Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," Dies at the Age of 50

Michael Jackson, dubbed the "King of Pop" during an extraordinary run of success during the 1980s that followed on the heals of a childhood and young adulthood of hit songs, died yesterday at UCLA Medical Center at the age of 50. Paramedics were earlier dispatched to this home in Holmby Hills and tried to resuscitate him for about 45 minutes before rushing him to the hospital. Jackson’s brother Jermaine noted that, "It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known."

Jackson’s life had taken a turn for the worse over the past decade, as scandals, financial and legal trouble and a long series of unfortunate events saw him fall from grace. During the 1980s, however, he was one of the most successful singers. His "Thriller" Album, released in 1982, is the best selling album of all time, having sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide. Among the songs on the album are the eponymous track, "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," among other top hits.

Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson’s opus, said this of his friend, "For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." His many fans and his family and friends will no doubt remember Jackson for his better years, though towards the end his life could only be described as bizarre. Michael Levine, a Hollywood publicist who once represented Jackson, noted, "It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It’s as if he was trying to defy gravity."