not going to make the news official at the hospital until his family is notified of his passing.

St. Lucia, I’m so sorry.

So sad. Thriller was one of the first records I ever owned. RIP, Michael

Im very saddened by this. I dont care what they say, Michael Jackson was a genius and Thriller was the best video ever made. I didnt understand him, he was a complicated individual and Im not at all certain he was a child molester. The only thing Im sure of is that I loved his music.

This is heartbreaking – I’m heartbroken. Michael was one of a kind.

So sad. Another Legend gone.

Fox just reported that someone from hospital or family is going to give a statement really soon.

It would no doubt take time to set up a press conference of this magnitude. It’s going to be insane. It’s just so bizarre, Farrah and Michael on the same day.

I don’t want to, but I’m afraid I believe TMZ. It’s a matter of the networks waiting for the official statement. The family is probably gathering, and they want to wait until they are all there.

*tears*

We have tickets for his concert in London this summer. I was so looking forward to seeing him perform and now he’s gone.

It feels as though my childhood just died.

Perez just tweeted at Lindsay Lohan:

I’m afraid it’s true, and I’m afraid when we find out autopsy results it will be even sadder.

Is he just talking, or does he know something about the autopsy? Seems like a strange way to word it, although I can’t imagine how Perez would have found the autopsy results so fast.

How ironic that Idol did an MJ night this season. As Kara said, I hope he got to watch it.

Even more ironic, at ontd_ai we’re doing a S8 rewatch and today’s episode was supposed to be Top 13 MJ night.

I cannot believe it. Today is a very tragic day. RIP MJ and FF.

CNN just said that LA Times is reporting he is in a coma

Just wow. He was younger than me. I was never a fan, but he was indeed a legend…so sad.

This story is too sad to even think about what Perez is twittering…

omg i am in shock. I was just abt to write on the thread that i hope he gets better fast .

Now I’m confused. So is he dead, or in a coma?

Is he just talking, or does he know something about the autopsy? Seems like a strange way to word it, although I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine how Perez would have found the autopsy results so fast.

They couldn’t have performed an autopsy as yet. PH is being his normal slimey self and probably implying drug use, etc.

I’m waiting for a more credible site than TMZ as well. All the news sites are saying Michael was rushed to the hospital. Most are saying he had to be given CPR before leaving in the ambulance. CNN is saying a fire captain, and they name him, has confirmed Michael has been taken to UCLA Medical Center. Fox News says family is saying he is not doing well. MSN reports the same as the basic news.

No one is saying he has died yet, but that could be because his family still needs to be notified. I’m going to hope TMZ is wrong on this one though.

Now Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m confused. So is he dead, or in a coma?

Probably dead. It’s going to take a while for a press conference to come out though.

Farrah Fawcett died from cancer was doing the pointy pose way before Ai did via Charlies Angles..and now MJ from cardiac Arrest ..Talk about two I grew up with I remember MJ in his heyday way back..

La Times and Cbs has stated he has died….

Well reports that he wasn’t breathing on arrival to the hospital even though the paramedics were administering CPR is not good to start with, depending on how long that drive was.

Regardless of the outcome and no matter what his personal life has been like…the man was a creative genius and we are all blessed to have his music around us.

Sad RIP to Farrah and Michael…

This is just so surreal, I can’t believe it’s really happening. He’s like an immortal and I’m sure the world will be severely shaken by this news even if he hadn’t been making music and has been accused of so many things for a while now. He is still and will forever be always the only King Of Pop…

Probably dead. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to take a while for a press conference to come out though.

LA Times just updated saying he’s in a coma, though. I’m not sure what to believe.

I do too, pop. It is as if pieces of our youth have been disappearing all week. Ed McMahon, Farrah and now MJ. Okay, now my local news is saying he’s in a coma.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“First Ed, then Farrah and now Michaelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Well, that’s three. All done for now.

Is he just talking, or does he know something about the autopsy?

Just common sense. MJs parents are living (medical history); he’s not obese; he’s super thin; he’s only 50. There will be some prescription drugs involved I bet.

Is he just talking, or does he know something about the autopsy? Seems like a strange way to word it.

Maybe there are more rumours floating about. You can have a heart attack at almost any age, but the average for men is like 66. Plus, he wasn’t overweight or eating french fries all the time. Of course, they just said “cardiac arrest” and he wasn’t breathing had no pulse when they arrived (which is never a good sign because you only have about 4 minutes without oxygen before you sustain brain damage unless somebody is doing CPR so how long was he “down” before the ambulance showed up?) so something else could have stopped his heart. And there are lots of things that can do that.

If it’s sad, I’d guess suicide. Probably shouldn’t speculate.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m waiting for a more credible site than TMZ as well. All the news sites are saying Michael was rushed to the hospital. Most are saying he had to be given CPR before leaving in the ambulance. CNN is saying a fire captain, and they name him, has confirmed Michael has been taken to UCLA Medical Center. Fox News says family is saying he is not doing well. MSN reports the same as the basic news.

