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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 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.
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Whether you believe the hype or the accusations over the man's life in recent times or not, is not the issue.He shaped the world's look on music, in all its various forms, his talent for seeing through the eyesof a child, with wonderment is a testament to whom he was, in his death millions will mourn the loss, he should be admired for his talent and for his innovation. Through this man we all learned to see the worldas a wonderous place, even in the darker sides of life and love. To his family I mourn the loss of a talented son, brother and father. To his fans we lost a father, a child, a magician, an illusionist, oneof the greatest storytellers we shall ever know. His life was still his to live, who are we to judge. Long live the memory of Michael.
MY Thoughts go out to his loving family and friends.As one of his fans i will miss his outstanding talent that my three children were grew up on, and are dedicated fans all going to his consert in july.THE KING OF POP WILL NEVER BE REPLCED.Carol Brett Portsmouth Hamshire uk
Comment come pouring in. websites having leads like 'THE KING OF POP IS NO MORE.'Comments are critical, stark and hard.Many are happy, sad many.Jackson was good, jackson was bad But one thing is for sure there will be no second Michael Jackson in the history of mankind.He was a phenomenon. Changed the course of manier lives. How can he be ignored to not be remembered ?"He existed ?"People will say with amazement.
Condolences to the family and the fans. Missing the trend maker :(