Michael Jackson – your tributes

Friday 26th June 2009, 6:35AM BST.

US Jackson 1The world of showbusiness was in shock today at the news Michael Jackson had died. Now we want your tributes to the king of pop.

The singer died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest, his brother said.

Jermaine Jackson said he believed the 50-year-old singer suffered the arrest at his Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles yesterday and was taken to the UCLA medical centre where he was pronounced dead.

Post your tributes to Jackson using the comment form below.

Did you ever see him in concert? Post your memories below.

Jackson‘s brother said: “My brother, the legendary King of Pop, passed away on Thursday June 25 at 2.26pm.

“We believe he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home, however the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known. The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitated him.”

The self-style King of Pop was due to perform 50 farewell concerts in London this summer, bowing out on an illustrious music career spanning several decades while aiming to restore his fortunes.

A spokesman for the hospital added: “When he arrived at hospital at approximately 1.14pm a team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour, they were unsuccessful.”

TV footage showed a rescue helicopter flying the star’s body to a waiting ambulance.

Tributes from the world of music, film and celebrity have flooded in.

His first wife Lisa Marie Presley told MTV: “This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”

Madonna said in a statement on the BBC website: “The world has lost one of its greats but his music will live on forever.”

The head of the Sony Corporation Sir Howard Stringer said: “Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era.”

And Justin Timberlake – who has been compared to a young Jackson – told MTV: “We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music.”

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said the robbery and homicide team was investigating Jackson‘s death because of its “high profile”. But he added nothing should be read into his team’s involvement.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place later today, Los Angeles Coroner’s Office spokesman Fred Corral said.

Jackson‘s close friend Uri Geller told the Press Association it may have been the stress of Jackson‘s London comeback that killed him.

Speaking from his home in Sonning, Berkshire, he said: “I guess the stress, the anticipation and the passion he was emitting from his heart, wanting to do this comeback so badly, maybe that got to him.

“That is all I can think, that maybe the stress killed him.”

He described Jackson, who was best man when Geller renewed his wedding vows, as a “genius”.

Fears were sparked for Jackson‘s health last month when four of his This Is It concert dates were pushed back but organisers insisted the dates were moved due to the sheer magnitude of the spectacle.

Randy Phillips, president and chief executive officer of AEG Live, said the date changes had “absolutely nothing to do with (Jackson‘s) health”.

The Rev Al Sharpton, a leading US civil rights campaigner and friend of Jackson for 35 years, said the star was a “trailblazer” and an “historic figure”.

“Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of colour way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama,” he said.

“Michael did with music what they did in sports, in politics, and in television.

“No controversy will erase the historic impact.”

Matt Blank from the Michael Jackson World Network fan club told BBC News 24 he was “a bit dumbfounded and a bit shellshocked by it all”.

He added: “I find it hard to believe this could be a reality.

“In the past, health issues of Michael Jackson have always been rumoured. I can only imagine this is down to the amount of stress he was under to come out and perform.”

Jackson spent time living outside the United States since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

Jackson leaves three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Junior, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Post your tributes to Jackson below.


  1. 1
    Karina

    He was a great man, over all he done! No-one deserves to die at such an age of 50! :( R.i.p mate xx

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  2. 2
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    STUNNED! Still in a state of shock. His music lives on forever. MJ R.I.P

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  3. 3
    S

    A great loss..doesnt seem real. Bless you Michael

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  4. 4
    The Usual Suspects

    A great loss to the music industry – the man was a brilliant pop star – and his music (and videos) will be remembered for years to come for all ages – EVERY track will have different memories for each of us

    Totally gobsmacked!

    Hope that the media can remember him for all the right reasons!

    RIP

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  5. 5
    Rugeley Wolf

    What a fantastically unique artist. A great loss. I just hope he is remembered for his music!

    RIP Michael.

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  6. 6
    Andy

    I hope those he had a negative effect on are as well remembered as he will be, the truth of course will be buried under the hype.

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  7. 7
    Lee

    Andy (No6) What negative effect, Wasnt he cleared ??? It sickens me that he has to die for him to appreciated for what hes done for the msic industry, Always the same with this country, Your never told how appreciated you are until its too late. Pathetic !!

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  8. 8
    David Junior

    he was truely a great entertainer and a stunning singer, i was totally shocked when i heard the news still cant believe it today. my heart goes out too his family.

    R.I.P Micheal Jackon Legend Forever And Always

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  9. 9
    Wednesbury Wolf

    A true legend who’s music was as unique as the man himself. A true innovator in all area’s of Popular music! Thriller was the 1st album that I bought and its safe to say that there was not a bad track on there! So many generations have enjoyed his music and showmanship…he will never be forgotten and his music will live forever!
    Just remember him for his music and not the supposed controversy that followed him round over the last 10 years!

