Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 06/25/09
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Tonight on 360°, remembering the King of Pop. Family, friends and fans are shocked by the death of Michael Jackson. He collapsed at his home in Los Angeles, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to his brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center. Michael Jackson was 50.
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This is just so confusing. Michael Jackson, one of the most influential musicians of all time, dead at 50. He was about ready to wow us one last time on tour. Singing music we all grew up with and loved, and it was taken from him. Even though it is hard to look past his mistakes, his music will live on forever. And that gives me at least a little comfort.
I still can't believe that my childhood idol is gone. To me, he was an inspiration, an icon, alongside Elvis. He and what he represented is a reason I came to the US. The American Dream, land of all possibilities. Rest in peace Michael.
And also my prayers go out to the fans the friends the family MJ'S AND Farrah's soul Love everyone and thank you for the MJ Special CNN
My earliest memory of Michael Jackson was when I was in the first grade (1983) and our class performed "Beat It" on stage. I wore the famous sequined white glove. My father was there and a decade later (1992) he took my family and I to see the Dangerous World Tour while we were living in Barcelona, Spain. The concert was spectacular. I will never forget his powerful presence on stage. I am thirty now and have seen so many legendary performers, but Michael will always stand out in my mind for years to come. I will miss him dearly.
I am really sad about MJ. Somebody asked me what I thought his legacy was. Obviously the music was amazing, but also I believe it was the pain of his child abuse I will remember sadly also.
Still in shock over the loss of an icon. Hey Anderson, just wanted to let you know New Kids On the Block payed great tribute to Michael Jackson tonight @ their concert in Michigan. They realize he paved the way for many boybands and pop stars. They grew with MJ and he was an inspiration to them.
Michael Jackson : The God of pop.
I was shocked when i heard the news this morning the michael jackson is dead.when it comes to pop music he is not just a king but God. i am sure that he will be remembered forever. at this point all i can say is "God is dead: but considering the state man is in, there will perhaps be caves, for ages yet, in which his shadow will be shown".
MJ -RIP – he was a legend and a part of my childhood and many other young Indians in Bombay ..... I still remember the whole city of Bombay was super excited when he performed live ... we were lucky he visited us ... we'll never get to see him again 🙁
I've been up since 2.00am Nigerian time when I got a text about Michael's death watching your tribute to him on CNN. It's so sad as I remember as a child dancing to his Off the Wall album in Lagos. He has touched so many lives and I pray that his gentle soul rests in perfect peace.
Shocking day for lot's of people,god bless Micheal and Farrah,they were people like you and i and when someone goes to the next life it hurts.Life goes on but once in a while things happen that make us remember the ones that are not here anymore,might be a song from Micheal Jackson or a clip of Farrah Fawcett.Always remember the good things that they brouht to us.God bless.
Whenever people ask me the question "What is your favorite song?" my response always was and is "Never Can Say Goodbye" by the Jackson 5. Michael's vocals in that song are incredible and it's hard to wrap your head around how amazing he was at such a young age. I rock to "Off The Wall" all the time on my way home from work...his music IS and WILL always be classic!!!
Such a sad day. My thoughts go out to the families of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. RIP the both of you. I was a hugh fan of Michael's all through the 80's unti now. Through thick and thin ....Always a fan.
Wyclef Jean said it perfectly...Michale Jackson WAS a musical God, the likes of which we will probably never see again. He has paved the way for past present and future generations to shine and aspire to emulate his unbelievable talent. Many may try but there will only ever be ONE and ONLY Michael Jackson, you will be missed
Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
This is a very tragic day for the whole entertainment industry.Michael is an icon, a music legend, the King of Pop. Nobody could ever replace you Michael. I know you're happy and at peace now with our Creator. No more tears to shed, no more loneliness, no more stress to endure. May you rest in peace...We love you, we'll never forget you and you'll live forever in our hearts... Long Live the King of Pop!
One just never know when the final courtain call will be !!
Michael Jackson's life came to an end.
We do not know how difficult his life had become and how lonely and sad he was feeling. I hope he had found peace.
My prayers to all his family and fans!
Anabel Castellanos, Houston, Tx.
Billions are mourning the death of this iconic legend. Larger than life itself. We can only thank GOD for letting us borrow Micahel for 5 decades. RIP MJ I love you!
Nothing I can say right now. But Farewell My summer Love
Humanity will miss u Michael.
Topla Ukyab
hey everyone... there was alot of shocking news today with micheal an farrah's death... micheal jackson was my favorite singer... i loved his music... he will be terribly missed....my sorrows go out to his family a farrahs....
The first concert I took my daughter to was the Jackson five at radio city music hall she was five at the time and to this day he was her idle
first farrah and now i turn on cnn and i see that michael has left us. this is all so sad. I have followed michael jackso since he started out w/his brothers...it was the first album i bought ever! he was so talented yet lived a semi tourtered life.
In the early 90s I met Michael Jackson when he visited Sony Pictures Studio. I was a waiter and he was on the lot to promote Sony's PlayStation. I took his order, and the thing that stood out most was that he was so friendly, polite, and nothing like the freak the media often portrayed him to be.
He was different but that's because he never had the typical life most all of us enjoy. I will always remember him looking straight at me and being to genuinely polite... It believe that was the real Michael Jackson.
By the way, to drink he had mixed orange/cranberry juice and to eat sushi.
Michael Jackson had such a profound impact on my life, his music will forever inspire me and motivate me to do great things. He was to the music world what Michaelango was to art. He will forever be remembered, honored and truly missed. We love you Michael.
