Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 — June 25, 2009)
Kudos, flowers, tears, and memories are being shared around the world today for Legendary Entertainer, Michael Jackson, on this the first anniversary of his death. Like millions of his fans, first I was shocked and then saddened, when reports of Jackson’s death were confirmed on June 25, 2009.
Later, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office would rule the singer’s death a homicide from a drug overdose. Jackson’s personal physician, Cardiologist Conrad Murray, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with his death. Today, the singer’s father, Joe Jackson, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr. Murray. Details in a CNN report here.
At the time of his death, the pop superstar was in the Southland rehearsing for a series of “This Is It” concerts. The poster for the first leg of that tour in the UK is shown above.
Photo: Raul Roa/ Glendale News-Press — Fans gather in front of the Holly Terrace today, the mausoleum where Jackson was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale
Locally, some fans came from as far away as England, Scotland, Japan, and Australia to either visit the entertainer’s star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood or his grave site at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.
Family members, including Janet Jackson, and brothers Jermaine and Tito, visited Jackson’s crypt at Forest Lawn Glendale this morning. Some photos of Jackson’s family and the fans are on The Burbank Leader and Glendale News-Press websites.
Also, the Stevie Wonder-owned Southland radio station, KJLH, is paying tribute to Jackson all weekend long by playing his music and remembering his life and legacy. I’ve been listening off and on throughout the day and evening — how cool– to groove to some of the old hits and album cuts I have never heard before. You can tune your radio to 102.3 FM or listen live on the KJLH website here.