No one is saying he has died yet, but that could be because his family still needs to be notified. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to hope TMZ is wrong on this one though.

I just backed up my Tivo buffer to check- E! News (television) ran a breaking news segment announcing the death at 6:03pm EST.

What are hippa laws, Tess.

I imagine like with Miranda Richardson, the family has decisions to make more important than talking to the press like pulling the plug, possible organ donations, notifying all family members.

It would suck to find out a loved one died via the press.

CNN said it is not confirmed yet. 5:17 PM Central time.

Kris just tweeted:

KrisAllen4RealThis is one of those moments in time you will never forget

8 minutes ago from TwitterFon

LA Times just updated saying heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in a coma, though. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure what to believe.

If he has died, the hospital will not tell the media right away. His family has to be notified first.

Tess Jun 25th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

Regardless of the outcome and no matter what his personal life has been likeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦the man was a creative genius and we are all blessed to have his music around us.

So true!!

CNN is not reporting dead only hospitalized. Please don’t take TMZ over CNN as a reliable source

Some guy at Fox News is saying he has a source that told him weeks ago that MJ had sold concerts in London but hadn’t hired choreographers, dancers, etc. and was under a ton of pressure. They’re suggesting it could be drug-related, and they are alluding to suicide.

Also, a little part of me wonders if this is just another MJ death scare. There have been several, so it makes you wonder…

I’m going to guess that he is dead, and was dead. A super talent-before he got weird and his face melted. The fate of the children will be interesting.

Mainstream news will not report a story unless they are rock-solid sure. So, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not surprised there was a delay.

Yes… they have to wait for confirmation from the hospital I am sure which takes family clearance. I can’t think TMZ would run with the king of pops death if they were not sure. Even if they are TMZ.

CNN is now saying Michael jackson is in a coma

If ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sad, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d guess suicide. Probably shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t speculate.

I agree we shouldn’t speculate, but I have to admit this came to my mind.

well LA times had updated and said that Michael is dead…so I guess this really confirms it RIP Michael

The fate of the children will be interesting.

And sad.

At least in a coma now. I am guessing that they are just trying to wait for the official press conference.

CNN is saying coma. But under the circumstances, he’s likely brain dead.

LA Times is saying he passed away.

CNN is saying he’s in a Coma.

Kris just tweeted:

KrisAllen4RealThis is one of those moments in time you will never forget

8 minutes ago from TwitterFon

Kris is right. I remember exactly where I was when Elvis died and Princess Diana.

I bet both Kris and Adam are very upset by this.

If he has died, the hospital will not tell the media right away. His family has to be notified first.

Exactly. If he is dead, then once the entire family who is en route to the hospital is notified then that it probably when we will get definite confirmation. Fox News is saying we should be hearing something one way or the other shortly.

Okay, now my local news is saying heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in a coma.

That is what Fox News is saying as well. There is an absolute media circus right now around that hospital but considering who this is, I’m not surprised.

My impression was that he was DOA when they got him to the hospital, but that they’d wait to confirm.

Whatever you want to say about the man, he was an icon. A living legend. And so young.

First Farrah, now this. It’s too shocking for words really.

Poor Michael. He never quite seemed to fit into this world, you know? Just an odd, sad man-child… but musically, man was he a genius. I was madly in love with him when I was in middle school, I remember watching him perform Billie Jean on TV and just *swooning*. He was so cute back then. If it’s true that he has passed away, RIP Michael.

LA Times has confirmed!

His family was quoted as saying he collapsed at the house. I wouldn’t assume anything at this point in terms of cause. They seem to be confident though, that it was a heart attack. I hope he is not gone.

But ABC and the L.A. Times say he’s dead…I’m confused

I’m utterly shocked at this news. I’d just dropped by for some “happy” Idol news to discover this. I heard about Farrah, but we all knew her tragic end was coming (sad nonetheless). Even though I haven’t been a Michael Jackson fan since high school, for some reason, I’m really terribly sad. When we lose someone iconic like this, it’s like we’re losing a piece of our pop culture history which can never be replaced.

The big 3 – CNN, MSN, FOX – are all reporting Michael is in a coma.

NBC says he passed away

I wasn’t a fan, but feel so sorry for those who were – or I should say ARE, because his music will live on. Sincere condolences.

In addition to LA Times and CBS News, CNN now confirming that he has died.

Both Matt and Kris have tweeted about this. I absolutely remember the Thriller album. (I remember the Jackson Five, but let’s not go there.) He had a tough life, but he inspired millions. RIP, MJ.

I’ll remember Michael for his music….the rest is best forgotten!

ABC here in L.A. say they have confirmed that Jackson is dead

I’m sure there will be an official hospital release soon.

They seem to be confident though, that it was a heart attack.

Well, that depends if the hospital says it was a heart attack or if they say “cardiac arrest.” Because technically we all die from cardiac arrest; it just means his heart stopped. It could be they are being careful with their words or it could be he actually did have a heart attack. Hard to know at this point.

