Michael Jackson Dies after Apparent Cardiac Arrest

Michael Jackson, the onetime child star turned King of Pop, died in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest in his home. He was 50 years old. Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center not far from his rental mansion in the Holmby Hills. The cause of death wasn't known. An autopsy is set for Friday. "It's a very sad day for all of us," Jackson's manager, Frank DiLeo, tells PEOPLE. " It's such a terrible shame. He was my friend." As for Jackson's three children – Blanket, 7, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12 – DiLeo says, "The kids are very upset, but they are fine." The entertainer was stricken Thursday afternoon and a 911 call was placed. "His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate Jackson, as did paramedics who transferred him," according to a statement from the hospital.
Frantic, Futile EffortsWith an oxygen mask over his face, Jackson was carted to a red ambulance and rushed to the hospital, arriving at 1:14 p.m. "A team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful," the statement says. Jackson had been busy rehearsing for a high-stakes comeback tour, set to start within weeks in England, with dozens of dates scheduled and tickets selling out quickly. To prepare for the rigors of performing, he was training with Lou Ferrigno, the star of the TV show The Incredible Hulk.
Questions About His TourThere were some doubts among Jackson's circle about his ability to perform his upcoming concert schedule. "Michael is physically just not ready [for the concerts]," a source close to Jackson said last month. "He weighs even less than he did during his trial, which was almost nothing. He's 50 years old." Famly members, including his mother Katherine, brothers Randy and Jermaine, and sisters Janet and LaToya, arrived separately at the hospital for a tense and tearful vigil. "First, it was chaotic [in the ER] and then absolute silence," says family lawyer Brian Oxman. "Everyone is just heartbroken. I'm heartbroken." During the ordeal, Jackson's three children were left with a nanny, and plans were made for them to stay with Jackson's mother for the time being. "Mrs. Jackson loves the kids and she will care for them now," says Oxman. By the evening, the family left the hospital in five-vehicle caravan for his mother's house in Encino. A teary-eyed LaToya was behind the wheel of a black Mercedes; she was followed by a grim-faced Janet in a droopy suede cowboy hat driving a tan Maserati. Jackson's father, Joseph, was en route to Los Angeles from his home in Las Vegas. Jackson's body was flown by helicopter to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, where the autopsy will be performed.

Superstar: The Incredible Life of Michael Jackson 1958-2009

As the pundits rehashed the scandals of his life and debated what had brought him to a sudden end, Michael Jackson's fans, an army of admirers undivided by language, religion or national differences, reacted with tears – and joy at the music he left behind. A look back at the life of the King of Pop:
Early CareerThe seventh of nine children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., on Aug. 29, 1958, and began his career performing with his brothers. His professional debut with the Jackson 5 came in 1969. The group set chart records with its first four singles, including "I Want You Back" and "ABC." As a solo artist, Jackson also recorded four albums for Motown Records before moving, with his brothers, to Epic Records, where they continued to record as the Jacksons until 1984. Forming a partnership with producer Quincy Jones after working together on the 1978 movie musical The Wiz – in which Jackson played a rather sheepish Scarecrow to Diana Ross's Dorothy in the urban adaptation of The Wizard of Oz – Jackson released his solo album Off the Wall, co-produced with Jones. The disc spawned monster hits including "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You." His second Epic solo album, 1982's Thriller, is often cited as the best-selling album of all time.
MoonwalkThe video for Thriller all but defined the music video genre, while the album sold 40 million copies in its initial chart run, with seven of its nine tracks reaching the Top Ten. It was also nominated for 12 Grammys and won eight. On March 25, 1983, Jackson performed his single "Billie Jean" live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special, where he debuted a dance, the moonwalk, that was to become his signature move. The following year, the singer was filming a Pepsi-Cola commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles when he suffered second-degree burns after pyrotechnics set his hair on fire. The singer settled out of court and established the Michael Jackson Burn Center with his $1.5 million award.
'We Are the World'In 1984, Jackson did his final tour with the Jacksons to support the album Victory. The one major hit from the recording was Michael's duet with Mick Jagger, "State of Shock." The next year, Jackson began to put charity first and co-wrote and sang (along with Willie Nelson, Tina Turner and nearly every pop star known at the time) "We Are the World," on behalf of USA for Africa. Then came the 1987 album Bad, when some slippage in his popularity began to show. At the time, the reclusive Jackson, who was raised a Jehovah's Witness, started construction on a mini-Disneyland as his residence, which he named Neverland, a place to live out the childhood he claimed he never had. In 1993, Jackson addressed persistent rumors, telling Oprah Winfrey on her TV show that, contrary to reports that he was bleaching his skin a lighter shade, he in fact suffered from a condition called vitiligo. He also said that his father physically abused him as a child.
AllegationsNot long after, Michael himself was accused of abusing a 13-year-old boy who slept over at Neverland, though police found no evidence to support the claim when they searched the ranch. The case was settled by Jackson for an undisclosed sum. When other allegations of a similar nature emerged, Jackson maintained his innocence. In May 1994, Jackson and the daughter of the late rock icon Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, were married – and very soon split up. After their 1996 divorce, Jackson married Debbie Rowe, a nurse in the office of one of his doctors. Two children were born to the couple: son Prince Michael Jackson I, in 1997, and daughter Paris Michael Jackson, in 1998. Jackson later had a third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (nicknamed "Blanket"). Professionally, Jackson was losing some of his luster, and the reception to his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I was mixed, even though it produced two hit singles: "You Are Not Alone" and "Scream," the latter a duet with his sister Janet Jackson. By the time Jackson's 2001 album Invincible arrived, the artist was known for being as much an eccentric character as he was a serious musician.
Farewell to NeverlandIn 2002, Jackson further damaged his reputation when he held son Blanket over a hotel balcony in Berlin so his fans on the street could see the child. Once again, when the critics threw bricks at him, Jackson said he was acting out of innocence. The real trouble came in 2003, with a TV documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, in which the star told British journalist Martin Bashir that he shared his bed with young children. In 2004 came Jackson's arrest on a slew of ugly charges, including lewd conduct with a minor, attempted lewd conduct, administering alcohol to facilitate molestation and conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. A media circus ensued at the trial – one day a very late Jackson showed up to court in his pajamas – though on June 13, 2005, Jackson was acquitted of all charges. Saying that he felt that Neverland had been contaminated by police authorities who had gathered evidence against him, Jackson moved himself and his children to Bahrain. Amid promises of a new album, Jackson languished as an artist. Earlier this year, he announced that he would perform a series of concerts in the U.K. He said that these would be his final curtain call – his farewell to his fans.

