Jun 25 2009
Michael Jackson is dead at age 50
Although this is a Syracuse entertainment site, I cannot ignore today’s stunning news that Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” has died. Jackson, who would have been 51 on August 29, was rushed to UCLA Medical Center by paramedics who were summoned to his home at approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
According to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda, Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home. CPR was performed before he was taken to the hospital. TMZ reports that when paramedics arrived at his home, Jackson had no pulse although emergency responders tried to resuscitate him, he did not respond.
A cardiologist at UCLA told TMZ that Jackson died of cardiac arrest.
Jackson was planning a comeback tour that was to have kicked off in London on July 13. The tour was scheduled to run through March 2010. Jackson had been rehearsing for the tour for the past few months.
In his career, Jackson sold an estimated 750 million albums in his career and received 13 Grammys. His Thriller album remains the best-selling album of all times, selling over 27 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Michael Jackson’s career is legendary and his music has influenced artists from every genre all over the world. His dying at a relatively young age will ensure that his legend carries forward to future generations.
On a personal note, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan in the 1980s, and despite the controversy of recent years, I believe his music stands by itself and will be his greatest legacy. Michael Jackson changed the face of modern music, solidifying the music video genre and introducing hip-hop dancing to the masses. The music world is a sadder place tonight with his passing.
