Per AP
LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted “King of Pop” who emerged from childhood superstardom to become the entertainment world’s most influential singer and dancer before his life and career deteriorated in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50.
The person said Jackson died in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
- I know this is not Met related news. Michael Jackson, while at times controversial was arguably the best entertainer that has ever lived. On behalf of TRDMB just want to give the Jackson family our condolences. I remember doing the moonwalk as a kid. Just very sad news. May the “King of Pop” rest in peace.
18 comments
Mr. Mets Butler
6/25/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
By far the best entertainer ever in the industry. This is a sad day indeed. RIP!
QnsNative718
6/25/2009-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
RIP indeed. What a life…
dirtysanchez
6/25/2009-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
Man…i remember dancing to billie jean on my tape player…this is such a sad day.
Kingman 26
6/25/2009-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
I remember Billie Jean as one of the early, really cool videos on the very young MTV.
Thanks for posting this Dirty. Music is my main cultural obsession along with sports and movies, and Michael was a big star from when I was a little boy in the early 70s; I remember the Jackson Five from way back then.
dirtysanchez
6/25/2009-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
No Problem King
Agreed. Music is defiantly in my blood as well. I missed out on the Jackson 5 days(i wasn’t born yet lol) but i remember Michael at the height of his career in the 80′s and early 90′s. His off the stage antics unfortunately left a bad impression on his legacy but i will always remember him for his early years when i would try my best to impersonate him. Im sure i was not the biggest Michael fan im sure but as a performer…imo there was not better. He will be forever missed.
gategem
6/25/2009-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
Jackson’s collaboration with Quincy Jones produced legendary albums. 50 years old is not an old man. El Duque was probably 50 when he pitched for the Mets.
dirtysanchez
6/25/2009-9:26pm at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
key word is “probably”
GravediggerHebner
6/25/2009-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
R.I.P. Michael. Thanks for giving Ola Ray decent work when no one else would. Somewhere in a box I have one of the 109,000,000 copies of “Thriller” you sold. About a decade after that, you lost me and perhaps yourself. I hope you won’t mind if I concentrate on my fond memories of you from 1971-1990 when I think of you.
gipperpdx
6/25/2009-8:22pm at 8:22 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll second what Grave had to say…whatever his eccentricities and personal struggles, the guy had amazing talent before he went off the deep end.
Kingman 26
6/25/2009-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
The Jackson Five stuff seems like an eternity ago, but they were one of the greatest R&B/pop groups of all time.
He had TWO careers better than just about anyone else’s one. And most of it before he was 30.
As Mr. Rothchild said above, what a life. What a life indeed.
gategem
6/25/2009-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
RIP Michael. You provided the world with some of its greatest entertainment.
metsfan4decades
6/25/2009-9:18pm at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
R.I.P Farrah and Michael.
I still remember where I was and what I was doing when I first heard about the passing of Elvis and John Lennon.
‘Can’t Anybody Here Play this Game’? Enjoying the special on the ’69 Mets airing on SNY right now.
Kingman 26
6/25/2009-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Farrah too.
A seriously gigantic part of 1970s American pop culture left the scene today…..
QnsNative718
6/25/2009-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
Brock, you had a Farrah poster in your room if Im not mistaken. In Torrance.
Kingman 26
6/25/2009-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
Good memory Chest!
The Adams house in Torrance most certainly had Farrah gracing my bedroom wall….my Mom didn’t like that poster though.
But she was not the boss of me…..
rustyjr
6/26/2009-4:45am at 4:45 am (UTC -4)
i feel bad – he was a talent = but i wasnt a fan of anything post – off the wall – his motown stuff with the funk brothers and eith stevie wonders backing bas was the best
CaseStreet
6/26/2009-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Met up w/ some old friends last night by Union Square. At about 12:30 there must’be been almost 100 people (mostly young) gathered together singing and dancing his songs.
Despite all his issues, M.J. was a world icon that touched many people.
My condolences to family, friends and fans of the King of Pop.
mrbill
6/26/2009-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Michael Jackson Descanse en Paz. A legend has left us but his legacy goes on.