It was just confirmed on June 25, 2009 on every news media source that Michael Jackson, pop music legend, has died in his Los Angeles California home. He had no pulse when the emergency team arrived. The UCLA and Los Angeles Fire Department were rushed to his home at 12:26am, responding to a 911 call placed at Jackson’s home that morning. At that time they were not able to confirm his death. The medical team performed CPR and he was then transported to the UCLA medical center where he was in a coma (or so it is said). On June 25, 2009 at 5pm he was declared dead. The king of pop suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in the afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. It was confirmed that when the paramedics arrived Mike Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back (yet there was rumor of him being in a coma and hospitalized for a few hours).

 

So many of his loyal fan were shocked to hear the news of the former icon to rock and pop music. Facebook and Twitter as well as other social media sites today were full of constant blogs and updates. It took a few hours for confirmation to come through about his passing. So many are now writing on twitter to his family and posting things like “rest in peace”. It is sad news and so many sources have now confirmed. He was pronounced dead at 5:20pm this evening. The internet is now full of prayers, tribute, memories, and photos of the deceased Michael Jackson.

 

Jacko was once married to the daughter of Elvis Presley and is the father of three children. “Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.” He was the king of pop and inspirational to many many of us. Even this photographer remembers growing up in Chicago Illinois listening to Thriller and Black & White. In fact I can vividly remember his B&W video as influencing how I felt about those around, staying open minded and accepting of others in my very diverse neighborhood.

 

The reporting and news was limited initially. ABC, BBC, CBA, NBC, CNN and MSNBC did not want to release any incorrect information until it was confirmed that Michael Jackson had died in the evening. The media wanted to confirm his passing to the next world before publication of the information. TMZ was already on it and posted the information before the other larger media sites, possibly to get more hits from readers. Photographs of Michael will be valued at higher rates given his influence on pop music and society during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Reliable sources such as tmz, cnn, and msnbc have all now confirmed that the legend has ended his career as a pop legend.

 

It is very interesting how one person has had so much influence on so many people and how so much of society shuts down to remember one such a man. His infamous Thriller, Bad, Black and White, Billy Jean, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, Dangerous, Remember The Time, Ghosts, Morphine, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (a wedding favorite) and Beat It. He influenced performers such as Madonna and Justin Timberlake (who credits most of his style to his influences from MJ aka Jacko).  

 

His work, music, stories, and life history will be remembered by many. His interesting past, no matter how colored or blotchy, was nothing but fascinating.  Despite our agreement or distain for his lifestyle and choices, he was influential to all of us in his own manner. I vividly remember singing along to the lyrics of Michael Jackson songs before I even spoke any English (I spoke Polish first).

 

Michael Jackson video’s were full of color, life, energy, and passion. Much of his free spirited dancing and use of lights and depth of field have been influential to my own art work. As an artist he was a legend among men. He will be remembered by millions of people for his legendary life and influences on popular music over the past 5 decades.