Michael Jackson Obituary
Musical phenomenon and pop culture icon, Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 from a cardiac arrest. Born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, Jackson first took the stage at age five when he joined his four older brothers – Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito – to form the mega-successful Jackson 5.
As part of the Jackson 5, Michael soon took center stage which propelled him into a solo career that began with “Off the Wall” in 1979 which spawned such hits as Rock With You and Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. However, Jackson reached true superstar status when he reteamed with Quincy Jones on his second solo album, the blockbuster Thriller which was released in 1982.
Still the highest-selling album of all time, Thriller saw a seeming endless-stream of number hits including Billie Jean, Beat It and more. Released at the dawn of MTV, Michael Jackson is often credited with being the first African-American artist to be played on the network. It was his genre-busting short form platform-form breaking video for Thriller that made Jackson a pop culture titan.
In 1987, Jackson released Bad to big success, as well as Dangerous in 1991, but neither reached the same level of success.
Likewise, Jackson’s fame also suffered in the late 80’s and early 90’s from a changing music scene and the dominance of hip-hop. Most damaging were allegations of sexual abuse of children visiting his Neverland ranch. Though ultimately acquitted of charges, the stigma followed Jackson. Compounding his problems was his radically changing image, which many attributed to everything to plastic surgery to the pigment disorder vitiligo. Jackson married twice, once to Lisa Presley and again to Debbie Rowe. He also fathered three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II.
Most recently, Michael Jackson was preparing for a 30 date world tour.
I turned my T.V. to the news and heard Michael Jackson died. I could not believe it, even when Diana Ross asked people to pray for him at one of the award shows, I said a prayer hoping whatever illness it was would pass. Unfortunatley, this world lost a Legend today and I will truly miss him. He was a true genius.
Michael Jackson is the biggest star who will ever live. He is the definition of an icon, a talent that can never be matched, and is loved throughout the world. Say whatever you want about him as a person and what went on in his personal life, but you could not deny his talent, his love for people, or what place he will have in music history. This entire generation and generations to come owe their careers to Michael because there is not a singer alive today that would not cite him as a major influence. He is missed already.
I truelly wish that they would address the fact !! My opinion about those kids , I truelly don’t believe those are his children,we all know that Black Americans over power any race especially when they are mixed with another culture and those children are not mixed kids !!! I LOVE You Mike , you are Truelly America’s idol , You were the BEST !!!!!!
I am too sad to say I have been doing his moves for a long time he was an icon I think people and the media feel bad because of how they pounded him for aqusations he was found innocent I think that had something to do with the cardiac arrest RIP Mike I will always love you and miss you rest in peace
No one really knows if he did or didn’t molest those kids. I mean yes their are people out there who would say and do anything to get their hands on money but at the same time being labeled as “Wacko Jacko” and displaying bizarre behavior doesn’t help either. Natalie, who cares if he donated the sperm on not to make his kids. Their still his. He raised them and took care of them and that’s what counts. RIP MJ.
I’m speechless. I have been looking at youtube videos’ all day just remembering my childhood. I wanted to marry Mike(the Cartoon)Wow-If you need more mike to get you thru. Visit youtube I can’t turn it off. Did Prince release a statement yet?
OMG I still cant believe that Michael is gone it’s like a nightmare that I can’t wake up from I am truly hurt by this unfortunate tragety and I am still in disbelief like I said before I am praying that Michael is in eternal peace and I am also praying for the Jackson family for not only their huge loss but ours as well I LOVE YOU MICHAEL R.I.P.
I’m sadden, a great man has passed on. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Micheal is with his heavenly father now and I know I will see him soon. To his mother my heart goes out to you for no mother should ever have to burried her child. To the entire Jackson family please remember this in the words of gospel artist Carolyn Taylor” There is a story behind your praise”. Keep praising God for whom all blessings flow he is in peace sitting and the right hand throne of grace.
Well I know and the whole world know Michael Jackson was a bad man that God gave to his mother but not to stay in this world for ever. No one know the day or time but I say to the family, love ones, fans and friends of this great man made from the greatest creator, the time came for all his pains of this world to be over so he was called home to service the rest of this life with the creator of all. Mother Jackson your child is at peace.
I am still shocked and saddened by the loss of MJ! I can’t help but to keep hoping that it is a hoax like Fishbone did on Good Times! His musical legacy will live on forever. I downloaded all the missing favorites to my iPod! MJ forever!
