Singer Michael Jackson dies at 50.
I hope we can be kinder to him at the time of his death than we ever were to him whilst he lived.
The truth is that he died years ago. His career and his life were long ago brought to a close by vicious rumours and innuendo. He became a money spinner for the tabloids, and they spun his life story mercilessly. In the end, it didn't matter what was true or untrue, he sold papers no matter how insane the stories about him had become.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 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."
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.
"I feel like he was not treated fairly. I hope history will be more kind to him than some of the contemporary media."
I think history will remember a remarkable talent; a child who the world fell in love with, and an adult who we never quite forgave for ceasing to be that child.I'd like to say that I am sad, but I'm not sure that is completely true. Somewhere in this tale I have the feeling that what I am witnessing is a release of some sort.
The torture is over. He has slipped the chains.
UPDATE:
The Prisoner of Commerce:
What's happened to Michael Jackson isn't too different from what they used to do to young male singers in Europe a few centuries ago, to keep their voices sweet. In another way, it resembles the exploitation of child stars like Judy Garland in the heyday of the Hollywood studios. In fact, what American capitalism has done to Michael Jackson is even a bit like what the Soviets do to their women athletes.Click title for full article.
2 comments:
That's ashame. He had some good music. More and more people are dying young.
May Michael Jackson rest in peace despite some of the negative things said about him.
I hope he finds the peace which eluded him in life.
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