Jackson fans gather at O2 arena

Michael Jackson fans from all over the world have congregated at London's O2 arena, where the star had been due to begin his run of 50 concerts on Monday.
Fan sites and Facebook groups had been encouraging fans to bring candles and flowers for the vigil.
About 600 people are at the venue, adding messages to a wall of tributes and conducting Jackson sing-a-longs. Others are sitting in contemplation.
There is a "light-hearted, celebratory" mood, says BBC reporter Michael Osborn.
Fans held a minute's silence at 1830 BST to mark the time when the doors to the concert would have opened.
"I've come here to celebrate his life and I want to feel a bit closer," Alison Pyman, 27, from Cleethorpes told the BBC.
"We've been reminiscing and sharing memories with everyone. When more people arrive there will quite a party atmosphere."
Thirty-one-year-old Jasper Haughton is one of the fans who had been expecting to see his hero on stage tonight.
"We should have been going to the concert but we're standing here instead," he said. "It doesn't make any sense."
Haughton, who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, will be in London for a week, having bought tickets for the first five of Jackson's 50 comeback shows.
"We're here for grieving, but the main thing is a celebration of Michael," he added.
'Last masterpiece'
Following Jackson's death on 25 June, floral tributes, cards and messages have been left outside the O2.
Another London location where a shrine to the singer has built up is the Lyric Theatre in the West End, home of Jackson tribute show Thriller Live.
Jackson's string of This Is It shows completely sold out shortly after going on sale in March.

Tributes were left at the O2 after Jackson's death
The singer told fans that the concerts would be his final performances in London.
Following his death, footage of his rehearsals in Los Angeles just days before he died was released.
While no concerts are currently scheduled to replace Jackson's performances, organisers are discussing the possibility of staging a show using the production for the This Is It concerts.
"I think at some point we'll show Michael's last masterpiece, This Is It, to the world," AEG president Randy Phillips told Billboard.
Phillips added that 29 August - which would have been Jackson's 51st birthday - would be an ideal time for the event, but he was unsure if it would be ready in time.
Are you at the 02? Are you planning to go down to Greenwich join other fans and why?
If you're at the event we'd also love to see your pictures.
Please send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can

King Of Pop Was Awash in debt

Michael Jackson the singer was also Michael Jackson the billion-dollar business.

Yet after selling more than 61 million albums in the U.S. and having a decade-long attraction open at Disney theme parks, the "King of Pop" died Thursday at age 50 reportedly awash in about $400 million in debt, on the cusp of a final comeback after well over a decade of scandal.

The moonwalking pop star drove the growth of music videos, vaulting cable channel MTV into the popular mainstream after its launch in 1981. His 1982 hit "Thriller," still the second best-selling U.S. album of all time, spawned a John Landis-directed music video that MTV played every hour on the hour.

"The ratings were three or four times what they were normally every time the video came on," said Judy McGrath, the chairman and CEO of Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks. "He was inextricably tied to the so-called MTV generation."

Five years later, "Bad" sold 22 million copies. In 1991, he signed a $65 million recording deal with Sony.

Jackson was so popular that The Walt Disney Co. hitched its wagon to his star in 1986, opening a 3-D movie at its parks called "Captain EO," executive produced by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The last attraction in Paris closed 12 years later.

One of Jackson's shrewdest deals at the height of his fame in 1985 was the $47.5 million acquisition of ATV Music, which owned the copyright to songs written by the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The catalog provided Jackson a steady stream of income and the ability to afford a lavish lifestyle.

He bought the sprawling Neverland ranch in 1988 for $14.6 million, a fantasy-like 2,500-acre property nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country.

But the bombshell hit in 1993 when he was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy.

"That kind of represents the beginning of the walk down a tragic path, financially, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, legally," said Michael Levine, his publicist at the time.

He settled with the boy's family, but other accounts of his alleged pedophilia began to emerge.

When he ran into further financial problems, he agreed to a deal with Sony in 1995 to merge ATV with Sony's library of songs and sold Sony music publishing rights for $95 million. Then in 2001, he used his half of the ATV assets as collateral to secure $200 million in loans from Bank of America.

As his financial problems continued, Jackson began to borrow large sums of money, according to a 2002 lawsuit by Union Finance & Investment Corp. that sought $12 million in unpaid fees and expenses.

