Entertainment BEAT - MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD @ 50

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The pop music icon passed away yesterday at 2:26 PM at the UCLA Median Center in Los Angeles, California. An official autopsy has yet to be done by the LA coroner's office

Friday June 26, 2009

THE MUSIC MAN IS GONE

It took the death of singing pop icon Michael Jackson for the war channel CNN to focus on something other than the protest in Iran over the results of their presidential elections. Jackson passed away yesterday in Los Angles. Prior to the autopsy it was announced that his death was a result of heart failure. The announcement was made at 2:26 PM at the UCLA Medical Center.

Jackson also known as the King of Pop was one of the greatest entertainers of all time will be remembered in a positive way by those who appreciated his music as a major influence in their lives. To others he will be remembered as an adult who had relationships with children though those accusations were never proved in court. It was been widely reported that Jackson settled the first case involving him with children in 1993 out of court for US $20 million.

Earlier in the day (Thursday June 25th) it was announced that actress Farah Fawcett had passed away 9:28 AM from cancer. Fawcett was 62-years-old. Jackson's death later that day was consumed by coverage from the International media while Fawcett's death was barley given any attention. This reporter can't remember ever such media interest given to the death of an entertainer including those of Elvis Presley and Beatle John Lennon.

CNN's Larry King show presented a two hour program focused on his passing as well as an additional late two hour special the same day (yesterday Thursday June 25th). CNN's Anderson Cooper's 360 show devoted their entire program to the death. The shows normal one hour Southeast Asian telecast was extended to one and a half hours. The BBC's Southeast Asian telecast devoted the entire morning covering Jackson's death.

Jackson had immediate success when he joined his older brothers at the age of six and the creation of the Jackson Five. He was the seventh of nine Jackson children. They had their first number one record 'I Want You Back' when he was 11. Jackson later left the group to focus on his solo career. The group had a difficult time obtaining work. Jackson then rejoined them only for their Victory tour.

As a solo artist Jackson is credited with turning the world around with his Thriller music video. At that time MTV refused to play black music artist videos. The Thriller video produced by Quincy Jones changed all of that. Jackson is the first black artist to be embraced by a broad international and white fan base. Jackson's talent transcended all borders.

Jones was the driving force behind Jackson's successful solo recording career. Their first collaboration 'Off The Wall' sold seven million albums and consequently resulted in four number one songs. The Thriller album and video followed. That album rocked the charts and a record 26 million albums were sold.

The Larry King and Anderson Cooper's 360 shows aired a video with country artist Cheryl Crow who much to my knowledge was a back-up singer for Jackson earlier in her career. I recall when MTV presented Crow at a party she was wearing blue jeans. On the video she wore a mini skirt, teased blond hair and was singing soul songs with Jackson.

On Anderson Cooper's 360 Cooper asked Crow her thoughts about Jackson dying at such a young age and she replied, "Did we actually think that he was going to grow up and become and old man," she questioned. It's too surreal (to think that would happen).

Jackson's life was filled with sadness as he was pretty much cut off from the outside world when he devoted so much time to his career. He spent 3 hours a day with tutors and the remaining time he spent in the recording studio until it was time to go to sleep. Normal interaction with other children his age was not a part of his life.

The pop singing wonder had a tumultuous relationship in the early 80's with Sony Records chief Tommy Mattola who Jackson accused of being a racist. Mattola was married to Mariah Carey and also managed a black band Dr. Buzzards Savannah Band. When Larry King asked how many records Jackson sold for Sony Mattola answer was "Hundreds of Millions."

Throughout the day of Jackson's death many superstars called into TV telecasts and expressed their thoughts on his passing including the Jackson Five's former manager Shelly Berger, Lionel Ritchey, P (Puff) Diddy Combs, Celine Dione, Cher and Kenny Rogers. The overwhelming thoughts were how great Jackson's talent was.

Dione said of Jackson, "I think he was an amazing genius…. dancing, singing."

Having worked with Jackson and also having seen him perform live in concert with the Jackson Five and as well as a solo artist we will remember him as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

NEXT - Experiences with Michael Jackson

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