Long live the "King of Pop"

The world was saddened by the news that Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop” is no more. MJ, at age 50, suffered a cardiac arrest and died Thursday. The King of Pop had once shattered and stunned his audience with his moonwalk, feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves in the music world. His high-pitched singing punctuated with squeals and titters had been his trademark. Who can ever forget his single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses? Indeed he was the most exciting performer of his generation!

Reports had it that Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center. He was stricken ill at his rented home in Holmby Hills. For nearly three-quarters of an hour, the paramedics tried to resuscitate him. Then he was rushed to the hospital where doctors continued to work on him.

At the time of his death, he was preparing for a comeback bid trying to rise up to the challenge of vanquishing his nightmare years of sexual social and financial calamity. The scheduled unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena was yet to be his greatest comeback which was first set for July 13.

There is still no final report about the cause of his death as his body is still to undergo an autopsy procedure. His death is currently being investigated by the police and the autopsy procedure is said to be just a standard procedure for high-profile cases. The family however believes that he suffered cardiac arrest in his home.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born Aug. 29, 1958 in Gary. In the late 1960s, MJ (who was just 4 years old) had been known with the Jackson 5's hits such as "ABC" and "I'll be there". The public had known him as the the precocious, spinning lead singer of the group together with his four older brothers : Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito.

His talent, charisma together with his early success of bubblegum soul made a break for him. His music is phenomenal. He went solo creating an innovative, explosive, unstoppable music. In 1982, his album "Thriller" alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesizer approach of "Billie Jean," the grinding Eddie Van Halen solo on "Beat It," and the hiccups and falsettos on "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'.". He had made and sold roughly 50 million copies worldwide making it the best-selling album of all time.

The peak of his career may have started in 1983. At this time, Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary. This was all-star televised concert and Jackson showcased off his famous backward gliding moonwalk dance while joining his brothers for a medley of old hits. The crowd became excited with the part when he had the “Billie Jean” run-through with matching pointing, crouching, high-kicking, splay-footed and crotch-grabbing moves. He surely made his audience astonished giving him a roaring standing ovation. His moves and his level of performance had surely cemented his place in pop culture.

He was recognized to be one of the biggest pop sensations of all time like Elvis Presley and the Beatles. But as the years went by, he became an increasingly freakish figure, a laughing-stock with his surgically alternate appearance as a result of his sustained burnt during a production of the 1984 Pepsi commercial.

Following his career, he had managed to record strong follow-up albums such as “Bad” which was released in 1987 and "Dangerous" in 1991. His career began to wane in 1993 after his name was dragged in child molestation. He denied all of these allegations and tabloids have reported that criminal charges were not filed because they have made a $20 million settlement with the boy's family.

The incident took over a change in the public’s eye. His image started to come to the public as a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. Some people have insulted him with his changing appearance. Others were bewildered when he wore a germ mask while traveling, adopted and named his chimpanzee “Bubbles” and saying that it was one of his closest companions. His career and image have been destroyed even more when people started criticizing and judging him when he surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch. From the “King of Pop” he was downgraded to “Wacko Jacko”. A Hollywood publicist in the name of Michael Levine commented that “His internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It's as if he was trying to defy gravity,"

His image and career even went dimmer when he caused a public stir in 2002. The swarm of fans in Berlin is shocked to have seen from below MJ playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over the hotel balcony.

There were many reports that he had molested children in Neverland but he was cleared of all the charges. Despite of it all, the case followed years of rumors of molesting young boys. This event took a huge toll and dampened the most on his career and image bringing him into serious financial trouble.

There is no doubt though that the legendary icon has been truly a great influence to many people. Many detractors would not agree with me when I say that even with the negative publicities that he was getting, he has at least left a legacy that will always be remembered not only in the music industry but also with the people he had helped one way or another.

This is the reason why his best friend, Elizabeth Taylor, gave him the title "King of Pop". He was believed to be the most popular music's premier all-around performer. He made a breakthrough by crashing the race barrier and uniting black and white music on MTV. He dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

Among the many good deeds that he had accomplished is the setting up of the World Foundation after he co-wrote the song "Heal the World". He had also donated $500,000.00 for the benefit of the Negro society. He ensured that the proceeds of the hit single "Man in the Mirror" be donated in a foundation. During the time of former President Bush, he pleaded the government to make some donations to the HIV victims. There were varieties of different cause that he had been a part of and had advocated for that is why he had been loved by so many.

In fact, as word of his death spread like virus, MTV cancelled its regular program and played videos from Jackson's heyday. Most radio stations performed a marathon of his hits. Fans gathered outside the hospital to pray for his soul. In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died. His star power is unmatched. As Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde puts it, "The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it,"

With his death, I am sure that the music industry will pay a lot of tribute to the Pop icon. I guess one way to relive his greatness is to continue the good deeds he has done. Long live the King of Pop!