I'm an american living in Germany and watching cnn i heard about the world's greatest loss! I grew up with Mr. Jackson, born only hours away from Gary and have followed his life completely! The lord gave us a treasure that we'll never have again! I am so happy to have been on this earth and was able to cherish one of god's true treasures and May Mike rest in peace!! God be with you Michael Jackson and thank you CNN for being there! Now i realize just how important CNN really is!!!!
This is obviously more shocking, but this leaves me as speechless as when we all heard the news that he had caught on fire during the making of a Pepsi commercial in the 80's. I was 9 years old at that time and remember it like it was yesterday! It was such a big deal. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jackson's. Accusations aside, you and your music will always be in all of our hearts!! We'll miss you Michael!!!!
micheal jackson has was much loved by his fans and of course my family and i you are sorley missed
Michael Jackson
..........U know his name you know his fame..... That is his legacy
He will be missed.
I grew up with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five I am truly saddened at the loss of Michael I feel like I have lost a real friend. We were the same age. I am truly devastated. They don't get bigger than this, Michael is up there with Elvis and Frank Sinatra, a true American icon, a trailblazer gone much too soon, but who will always be remembered through his music and artistry.
Michael Jackson meant so much to me I mean everything about his music and his style has opened my eyes to so many things he was and still is my king and he will be missed.
I thought I didnt care for Michael Jackson any more. Now, I cant believe the amount of sadness I feel over his death. He was a big part of my childhood, and young adulthood. We were the same age.God Bless him!
Besides Michael Jackson, in Belgium we are still in mourning of the death of one of our own greatest flemish singers, Yasmine (aka Hilde Rens). She commited suicide today. Everybody here was already in disbelief with this black day in belgian music history. I'm shocked to learn now also Michael has passed away. What a sad day for Music in general. The day the music died ...
My heart goes out to the families of Michael Jackson and Farrah. I grew up listening and following his music. He will be missed. Such a sad,sad day for two families. May God ease your hearts and the pain you are feeling.
I'm in Singapore and when I heard about Michael Jackson's death it was around 5 am and I was just shocked to the core because this was something so unexpected and really I thought he would live a long life.
Rest in peace Michael.
California has endured 2 greatest tragedies today. Farrah and Michael you both were great and will never be forgotton. We love you both and please rest in peace.
What about his kids? Is there currently any information about them?
It's soo sad to hear about Michael, I remember i learnt about MJ as a little girl in a village in Kenya, my neighbour used to dress, walk talk and even do his hair like MJ...I had to call my dad and ask him if he remember the guy and we were silent for a minute and remembered the KING OF POP! My heart goes to his family especially his children. There has never been nor will there be another MJ.
I saw Michael live in New Zealand on his History tour when I was six years old. It was the most amazing experience of my life! I woke up this morning to a text telling me that he had died. I have had CNN on constantly since and am completely in shock. I feel as though a piece of me an my childhhod has been lost. RIP MJxxxxxxx
great old scenes of Farrah ...
The world has lost one of the greatest humanitarian. My heart is in pieces, and I can;t stop crying. this one loss I will never get over. Love to Micheal children adn family.
Mengee
Boston MA
when i watch the news with my 6 years old girl I was sad & she said mom let write the story about him so I could remember more of MICHAEL I THINK we lost a legend peace MICHAEL
Thanks Anderson for the wonderful tribute to MJ. You are the best.
Anderson in honouring Micheal Jackson I thankyou and CNN very much for not dwelling on the down side of Micheals life. But that he was a legend. A TRUE human. Dearly lived. Painfully missed.
The World has always challenged the pure at heart, Michael J. Jackson
will forever be known long after we are gone as the Greatest of all entertainer`s, Since the creation of R&B.
Born in Africa, growing up many of us had no TV but radios operated with batteries that played Michael Jacksons Music all day. This is to show he was known all over the world. He is a Legend and his memory will live on for years to come. May u rest in peace King of Pop!
I am very saddened by the sudden death of American Prince of Pop Michael Jackson. He was a kind soul, and had talent that could never be duplicated!
I am devastated by the death of Michael Jackson. I grew up dancing his songs. He brought joy to everyone's life. Unfortunately the world has been very mean toward him. He basically sacrificed himself to make people happy. He only got cruelty from a lot of people in return.
Michael I will always love you. You will always be remembered as one of the greatest singers on Earth.
May He rest in peace!!!
Michael your road has been long and hard. May U finally find the love, peace and comfort the world could not offer u. You will be missed deeply. God bless.
I am so sad that we've lost Michael Jackson; a legend and a great humanitarian. I am from the Maldives and grew up with a huge poster of him in my room and listening to his music and watching his amazing videos. My son spent his early years wearing the 'Beat It' jacket and the white gloves. Thank you Anderson, for all these memories....
What better would the world have been wothout this man's message. though he is gone, he left a world a better place for most of us.. R.I.P MJ
Fred mecha
Glendale CA
Having grown up with him from a young age, it is hard to imagine a world without Michael Jackson. May we all have the best memories of him and appreciate him for who he was. We all need to understand he had some unimaginably hard times in his life, and despite that, he still managed do good for this world and its people. Long live the true king of pop, the world will deeply miss you!
Art is immortal, and Micheal Jackson was one of the most influential artists of our time. It is a surreal time for all who were influenced by him across the world. He blessed us all with his talent and brilliance and will be remembered always. Rest in peace, King of Pop, Micheal Jackson, thanks for the music.