It’s been obvious for a long time that the man is/was not healthy…in more ways than one. It’s just so sad for somebody who was on top of the world to end up like this. There but for the grace of God go [a lot of people so very much more famous and talented than] I.

Farrah, God Bless her, was not a surprise. Ed McMahon, not a total surprise either. But Michael Jackson? Shocked. Seriously.

What a massive, massive talent this boy had.

I am so sad, Michael Jackson contributed so much to the music world.

AP reports he is dead too

Is brain dead considered semantics in the media?

It all reminds me of the sad day Miranda Richardson died from that freak ski accident.

The AP is now saying he is dead but Fox News is still waiting for confirmation.

ETA: Fox News is saying that both the LA Times and the AP is reporting that he died at 3:15 pm PDT.

Kris is Michael’s huge fan, he should pay his condolence as soon as it comfirms. Maybe he should do a MJ song on tour as well in memory of him.

I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson’s as a kid. His personal stuff ended up turning me away from him and his music. But this is still very sad. He was such a great musician and a true icon. And just 50 years old.

I’m heartbroken. I now know how people felt when Elvis died. Its just so shocking. It seems so unreal. I want to cry. RIP Michael. You were delfinitely a musical genuis.

NBC news just confirmed. I’m so sad.

Charlie Gibson just said he is dead! I’m in tears!

Kris just said something about MJ i think

This is one of those moments in time you will never forget16 minutes ago from TwitterFon

OMG. CNN is playing film of his performing On Baby Give one More Chance with the Jackson 5. He was such a baby then.

I’m actually getting an asthma attack.

I assume they are keeping him in some sort of coma state until his family gets there. It sounds very grim so if he’s not actually dead yet I expect he will be shortly.

I was a huge MJ fan. Loved “Off The Wall” and “Thriller.” I did lose a lot of respect for him, though. His situation is very, very sad. I pray for his kids.

Fox just reported that Elizabeth Taylor is expected any moment now at the hospital.

Not to be heartless (and not in a good Kris Allen way) but I’m sorry, not feeling it. Michael’s life was tragic, his dying is not. Shocking, yes, tragic? no. His personal life, for me, precludes my feeling upset about the loss of his undeniable musical talents.

Wow. I wasn’t even around during the height of MJ’s career, but this is crazy. I can’t believe it.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m heartbroken. I now know how people felt when Elvis died. Its just so shocking. It seems so unreal. I want to cry. RIP Michael. You were delfinitely a musical genuis.

So Michael impersonators check…waiting for pilgrimages to Neverland and Michael sightings…sorry for being crass…it’s how I deal with shit.

Good night, Sweet Prince. Confirmed here at the Los Angeles Times, KCAL9 and other local outlets.

I feel the way so many others do. Personal like was a mess, but the man was one of the greatest entertainers of all time and his music stands on it’s own. I believe this may be second only to Elvis’s death. And a sad day for me. Like I said I didn’t care for him personally, but 3 icons from my childhood and teen days have passed away within the last couple of days. Much sadness today.

Wow. I don’t even like the man and I’m in tears.

Who ever mentioned Elvis….yup there are a lot of similarities. Both really messed up personal lives, very sad relationships, physical and drug abuse, comebacks and non-comebacks….but THEIR MUSIC will be their legacies. Isn’t it ironic that Lisa Presley is involved in the lives of both of these men.

This reminds me of the day I turned on the TV to find that Princess Diana had just died. Total shock. He was the same age as my sister (and only a few years older than me). Just wow.

They were not able to resussitate (sorry-sp) him, he is deceased.

Wow. In his later years (and odd thing to say since he was only 50 and I am 52) he went a little crazy there, what with all the strange nose surgeries, the skin color and the little boys, but you can’t deny his place in the annals of music.
He was an icon, no matter what.

Deleted

In addition to music he contributed to dance. I am thinking of SYTYCD Jason’s profile last week- in a white shirt standing in front of the fan as a toddler emulating Michael.

I’m still in shock. I’m afraid to call my oldest sister, she was a Jackson 5 nut! Holy cow. R.I.P. Michael.

http://idol-thoughts.com/talent//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=125 – Responses from many Idols. How sad to hear this terrible news :sick_ee:

Michael Jackson 1988 Grammy awards performance, when he was at his absolute best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrjXV2fNBx8

Seriously, for me the most tragic deaths were those like John Lennon, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix…maybe John Lennon the most because he had absolutely nothing to do with his death, but for me it’s those who died in the prime of their music making careers…count Richie Valens even and for sure, Stevie Ray Vaughn. The most heartbreaking to me was Gram Parsons because he died on my 17th birthday. I just guess I am more upset when they were still offering so much rather than resting on their laurels no matter how glowing those laurels are.

wow weese that was already poignant…..is that show live on results night or not?

i’m so close to tears, it’s unreal. my sister is a HUGE michael jackson fan. she is going to be devastated. may he rest in peace.

danny just tweets à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Please Pray For Michael Jacksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“

Michael is a person that will always be remembered.