In 2003, Jackson was arrested on charges that he molested another 13-year-old boy. The 2005 trial, which ultimately ended in an acquittal, brought to light more details of Jackson's strained finances.

One forensic accountant testified that the singer had an "ongoing cash crisis" and was spending $20 million to $30 million more per year than he earned.

In March of last year, the singer faced foreclosure on Neverland. He also repeatedly failed to make mortgage payments on a house in Los Angeles that had been used for years by his family.

In addition, Jackson was forced to defend himself against a slew of lawsuits in recent years, including a $7 million claim from Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain.

Memorabilia auctions were frequently announced but became the subject of legal wrangling and were often canceled.

Time and again, however, Jackson found a way to wring cash out of high-value assets, borrowing tens of millions at a time or leaning on wealthy friends for advice, if not for money.

Al Khalifa, 33, took Jackson under his wing after his acquittal, moving him to the small Gulf estate and showering him with money.

In his lawsuit, Al Khalifa claimed he gave Jackson millions of dollars to help shore up his finances, cut an album, write an autobiography and subsidize his lifestyle -- including more than $300,000 for a "motivational guru." The lawsuit was settled last year for an undisclosed amount. Neither the album nor book was ever produced.

Another wealthy benefactor came to Jackson's aid last year as he faced the prospect of losing Neverland in a public auction.

Billionaire Thomas Barrack, chairman and CEO of Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm Colony Capital LLC, agreed to bail out the singer and set up a joint venture with Jackson that took ownership of the vast estate.

Barrack was unavailable for comment Thursday, but referred to the singer in a statement as a "gentle, talented and compassionate man."

A final piece of the financial jigsaw puzzle fell into place in March, when billionaire Philip Anschutz' concert promotion company AEG Live announced it would promote 50 shows in London's O2 arena. Tickets sold out, and the first show of the "This is It" tour was set for July 8.

Jackson, who has won 13 Grammys, hadn't toured since 1997. His last studio album, "Invincible," was released in 2001.

But the opening date was later postponed to July 13 and some shows moved back to March 2010, fueling speculation that Jackson was suffering from health ailments that could curtail his comeback bid.

His death, caused by cardiac arrest according to his brother Jermaine, raised the question whether an insurer would refund money to ticketholders. AEG Live did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jackson was practicing for the concert in Los Angeles at the Staples Center with Kenny Ortega, a choreographer and director of the "High School Musical" movies, who has worked on previous Jackson videos like "Dangerous" in 1993.

"We had a 25-year friendship. This is all too much to comprehend," Ortega said in a statement. "This was the world's greatest performer and the world will miss him."

Michael Jackson “This Is It” Run Threatened By Jackson 5 Lawsuit

In March, Michael Jackson sold out a record-breaking 50 consecutive nights at London’s O2 Arena, but now a lawsuit is threatening his historic “This Is It” run before it even hits the stage. That’s the word from TMZ, who reports that the This Is It concerts violate a previous contract signed by Jackson’s manager that would have brought about a Jackson 5 reunion tour with Michael and Janet Jackson. Under the terms of that contract, Jackson would have been prevented from performing anywhere for 18 months, which Jackson’s 50 shows in London clearly violates.
According to TMZ, Jackson 5 tour organizers AllGood Entertainment filed a cease-and-desist lawsuit against the This Is It tour when Jackson’s manager Frank Delio allegedly signed the reunion tour contract late in 2008. Jermaine Jackson told the Australian press in October 2008 that the family would get back together for a new album and tour in 2009, which Michael was quick to deny in an official statement the very next day. “My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them,” Michael said, adding, “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”
A few months later, the This Is It run was announced and quickly sold out.
While Jackson himself reportedly never put pen to paper on the Jackson 5 contract, his manager Delio did, but in law an agent can sign for his client so the agreement seems like it might be legally binding. So AllGood Entertainment want all the London shows canceled. Jackson’s official Website has not yet commented on this new lawsuit. As of now, Jackson’s This Is It run is scheduled to kick off July 8th and conclude February 24th, 2010.
Related Stories:
•

Is it true?

Is it true that we can put Michael's pictures

among those?

Another Photos

Police Chief Says Michael Jackson Death Might Be Ruled Homicide

As the investigation into the death of Michael Jackson continues, the Jackson family awaits toxicology reports that will determine the true cause of death. Today, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton said that the toxicology reports will determine whether or not Jackson's death was a homicide or an accidental overdose.

In an interview with ABC News yesterday, Joe Jackson, Michael's father, stated that he believed there was foul play involved. "I just couldn't believe what was happening to Michael," he said. "I do believe it was foul play. I do believe that."
If the Jackson death is ruled to be a homicide, it would mean that manslaughter charges could be brought against the doctor who prescribed the drugs to Michael. Jackson, who died from cardiac arrest on June 25, was said to have been taking prescription drugs, including the very potent drug, Diprivan. The LAPD is currently investigating Jackson's prescription drug use, and have subpoenaed the medical records from his doctors.
"We are still awaiting corroboration from the coroner's office as to cause of death," Bratton told CNN.

Some of michael's pics.

