Shocked. Completely shocked.

All major news sources are confirming it now.  RIP MJ

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029?gt1=43001

Booyabobby:

All major news sources are confirming it now.  RIP MJ

RIP?

As a Buddhist, I should value all life.  But I'm sorry, this guy's history with children do not make me feel sorry for him in the least.  I feel sorry for his children though.

RIP

Thriller

Beat It

Grew up listening to this album over and over and over...

He was definitely weird, but what a talent. Nothing was ever proven, so I won't say anything other than I enjoyed his music and RIP.

First Ferrah and now him? His family must be going through a lot now, my condolences to them.

What's that saying about how celebrities die in threes?  Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson all within the past three days.  Personal feelings aside all three were very talented.  I loved the Tonight Show and Ed's laugh and interaction with Carson was simply classic and timeless.  I had that poster of Farrah when I was a kid (my first crush I guess you could say), and Michael, though I was never really a fan, was a huge talent who's music transended generations.  May they all rest in peace.

DanDaBreadman:

He was definitely weird, but what a talent. Nothing was ever proven, so I won't say anything other than I enjoyed his music and RIP.

Nothing was ever proven, but money paid off the accusers.

Yes, he was a sad person, and a tragic story.  And if anyone should be blamed, it should be his father who whored him out at such a young age.  Sad for a lost life - maybe if he paid for his indiscretions in life, then maybe his death would have deserved more peace.

RyeRye113097:

What's that saying about how celebrities die in threes?  Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson all within the past three days.  Personal feelings aside all three were very talented. 

Agree.

Best to their families and friends. Weird thing about the whole 3's thing. It's creepy, but seems to happen a lot.

It is sad that he died at such a relatively young age, all things considered.

Grambo Bastille:

RIP?

As a Buddhist, I should value all life.  But I'm sorry, this guy's history with children do not make me feel sorry for him in the least.  I feel sorry for his children though.

 

I think his kids will be far better off without him. He has made a spectacle out of them, now the will be rich and left alone. Im with grambo on this one. Rich people shouldn't get to buy their way out of crimes but sadly it happens.

I'm not saying he was innocent but I always wonder what really happened with all those kids. 

The first group that sued him seemed like they were not honest.  If someone did that to my son I would want them Dead or at least in Jail.  I would have pressed charges and not files a law suit.

In the actual criminal case he was found not guilty.  So who knows.   Someone with a lot more pull is judging him now(if you believe in such things). 

That being said he was a phenomnal singer, a great dancer and despite all the bad things he was accused of was a very big supporter of many charities.  Someone on another board said its our generations John Lenon.  Which seems appropriate in a way.  Its not that he was so loved in his later life but its the fact that so many of us listened to him when we were children and teenagers.  Its kinda like losing a little of your childhood. 

I have mixed feelings on this. I grew up listening to MJ (early 90's stuff) and he was a big inspiration for a couple of years. As I got older and started understand the rumors that hung over him he slowly faded in to the stuff of pop culture references. The saddest part for me is that, to my perception anyway, he spent the last years of his life in humiliation and exile. I believe that his message at one time was sincere, and it's a tragedy that he lost himself due to the decisions that he made in his life.

After playing a few rounds of Tiger Woods and having a few more beers I'm gonna weigh in one more time...

I just can't get past listening to the magic that was the Thriller album back in what was the 3rd or 4th grade for me. I remember watching him on Motown's 25th Anniv special. My mom grew up listening to the Jackson 5. His music was well know and often played in our house.

I can't judge the man on any misteps he might have had later in life...and at the same time I have to wonder what parent would allow their child to spend a night away from home? I defintely think the guy had some issues in his adult life, but considering the life he led up to that it's not a surprise either.

For my part, I'll acknowledge that he had a definite impact on my life growing up...nothing can change that. Certainly my view of him changed in my adult life, but I just can't turn my back on a part of my childhood and the strong family memories associated with that music.

Thriller forever!