    RIP MJ

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  10. 10
    Lesley

    How we forget, yes he was accused and cleared of any wrong doing, the “victim” did very well if I remember right with having a large sum of money, had he really been a victim his family and he would never have accepted anything other than justice being served so maybe it was all just lies in the first place just to gain from accusing someone so high profile!! Michael Jackson was one of the best entertainers this world has known, RIP your sadness and troubles are over now.

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  11. 11
    Lauren

    What a complete legend! i am so shocked at his sudden death. My heart goes out to his family as they go through this deverstating time. every peice of music he made was apsoutley amazing not one of his songs were bad. Not only was he a briliant singer, his dancing was also incredable. He was the king of pop and will be remembered as that.

    Rest in peace Michael Jackson

    x x x x x x

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  12. 12
    MickP

    I never could understand what all the fuss was about; I thought his ‘music’ was dreadful. Might have been a tad better if as much effort had gone into the singing as went into pointless prancing.

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  13. 13
    Reece Harley

    From my young ages i used to dress up in his costumes my mom bought me in thriller etc. I loved your music and you should be proud of the impact you had on everyone globally.

    A true Living Legend Forever and Always

    My heart is with the family

    Good Bye and RIP

    Your Music Will never be forgotten

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  14. 14
    Mel

    He was a musical genius, may he now, finally, rest in peace

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  15. 15
    JohnnyLloyd

    May God rest his soul, at least he can now finally be in peace and away from the media hyenas!

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  16. 16
    Tanky

    How very sad, what a shock.

    RIP Michael Jackson.

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  17. 17
    truewolves

    rest in peace michael

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  18. 18
    Neil H

    You are my inspiration, you have been the soundtrack to my life! R.I.P Michael Jackson.

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  19. 19
    katiie

    R.I.P Michael jackson,
    yhoo will sadly b mist
    always in our heads and hearts !!
    xx

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  20. 20
    GypsyGal

    RIP MJ .
    his music was great goin thru tha generations.
    such a sad loss
    bt no mre worrying 4 iz wrong doin

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  21. 21
    SJ

    I’m still in shock, I stayed up watching the news until it was confirmed by his brother. I was so looking forward to seeing his gig in 3 weeks. Michael was a true legend, he and his music will never be forgotten. Going to miss you Michael, hope you’re at peace. RIP. xxxxx

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  22. 22
    JulyTwenty

    I am soooo devastated. He was a great man and entertainer. RIP Michael.

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  23. 23
    Jenny

    God Bless Michael R.I.P

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  24. 24
    Diana Dale

    the news spread like wildfire, all were saying ”did you hear”?, ”do you know”?, all were ”no way”!, not ‘MJ’ then it was confirmed, and the club went silent, the DJ confirmed the news yes he was dead there was a minutes silence and one of his many songs to play that night came on and everyone got up on the dance floor singing, crying, smiling and rejoicing in the music he has left us his legacy will continue forever MJ you are in our hearts, minds, memories you were a musical genius and you will never be forgotton!!!
    God rest your soul in peace.

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  25. 25
    Judith John

    An end to a sad life Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

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  26. 26
    leah Fraser

    R.I.P King of pop, forever in my heart, i will never forget you. I can’t believe this has happened, you legacy will live on forever

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  27. 27
    gary

    what a legend great shame he’s gone going to miss all his good music.
    My brother has not stopped crying since the news
    May he now rest in peace now.

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  28. 28
    gary

    What a Great legend we will miss his great music even my older brother has not stopped crying since the sad news
    Now lets he rest in peace

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  29. 29
    Karl

    To Lee (No 7). Yes he was cleared, as was O J Simpson. I know for a fact that if I’d been accused of child molestation I wouldn’t pay my accuser $11 million to drop the case. I certainly wouldn’t get in bed with another 10 year old a few years later. Yes, MJ was a musical genius back in the day, but abused his position in later years. A lot of people involved in the outpouring of grief since his death are the same people hanging him out to dry a few years back. How fickle the general public can be.

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  30. 30
    gary richards

    how could a genius like mike let kids sleep in his bed knowing that people would point the finger . he was rightly cleared of all charges but i feel he was very naive . a pop god who will be sadly missed … god bless M…. J . REST IN PEACE

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  31. 31
    Birgit Lingenberg

    To: Michael Jackson and his family: It is a great loss to this world that Michael has passed on. His music, his dancing, his style, almost everything about him has made our world a better place. I first saw him perform when I was about 8 years old and he truly is the King of Music/Pop in this world. I believe he is in a better place now and will forever be the King of Music/Pop in this world.

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  32. 32
    lynne sykes

    MICHAEL JACKSON we are absulutly devastated words cannot express how we feel my son kevin is heartbroken RIP

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