'King of Pop' dead at 50

Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop” who reigned over the music world like no other, died yesterday as he prepared for a comeback bid to vanquish nightmare years of sexual scandal and financial calamity. He was 50.

Jackson died at UCLA Medical Centre after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.

“It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” his brother Jermaine said.

Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.

At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13.

As word of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson’s heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died.

“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words,” said Quincy Jones, who produced 'Thriller'. “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. He was 4 years old when he began singing with his brothers – Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito – in the Jackson 5. After his early success with bubblegum soul, he struck out on his own, generating innovative, explosive, unstoppable music.

The album 'Thriller' alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesiser approach of 'Billie Jean', the grinding Eddie Van Halen solo on 'Beat It', and the hiccups and falsettos on 'Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.

Jackson’s brother Jermaine told reporters: “My brother, the legendary King of Pop, passed away on Thursday June 25 at 2.26pm.

“We believe he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home, however the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known. The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitated him.”

A spokesman for the Ronald Reagan UCLA medical centre added: “When he arrived at hospital at approximately 1.14pm a team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour, they were unsuccessful.”

TV footage showed a rescue helicopter flying the star’s body to a waiting ambulance.

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said the robbery and homicide team was investigating Jackson’s death because of its “high profile” but warned reporters not to read anything into his team’s involvement.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place later today, Los Angeles Coroner’s Office spokesman Fred Corral said.

Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems.