Photo: Reuters/stringer —Michael Jackson performing in Latin America in 1993
The end of an era. Pop Superstar Michael Jackson died today after suffering what may have been a heart attack. There are reports that the singer was not breathing and without a pulse when paramedics arrived at his West Los Angeles home at 12:30 p.m.
The 50-year-old music legend was rushed to UCLA Medical Center where efforts to revive him failed. Some of Jackson’s family members, along with the media, converged on the hospital. Also, a large crowd of onlookers and distraught fans gathered in front of the facility. Then at 2:26 p.m. this afternoon, the pop star was pronounced dead. Now it’s up to the Los Angeles Coroner to determine the exact cause of death.
Jackson was reportedly rehearsing for a series of 50 concerts set to kick off in London next month. After years out of the public eye, Jackson announced the series of performances on March 5, 2009 as “… the final curtain.” Thousands of fans bought tickets and were looking forward to seeing a moon-walking Jackson deliver some electrifying performances.
Michael Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, stepped into the spotlight as an extremely talented child and lead singer of the “Jackson 5.” That group of brothers was successful, but Michael became a superstar after going solo in 1971. Some of his most popular albums are “Off the Wall” (1979), “Thriller” (1982), and “Bad.” “Thriller” is considered the best selling album ever. The music video, “Thriller,” was a ground breaker as well. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards. Also, Jackson starred in the movie musical “The Wiz” (1978), a take-off on the classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” story.
Michael Jackson’s career had its ups and down, and so did his personal life, which included bizarre behavior, strange changes in his appearance, the 2005 trial for child molestation in which he was acquitted, and two marriages and two divorces. One of his ex-wives is Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. Jackson leaves behind three children, millions of fans, and a phenomenal music legacy.
