‘King of Pop’ Dead
Pop icon Michael Jackson was pronounced dead on Thursday afternoon at U.C.L.A. Medical Center. He was 50.
Jackson rose to fame as the youngest brother in the Jackson 5. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Jackson’s fame exploded into a global phenomenon with hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Billie Jean,” and “Black or White.”
Jackson’s life took a bizarre downturn in the early part of this decade, culminating in 2003, when the singer was indicted on child molesting charges. He was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Mr. Jackson had remained relatively reclusive since the trial. But in March, Jackson announced he would perform 50 concerts at the O2 arena in London beginning July 8th and continuing into 2010.
Spontaneous tributes have sprung up around the globe; from a moonwalk at the Eiffel Tower to a candlelight vigil at New York’s Apollo Theater. Online traffic has been stifling. The giant social network, Twitter, temporarily crashed yesterday and the BBC reported that Google believed it may have been under service attack.
Austin American Statesman music critic Joe Gross on Michael Jackson.
