Michael Jackson - Dead at 50

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 25 Jun 2009 2:34 pm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029/ns ... ent-music/

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 25 Jun 2009 2:41 pm

Gosh, I don't know how to feel about this one. On one hand, he was a very talented guy (especially the "Thriller" era), and on the other, a disgrace to the human race.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 25 Jun 2009 2:42 pm

The BBC have just announced it on a special news report. Was never a great fan, but I cannot deny his massive contribution to popular music. A sad loss.

Arch.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 25 Jun 2009 3:45 pm

(never mind)

He was high talent, no doubt about it.

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 25 Jun 2009 4:08 pm

Mom always said,"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Hey, did you hear Farrah Fawcett died?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 25 Jun 2009 4:22 pm

Yeah, Steve, thats ashame about Farrah Fawcett. She nobly fought her cancer until the end. It sounds like she found herself before she passed and was spirtually at peace.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 25 Jun 2009 4:23 pm

I never cared for his music or lifestyle. However, he has children and family who I am sure are devastated just like we do and that is what bothers me. Farrah Fawcett passed away five hours earlier which I find so sad as well. I was a young man in the Charlies Angels days and like others was spellbound by her appearance. So much of the news today has been about Michael Jackson and hardly anything about Farrah. Our media sometimed amazes me on what they report.

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 25 Jun 2009 5:10 pm

Yeah and another one we lost this week, Johnny Carson's sidekick for over 3 decades, Ed McMahon
left us this week as well. Mom always said these things happen by threes. Guess this is a good example.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 25 Jun 2009 5:36 pm

He was a true, raw talent who could write great songs, sing like a bird, and dance like no other. His musical influence will be felt for decades to come. Too bad his life was shadowed by eccentricity and accusations. Hopefully the press will be merciful for the sake of the kids, but I highly doubt it.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 25 Jun 2009 6:20 pm

Not one of my favorites, I'm not even a fan, but he was an icon in the music field. He made a lot of money doing what he knew how to do, and he was one of the best at it. RIP

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 25 Jun 2009 7:44 pm

He was taken to UCLA in Los Angeles, where I have spent some time. The people flocked there until they had to close the freeway and a whole bunch of surface streets. Insane.

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 25 Jun 2009 8:17 pm

For what it's worth I witnessed the ambulance coming out of the hills and into U.C.L.A with a bird's eye view from the 33rd floor window of the twin towers in Century City as I was packing up my video gear after a deposition. The court reporter remarked that as high up as we were,you could still hear the sirens so I took a look. Who knew....

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 25 Jun 2009 8:39 pm

Richard Sinkler wrote:Gosh, I don't know how to feel about this one. On one hand, he was a very talented guy (especially the "Thriller" era), and on the other, a disgrace to the human race.

I think I'll mirror Richard's words. The guy had gifted talent without a doubt but made a mess of his personal and public life.

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 25 Jun 2009 9:42 pm

Richard Sinkler wrote:Gosh, I don't know how to feel about this one. On one hand, he was a very talented guy (especially the "Thriller" era), and on the other, a disgrace to the human race.

I think of him as more of a tragedy of the human race. How many times in his life do you think he got to have a sincere, honest interaction? If that won't make you weird, I don't know...

Pat O'Hearn · Post by **Pat O'Hearn** » 25 Jun 2009 10:22 pm

One quiet Sunday afternoon back in 1984 I brought my Mother by Westlake Studios on Beverly to give her a look at the place.

Aged and unaware of pop music of the day she strolled up to a group of men seated around a table outside studio A and asked: oh my, are you boys musicians? --It was the Jackson brothers.

All remained seated with an indifferent look about them except Michael, who courteously rose from his chair and extended his hand saying: yes ma’am, we’re recording here today.

They chatted a bit and mom was invited in to tour the control room and studio.

He was a marvelous talent and -- certainly on that long ago day -- a gentleman.

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 25 Jun 2009 11:41 pm

absolutely unparrallelled talent ....