Sailing On, Your 3 months older. I got my first AM/FM radio in the 70’s and the jackson were being played on Hot 101 rock & roll station. Their was no black radio station in those days in the Yo’ in Ohio.I loved all the Short mini movie video’s you created. Following your Life in the media, I understand why I didn’t use my Vocal Talents as a Radio/Tv Host. God bless you and your family, Sail On…………..My Brother……….
Words cannot even begin to describe the heart break I am feeling right now. As each moment passes, I wish it was not real. I was sitting in my living room, here in Atlanta, around 6 pm when a friend of mine told me that he had just been texted the news & I did not believe it! I went straight to the internet in hopes that it was a rumor; but it wasn’t. The first person I called was my Mama & she didn’t want to believe it either! Since I was so stunned at first, I didn’t cry. It wasn’t until I watched the video tributes on television & I saw the “Man in the Mirror” video & that’s what broke me. All I could do was think of all the GOOD things that Michael has done to touch the lives of millions of people all over the world. He never meant to hurt anyone; all he wanted was for people to feel the love in his heart that he himself truly needed, but somehow never received. I am also amazed & quite disgusted that people have already began to say mean things about him as if he didn’t have it done enough while he was alive! This is truly a time when he should be honored & respected for the loving soul he was. I am so fortunate to have been an 80’s baby because the Michael Jackson that always sticks out in my mind is the one moon walking, with the zipper jacket, penny loafers & those famous glitter socks & that one glove! Not the one that has been ripped to shreds over the past decade & a half! Since all that mess first started in the early 90’s; Michael has never really recovered. And it is my personal belief that he indeed died of a broken heart. He will never know how much he was really loved. I Love you now, Michael, just as much as I did when I was little & I sincerely apologize for expressing these words after you passed instead of while you were still living. I made a vow yesterday that in the words of Michael Jackson that I will “stop existing & start living.”
THANK YOU TVONE dor giving me a reason to watch TV one once again. I will be with you all night watching Michael - singing and dancing and celebrating his Life and music.
Michael Joe Jackson,
Heaven could not wait. Maybe tomorrow the pain will stop. One day in my life I will understand why you are gone too soon. Billie Jean stopped dancing today and I had to call my girlfriend. You gave so much of yourself to us all that we were not there for you. Tell God hello and know that we will rock with you forever and you have worked day and night to make so many of us happy.
Goodbye Man in the Mirror may they finally LEAVE YOU ALONE. On this day those who loved you are ALONE and I Remember the Time I felled in love with Michael Joe Jackson. You will always be my PYT who Thrilled us with your gifts. I write this to you saying Dear Michael; you properly will never get this letter I wrote you a 100 times before knowing how I feel I write 100 more.
You are Invincible. You are Bad, You are a Thriller, You have danced us Off the Wall, You are Dangerous and You are the KING OF ENTERTAINMENT.
My heart is sad, the pain is real I will miss you Michael but God needed you to sing to him and he knew you did your job of Rocking our World and that’s the comfort I have knowing you are not with us anymore.
Love your girl,
PYT
I grew up watching Michael Jackson on MTV. In those days not many black artist if any were being played on MTV. Michael Jackson you were the best pop artist ever!! Your legacy shall live on….RIP MJ
Tell Luther we send our love.
although young, i knew that if ever asked what or who was music…Michael Jackson would be the answer. No one will ever enbody his raw talent, his genuis, and his love for all his fans and people all over the world. I feel that we should honor him and forget what the public has to say about Michael because to alot and all of us he’s that guy that taught you to dance, love him and love yourself. Till this day I will always remember Michael Jackson as the young boy who came on the scene with his brothers making the music that my mother and father danced to……LOve you Michael and I send out my prayers to you and your family..
- Your just another part of me..!!!
I grew up on his music, from the time I can remember I was listening to his music. I will keep him alive through his music. RIP YOU ARE LOVED
Such a shock to hear of the news yesterday of MJs untimely death, even today its so hard to believe. He had such an amazing talent, I feel so sorry for his children. May a beautiful and gentle soul now be a rest.
I remember just walking in the door and turning on the tv and seeing the breaking news. I immediately sat on the couch in disbelief. he was truly an icon for all genres of the music industry. i truly loved his music and still listen to it today. i had both the mj jackets, the gloves, the glitter socks and the doll back in the day when i was a kid. it is truly sad that he was taken away from us so soon. there is no replacing him. AT ALL. My prayers and blessings go out to the family. RIP, michael. and I wont stop until I get enough!!!
