Michael Jackson dead at 50

[outerbankschick]

I am totally in shock right now! I grew up listening to his music.

[DonnaJo]

How sad & tragic! I also grew up listening to him when he was in The Jackson 5. What a terrible loss.

[outerbankschick]

I'm watching the Fox News coverage right now and they were just talking about how they felt that when MTV debuted "Thriller", that the whole world stopped and tuned in. I remember it well. We were parked in front of the TV that night, waiting for it!

I still have my Thriller album - the original vinyl in the orginial packaging with the cover that opened to reveal Michael as a centerfold in that white suit. A piece of history it was, long before today's news made it even more so.

RIP to the King of Pop.

[jeffan]

This is the Michael Jackson I will always remember.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VASYhabHkM

[DonnaJo]

Thanks for the link/reminder, Jeffan!

According to the news, Michael was scheduled for 50 concerts in London that were already sold out. Amazing. Anyone know where these shows were being held? Was it one location, or several?

[jeffan]

You are welcome Donnajo but just so sad posting the link given the circumstances.

He was scheduled to play fifty sell-out concerts at the one venue. He would have made mega-bucks but there was also controversy that he would not have been able to play all the dates. As reported on the BBC news this morning, he was hugely popular here with very forgiving audiences.

Here is a link to the concert venue which is really impressive.

www.theo2.co.uk/inside/the-o2-arena.html

[outerbankschick]

I put this together last night as a way to remember him. This is the Michael who will live in my heart always.

[outerbankschick]

Awesome, Jeffan! Thanks for the link! I was just thinking a little while ago that I'd like to see that performance again.

We had an impromptu "tribute" to Michael today at work. Someone put his songs on over the intercom system in our building and a bunch of us gathered in the middle aisles to sing and dance and remember. There were some who remembered the steps to Thriller, and Beat It, not to mention Billie Jean, and and so there was a lot of laughter and applause, as you can imagine. It was a great way to celebrate Michael's life.

[DonnaJo]

What an awesome concert hall O2 looks like, Jeffan. You're right - 50 concerts there would have been almost impossible to perform.

OBC, what a lovely tribute page! Excellent choices, especially the one of young Michael with little sister Janet. I wonder how she's holding up? Also LaToya, who had her problems with the family, especially Michael?

[caitlen]

There were issues with the 50 concerts, Michael was said to be not happy and expected to only be doing 10. Given he hadnt performed for so long and his frail frame and age, as well as rehearsing hours every day, it would have been physically impossible anyway. I saw an interview this year, where Janet said she hadnt spoken or seen Michael for over two years.

[caitlen]

LA police chief says detectives focusing on Jackson’s prescription drug history and doctors

Bureau News
July 10th, 2009

LAPD: Michael Jackson’s drug history to be probed

LOS ANGELES — Detectives investigating the death of Michael Jackson are looking at his prescription drug history and trying to talk with his numerous former doctors, the Los Angeles police chief said Thursday.

Chief William Bratton told CNN that police are waiting for the coroner’s report before ruling out any possibilities in their “comprehensive and far-reaching” investigation into the sudden death of the 50-year-old pop star two weeks ago.

The coroner’s report will determine the cause of death and hinges on time-consuming toxicology tests.

“Based on those we’ll have an idea of what we’re dealing with,” Bratton said. “Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?”

Bratton said detectives are gathering evidence, including items seized from Jackson’s rented home and arranging interviews with his many physicians, but the police chief deferred to the coroner to determine the cause of death.

“The next move really is his,” Bratton said. “We’re not marking time waiting for his report.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general’s office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators.

An attorney for Dr. Arnold Klein, one of Jackson’s many physicians, told the Los Angeles Times that the dermatologist was subpoenaed for medical records, which he turned over to the county coroner’s office.

Bratton refused to discuss details of the case.

Jackson, who died June 25, had a well-known history of using prescription medications, especially painkillers. Following his death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who had worked for Jackson, told the Associated Press she repeatedly rejected his demands for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, also known as Propofol.

Jackson had multiple doctors, friends and staff who came in and out of his life. Which people were being interviewed by police was unclear because the LAPD has said virtually nothing about the probe.

Police towed a doctor’s car from Jackson’s home hours after he died and said later it could contain medication or other evidence. Coroner’s officials also said Jackson was taking prescription medication but declined to elaborate.

blog.taragana.com/n/la-police-chief-says-detectives-focusing-on-jacksons-prescription-drug-history-and-doctors-105136/

[caitlen]

[DonnaJo]

I saw this on a website at TWoP about Michael Jackson. I'm so weird - it brought tears to my eyes to see how Michael Jackson affected so many people all over the world:

Tribute in Sweden

[tjara]

Thanks for sharing DonnaJo, that's kinda cool.

[outerbankschick]

Not weird at all, DJ. I cried all the way through his funeral, which I knew I would, but even more than that, on the day after he died, I was listening to my iPod and "Man In The Mirror" had me in tears to the point that I had to stop listening to it.

He did so much for so many.