Source: fmqb.com/article.asp
Michael Jackson died after being rushed to a hospital Thursday afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times that paramedics responded to a call at a home Jackson was renting around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center. City where law enforcement sources confirmed to the Times at 3:15 p.m. PST that Jackson had passed away.
Jermaine Jackson, appearing at a news conference, read a prepared statement on behalf of the family saying that his brother passed away at 2:26 p.m. PST and is believed to have suffered cardiac arrest pending an autopsy. He also added that paramedics and doctors tried to resuscitate Jackson for more than an hour.
Jackson had reportedly rented the Bel Air residence so he could stay in Los Angeles while rehearsing for his series of 50 sold-out shows in London's O2 Arena, which had been scheduled to start in July.
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."
Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly."
Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences."
Five of Jackson's solo albums – "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 #1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of Pop, Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop artists.
Tommy Mottola, former President of Sony Music, who oversaw the music Jackson released for 16 years while signed to the Sony Music distributed Epic Records, told the Times. "It's one of the greatest losses. In Pop history, there's a triumvirate of Pop icons: Sinatra, Elvis and Michael, that define the whole culture... His music bridged races and ages and absolutely defined the video age. Nothing that came before him or that has come after him will ever be as big as he was."
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It's definitely a sad week for the entertainment industry. First Ed McMahon then Farrah Fawcett and now Michael Jackson.
Say what you will about MJ but his contributions to music as a hole can't be overlooked. He always had a great respect for rock music as he's collaborated with the likes of Eddie Van Halen and Slash. It's such a tragedy that he was taken from us so early. The whole world will miss Michael Jackson.
Trav