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2009-06-26 09:23:19
Pop star Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles, aged 50.
Paramedics were called to the singer's Beverly Hills home at about midday on
Thursday after he stopped breathing.
He was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre. Jackson's
brother, Jermaine, said he was believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Jackson, who had a history of health problems, had been due to stage a series
of comeback concerts in the UK, beginning on 13 July.
Speaking on behalf of the Jackson family, Jermaine said doctors had tried to
resuscitate the star for more than an hour without success.
He added: "The family request that the media please respect our privacy during
this tough time."
"And Allah be with you Michael always. I love you."
TV footage showed the star's body flown from UCLA to the LA County Coroner's
office where a post-mortem is expected to take place on Friday.
Concerns were raised last month when four of Jackson's planned comeback
concerts were postponed, but organisers insisted the dates had been moved due
to the complexity of staging the show.
AT THE SCENE
Rajesh Mirchandani BBC News
Michael Jackson was brought here to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles
around 12 hours ago. Earlier there were several hundred people here, before it
got dark - there was a sense of grief, of disbelief.
But in the last few hours, these people have been singing his songs, dancing,
there was a guy on a keyboard earlier, playing his songs for people to dance
along to.
This has turned into an impromptu celebration of Michael Jackson's music. He's
the king of pop as far as they're concerned. They're still shocked by his
sudden death but they're here because they want to show their support.
A spokeswoman for The Outside Organisation, which was organising the publicity
for the shows, said she had no comment at this time.
Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini said: "I always doubted that he would have been
able to go through that schedule, those concerts. It seemed to be too much of a
demand on the unhealthy body of a 50 year old.
"I'm wondering that, as we find out details of his death, if perhaps the stress
of preparing for those dates was a factor in his collapse.
"It was wishful thinking that at this stage of his life he could be Michael
Jackson again."
Uri Geller, a close friend of the star, told BBC News it was "very, very sad".
Speaking outside New York's historic Apollo theatre, civil rights activist Rev
Al Sharpton paid tribute to his friend.
"I knew him 35 years. When he had problems he would call me," he said. HAVE
YOUR SAY Can't believe it. I'm gutted. RIP Michael, thanks for everything you
gave us. Tommy, Cardiff
"I feel like he was not treated fairly. I hope history will be more kind to him
than some of the contemporary media."
Melanie Bromley, west coast bureau chief of Us Weekly magazine, told the BBC
the scene in Los Angeles was one of "pandemonium".
"At the moment there is a period of disbelief. He was buying a home in the
Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles and the scene outside the house is one of
fans, reporters and TV cameras - it's absolute craziness.
"I feel this is the biggest celebrity story in a long time and has the
potential to be the Princess Diana of popular culture."
Musical icon
Tributes from the world of music and film have already flooded in from
celebrities including Madonna, Arnold Schwarzenegger and ex-wife Lisa Marie
Presley.
Large numbers of fans have also gathered outside Jackson's home and at the UCLA
medical centre with lit candles to mourn the star while playing his greatest
hits. Facebook groups have also been set up for fans to share their memories.
The singer's albums are occupying the top 15 slots of online music retailer
Amazon.com's current best-seller chart, led by his 1982 smash hit Thriller.
Paramedics were called to the singer's house in Bel Air at 1221 (1921GMT)
following an emergency phone call.
They performed CPR on Jackson and rushed him to the UCLA medical centre.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said the robbery and homicide
team was investigating Jackson's death because of its "high profile", but there
was no suggestion of foul play.
Jackson began his career as a child in family group The Jackson 5.
MICHAEL JACKSON 1958-2009
Bad, Black or White, Earth Song
He then went on to achieve global fame as a solo artist with smash hits such as
Billie Jean and Bad.
Thriller, released in 1982, is the biggest-selling album of all time, shifting
65m copies, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
He scored seven UK number ones as a solo artist and won a total of 13 Grammy
awards.
"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, Bad and Off
The Wall.
"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."
The singer had been dogged by controversy and money trouble in recent years,
becoming a virtual recluse.
He was arrested in 2003 on charges of molesting a 14-year-old boy, but was
found not guilty following a five-month trial.
The star had three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine
Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.
He is survived by his mother, Katherine, father, Joseph and eight siblings -
including Janet, Randy, Jermaine and La Toya Jackson.