What he, Quincey Jones and Eddie Van Halen did changed popular music forever

bless his soul

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 26 Jun 2009 3:30 am

Only in America will people mourn a child molester because he could sing and dance. He and O.J. Simpson defined the criminal justice system in America. Madonna, Michael Jackson, Osama Bin Laden and I all came up together - at least Madonna's lookin' good, albeit a little scary:

her next starring role is said to be a remake of "The Nutcracker: Sweet!"

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 26 Jun 2009 4:44 am

My wife told me that people die in threes and noted that Ed and Farrah had passed away and that I might just be next...Jackson was kind enough to step up and take my place...what a guy!!

I am sure tired of the media overkill...at least the children are safer now.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 26 Jun 2009 7:50 am

i thought it was a publicity stunt

i'm w: marc who wrote :
" I think of him as more of a tragedy of the human race "

Bein' famous imo, is'nt really the best life there is

was'nt it george harrison, that said that if he had start a life anew, he did'nt want to be famous ?

RIP Michael (peace at last)

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 26 Jun 2009 8:12 am

I am sad for Michael, Farah and Ed for their passing. I am also deeply concened that the media coverage of these things is way out of proportion. Every day we are getting closer and closer to living under a totalitarian government, a society where people can lose their property and position simply for what they think or say.
Our contistution is not much more than a historical document.All of our leaders take an oath to support and defend it, but are not called to task for their outright contempt for it.Even the policemen we hire to protect our rights consider them an obstruction.They actually receive training on how to deprive us of uor rights under the law.
I would pray that more people would be made aware of what we are losing rather than dwelling on the lives and deaths of celebrities.
Forgive me for my ranting, because anytime a death happens , it is a sad time. I just wanted to take a minute express my feelings about a much neglected larger issue.

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 26 Jun 2009 9:01 am

Morgan, thank you for saying what I've been thinking for the last half a day. I coudn't agree with you more. Don D.

Scott Hay · Post by **Scott Hay** » 26 Jun 2009 9:44 am

For people my age - Michael Jackson was very important. Whether they knew it or not back then, there isn't any other record that struck a chord more than Thriller in my age group (early 30's). Many of us that play music now - regardless of the type of music we choose - that record was important. Anytime Thriller comes up, it is understood that you danced to it in your room as a child - wanted your own Tiger, wanted the leather jacket clone the sold in the kids section at Gemco, etc. It did what all great music does - takes you to another place, and inspired many musicians to come.

Thriller was the first record I owned that wasn't a Muppets or other childrens record. It was all I wanted to listen to - I was about 5 years old. I still like that record today.

Example..... so I had a babysitter - who was some sort of Michael Jackson impersonator or something on the side - pursuing a pop dance career (it was the 80's). She went to the Jackson's Victory tour.... brought me back a Victory half shirt... A HALF SHIRT! The 80's. Needless to say, I wore that thing EVERY day for months. That's how much I liked Michael Jackson, I was willing to endure the shame of a half shirt just to represent.

Bad personal decisions, and eccentric behavior aside, he contributed greatly to music in the greatest way.

I'm going to go listen to off the wall now....

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 26 Jun 2009 9:54 am

MJ & Farrah were both truly unique and I will miss them. -GV

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Jun 2009 10:14 am

even if you have a 'tendency' toward pedophilia and child molestation, you are dead to me! granted, we have no proof and never will as to how this applies to mj. multimillion dollar payoffs stifled some accusations. i'm sorry he had an abusing father. he was cute when young, but got too strange for me later.
also, unlike everyone else in the universe, evidently, i didn't care for his style of music, nor the now required choreography that seems to accompany all pop sensations.

Ellis Miller · Post by **Ellis Miller** » 26 Jun 2009 1:21 pm

A remarkable talent. At this point, it is not our place to judge his personal life.

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Michael Jackson - Dead at 50

Michael Jackson - Dead at 50

This upside down world