World Responds to Michael Jackson's Death

Initial press headlines told the world that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital for cardiac arrest and then the announcement came that Michael Jackson has died at age 50. Immediately the world wide web lit up with postings, reports and new discussion board threads.

Michael Jackson was always able to pull headlines and publicity that any celebrity should envy and anyone who thought The King of Pop was dead and forgotten before June 25th, 2009 was proven wrong when his physical death occurred.

People stopped in Times Square when the news marquee announced Michael Jacksons death and the air was filled with a stream of cell phone calls of disbelief. Al Sharpton spoke memorial words of the pop star outside the Apollo Theater inspiring a traffic stopping, almost surreal, party like atmosphere playing Michael Jackson's music and dancing the soul train.

60 minutes produced an hour long special report that pushed the memorial retrospective of iconic actress Farrah Fawcett until a second hour. Farrah Fawcett had passed away the day before (June 24, 2009) but the shock of Michael Jackson's death eclipsed the actresses obituary reports.

Michal Jackson, King of Pop, lived a lonely and disconnected life in which headlines and publicity always took center stage. It is not surprising that he death is being met as commercial opportunity or that so many people around the world have been struck with momentary disbelief that once again "the king is dead" because unlike Elvis Presley whose fame was secured by devoted fans, Michael Jackson's legacy has been built upon a love hate relationship.

The public has never really know if they should despise him for his alleged personal behavior or have compassion for the lonely and desolate life that seemed to wander behind the gates of Neverland Ranch.

The secret of Michael's success however is plain. Michael Jackson was one of the most talented musicians and performers that pop music could ever know. The power of Thriller was so intense that it broke racial barriers with record play on black and white audience television and radio.

There will be plenty of time for speculation about the exact cause of Michael Jackson's death but until tomorrow it would be kind to hold on to the speechlessness with which most people received the news. It would be kind to give a moment of pause for the passing of this talented man and save the tabloid exploitation for tomorrow but the circus has already begun.

Michael Jackson once said "If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with."

This quote from the King of Pop may very well have been a dream for him during life but perhaps we can be kind for a few days after his death.