Michael Jackson just epitomized my youth…growing up with my sister who forced Michael down our throats it was hard not to absolutely adore the man. I grew up with his music constantly. I have visions of my Mom, sister and I dancing around in the living room to his music videos.

Having talked to my sister and hearing her heartbreaking sobs was all it took for me to feel the same way. Crying with my sister made it even more true.

I don’t remember Elvis dying, and was too young to respect the sadness of Lennon(even though music begins and ends with the Beatles for me), but this feels like what it would have felt like for the generations of Elvis and Beatles fans…

I’m just at a loss.

This is a day I will never forget. I will always remember exactly what happened the day Michael Jackson died right down to what I was wearing.

I’m watching Special Agent Orso, because I have a 2 year old. But I was watching CNN and I’m just so saddened. I was a teenager in the 80s when Michael Jackson was THE pop icon. There will be much playing of his songs on my iPod today.
My heart truly aches for his children.
RIP

CNN confirms!

Honestly people can’t deny without this man influence a lot of music artist would not be here today.

I have mixed emotions about mourning him. On one hand his music is a big part of my childhood and the guy was an undeniable musical genius. on the other hand, the stuff he was accused of doing with children just can’t be ignored regardless of whether or not he was convicted. It just can’t be swept under the rug. So it’s weird because on one hand I don’t care but on the other hand I feel a sense of loss. It is unfortunate that he created this situation where there will be so many mixed feelings rather than a unanimous outpouring of respect and loss.

Someone was asking about HIPAA. It’s the Health Information Privacy Act: basically it says that your doctor can’t release any health information about you without permission (in the case of death, your next of kin has to give permission).

Here’s a link:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/index.html

So very sad. RIP Michael

IDK what Kris Allen or any former idol thinks..It is not about them à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.Geeze

To me it kind of is because they sang his music just as many others have.

Three huge music icons have been Elvis, John Lennon and now Michael. All sad and tragic deaths. All of their music will live on… their music bigger than their lives. I will be praying for Michael’s family.

Oh dear Niall, you just gave me the chills, how long before the muckraking commences?

The AP is now confirming as well:

AP Source: Michael Jackson dies in LA hospital

A person with knowledge of the situation says Jackson died Thursday in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Noooo!

*cries*

To me he was a musical genius of tremendous influence who simply went insane.

His disease (or even issues, if you prefer) in no way negate the magnitude of his contribution to the world of music.

It’s not even processing in my head right now. I never understood his personal life but I never doubted his talent. My childhood hero is dead…

He was a very strange and troubled person but a true musical genius and far too young to die. RIP, Michael.

Whatever tragedy his personal life had become, Michael Jackson was a true legend and genius in his professional life. May his troubled soul now rest in peace.

funny I was just telling my son a couple of days ago that MJs Thriler was kind of the birth of the music videos craze. I may be wrong and I know there were music videos before that but it seems I remember it being the one that really got them going. The first one that was really quality or something like that.

TMZ is now saying he was dead when the paramedics arrived at his house. How sad. Hope the children weren’t around.

Horrible news. Michael Jackson certainly had his personal issues, but he was a musical genius. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, and his catalog of great music is both wide and deep. It’s particularly sad that he died right as he was preparing a comeback on stage in London. RIP, Michael. I hope you’ve found the peace that eluded you in life.

My heart goes out to his children — I hope they are surrounded by lots of love and support right now.

There will never be another Michael Jackson. The greatest entertainer in history. The WORLD mourns his passing.

I think Michael Jackson was the first person to make a video more like a mini movie and Thriller was his first epic.

He was not the first person to use video brilliantly as a promotional tool, he merely took it to a whole ‘notha level.

I understand a lot of people want to bring up the MJ trail but please have some respect for a person who CHANGED the music industry for what is was and BROKE barriers that no artist has yet to achieve today. He is and will always be a music legend whether you are a fan or not. So regardless of his personal life there will never be another artist like him in this lifetime.

A commentator just said “I wonder how many Michael Jacksons there were” in reference to all of the “stuff” that went along with his life, and he wasn’t referencing the plastic surgery. I think that is where we will all be taken during the next few days while his life is on display prior to his funeral. And which of the Michael Jacksons was really him? Will we ever know what drove him into insanity…and I truly believe he was insane to a certain degree.

@DavidArchie tweeted:

Oh my heck…. Really really sad to hear about Michael

Michael Jackson was one of David’s biggest influences.

Fox News is now saying that we should be getting a news conference from hospital officials shortly.

ETA: They are also saying that his mother arrived at the hospital approximately 10 minutes after he was pronounced dead.

mastriod2000
Jun 25th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I understand a lot of people want to bring up the MJ trail but please have some respect for a person who CHANGED the music industry for what is was and BROKE barriers that no artist has yet to achieve today. He is and will always be a music legend whether you are a fan or not. So regardless of his personal life there will never be another artist like him in this lifetime.

Hear! Hear!

The icon that was Michael Jackson died a long time ago. Finally the unrecognizable shell that was all that was left can be put to rest.