LIFTING THE VEIL ON JACKO'S KIDS

INSIDE THEIR STRANGE & AMAZING FANTASY LIVES AT NEVERLAND

By DAVID K. LI and LACHLAN CARTWRIGHT IN LOS ANGELES AND CHUCK BENNETT IN NEW YORK

TODAY'S HOT TOPICS
BERNARD MADOFF
KATE HUDSON
FARRAH FAWCETT
more topics
SACHA BARON COHEN
JANET JACKSON
ELLE MAGAZINE
MEGAN FOX
LISA MARIE PRESLEY
MICHAEL JACKSON
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
hide topics THIS WEEK'S HOT TOPICS
PAULA ABDUL
MICHAEL JACKSON
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
more topics
JANET JACKSON
BERNARD MADOFF
LISA MARIE PRESLEY
RUSSELL SIMMONS
KATE HUDSON
FARRAH FAWCETT
MEGAN FOX
hide topics Last updated: 11:20 am
July 9, 2009
Posted: 3:10 am
July 9, 2009

Michael Jackson's sudden death may give his three beloved children something he could never provide -- a chance to be themselves.

The King of Pop devoted his life to creating a fairy-tale Never Neverland for his three young heirs, a world where the reality around them was hidden behind masks or the burly frames of professional bodyguards.

PHOTOS: Michael Jackson Memorial Service

Ongoing Michael Jackson Coverage

Prince Michael Joseph, 12, Paris Michael, 11, and Prince Michael II, a k a "Blanket," 7, have never attended a day of school. They've never known a neighborhood friend. They sleep together in the same room. And the only outsiders they know are strangers their father would bring in to entertain them.

Last Christmas Eve, Jacko and his dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, -- the suspected father of the two oldest children -- arranged for Carrie Fisher to surprise the kids by reprising her role as Princess Leia in "Star Wars" at their rental mansion in Holmby Hills, Calif.

"Michael brought the kids down in their pajamas and said, 'This is Princess Leia,' " said family friend Stephen Price. "They were so excited! She did her famous speech for them -- the 'Help me, Obi-Wan' speech."

"They are the greatest kids you'll ever meet," Price told Us Weekly of the Jackson kids. "They didn't act like they had silver spoons in their mouths. They are nice and not Hollywood brats. Paris is very polite, a little reserved. Prince is the most outgoing. And Blanket is a sharp kid, but also pretty quiet. When I asked what he wanted for Christmas, he said, 'I just want a stuffed animal.' "

To entertain his kids, Jacko would often take them on midnight shopping sprees in stores specially opened just for them. They hopscotched around the globe from California to Las Vegas to Bahrain to Ireland to New Jersey to Switzerland.

He showered the children with indulgences. In 2007, he shut down parts of the New York, New York Hotel in Las Vegas so he and the kids could play video games and ride the roller coaster. And the kids would show up bleary-eyed at bookshops and toy stores around the world for private shopping sprees at 2 or 3 a.m.

Mystery surrounds Jackson burial

Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Michael Jackson's body and plans for the singer's burial following his emotional memorial service.
It is not clear where his golden coffin was taken to after it was removed from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
And, in the absence of an announcement by his family, speculation is mounting over where he will be buried.
Meanwhile, figures show that his memorial service was watched by 31.3 million people in the US.
Resting place
On Tuesday, family members attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery before Jackson's coffin was taken in a hearse for the 10-mile trip to the Staples Center.
Where should Jackson be buried?
After the coffin was taken out, the hearse was seen leaving the centre but its destination has not been made public.
Los Angeles County records show that Forest Lawn is officially the temporary location of the body. But the coffin has not been seen returning to the cemetery.
Some reports suggest that Jackson could be buried at Forest Lawn - the last resting place of celebrities including Liberace, Bette Davis and actor David Carradine, who was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room last month.
Last week, Jackson's brother Jermaine said he wanted the body to be buried in the grounds of the singer's former home - the sprawling Neverland ranch, 150 miles north-west of Los Angeles.
OTHER STORIES AND RUMOURS
McCartney speaks over willGuardian
BBC gets memorial complaintsDaily Telegraph
Jackson's face 'work of art'Daily Mirror
MJ to be buried wearing gloveTMZ
Doctor's 'Diprivan concerns'CNN
Butter statue churns debateAFP
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Permission would be needed by authorities who would have to consider the implications of visiting fans on the transport infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Nielsen Media Research, the company that tracks viewing figures in the US, said that 31.3 million people watched the memorial service which was shown on a number of different networks.
This compared with the 28.9 million who watched the American Idol final in May and the 38 million who watched President Barack Obama's inauguration in January.
Princess Diana's funeral in September 1997 was watched by 33.2 million in the US.
Nielsen Media Research said Jackson's memorial service was also watched by millions more on the internet.
It has emerged that the memorial service cost $1.4m (£860,000) to police and to provide traffic control and other services for.

Paris Jackson made an emotional tribute at the service
The amount included $1.1m (£680,000) in overtime pay for the 4,173 officers who worked around Forest Lawn, the Staples Center and other areas, the police department said.
The city council has set up a website asking people to make tax-free donations to help cover costs.
US music sales tracker Nielsen SoundScan, meanwhile, has revealed that 800,000 copies of Michael Jackson albums were bought last week - almost double sales for the previous week.
Compilation Number Ones was the best-selling album followed by 1982 album Thriller

Michael's memorial in pics.

Michael Jackson

Video of his memorial will come later

Why is Man In The Mirror suddenly a hit?

WHO, WHAT, WHY?
The Magazine answers...



Jackson promoted Bad with a world tour
It failed to make the Top 20 on its first release more than 20 years ago, but now Man In The Mirror is the Michael Jackson track everyone wants to hear. Why?

Thirteen Michael Jackson songs are in the Top 40, among them his signature hits like Billie Jean and Thriller.

