King of Pop Dies at 50

“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." - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died today at age 50 today from cardiac arrest in UCLA medical center. He arrived at the hospital without a pulse and in a deep coma. So strange how deaths always come in three, pitchman Ed MacMahon, the glamorous Farrah Fawcett, and now MJ the King of Pop.

Despite all the controversy that has always surrounded Michael Jackson, I think it's safe to say this death is a shock to all and a shake to the world of music.

Everyone's seen the Jackson 5 movie on VH1, the plastic surgery before-and-afters, the baby-over-the-balcony controversy, the court appearance in PJs, and all of those under-the-microscope moments of his life. His talent robbed him of any childhood and continued to live under the eye of the entire world. These things always seemed to be the focus of his life over the past years, and it's so sad that people forget the parts of his life that will now make him a legend.

As both a solo artists and a member of the famous Motown brother band Jackson 5, Jackson produced some 30 albums plus countless compilations. It was no surprise that his solo career skyrocketed past Jackson 5, peaking with the release of Thriller, the single most high-selling album of the 80s in America that made him the first artist to ever generate seven top ten hits from a single album. He is the only artist to have five number one hits from a single album (Bad). He was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame twice, once in 1991 for his role in Jackson 5 and again in 2001 for his solo career. His halftime performance for Super Bowl XXVII drew in the largest television audience in American history.

Many are unaware of his altruistic contributions - he held a charity event at Neverland Ranch, and his "Heal the World" foundation airlifted food, medicine and supplies to Sarajevo while providing educational programs. He also once paid for a child's liver transplant in Hungary.

So let's forget his self-induced androgynous features, his overly childlike characteristics, the scandals, the controversy. Let's remember the footage of screaming girls when young Michael screams "C'mon girl! I think I love ya!" during ABC. His gravity defying dance moves like the moon walk and of course the crotch grab. The sequined glove, the jheri curls, the white socks paired with black shoes. All of his trademarks that has made him a respected musician despite the scrutiny of the media.

Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.

Michael Jackson was understood as a legend far before his death. The world will miss this musical prodigy, this brilliant businessman, this cultural phenomenon, this American entertainer. Rest in Peace.