LOS ANGELES — Pop superstar Michael Jackson died Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The popular celebrity website TMZ said when paramedics arrived, the 50-year-old King of Pop had no vital signs. Emergency workers were unable to revive the singer, they reported.
Meanwhile, the LA Times has also reported Jackson "was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma."
Jackson was taken to hospital Thursday afternoon and TMZ reported that Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, said the King of Pop was "not doing well," shortly after he was brought to UCLA Medical Center.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Capt. Steve Ruda told the L.A. Times that Jackson was not breathing when they arrived at his home.
Paramedics were called to a massive home on off Sunset Boulevard at about 12:20 p.m. According to the L.A. Times, Jackson rented the seven-bedroom, 13-bathroom mansion for $100,000 month.
Jackson was planning a comeback tour with a series of 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena, with the first show scheduled to take place on July 13.
The first show was originally scheduled for July 8, but was postponed for five nights. Three other shows that were set for July were reportedly delayed until March 2010.
The comeback tour has been marred in controversy after Jackson's manager previously signed a contract that would bring about a reunion tour of the Jackson 5 that conflicted with the planned London shows.
RollingStone.com had been reporting that bookies had already been increasing the odds against Jackson actually appearing at the concerts, which would have attracted some 750,000 fans.
"While Jackson has been rumoured to be frequently absent from his Los Angeles rehearsals with choreographer and musical director Kenny Ortega, the technical complexity of the shows, as well as Jackson's perfectionism has been cited for the delayed starting dates," Rolling Stone reported. "Jackson is reportedly seeking a children's choir that knows sign language and is "exactly equal" in racial diversity.
After years of bad press regarding his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges, Jackson had been hoping the O2 concerts would signal a comeback.
The Times reported the pop icon was living in a Bel-Air mansion and was in rehearsal for the shows. It said the "King of Pop" was being funded by two billionaires to ensure the success of the shows.
Jackson was in massive debt, and was hoping the shows would restart his career with a world tour, new album and movies.
Word of Jackson's passing has spread online, already garnering tributes. Former Barenaked Ladies frontman Stephen Page has Twittered on Jackson "you saved a very shy and awkward 12 year old boy in 1983. Thank you."
OMG!!! I just found about His death on yahoo. It's so sad He was my favourite musician when I was a kid. And I still love His music.
It's such a great loss. He was an amazing talent. Rest well Michael. You will be missed!
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I made a blog entry about the lost of the last five Icons in entertainment. Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett died yesterday morning, and she got pushed to the backburner.
Here is the link to my blog entry. It is so sad, and all the memories of all who we lost.
gotta say that is unbelievable this news, with just 50 years a heart attack.
Last night when I saw the news could not accept it.
Great musician, compositor. King of pop
. Rest in peace.
Quote:
Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson
NEW YORK, NY – June 25, 2009 – Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."
Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly."
Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences."
Five of Jackson's solo albums – "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label – are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
Michael Jackson dead after cardiac arrest
He was my favourite musician when I was a kid. And I still love His music. 
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