Rest in peace Michael. God bless your children.

thanx lavender1960 that is kind of what I was trying to say. You said it better. BTW I just went and watched that video, even today it still stands as one of the best. The guy was SO incredibly talented what a shame he died so young.

Tragic, tragic end to a strange and sad life. He was an icon throughout my life. The Jackson 5 was huge when I was very young; it was probably some of the first music I knew. “Off the Wall” was our freshman class theme song and “Thriller” was released my senior year. So much of him was the soundtrack of my life.

Whatever his personal issues, he was a phenomenal creative talent the likes of which we will never see again. My heart goes out to his entire family, his children in particular.

I confess to having mixed feelings too. To me, it is a sad ending to a very sad and troubled life. Yet, there is no denying he was a music icon who left an incredible artistic legacy and his contributions to subsequent generations of artists have been enormous.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his children …

The icon that was Michael Jackson died a long time ago. Finally the unrecognizable shell that was all that was left can be put to rest. Rest in peace Michael. God bless your children.

That pretty much sums up my view, as well. Gotta give him credit though: He joins Howard Hughes and Elvis Presley as the craziest dudes that ever lived. If anything Jackson may have seized the crown for world-class crazy.

Will we ever know what drove him into insanityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦and I truly believe he was insane to a certain degree.

Nobody gets that crazy without a lot of chemical assistance. There had to be a heaping portion of self-loathing. I mean a great looking black dude mutilating himself to look like Elizabeth Taylor. I think it’s fair to say that he wasn’t “comfortable in his own skin”. I’m sure the child abuse had a lot to do with it. Then, like Howard Hughes and Elvis, they go into seclusion and nobody around them can intervene, so they just get crazier and crazier.

Omg, I am in tears. Just heard The Jackson Five the other day and marvelled at how great he was even as a child.

A quiet, peaceful man who profoundly impacted modern music. I never knew how much he meant to me til now. I was also there glued to MTV as a teen when Thriller hit. I hope he’ll be judged for his benevolent acts but of course the media will dissect all of the bad stuff and call in former litigants for interviews. F that. I choose to remember the good and not judge his alleged improprieties. I never had to walk in his shoes. He only has one man to answer to now, the only one who really matters anyway.

I was always glad he had Elizabeth Taylor. She publicly embraces people who find themselves on the fringes and it is something I have respected her for.

lavender, it’s Natasha Richardson. Miranda Richardson (no relation) is alive and well as far as I know.

I think people ask the Idols what they think, so they respond. Or maybe, just like us, it’s cathartic to share something really strange and unfathomable with the collective.

To me, Michael Jackson was an icon both when he was so little and cute (and I was in junior high) and then when Thriller hit and he became the King of Pop. I have no clue what happened inside or outside of him to turn him into the frail, ghostly guy with no nose. Something was obviously wrong there.

Very sad all around, that the life he had was so clearly not the life he wanted and that he never really had a life when it came right down to it.

OMG what a shock..I am off to watch Adam’s peformance of Black or White as a tribute to such a musical genius. I remember one of the judges (was it Paula?) saying that they hoped that Michael was watching, and Adam mouthing “I love him!” So sad……

RIP Michael… what an increcible loss to the music world.

Michael Jackson will always be a Legend.
RIP Michael. King of Pop
I’m still in shock.

Michael Jackson was a great entertainer and musical genius.

I grew up with the Motown music and the Jackson 5. Later my children watched Michael Jackson on MTV and we bought his albums. What great dance music he made. He was a musical icon.

Prayers go out to his family, especially his three young children.

RIP Michael.

Michael Jackson was a pop icon. He was a musical genius and there will never be another like him. He changed music as we know it and his music will always be timeless. Such a talent. So tragic.

I understand a lot of people want to bring up the MJ trail but please have some respect for a person who CHANGED the music industry for what is was and BROKE barriers that no artist has yet to achieve today. He is and will always be a music legend whether you are a fan or not. So regardless of his personal life there will never be another artist like him in this lifetime

I couldn’t agree more. Say what you will about his personal life, the man was a genius and an inspiration for a lot of artists today. There is nothing to be happy about. I’m tired of hearing his sordid history brought up(I’m looking at you, certain news channel). THE MAN JUST DIED. His family is devastated. He left behind three children who are probably heartbroken. I think right now the man should just be remembered. His music, in one way or another, affected a lot of us in some way, no matter what his private life entitled later on. This is a loss for the generation of us who grew up with his music and loved him for that. I will remember him for that.

*goes to listen to Dirty Diana and every other favorite MJ song I can get my hands on*

I just watched the Thriller vid… man that thing was goooooood… but scarey! I LOVE watching him dance.

Much love to him!!!! Sad news indeed..

This is so tragic and very sad. My heart goes out to his family.

I was watching Transformers at the theatre when I got the text…man, I’m in shock. Whatever controversy surrounded him, Michael Jackson was an icon who changed the music industry, and one of the best performers this world has known.

