'King of Pop' Michael Jackson is no more

Michael Jackson, the 'King of Pop', who 'Moonwalked' to the hearts of millions with his mesmerising music and signature break dance in the 80s, died of a suspected cardiac arrest just weeks before his much awaited comeback 'This Is It'.

Jackson, 50, christened 'Wacko Jacko' for his bizarre lifestyle, sex scandals and numerous plastic surgeries, died last night after collapsing at his Bel Air mansion in Los Angeles.
 
The singer was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA medical centre here by the fire department paramedics after they failed to revive him.

Lieutenant Fred Corral, of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office, said Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm (0256 IST) local time.

"It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home, however, the cause of his death is unknown until the autopsy results are known. Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy, it is a tough time for us," Jermaine Jackson, brother of the singer said.

His mother, brothers including Jermaine, Tito and Randy and sisters Janet and LaToya were at his bedside.
 
Jackson rocked the music world with hits like Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean,  I Want You Back, We are the World and I Will Be There and winning 13 Grammies in a career spanning more than three decades.

Jackson is survived by three children -- Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

He married Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley in 1994 but the marriage lasted less than two years and was a hot topic for the tabloids.

In 1997, Jackson married a 37-year-old nurse Debbie Rowe, whom he met while undergoing plastic surgery. They had two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine but divorced in 1999. Jackson's third child Prince Michael II was
born to an unknown woman.

The singer, who gradually became a recluse after his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, was preparing for his keenly awaited concerts, which the singer had billed his "final curtain call".
 
Dogged with reports of worsening health and rumours of skin cancer besides a reported lung failure, Jackson was preparing hard for his much-hyped 50-date comeback in London's famed 02 Arena which were due to start on July 13.

The London shows were to be his his first public performance as it was supposed to be his return to the music scene after a decade in wilderness.

But the controversial singer's sudden death marks the end to an era in pop culture, with his death mourned by millions of fans across the globe.

The singer, who was the seventh of nine children from a musical family, debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of 'The Jackson 5', and began a solo career in 1971.

His career was at its peak during the 1980s and he is one of the few artistes to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

His other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy awards and the sales of his over 750 million albums worldwide, which included Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991).

Fondly called 'Moonwalker' for his backward-gliding dance moves, his high-pitched voice, sequined gloves, military style jackets and aviator sunglasses, Jackson revolutionised the pop music with his flamboyant stage persona.
 
But his decline began in 1993, when he was first accused of child molestation. However, the charges could not be proved.
       
In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further sexual molestation charges. Despite his acquittal, Jackson could never get his career back on track and his comeback show This Is It was HIS promise to the fans to bring back the 'Jackson magic', a wish which will remain unfulfilled.

It is ironic that the singer, who became one of the richest entertainers at his career's peak, died in debt just weeks before his comeback shows.

This Is It concerts were his attempt to get over his financial troubles as the singer reportedly under a huge debt of USD 400 millions.