Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50 after morphine overdose

[chillinwill]

Michael Jackson has died at age 50 after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center, NBC News has confirmed.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the L.A. Times that Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home and CPR was performed.

TMZ.com reported that he may have suffered cardiac arrest.

Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits included “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” 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.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

He lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation.

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.

A life in music
Jackson was born on August 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.

MSNBC
January 25, 2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029...ainment-music/

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for this. Its nice to hear what finally is the truth on what happened.

[laing1981]

OMG!!! michael jackson was a legend! cant believe it!

[samsa]

I'm still having trouble accepting this. Such a tragedy, what else can be said? I am going to sport a white glove with the title of his hit "Gone Too Soon" written on it on my right hand this weekend in mourning.

So who will secede the King of Pop?

[msmogadon]

Micheal was one of those people that SWIM could never imagine being an old man.

[miggeth]

Wasn't he addicted to pain killers once, was he still taking them? This concerns swim, he's not surprised though.

Swim wouldn't mind that red king jacket, when's the auction.

Swim's a monster, Raaarggh!

[Shamanche]

What?! god, i woke up like 30 mins ago the most and the first thing i learn for the day is that he died.... baaad start of the day, may him rest in peace... :/

[ex-junkie]

but are they really his children though?

regardless of whatever the fuck he did to his skin in his twisted desire to become a white person, being black is in his genetics. they dont even look half cast.

[Spucky]

It`s Bad!

Great Show`s he done, saw him twice, always are "not forget"!

[MrG]

So a mentally ill, pill-popping, pedophile who encouraged children in his care to drink "Jesus Juice" has died and we are supposed to say how wonderful he was?

Addicted to pain-killers? No. Addicted to the high he got from pain-killers? Yes.

I don't know whether I'm more happy that he's dead or more annoyed that his death now means there will never be a chance to convict him for his crimes.

[RedBaron]

Originally Posted by MrG

So a mentally ill, pill-popping, pedophile who encouraged children in his care to drink "Jesus Juice" has died and we are supposed to say how wonderful he was?

Addicted to pain-killers? No. Addicted to the high he got from pain-killers? Yes.

I don't know whether I'm more happy that he's dead or more annoyed that his death now means there will never be a chance to convict him for his crimes.

Hahah yes Mr. G, feeling is mutual with you there
one less addict + pedophile on the streets
spells good in Swims books

ps.... never was a fan of his music or moves anyway

[bananaskin]

Everyone has, and is absolutely 100pc entirely entitled to, their opinion, but Michael Jackson, with Quincy Jones, made up one of the most innovative musical partnerships of the 20th century.

[miggeth]

The paramedics shoulda performed Stayin' Alive instead of CPR, that would've sorted him out alright.

Yeah, that was lame I know, just trying to think of jokes it's too soon for.

[MrG]

Stayin' Alive wasn't Wacko, it was The Bee Gee's.

[miggeth]

It was?

[zulu1690]

swim would think the ideal replacement for the so called king of pop would have to be someone like errr gary glitter.no tears will be shed for wacko jacko from any of swims friends.

[Junkhead23]

I don't mind him. He wasn't a paedo I don't think

[pinksox]

To me MJ stopped being a good guy many years ago. There are, in fact, at least two judicial systems within the U.S.--one for those who can afford to buy and bribe their way out the the charges against then and the other for those who lack the means to do so.

I haven't and won't shed a tear over his loss although, legal faux pas aside, the man must still be given credit for re-inventing the music industry. Is is to Pop what GB was to the country scene.

Something must be done about the plethora of Hollywood docs who are bought into prescribing whatever their client--yes, client and not patient--asks for. Even though it may always not be necessary and is often detrimental to their health.

Demerol has waaaay too many bad untoward effects to be used. It's because of these it's use, has in fact, become increasingly less common since the mid-90's. Combined with benzos...and, wll, most of us here know that story.

[laing1981]

did anyswims ever consider that because of his state of mind and fucked up life he had....ya know....in the spotlight from a young age etc.. not forgetting the fact that he was absolutely loaded that it is almost imminent that not so rich people may try and accuse him of shit just to get a pay out?

cmon who didnt secretly try n moonwalk or attempt the thriller dance!!

thriller has to be the best music video of all time!

RIP

laing1981 added 1 Minutes and 28 Seconds later...

Btw farrah fawcett passed away yesterday also.

[bananaskin]

Originally Posted by laing1981

Btw farrah fawcett passed away yesterday also.

Peace to her.
Peace to them both.

[Venusia]

Not feeling so sad about it here either. Never was a fan, and I wasn't too convinced that he didn't touch any little kids.
The saddest part about it for me is that now every radio station won't stop with the MJ music. Ugh.

[thebige]

What seemed strange to swim.......as he got older,he started looking just the same as he looked all made up in the Thriller video....(not joking)
As a singer/dancer/entertainer he seemed very talented...
But seemed like his personal life was a mess.....





did he ever buy the elephant mans remains?and if he did who did he will them to?

[G_nome]

First Toady's wee dog, Bob, and now MJ!

Would everyone stop dying please?

[Nature Boy]

Unconfirmed reports are blaming it on the boogey.

(Just a thought: Isn't it completely perverse to listen to the Jackson Five considering they were whipped senseless by their abusive father in order for them to become successful. Worse than buying sweatshop clothes IMO.)

[Venusia]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

(Just a thought: Isn't it completely perverse to listen to the Jackson Five considering they were whipped senseless by their abusive father in order for them to become successful. Worse than buying sweatshop clothes IMO.)

Wow, good point. They always looked so flippin' happy too. I feel so bad for the whole lot of the kids, but the grown-up Michael, not so much.

[G_nome]

But did he ever really grow up?