But the biggest seller in the UK since his death has been Man In The Mirror, which failed to make the Top 20 when first released in 1988. This week it has climbed to number two.

So why is it suddenly a hit?

It's always been a favourite among Michael Jackson fans, says Matt Blank, a spokesman for the UK-based website Michael Jackson World Network.


THE ANSWER
Its lyrics about making the world a better place fit the mood
It wasn't a hit first time round so it feels fresh
He is not surprised by its belated success, given its elevated status in the Jackson catalogue - there was a memorable rendition by the singer at the 1988 Grammy Awards, with a gospel choir supplying the rousing crescendo, and it was the finale on Jackson's Dangerous world tour four years later.

"It's quite inspirational and when people are grieving they don't necessarily want a dance one, and they don't necessarily want a slow song either, because it might be too much," says Mr Blank.

"So Man in the Mirror is on middle ground. It appeals to lots of people, not just Michael Jackson fans but the general public who might not consider themselves to be Michael Jackson fans in particular."

It's not a song that can be pigeon-holed, he says, because it's not pop or soul, but it's an anthem that a lot of people can relate to, especially with the world going through hard times.

Its most famous lines are:

If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change

Its message, says Mr Blank, is that the ills of the world, like homelessness and suffering, can be cured if every individual makes his or her own contribution.

"It deserves to be at the top of the charts and as it's always been popular among fans, it's as if they are saying: 'Let's get it the recognition it deserves.'"

Man In The Mirror was the fourth single from Bad, Jackson's 1987 album, and was written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard. It reached number 21 in the singles charts - a respectable position for most artists, but by Jackson's standards a low performer, when other singles from Bad were selling in large numbers.


Siedah Garrett co-wrote the song and later joined the Brand New Heavies
But, at times, the song has reached out to a wider audience. During Celebrity Big Brother 2007, Michael's brother, Jermaine, who was a contestant on the show, confronted housemates about the bullying of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. The following morning, Man In The Mirror was used as an alarm call to wake the house.

A year later, it reappeared in the lower reaches of the charts after X Factor contestant Diana Vickers sang it. And since his death, tributes on television have used clips of Jackson singing it. Madonna's stage tribute to Jackson at her O2 concert also featured its lyrics.

Sorrowful mood

The song's failure in 1988 was a shock at the time, says Yahoo! Music blogger and chart expert James Masterton, but it was something of a throwaway release.

They picked up lyrics from Man In The Mirror as the message Michael Jackson would have wanted to project to the world

Music blogger James Masterton
Not only was it not one of Jackson's own songs, but he was too busy to appear in the video, which instead featured footage of the shootings of the Kennedys, Live Aid and people such as Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa.

So its new-found success is curious, says Masterton, but maybe its relative unfamiliarity has helped to propel it to the upper reaches of the charts.

In the US, where Man In The Mirror was number one first time around, it is Billie Jean that has gripped the imagination since Jackson's death.

But Man In The Mirror is a choice of song that reflects well on the creative thinking of the British public, he says, with masterful production by Quincy Jones that provides the perfect platform for Jackson to show off his voice.


Rolling Stone magazine rated Bad as better than Thriller
And the words of the song have caught the sorrowful mood after his death.

"People wanted to quote his lyrics and sum up how they felt, and they picked up lyrics from Man In The Mirror as the message Michael Jackson would have wanted to project to the world.

"It fits the image that he himself liked to project. You always got the feeling when he was singing as a Lothario figure or as a hard-as-nails gang member fighting for good, that they weren't roles that he could play very well.

"But the peace and love message, that fits the Michael Jackson image better than the other songs he has in his repertoire."

WHO, WHAT, WHY?
A regular part of the BBC News Magazine, Who, What, Why? Aims to answer some of the questions behind the headlines
But while Jackson's other songs of that genre, such as Heal The World and Earth Song, can be rather overblown and saccharine, presenting him as a benevolent, all-knowing being, there is a welcome simplicity about Man In The Mirror.

"This has a more straightforward way of thinking - to change things one step at a time. If you were going to pick a Michael Jackson record with a more realistic way of looking at things, this would be it."

Given Jackson's preoccupation with his appearance, there is an irony in the words:

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

But while it's interesting to interpret the words in that way, says Masterton, they would have more resonance if he had written them himself.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below is a selection of your comments.

This is similar to when John Lennon died and Imagine was the big hit - people want something uplifting and universal, rather than say a love song. For MJ, the choices for that would be Man in the Mirror, Heal the World, Earth Song and, er, Stranger in Moscow, and Man in the Mirror is the first and best of those. The na-na-nas at the end have that playful joy that he still had in the Bad era but largely lost after that. I'm surprised Will You Be There hasn't charted though.
James, Cambridge

Perhaps it's not the British intellect that favours this anthem-like song over the more soulful Billie Jean, but your reserve. Americans probably can't hear Billie Jean without seeing the moonwalk, the sequins--the spinning, one-gloved wonder that was Michael Jackson. As complex and multi-faceted as Jackson was, more than anything else, he was a consummate performer. And the performance of Billie Jean, more than any other song, reflects that.
Tammy Scully, Belfast, Maine USA

Ironic that Michael wrote the majority of songs on Bad, yet Man in the Mirror is receiving all the attention now. I think its a song he was unable to write himself due to the incredibly personal nature of the lyrics that could only be penned by somebody removed from the media glare he was starting to become embroiled in
Lee, Manchester, UK

