Michael Jackson, 1958-2009: The Talent and the Tragedy

The tragedy of "King of Pop" death at age 50. To understand all that Jackson had and lost requires wiping away three decades of plastic surgeries that deformed him, erratic behavior that made his name synonymous with the warping powers of fame, and a 2005 trial for sexually abusing a child that, even though he was spared of any finding of wrongdoing, made him a pariah to all but the most brainwashed of fans.

Jackson was born in 1958, the seventh of nine Jackson children, before reached age six Jackson had joined his brothers in the Jackson Five. Little Michael had a great talent in dancing and singing of the bunch, but he also had the mysterious thing that record bosses and studio chiefs crave: star power

At 22, Jackson not only became one of the most admired pop musicians in the world, but one of the globe's most famous people.

In 1981 release of "Thriller", which was to become the best-selling album of all-time (until it was eclipsed in the late '90s by The Eagles Greatest Hits, 1971-1975.)

After the release of 1987's Bad, a disappointing follow-up to Thriller, Jackson purchased the 2,800-acre Neverland Ranch in California, and his public weirdness became almost aggressive.

Given the tumult in his personal life, it's no surprise that the 1990s were a barren period for Jackson creatively. Celebrating his 30th anniversary in 2001 he managed to pull himself together enough to release Invincible and stage two concerts as a performer at New York's Madison Square Garden. The shows, held a few days before Sept. 11, were a capsule of all Jackson had become. There were bizarre cameos from friends Marlon Brando, Liza Minnelli and Eliabeth Taylor. Macaulay Culkin sat next to Jackson in a royal box. But several hours after the proceedings began, when Jackson finally took the stage, all the years of Wacko Jacko melted away. Then in his early 40s, he could still dance and sing better than almost anyone in the world, and he still had star power. The Jackson on display in those concerts was one the world admired and the one that will be missed.

Tag : Michael Jackson biography;history of Michael Jackson;The Talent and The Tragedy

Summary from : JOSH TYRANGIEL

Michael Jackson dies in LA hospital

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world, died Thursday 25, June 2009. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m.

His 1982 album "Thriller" is the best-selling album of all time, estimated 50million copies sold worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "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."

Jackson caused a furor in 2002 when he playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony in Berlin while a throng of fans watched from below.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13.

Singer Dionne Warwick said: "Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with. ... We have lost an icon in our industry."

In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."

Tag : Michael Jackson;King of Pop;dies in LA Hospital;Thriller;The biggest Celebrity

Summary from: By LYNN ELBER, Associated Press Writer

Jennifer Aniston For His Romance With John Mayer Votes

LOS ANGELES, California. -- John Mayer is rooting for his romance with Jennifer Aniston .

The rocker and Internet junkie admitted he visited People's Web site Monday to vote for himself in the site's poll, which asked "Is John Mayer a keeper?"

And according to John, he voted in the affirmative.

"I just voted on People's 'Is John Mayer a Keeper?' poll," he admitted in a Twitter post on Monday afternoon. "I clicked 'Love Him.'"

But, John noted, "'Lose Him' is winning at 63%."

And John defended his Internet ballot casting a short while later.

"Be honest, you'd vote for yourself if you came across it, as well. Wouldn't you?" he asked.

Angelina Jolie In Spy Thriller 'Salt'

LOS ANGELES, California. -- Debuted two new looks for her upcoming spy thriller, "Salt," and fans will be treated to a raven-haired Angelina and a rare blonde version of the actress.

She began filming her new spy movie in this week, as Evelyn A. Salta a CIA operative , on a mission to clear her name.
She's a character you never know," Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura told People. "People who think they know the real her may or may not. Those who think they can tell whether she's in a disguise also may or may not ... She tells you her agenda, but are you supposed to believe it?"