“I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t agree more. Say what you will about his personal life, the man was a genius and an inspiration for a lot of artists today. There is nothing to be happy about. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m tired of hearing his sordid history brought up(Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m looking at you, certain news channel). THE MAN JUST DIED. His family is devastated. He left behind three children who are probably heartbroken. I think right now the man should just be remembered. His music, in one way or another, affected a lot of us in some way, no matter what his private life entitled later on. This is a loss for the generation of us who grew up with his music and loved him for that. I will remember him for that.”

edit: knock off the lecturing

I was a teenager in the 80′s and can’t imagine the music scene then without him. He’s a legend. My prayers go out to his family.

I know right. It sickens me to the posters on here who want to say they had mixed feeling about his death and calling him crazy. Do you people have hearts at all.

I wish I didn’t have such mixed feelings about this, he was a huge part of my childhood. I mourn the Michael Jackson I grew up with. The person of the past 15 or so years? Not so much and that is actually quite sad for me to say, in and of itself. I just don’t mourn child molesters and the reality is that IS part of his story, as inconvenient as that might seem to people right now.

Do you people have hearts at all. To at least show some respect because he was such a great singer, dancer and artist all around.

I don’t think you can underestimate how some of us view the pedophile child molesting history. My wife, for example, will not allow me to put a Michael Jackson song on her iPod or play a song or a video when she’s around. I respect her opinion on that.

I am able to compartmentalize the music and the man to some degree, so I still can appreciate the music. I’m with my wife all the way on the pedophilia. Maybe it’s a parental thing.

People need to wrestle with their mixed feelings though and this board is a safe place to do that.

Editing myself…….

edit: take the lectures somewhere else

On the music side:

I would be interested in hearing how people think he changed the pop music scene.

The Thriller album is my fave of all time. His music videos were amazing. No one can ever top them imo. That Thriller vid is like a mini-movie not just a music vid. Oh how I loved his music. I was hoping he could turn things around with his comeback tour.

RIP Michael Jackson . His music legacy and what he represents culturally in our times are something undeniable and unique.

On the music side:

I would be interested in hearing how people think he changed the pop music scene.

Uhh eveything this ICON did changed the way of Pop and R&B music of what its is today. You can find another and there will never be another. Thats all that needs to be said.

And the book of the 80′s was just closed forever. Rest in peace, Michael.

I would be interested in hearing how people think he changed the pop music scene.

Seriously? I would think someone would have to be really, really young or really, really old to ask this.

I’m listening to Thriller right now. This is a terrible loss today.

hollygo9 Jun 25th, 2009 at 8:16 pm

And the book of the 80à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s was just closed forever. Rest in peace, Michael.

The last time I looked, Donny Osmond is still alive.

ETA, I’m not being flip by my above comment, Donny and Michael were my first two fan girl crushes.

I’ll never forget Christmas 1969 or 70 when totally unexpected, “Santa” brought me a cassette player and my very first cassette, The Jackson 5. I didn’t even know who they were and I’m sure my parents didn’t either. I played that tape until it just wouldn’t play any more.

It is very sad news. I hope he finds more peace than he ever did in life. I will mourn for the person who’s music I loved and who’s musical influence can’t be denied.

I’m with others, though, because the sadness I would expect to feel is definitely tempered by the loss of respect for him over his very public legal battles and eccentricities (like hanging his infant over a balcony). He had a sad life. Such talent.

http://www.yes.com/#Michael_Jackson

Yes.com is a place where you can track airplay. Some of us like to follow our fave idols there. Check out what’s happening with Michael Jackson tonight. It actually made me cry. Songs are being played non-stop all over the country… What will amaze you is just how many songs are getting played. What an incredible catalogue of music! Wow, Michael…

MJ – I know you’re not a yes.com fan but I thought under the circumstances it would be okay to post this link.

Thank you SparklesATL

The icon that was Michael Jackson died a long time ago. Finally the unrecognizable shell that was all that was left can be put to rest.

Rest in peace Michael. God bless your children.

I was just watching a 20/20 piece from circa-1980 or so on YouTube. It was part of the media promotional push for the Jackson tour for Micheal’s first solo album, Off The Wall. Anyway, Micheal was pretty much unaltered physically at that point. But Micheal’s mother was talking about how outgoing Micheal had been as a child, being the front man for The Jackson 5, has changed him and that he “was so quiet now”. She seemed kind of concerned. Micheal said that he felt like “an animal in a cage”. And this was long before the insanity surrounding Thriller’s success ever hit.

I can’t help but think that some of those who are having mixed feelings may have idolized MJ in his hey day. When all came forth about his life, they had to deal with the death of an idol at that point. This says something about him as a person, but nothing about him for what he contributed to the world of music.

Sometimes separating the man from his music is just too hard.

This in no way to me makes me less sad that a human being tragically passed from life today. This person, just happens to be known by the world mainly for the music icon he was, but also for his personal life as well (because of the musical icon he was.)

Amen hwc, Amen!

I would be interested in hearing how people think he changed the pop music scene.

