The King of Pop, Michael Jackson dies at the age of 50, after suffering heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills.
One of the most popular artists of all time, Jackson made his debut as a child performing with his brothers as The Jackson Five. The brothers quickly became one of biggest pop music acts of the 1970s, with hits such as I Want You Back, ABC and I’ll Be There.
Jackson embarked on his solo career in the 1980s. With his unique dance moves (the moonwalk) and numerous mega-hit albums (Thriller, Bad and Dangerous) he became a dominant figure in the music world, on par with the likes of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Throughout his career he won 13 Grammys, had 13 No. 1 hits and sold 750 million albums. He was well known for his charitable causes. He donated millions of dollars for various causes and teamed with Lionel Richie to write the fundraising song We Are the World.
Jackson married Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie in 1994 but separated after 19 months. His next marriage (1996 – 1999) was to his skin dermatologist Debbie Rowe, with whom he had two children with. He is survived by three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.
In recent years, Jackson was featured in the media more for his legal troubles than music career. He was acquitted of child molestation charges and fell deeply in debt and was forced to sell some of his assets. There were also concerns about his health, with some rumours of skin cancer. Despite all of this, Jackson announced a series of comeback shows in London, beginning in July 2009.
Although he will never perform on stage again, Jackson will forever be embedded in our minds and hearts. He was an inspiration, not only to fellow musicians, but to the whole world. His music, style and energy will always live on.
