Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009
Posted by David Schmader on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 2:51 PM
TMZ reports that Michael Jackson has died.
UPDATE: LA Times confirmation.
So fucking sad, for so many reasons.
He will not be forgotten, to say the very least.
Share via
8
Oh, well if TMZ confirms it, it MUST be true.
Hold off on reporting this man's death for a few more minutes at least. Not saying he's alive, but let's consider the source here.
Hold off on reporting this man's death for a few more minutes at least. Not saying he's alive, but let's consider the source here.
10
All the snark and all the shit people will post here cannot erase the fact that he was an amazing talent with a fragile and flawed soul. Most all of us have the latter -- very very few the former. Rest in peace, MJ.
17
Please, please, please don't let the birth mother or any member of his family (well, maybe Janet)get custody of those poor kids. Maybe they can track down the real father since there is no way MJ fathered three white kids.
19
Mind blown by the fact that we live in an age where TMZ is a reliable source, and that Jacko managed to steal Farrah's fire.
A truly huge day in American cultural icon history, played out in the changed arena of modern media. Love it.
A truly huge day in American cultural icon history, played out in the changed arena of modern media. Love it.
29
I'm with 8 - I have a feeling TMZ is pulling the trigger early on this one. Their 'source' says he was dead when paramedics arrived. CNN is saying he was revived, arrived at the hospital, and then transferred. Maybe they do it different in CA, but don't they only typically transfer people who are alive?
32
1st: TMZ.com? Srsly? Let's wait for the bullshit detectors to warm up before we get all hizzsterical n' shit.
2nd: Michael Jackson has been dead for at least 10 years. They built an animatronic replica to stand trial.
2nd: Michael Jackson has been dead for at least 10 years. They built an animatronic replica to stand trial.
33
How the hell can TMZ "confirm" a story they originally broke? He may very well be dead, but no one is citing any source but TMZ, and that does not a confirmed story make.
38
don't miss TMZ's celebrity twitter post compilation on the subject, too:
Lindsay Lohan: NO OMG ... sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family ... i feel sick..
Marlon Wayans: My prayers, my love, my heart goes out to michael jackson and the entire jackson family. I pray so hard for them. I'm crushed! Please pray.
Pete Wentz: Prayers and thoughts with michael jackson ... I haven't hope in so long that news isn't true.
Kim Kardashian: Wow I am truly in shock that Michael Jackson has passed away! I love u Jackson family, my prayers are with the whole family!
Lindsay Lohan: NO OMG ... sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family ... i feel sick..
Marlon Wayans: My prayers, my love, my heart goes out to michael jackson and the entire jackson family. I pray so hard for them. I'm crushed! Please pray.
Pete Wentz: Prayers and thoughts with michael jackson ... I haven't hope in so long that news isn't true.
Kim Kardashian: Wow I am truly in shock that Michael Jackson has passed away! I love u Jackson family, my prayers are with the whole family!
40
i thought mj had sold of the rights to the beatles collection along time ago to help pay his bills.
41
Perez Hilton just confirmed that Paul McCartney has offered the Jackson Familly 10 million dollars for the bones of Michael.
42
17 - Seriously. That family is fucked, especially since the rest of them make Janet look kind of normal.
I feel so, so sad for Michael Jackson. Sure, he did some fucked up shit (some of it only allegedly), but he was a miserable person who had a horrible, horrible life. Whether or not there's an afterlife, he's in a better place.
I feel so, so sad for Michael Jackson. Sure, he did some fucked up shit (some of it only allegedly), but he was a miserable person who had a horrible, horrible life. Whether or not there's an afterlife, he's in a better place.
45
fact: oppressing your phenomenally talented, obviously gay child with overwork, physical & mental abuse, and retarded religious beliefs does not make for a happy, well-adjusted adult.
46
CNN is literally changing their tenses in their story as it develops.
A few minutes ago, MJ WAS known as the King of Pop... now, he IS known as the King of Pop.
A few minutes ago, MJ WAS known as the King of Pop... now, he IS known as the King of Pop.
47
@ 39 - C'mon Matt, "saw it coming" is actually pretty neutral, neither emotionless nor over-emotional. One can certainly say "saw it coming" in a context of sadness.
I know, I know, Loveschild is the gay-hatin' Satan, everything she says is pure evil. That kind of thinking gets old after a while.
I know, I know, Loveschild is the gay-hatin' Satan, everything she says is pure evil. That kind of thinking gets old after a while.
49
Rest in peace Mr. Jackson. My condolences to his children, family and friends. He was incredibly talented.