I couldn’t answer that one. He didn’t change anything in my music world.

jersey, thanks for saying this so eloquently. I wouldn’t have been so kind.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m with others, though, because the sadness I would expect to feel is definitely tempered by the loss of respect for him over his very public legal battles and eccentricities (like hanging his infant over a balcony). He had a sad life. Such talent.

OMG I’ve been busy and away from the web all afternoon and evening. I can’t believe this, I’m so sad. Say what you will about his latter days, but the man was true genius and such a musical gift to us all.

RIP Michael. Sorry to lose you too soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8&NR=1

Unbelieveable… this video was an event on MTV. I remember watching with a ton of my friends… we were all glued to the set for the premiere. This is so sad.

Reminder:

Peeps who drop in to lecture or who try to direct the conversation here will be modded accordingly.

Read my guidelines if you haven’t already:

http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172

The hospital is giving the news conference as of right now.

ETA: Nevermind, it has just ended. Police have assigned robbery/homicide to the case because of the nature in which he was discovered by the paramedics. They aren’t saying his death is suspicious. They are just trying to make sure nothing criminal happened.

The children are 7, 11, and 12-years-old.

I think part of it is that his eccentricities (above and beyond child molestation charges) were so obvious to everyone. You can love or be influenced by someone’s music (or artistry or whatever) and still realize that there is something very wrong happening there. The plastic surgeries, the chimp, Neverland, dangling the baby over the balcony, calling his kid Blanket, draping his kids in masks and costumes whenever they were outside, the whole surrogacy fight… It’s kind of like Judy Garland and her weight losses and crazy marriages, or Liza with that last guy she married. MJ didn’t need to be found guilty by a court for the court of public opinion to know that something was wrong there. He was living a sad life in the past decade at least, no matter how many records he sold in 1985 or how many other other singers and dancers he influenced. I think mixed feelings are entirely appropriate, even if you loved him, because his life had become so strange, and nobody wants to see someone that, well, tortured, having to keep going. If it was physical problems or emotional problems or just the legacy of child stardom, there were still definitely problems there. And that’s sad, both in life AND death.

Nice to see my comment was deleted. I spoke my mind and its gets taken down.
but whatever.

Micheal’s past just needs to be put to rest. Whatever he did is between him and God now and not what a bunch of mixed feeling people think. So if you can’t separate him and his music legacy with his personal then thats sad in itself. Let the man RIP and get over any negative feeling you have. The man is dead and his legacy will continue to live on forever.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m with others, though, because the sadness I would expect to feel is definitely tempered by the loss of respect for him over his very public legal battles and eccentricities (like hanging his infant over a balcony). He had a sad life. Such talent.

I understand this, I do. I also understand that his…personal life become somewhat a loss of an idol for some when all his legal troubles and lifestyle choices become publicized. My Mom was one of the first to turn on him, and I can’t deny that I myself questioned some of his choices in the past.

However, I can still mourn the sadness of this because his MUSIC impacted my life. Period. His personal life aside never made as much of an impact on me as his music did. If I let musicians personal lives affect my sadness of their lives or my love of their music, I’d have no favorite musicians because I figure all celebrities, for the most part, mess up their lives in one way or another. Their constantly under the public eye and everything they do is under scrutiny.

I’m not denying that Michael made some very bad choices in his life, but I do believe he became a very sick man and he just wasn’t well, that, however isn’t changing my sadness any. The music world lost an icon tonight.

I’m sad for the ending I feel I’ve hit today. I’m sad for the loss I feel at a man who changed my life musically. I’m sad for all the things that will never be with him again.

I’m sad because I will not accompany my sister on his comeback tour now as we had initially planned.

What about the kids? Where will they go? Isn’t their mom still around?

Sparkles, I would think this is a blessing in disguise for the kids.

What about the kids? Where will they go? Isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t their mom still around?

The news are saying likely with the grandparents as the mother gave up all her right to the children to Micheal. So mostly to Micheal’s mother.

I hope he left a will that established guardianship for the children in case anything happened to him. If he really was abused by his father, I would hope he left the children under someone else’s guardianship.

John Mayer (who is not someone I am otherwise enamoured of) said it very well: 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.

As with Princess Diana or John Lennon or Elvis or James Dean or Marilyn Monroe — it’s often more about the loss of our own innocence or the echoes in our own hearts than the icon who’s died. “A strand of our cultural DNA” sums it up for me.

Deleted – wrong link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVJscGa5vbc

This just made me boo hoo… This is so heartfelt and personal. I’m teary-eyed.

I certainly hope I don’t have a strand of that DNA

I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t answer that one. He didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t change anything in my music world.

I actually do think Michael Jackson did change pop music in two specific ways. I just was curious what everone posting about how he changed music forever would mention.

Ironically, I think both things he changed were, IMO, bad directions for pop music even though he was fabulous in using them.

The first was his redefining pop music as incredibly processed and overproduced, really not intended to be played live, but instead to be played as the soundtrack for dance performances. He was so talented, he could pull it off, but I blame him for Brittney Spears and Auto-Tune and lip-synching.