IT IS A ROAD WE ALL MOST TRAVEL…. BUR, WOW WHO KNEW MICHAEL WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIS JOURNEY WITH GOD AT 50!!!! I GREW UP WITH MICHAEL AND THE JACKSONS FIVE. SO, IT IS ALSO A AWAKENING CALL FOR EVEN ME… WE MUST MAKE SURE WHEN THE TIME COMES - OUR HOUSE IS IN ORDER. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ALL THOSE NEAR AND FAR THAT KNEW OF HIM AND HIS MILESTONE THAT NO OTHER CELEBRITY CAN TRAVEL.. GRACE AND PEACE UNTIL GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. MJ REST IN PEACE!!!! SWEET REST!!!! SWEET REST!!! UNTIL WE MEET.
T-BONE
Greetings, Michael Jackson love for mankind is what pulls our hearts. We all know right from wrong and most of us want to do the right thing. Michael gave freely from his heart and we freely give back Michael by spreading love all over this cold world. Amen
I was on my way home from work and my mom called me on the phone and told me the news. I jumped out of my car without turning it off to see it for myself. I couldn’t believe and I still can’t believe it. My heart is truly aching. Michael was not just about music. There was hardly ever a time that I didn’t see or hear about Michael doing something for mankind, those that were less fortunate than him. He always had a song about the world and crisis and most of all he cared about the children. He was a true humanitarian. He was the greatest, no one could ever deny his talent or his status as the King of Pop, but he also had a good heart. My prayers go out to his mom Katherine and the rest of his family, for they have lost so much more than we as fans have. He will truly be missed, but his legacy will live on. R.I.P Michael Jackson. We love you!
The news was unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem real. RIP Michael…We love you!
i was leaving work when i heard michael had been hospitalized with cardiac arrest.about 10 minutes later i heard he died.such a sad loss not only for me but for the world.michael can be best described as christ-like.to be absent in body is to be present with the Lord.truly “GONE TOO SOON.” I love you Mike
I’m just shocked! He will always be here
in spirit because his music lives on in all of us!!!!!!!!!!! Peace micheal,Rest in Peace!!!!!
My heart goes out to Michael mother who lost her child. She is a very strong woman to let her children go and now one is gone to death. I know how it was to see my kids be abused by their father. And please don’t forget Mike worked had for the money. He started out 1969 and 1969 to present should be 40 years fourty years at the age of 50 What more can anyone say and for debt I bet there isn’t anybody out there with out them. God Bless Mrs. Jackson and I know Michael is resting from his long and tiresome jobs.
To TV One you have been showing some real love and I am going to keep my tv tuned to your station until you stop showing him. I keep it on weather I look at them all or not.
June 25, 2009
Time: 12:30 A.M.
For Michael Jackson
(A.K.A.) The King of Pop, M. J.
For M. J. a competitive but lonely soul that’s not meant to be mourned,
But a soul to be rejoiced in his many works, in a dance or in a song;
Like so many others before him, he was taken away by surprise,
Gone! At the drop of a hat, right before our eyes;
You know as well as I do, that God don’t make no mistakes,
That’s why he constantly reminds us of our faults,
So that we can stand firm and be sure of our faiths;
Michael had so much to do and so little time to do it in,
Be a true fan and don’t despair, because soon we will see him again;
He was at home when his number was called, for him to come to the light,
He did not try to stall or put it off because everything felt just right;
This at last was his chance to redeem his soul with the lord,
Just like that caged bird singing to be free, he now has filled his void;
No more heartaches, no more worries or uncertain fears,
No more sleepless nights, no more tears;
All his hopes and dreams are now fulfilled,
He’s now has to go and do God’s will;
We must not think about all the problems he faced, it might make you go insane,
Just remember all the good things about him, and he didn’t live in vane;
Think of him in one of his concerts or in Vegas he just hit his lucky # 7,
Trust, he is at peace with God in Heaven;
So to you M. J. I guess you can sleep now and take your rest,
We the fans all loved you, but God loved you best!