Man In The Mirror sums up MJ. He was a sensitive man who could only voice his opinions through his songs. The song deserves all the praise it is getting as it is inspirational and delivers a message of peace and harmony. Its a shame that its getting its success now after the demise of MJ. He would have been so happy. RIP King of Pop
Irfan, Bradford, UK

I'd suggest another reason might be the fact that it's one of his few singles not to appear on the Number Ones album. I'll bet a lot of people went out and bought/downloaded that album, and then got Man in the Mirror too.
Iain Martin, Dundee

I have always loved that song, and seen it as a very personal, internal message of change, rather than the more saccharin Heal The World, etc. It's all about personal responsibility and seeing that our own problems pale into insignificance next to those faced by people in developing countries, or even those people suffering in our own street. It tells us that we can all be better and we can each make a difference, even if only a small one. What seems small to me, may be everything to someone else.
Tasha, London, UK

Man in the Mirror shies away from the anthemic feel of others songs mentioned but captures the essence of a good tune for the younger listener with insightful lyrics that make you want to listen again and again for the older fan like me!
Phil, London, UK

Yep - this has always been my favourite MJ song hands down! It simply states something that is greater than going "out there" and being a "crusader of good". If every person cared about the person in the mirror - then the world would be a better place, simple, true and powerful message! Musically this song has a strong spirit and is one of the best MJ songs that has an "epic" approach to songs much like Earth Song.
Martin Doyle, London

In time, this song will be seen as his best song musically, lyrically and the way he sings it. It also has a timeless message that will last forever.
Carl Hufton, Nottingham, UK

Another reason that is probably quite significant, is that a new application started on Facebook straight after he died doing a quiz which tells you what "Your Favourite Michael Jackson Song" is. Absolutely everyone I know who's done it comes out with the same answer "Man in the Mirror". I think that's the only answer. So then they all think "Yes you're right, it is!" and go out and buy it!.

Can Michael Jackson's demons be explained?

No one knows exactly where Michael Jackson's problems stem from. But in the eyes of those who study behaviour, feelings and motivations, his unorthodox upbringing could go a long way to explain his troubled adult life.

Michael Jackson, who has died at 50, is known to have been a man who struggled with a host of inner demons.

Here, psychologists weigh up how the extraordinary childhood experiences of someone such as Jackson might shape a person in later life.


BEING BEATEN AS A CHILD
Michael Jackson's father Joe admitted to the BBC in 2003 that he whipped his son as a child.


The child star at work in 1972...
Violence occasioned by a parent on a child leaves lasting psychological and physical impact, says Peter Sharp, chartered psychologist at the British Psychological Society.

"Young people in receipt of physical violence have difficulty forming and maintaining long-term relationships," he says.

"They're 'anxious-avoidant', which means they will often take on what they know they can be successful in, therefore avoid challenges outside their comfort zones and may try to provide their worth by excelling and over-excelling in one particular area."

If that person thinks that to have affirmation and validity, they need to be successful at something, he adds, there is a risk that this is the only thing about them they define as worthy.


HAVING A UNIQUE GIFT
Peter Congdon is a psychologist who works with extremely intelligent or gifted children.

"It's well known that the best preparation for growing up is to live fully as a child. Parents of clever or talented children shouldn't forget this."


...and at rest
Accelerated mental development, for example, can slow down social and mental growth, says Mr Congdon, and the result can be a lop-sided and maladjusted individual.

Parental expectations bring undue pressure on children - one of Mr Congdon's clients is a boy who is being groomed to become an actor and already he is talking about buying his parents a house.

Another man took his teenage child to the swimming baths every day at 4am in an effort to make her an Olympic champion, but it was making her unhappy.

Sometimes the pressure can be overwhelming, he says. "Philosopher JS Mill was taught Latin at three, Greek at four, wrote his first history book at 16 and aged 19 had a mental breakdown."

Jay Belsky, director of the Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues at Birkbeck College, University of College London, says: "With a gift, the issue becomes 'Am I loved because I sing and dance or because I'm worthy of being loved?'

"I think the child figures that out, not necessarily in a conscious way but does it register? Certainly."


BEING AN IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD
Children vary in their sensitivity to things, says Prof Belsky, and you might think of Michael Jackson as one who benefited from being impressionable.

"You might think of him as a kid who was highly malleable for better or worse. Better in the sense that he could take advantage of the musical lessons and dance lessons and that kind of guidance, where for another kid it might be water off a duck's back."

But this same quality may have counted against him when he took alleged comments about his appearance to heart, he says.

Young people who have issues about their appearance often take those hang-ups into later life, says Mr Sharp.

"One of the things about teenage years is that young people frequently define themselves in terms of image and if they don't negotiate the transition to adulthood successfully then they take these concerns about the way they look with them."


BEING A CHILD STAR
Research into childhood fame is still at an early stage, says Kairen Cullen, but from her experience as an educational psychologist, the route to fame seems to be key to how well individuals deal with the effects.

"If fame is sought, either directly or vicariously, as in the case of parents for their children, frequently difficulties, usually of an intra-and inter-personal nature, develop.


Public adoration and private isolation
"Relationships with others can be problematic because the individual develops an exaggerated sense of self, their importance in the world and their effect upon others.

"Processes of idealisation can unfold and the individual can find it very difficult to live up to others' expectations and projections."

For those youngsters with unique talents who are "discovered", they are not living out the dreams of others, but realising their unique selves, so discovery could actually enhance their psychological health.


HAVING A LARGE, CLOSE FAMILY
As the seventh child in a large family, Michael Jackson was not lacking in the company of other children. But big families can multiply sibling rivalries, which need not be detrimental to a child's development.

