Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Michael Jackson, 50, died at UCLA Medical Center this afternoon. He died of apparent heart failure after collapsing in his home, though no official cause of death has been released. The LA Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy and determine the official cause of death.

No matter your feelings toward Jackson - BUT love him or hate him - you can't deny that the music industry has lost a legend and an innovator. A void that will not easily be filled. You must give the man his due for the impact he had on the music industry.

I've never been a huge Michael Jackson fan, but there are occasions when I enjoy his music. Even better, some of Weird Al Yankovic's best songs were parodies of Jackson's songs, like "Eat it" and "Fat" to name a few. I think there are more but can't think of them.

Personally, Jackson creeped me out. He was one weird, messed up individual.

One of the questions that will never really be answered is the child molestation charges and trial Jackson had a few years ago. Did he or didn't he? Yeah I know he was acquitted but- so wasn't OJ. And you don't think for a minute that he was innocent, do you?

The saddest part for me about Jackson's death was his age. Fifty is still too young to die. He was not quite eleven years older than me. Kind of scary to think of dying that young....

Here's the story from the Los Angeles Times reporting on Jackson's sudden death.

Here's an update on the casue of death, still under investigation.