Its hard to comprehend the reality of this situation right now. Michael Jackson, the controversial but brilliant pop star was pronounced dead today from a suspected cardiac arrest. Paramedics tried and failed to revive him at his Bel Air mansion where he collapsed shortly after noon.
The seventh of nine children, Michael Jackson has been working in the music industry since he was five years old as a member of "The Jackson Five" with his siblings, and subsequently a hugely successful solo career. His Thriller album is regarded by many as the greatest pop album of all time and is the highest selling record of all time.
He was dogged in the press for his eccentric behaviour and ever changing physical appearace. This reached a peak in a high profile court battle in which he successfuly cleared his name of child molestation charges. The strain of this litigation took its toll on the star and he became a recluse in his later years, facing public ridicule and bankruptcy.
His comeback in a 50 show residency at the O2 in London was to be spectacular but his plans have been tragically cut short. We have lost one of the great artists of all time. The King of Pop is dead. To quote the Reverend Al Sharpton, "May history be kinder to him than the contemporary media".
R.I.P. Michael Jackson. Died Thursday June 25, 2009. Aged 50.