"You can have a healthy sibling rivalry in which the older child is someone who you can compete with and reach for and as you struggle to do so, he or she is encouraging you and enabling you," says Prof Belsky.

"But if the sibling is demeaning and bullying, then what could be wonderfully facilitating can be destructive."

A child with an older sibling can be inspired by his or her accomplishments in music, dancing or basketball, for example, says the psychology professor. The child may want to be like that or better.

A skilled parent should monitor this sensitively, using the gap in their abilities as a way of motivating the younger child rather than mocking it.

Audio slideshow: Michael Jackson - man and music

Fans and contemporaries have been paying tribute to the king of pop - who has died at the age of 50. But what did Michael Jackson think of his own life and career?

Here - with the help of his music, and archive images from the days of the Jackson Five to the present - he reflects on his own vulnerabilities.



There are no captions with this slideshow.

Audio from Harpo Productions - The Oprah Winfrey Show. Photographs from AP, PA, AFP and Getty Images. Slideshow by Paul Kerley. Publication date 26 June 2009.

Emotional farewell to King of Pop

The Jackson family supported 11-year-old Paris as she spoke

Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service.

Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as "the best father you could ever imagine".

The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral.

Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage.

Jackson's siblings, children and parents took part in a chorus of We Are The World and Heal the World.

His family, with the brothers each wearing a single jewelled glove in Jackson's honour, then took to the podium.


Michael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single gloves
Comforted by aunts and uncles, Paris stepped up the microphone. "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said.

"And I just wanted to say I love him so much."

Marlon Jackson spoke of the troubles his brother faced. "We will never, never, understand what he endured," he said.

"Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed. How much pain can one take?

"Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."

'Nothing strange'

Jackson's brother Jermaine earlier took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching."

At the start of the service, Jackson's brothers carried the golden flower-draped coffin into the arena to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon And Very Soon.


Advertisement
Watch highlights from the memorial service

Mariah Carey was among the artists paying tribute, performing I'll Be There and ending with the words: "We miss you."

Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you."

Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy.

"It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it."


Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can't seem to find words to express

Diana Ross


In quotes: Jackson memorial
Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute with the words: "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever."

Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage.

Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart."

The 17,500 people in the arena cheered as clips of Jackson's life and music were played on big screens.

Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross.



Images of Jackson flashed on screens as Stevie Wonder performed
The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. "I'm trying to find closure," it said.

"I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center I am there in my heart.

"Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can't seem to find words to express.

"Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they ever need me. I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him."

Other people taking part include Usher and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.

The stage was adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009."

'Everybody cried'

Speaking after the event, one fan, Marianne Green, told the BBC the memorial was "heart wrenching".

"It was really beautiful. A lot of people got up and said wonderful things," she said.

Pamela Green added: "We laughed at some jokes, but everybody cried. I've never seen anything like that, ever."

Millions of fans around the world watched on TV.

Roads were closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Center, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his sudden death aged 50 on 25 June.

More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the memorial event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.

Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you a Michael Jackson fan?

Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

Biological mom of Michael Jackson's kids - Prince Michael, Paris Michael - could regain custody

The music stopped
How will you remember Michael Jackson?

Related News
Articles
Michael Jackson autopsy reports expected Friday
For Michael Jackson's children, future is unclear
Jackson autopsy underway, but results will take weeks
Tributes to Michael Jackson remember pop star worldwide
Michael Jackson fans flock to Apollo Theater to mourn loss of legend
'Ed Sullivan' to 'Thriller,' Jackson grew up on TV
Pop giant's big screen moments weren't always his best
Michael Jackson spent fortune faster than he earned it
Farber: Jackson will always be the 'King of Pop'
Michael Jackson's Neverland, his own 'Oz' and place to reclaim lost childhood
Michael Jackson's heart-broken ex-wife could claim custody of the two kids she turned over to their father - but will face a fight from the singer's clan, it was reported Friday night.
Debbie Rowe, who was married to Jackson from 1996 to 1999, is the mother of Prince Michael I, who is 12, and 11-year-old Paris Michael.
Under California law, she could get custody of the kids unless a court determines it would be "detrimental to the children."
The two oldest kids, along with 7-year-old Prince Michael II, "are doing fine" and staying with a nanny and their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, a longtime lawyer for the Jackson family said.
"They are in the care of a nanny," Brian Oxman told Us Weekly.
"Mrs. Jackson will care for them and I'm sure there will be all kinds of discussions that will take place about the kids."
Where the frequently masked kids go from there is very much up in the air.
TMZ.com reported that the Jackson family will wage an "epic battle" to keep Prince Michael I and Paris Michael from ending up with their biological mother.
Rowe never completed the process of giving up custody to Jackson, whom she consistently praised as a "great friend" and a "great father."
The two kids were born during the couple's brief union, and Prince Michael II, 7, was born to a surrogate Jackson never met.
Rowe Friday night was believed to be at her home in Palmdale, Calif., where flowers and food were delivered to her door.
"She is inconsolable," her former lawyer, Iris Finsilver, told Us Weekly. "But she will always love Michael and she always considered him a dear friend."
Jackson tried to keep his children out of the spotlight that followed him everywhere.
But in 2002, Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket, was famously dangled off a hotel balcony by his pop as onlookers below screamed.
Jackson later admitted the baby-dangling stunt was "a terrible mistake" and that he "got caught up in the excitement of the moment."
Oxman said the three children are "well-trained, well-educated and extraordinarily talented. They get to play with their cousins and their nieces and their nephews. They are just smarter than smart Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/06/26/2009-06-26_michael_jacksons_three_kids_.html#ixzz0KZiTOGyO&C