The second was the whole music video thing. That would have happend with or without him, but he certainly played a role in moving pop music away from music and into playing characters in videos. Again, terrific stuff when he did it, but an overall negative influence. I blame him for Brittney Spears.

If I let musicians personal lives affect my sadness of their lives or my love of their music, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d have no favorite musicians because I figure all celebrities, for the most part, mess up their lives in one way or another.

I agree, completely. But messing up one’s own life (or even the life of another consenting adult) is one thing. Messing up the life of a child is something else again. That is inexcusable.

Having said that, I also agree with smartcookie, who pointed out how many of MJ’s problems were rooted in the pressures placed on him at such a young age and the lack of any childhood. He was essentially stalled in some Peter Pan-like limbo status, and from what I’ve read, his father was fairly abusive towards him when he was younger and under his father’s control. So as much as I believe that we’re all responsible for the actions we take as adults, I’m not blind to the fact that there were contributing factors helping to shape the adult he became, which is why I feel conflicted.

Not conflicted over his death, mind you. He was a human being and his death is no less sad than any other. But I’m conflicted about how much sainthood should be conferred upon him for his undisputed and enormous contributions to the world of music. For me anyway, in this particular case, I find it difficult to separate the man and his music. I will readily acknowledge his musical genius and give him his due there. I cannot, however, completely erase the other side of his story.

All things aside, you have to wondered what happened to a person to make him erase all indications of his ethnicity, age (by changing his voice and body size), and even his sex.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been voluntarily castrated in order to keep his voice childlike.

edit: NO LECTURING

His creative contributions will always be remembered. I’m still shocked and sad. Rest in peace, Michael.

I dont really have much of an opinion on the matter.. never really listened to his music… but i do realize he’s had an impact on a lot of people so..

just bringing this over from twitter

DavidArchie:

Ah, I can’t get over MJ. I know everyone’s talking about it but he deserves the respect. I hope people will appreciate what he’s done.

So sad to hear the news. What a terrible loss. He was such an amazing talent. His singing, his dancing, his style. He completed defined the music of his time, and will always be remembered for his great contributions.

OMG…I was doing my nightly check in on iTunes and Michael Jackson is dominating the charts. What a tribute to his music.

I understand your feelings, LaurelG. Within the context of the music and dance world, Michael Jackson is an icon. He was a great entertainer.

My first exposure to the Jackson 5 was on local television programs, but they appeared on American Bandstand in 1973. MTV began broadcasting in August, 1981. Madonna and Michael made that cable network a hit with all the kids. My children did watch Thriller and later danced to his music (as did I).

Michael was not a brave person. May he rest in peace while we celebrate his music.

Very sad. I’m from his generation and remember having his poster on my wall. A musical genius. A phenomenal dancer. Rest in peace.

Lu Jun 25th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVJscGa5vbc

This just made me boo hooà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ This is so heartfelt and personal. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m teary-eyed.

Wow, just wow!!!:(

Sadly, seems his many troubles seem to have continued into recent days, with all kinds of health issues — making preparing for the new proposed tour terribly difficult, looks like.

Well, I don’t seem to be able to do a link. So here’s the url to a Brit story:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6585015.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2

Being accused of child molestation does not make one a child molester. Michael was aquitted. No one knows anything for sure and to label someone a pedofile without knowing any facts is dangerous business. There are, and have been, many people wrongly convicted of crimes they never committed.

I will never believe that Michael ever hurt any child. I believe both instances were cases of extortion on the part of greedy people. If I were a parent who truly believed my child had been molested, there isn’t enough money in the world that would make me go away. I would not accept any amount of money and would not be satisfied until the person was in jail. I question the motives of anyone who would accept anything less than a conviction and prison time.

In my opinion, the crimes committed were by the parents who put their children, and Michael, through such turmoil.

Michael never had a childhood and was abused by his father. He was eccentric and did odd things that many of us may have viewed as strange. He even made mistakes in judgement by allowing children to sleep over. He had plastic surgery which left him looking nothing like his original self. None of us may ever understand that. I saw an interview yesterday where it was suggested that as he aged, Michael saw his father’s face when he looked in the mirror, and did not want to look like the man who had abused him as a child.

No one can know what Michael’s personal life was like for him or what he felt or thought about. We only know what is put before us and we draw our own conclusions. What I do know, is that it is unfair to judge someone when we don’t know all the facts. No one ever proved that Michael molested any child. And while no one proved he didn’t, I choose to believe that his actions, while inappropriate by most people’s standards, were innocent. I believe Michael was sincere when he told us he did nothing wrong. Michael would not be the first person who’s life was essentially ruined by false accusations of child molestation, and I’m sure his will not be the last. I am reminded of a line from the movie “Pretty Woman”: “The bad stuff is easier to believe–you ever notice that?”

What I also know is that Michael Jackson was a phenomenon. His musical genius combined with his gift of dance will never be equaled. He is the ‘Elvis’ of my generation and brought many moments of joy to my life. His music got me moving and, his music was moving. I will never forget him and will always be a fan. Rest in peace, Michael–you’ve earned it.