By: Shirley Henderson
This truly is a great loss to the world. Michael Jackson is the only performer who brought the world together with his music and outstanding performances. My heart goes out to the Jackson Family. Michael Jackson was a man of many talents, skills, and the “Greatest” Pop Icon in the world. Michael will be truly missed and my heart is filled with grief but his memory will live forever. I never imagined Michael would leave us so soon but I knew when he did the “World” would be devastated. We Love You Michael and I can say Thank GOD for giving you to us for 50 beautiful years. Rest In Peace Michael. We Love You and Always will your true fans.
I was devastated when I heard the news, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing in the media. There must have been a mistake, not Michael Jackson! I didn’t cry right away because of being numb. It didn’t hit me until the next day when I started listening to the news and looking at the videos and listening to the music. Michael Jackson will truly be missed. I was a big fan of the Jackson 5 back in the day and Michael was my gem. I have always loved the entire Jackson family and
I will continue to love them and keep them lifted in my prayers.
There is a scripture that I love and I will share it with everyone here:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge God and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5
if there is a such thing as time standing still it certainly would apply to the day Michael passed away. a feeling of unconsciuosness surrounded me and i felt like a freight train had run over me. undoubedtly, the greatest entertainer to ever live has departed this life. there will never be another Michael Jackson at least not in my lifetime. no one commanded the worldwide attention like Michael. he was a fixture in every household in the world. his music will live on forever and there will be many who will emulate his style, but never will it be duplicated. thanks for all the great songs, the super fly moves, and the hearts that you have touched in your lifetime…R.I.P. Michael Jackson
Michael was a great person no matter what anybody says. He was a great entianer and performer he will be a greatly missed. R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON
THE WORLD HAS LOST A GREAT MAN THERE WII NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE ‘MIKE’ HE WAS ONE OF A KIND. REST IN PEACE LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!!
Michael and the Jackson Family, I will always smile when someone says your name or sings your songs.
Love,
Carla
P.S.
Your just another part of me : )
Simply the best.
“Everybody” is saying that they just can’t burry Michael Jackson!
They just have to do, like they did with lenin’s body, people want to be able to see him, “forever”!
My heart goes out to the Jackson family. Michael was the greatest. I was eight years old when Michael and his brothers started singing. I loved them then and I loved Micahel as I grew and as he grew. I could care less about the negative talk about him.I did not believe any of it.People are always looking for money. I just hope now is at peace with himself and he will now have the life he wanted because he is with God. God Bless you Michael and you will be missed and loved forever.
For the Memories…..Thank You Michael and the entire Jackson Family. Has any artist group or individual artist ever touched the world as did the “Jackson 5″? I am leaning on “Not”! For the Memories….the many songs, fun, videos, and enduring caring about everyone around you…Thank You Michael and the entire Jackson Family. Although we have personally and directly never met…for the memories…Thank You Thank You Thank You. Your Family should be labeled the “inspiration by which the rest be judged”.
My african american people ! The white people on the Jane Valez Mitchell show are laughing and making fun of Michael, his mother Katherine, and joe Jackson !! They are talking and saying Joe should pay for the funeral with his record company money ! They said Katherine has no right for her Grandchildren !!! They laugh and shook their heads at people around the world paying tribute to Michael !! Please email that show and tell them we as black people are not going to stand for that Sh!t !!! Someone please tell Al Sharpton what’s going on on that show !!!
I have enjoyed the Jackson Music for over 40 years. Believe it or not Joe Jackson knew something.These guys have always been well spoken and polite when interviewed. Never do I remember them calling a woman out her name in the name music. This speaks volumes about their parents. Mr. Jackson is a person of great composure. He spoke about starting a record company. Guess What??? The bills have got to be paid. People don’t need CNN to do their thinking. NOT REALLY!!!
Now he can finely have peace. Yes he was the best but the media killed him along time ago now people can fight over his belonging but they can’t hurt him any more .
RIP Dear Michael RIP
Michael Jackson was one of the GREATEST!!!!!!! Entertainers in History… No one can TAKE that away from him although alot of the media & malicious Individuals are trying to capitalize on his death. To Michael Jackson family I pray that Jehovah allow you to cope with this untimely death. Michael J. Jackson Jehovah is the judge of your heart not these VICIOUS!!!!! JEALOUS!!!!! humans that don’t have reciprocity for life and its definitely TRANSPARENT that don’t have it for DEATH. To the Family Allow Jehovah to direct your lives for closure.
I think he still alive but just got very tired of theway he was being treated. Long live MJ