Michael Jackson News

Jackson and mother Katherine had unbreakable bond

AP, Jul 7, 2009 4:56 am PDT
When ABC wanted to make a miniseries about the Jackson family's life in 1992, Michael Jackson had one major requirement before he would give his blessing: Someone beautiful had to play his mother.
The pop superstar adored Katherine Jackson, who ended up being portrayed by Angela Bassett in the miniseries. Jackson's will designates her as the guardian of his three children, and she, along with his kids and children's charities, inherit his family trust, according to a source who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about the matter.
Katherine Jackson had sought to retain control of Jackson's assets, but a judge ruled Monday that attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain had been designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to administer his estate.
Jackson died June 25, deeply in debt. But a court filing estimates his estate will be worth more than $500 million.
He had a fractious relationship at times with various family members and other confidants, but friends say Jackson saw his mother as the one flawless, angelic constant in his life.
A Jehovah's Witness, Katherine Jackson, 79, is universally described as a gentle, loving matriarch who has doted on her family and fought to keep them united through tough times.
Born Katherine Scruse, she was reared in Chicago and overcame polio as a child (she still walks with a slight limp). She married Joe Jackson at age 19, and they had 10 children (Marlon Jackson had a twin who died shortly after birth) in nearby Gary, Ind.
Katherine and Joe Jackson are still married and recently marked their 60th anniversary. But their relationship has long been difficult and they have not lived together for years, according to a close friend of the singer who did not want to be identified because the person was not authorized to discuss the family.
Though it was Joe Jackson who managed Michael Jackson and his brothers to early stardom, Michael credited his mother with giving him his vocal gifts. He described her as a pianist and singer in her own right who was the first to identify and encourage her children's musical talents.
"Every child thinks their mother is the greatest mother in the world, but we Jacksons never lost that feeling," Jackson wrote in "Moonwalk," his 1988 autobiography. "Because of Katherine's gentleness, warmth and attention, I can't imagine what it's like to grow up without a mother's love."
Michael Jackson's three children have not had their biological mothers in their lives. But people close to the Jacksons say Katherine Jackson has an incredibly close relationship with her grandchildren, perhaps more than anyone else in her late son's life.
"She was never out of favor (with Michael), so she was able to spend a lot more time with the kids than anybody else," said J. Randy Taraborrelli, a friend of Jackson and author of the biography "The Magic and the Madness."
Katherine Jackson was by her son's side through some of his greatest triumphs and tragedies, from his stunning "Thriller" success to his 2005 acquittal of child molestation charges.
"They just loved each other unconditionally," said Taraborrelli. "Even when he was illogical in some of his decisions ... she didn't care, she just defended him and supported him without reservation his entire life."
Michael Jackson lived with his mother, along with siblings Joe, Janet and LaToya, at the family's Encino, Calif., compound until he was almost 30. After he moved to his vast Neverland estate, his mother remained part of his inner circle.
L. Londell McMillan, who is part of the legal team representing Katherine Jackson in her bid to control Jackson's estate, said Jackson trusted his mother completely and wanted to make sure she was always well provided.
"Michael would often say to those of us in his life, 'Please make sure you help me to protect and take care of my children and my mother Katherine,'" McMillan said.
Rob Goldstone, a former Jackson publicist who spent time on the road with him during his 1989 "Bad" tour, described him as "a momma's boy. He loved his mom."
"The one thing that was very apparent that everywhere we went, he would want to go shopping and buy something, and his mom was the one he wanted to buy something special for," he recalled.
Jackson's relationship with his mother was the opposite of what he had with his father, who managed Michael and his children's careers until they reached adulthood and business ties were severed.
Michael Jackson had a complicated relationship with Joe Jackson. He had described his father as physically and emotionally abusive. Even the sight of Joe Jackson would sometimes make Michael so nervous he would vomit, the son had said.
Joe Jackson was the parental figure who spent the most time with Jackson during his formative years. Katherine Jackson didn't go out on the road with the Jackson 5, staying at home to raise LaToya, Janet and Randy.
But the mild-mannered mother would stand up to her husband and defend their children when she thought things were getting out of control, Taraborrelli said.
"She's very strong, and a very powerful woman who would stand up to Joe," he said. "That's the only reason why it worked. ... She had the tenacity to defy him when it really mattered."
Though the pair do not live together, their lives are still intertwined. Ten years ago, they filed for bankruptcy, listing nearly $24 million in debts that included court judgments, auto loans and credit cards. Court records show the only valuable asset listed was a house in Las Vegas then valued at $290,000.
Now that Katherine Jackson has been granted temporary guardianship of her grandchildren, some wonder what influence Joe Jackson might play in the grandchildren's lives. A person with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified because the person was not authorized to talk about the relationship, said the children have a loving relationship with their grandfather, but said that Katherine Jackson would be their primary caregiver.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said she has already assumed that role, shopping for clothes for her grandchildren over the weekend.
"She's doing very well," he said Sunday. "She is the matriarch of this family. She is so deep in her religion. She has a real insulation, not an isolation, kind of a spiritual, so she sees her family in the broader sense and all of them kind of gravitating a certain way to mom as they were."

Statement from David Cook

Artists like Michael Jackson come along once. He represented the idea that pop music can be more than just music. He showed it could be an agent of change and hope