LOS ANGELES/LONDON (Reuters) – Michael Jackson’s death dominated news bulletins, radio airwaves and social networking sites the world over yesterday as tributes poured in for a man called the “King of Pop” and “natural heir to Elvis.”
The 50-year-old, whose towering musical legacy was tarnished by often bizarre behaviour and sex scandals, was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) on Thursday after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest.
“King of pop is dead. Black day for music,” was the simple message left by “johnyvergosa” on the Twitter messaging site, where Jackson accounted for four of the five top topics. Actress Farrah Fawcett, who also died on Thursday, was the fifth.
Other online contributors expressed disbelief at the suddenness of Jackson’s death, less than three weeks before he was due to launch a series of comeback concerts in London.
The singer’s lasting appeal, despite life as a virtual recluse since his acquittal of child abuse charges at a 2005 trial, was underlined when 750,000 fans of all ages snapped up tickets for the sellout gigs.
From “Thriller” to “Billie Jean” and “Rock With You” to “The Way You Make Me Feel,” Jackson’s hits filled the airwaves.
Local politics and global affairs were bumped off the front pages of newspapers, trading rooms were abuzz with the news and entertainment websites saw a surge in traffic.
“The King of Pop is Dead” read the main headline of Britain’s Independent newspaper, below a full-page portrait.
Rina Masaoka, a 21-year-old college student in Japan, said: “This will probably be as shocking as Princess Diana’s death.”
Ray Cordeiro, an octogenarian radio disc jockey in Hong Kong who has been on air for around half a century, called Jackson “a genius” and a “legend in our lifetime.”
Former Beatle Paul McCartney said in a statement: “It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.”
In the 1980s, the pair worked together on the single “Say Say Say” and “The Man” which appeared on McCartney’s ‘Pipes Of Peace’ solo record, and later collaborated for Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ album, with McCartney guesting on “The Girl Is Mine”.
Their friendship ended in 1985 after Jackson outbid a joint effort by McCartney and Yoko Ono to buy the rights to over 200 Beatles songs, and 10 years later, Jackson sold half to Sony.
He earned millions of dollars a year through owning the rights to the remaining tracks, the catalogue being his main source of income after recent financial troubles.
Reports earlier this year suggested that Jackson had planned to leave the rights to McCartney in his will
Commentators reflecting on Jackson’s life focused on his flaws as well as his global fame and musical flair.
“Broken and broke: the child star haunted by fame and scandal” read a profile in the Guardian newspaper, which called him “the natural successor to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.”
Jackson sold an estimated 750 million records, a figure that is likely to rise with the expected posthumous re-release of his hits. “Thriller,” which came out in 1982, remains the best-selling album of all time.
Jackson also won 13 Grammy Awards, made boundary-breaking music videos and his slick dance moves were imitated by legions of fans, and fellow pop stars, around the world.
But his preference for the company of children, high-pitched voice, numerous plastic surgeries and life as a virtual recluse earned him many critics and the nickname “Wacko Jacko.”
When he came to London to announce his residency at the O2 Arena starting on July 13, bookmakers immediately took bets on whether he would turn up for the first show, amid concerns and rumors over his physical and mental health.
His sudden death, nevertheless, came as a surprise.
“I spoke to Michael only a few days ago and he was absolutely on top of everything, working hard and really excited about (the) forthcoming shows,” said Mark Lester, a former child actor and godfather to Jackson’s children.
Quincy Jones, who worked closely with Jackson on some of his most successful recordings, led tributes from the music world.
“I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news,” he said of one of the first black entertainers of the MTV generation to gain a big crossover following.
Pop star Madonna said: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news … I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”
The pair had earlier in 1991 discussed plans to work on a duet for Jackson’s ‘Dangerous’ album, according to People.com and at the time, Jackson had just signed the famous ‘billion dollar’ contract with Sony under which he would record six albums for Epic Records and an undisclosed number of movies for Columbia Pictures, both owned by Sony.
Jackson was then earning $1 million a week, with the deal expected to make him $1 billion.
Justin Timberlake in a tribute posted on his website Justintimberlake.com said: “I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing,” he said. “We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Other musicians paying tribute to Michael include Britney Spears, who said, “He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.” The rapper Ludacris said, “His music and legacy will live on forever”.
Germany’s Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, speaking in front of the Adlon Hotel where in 2002 Jackson caused a stir by dangling his baby from a top floor window in front of adoring fans, described Jackson as a great artist.
“But his life was also rather tragic in the end … That’s why I hope his whole life is taken into account when reflecting upon his death and not only the last few years.”
People heading to work yesterday were stopping at a makeshift memorial outside Harlem’s Apollo Theater, where Michael Jackson performed as a child.
The tributes were being written on pieces of cardboard, and on newspapers bearing his photo.
Says one: “Moonwalk 4Eva Michael.”
Fatimah Smalls was among those paying respects. She says sharing the pain with other fans “makes it a little bit easier.”
The tribute outside the Apollo began on Thursday once his death was confirmed. It continued well into the night.
The crowd yesterday morning wasn’t large — about 10 people at a time coming and going before starting their day.
Jackson first performed with his brothers the Apollo at age 9.
The theater sign now says: “In Memory of Michael Jackson. A True Apollo Legend.”