50
I will choose to remember this day as Farrah Fawcett's day... She deserved to die with dignity, as we watched her fight a valiant struggle against end stage cancer. RIP Farrah
52
Excuse me, but Sky Saxon's death today matters much more.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sky Saxon, lead singer and founder of the 1960s band the "Seeds," who had a Top 40 hit in 1967 with "Pushin' Too Hard," has died after a brief illness.
Publicist Jen Marchand says Saxon died Thursday but did not have other details. He was in his 60s.
From skysaxon.com:
Born Richard Marsh, Sky Sunlight Saxon emerged from the Los Angeles music circle during the early 60s.
The 60's
"In 1965 he formed the Seeds, arguably the city's finest punk/garage group, which later evolved into a psychedelic / flower-power attraction."1 Sky Saxon and guitarist Jan Savage formed the Seeds with keyboardist Daryl Hooper and drummer Rick Andridge in Los Angles in 1965. By the end of 1966, they had secured a contract with GNP Crescendo, releasing "Pushin' Too Hard" as their first single. The song climbed into the Top 40 early in 1967, and the group immediately released two more singles, "Mr. Farmer" and "Can't Seem to Make You Mine," in an attempt to replicate their success; the latter just missed being in the Top 40. "Best known for their rock & roll standard "Pushin' Too Hard," the Seeds combined the raw, Stonesy appeal of garage rock with a fondness for ragged, trashy psychedelia.
The Seeds sprang up in California, and their garage-band sound with Saxon's distinctive vocals became a favorite of the flower power generation.
Other Seeds singles included "Can't Seem to Make You Mine" and "Mr. Farmer."
Saxon (born Richard Marsh) had recently moved to Austin, where he played with his new band, Shapes Have Fangs.
He had been planning to perform this summer with the California '66 Revue, a tour featuring a lineup of California bands from the 1960s.
More...
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sky Saxon, lead singer and founder of the 1960s band the "Seeds," who had a Top 40 hit in 1967 with "Pushin' Too Hard," has died after a brief illness.
Publicist Jen Marchand says Saxon died Thursday but did not have other details. He was in his 60s.
From skysaxon.com:
Born Richard Marsh, Sky Sunlight Saxon emerged from the Los Angeles music circle during the early 60s.
The 60's
"In 1965 he formed the Seeds, arguably the city's finest punk/garage group, which later evolved into a psychedelic / flower-power attraction."1 Sky Saxon and guitarist Jan Savage formed the Seeds with keyboardist Daryl Hooper and drummer Rick Andridge in Los Angles in 1965. By the end of 1966, they had secured a contract with GNP Crescendo, releasing "Pushin' Too Hard" as their first single. The song climbed into the Top 40 early in 1967, and the group immediately released two more singles, "Mr. Farmer" and "Can't Seem to Make You Mine," in an attempt to replicate their success; the latter just missed being in the Top 40. "Best known for their rock & roll standard "Pushin' Too Hard," the Seeds combined the raw, Stonesy appeal of garage rock with a fondness for ragged, trashy psychedelia.
The Seeds sprang up in California, and their garage-band sound with Saxon's distinctive vocals became a favorite of the flower power generation.
Other Seeds singles included "Can't Seem to Make You Mine" and "Mr. Farmer."
Saxon (born Richard Marsh) had recently moved to Austin, where he played with his new band, Shapes Have Fangs.
He had been planning to perform this summer with the California '66 Revue, a tour featuring a lineup of California bands from the 1960s.
54
@29, If you were a paramedic in Los Angeles, and you got a cardiac arrest call, and you showed up, and Michael Effing Jackson were dead on the floor, you'd probably load him up anyway and try to revive him too, wouldn't you?
CNN is now confirming that he's dead.
Maybe they do it different in CA, but don't they only typically transfer people who are alive?
@29, If you were a paramedic in Los Angeles, and you got a cardiac arrest call, and you showed up, and Michael Effing Jackson were dead on the floor, you'd probably load him up anyway and try to revive him too, wouldn't you?
CNN is now confirming that he's dead.
59
@52 I think you having to write an essay on why he is more important kind of invalidates your statement
60
@52: in the cloistered world of garage rock purists, maybe. but i'll be spinning "pushing too hard" before i spin any MJ tonight.
63
@ 61, you see CNN's coverage of Iran? Waiting for them is like waiting for Godot. LA Times has confirmed, if they have enough credibility for you.
65
It definitely looks like the dude is dead, but there are no sources. It's kind of in poor taste for major news agencies to base their story on one unnamed source (AP, TMZ) or no source (LA Times). Furthermore, MSNBC and CNN are carrying the story based on the AP and LA Times' report. New media is a pack of vultures. Where are we living, Britain?
68
Not saying CNN is credible. Just responding to the comments of others that stated CNN had confirmed the death. From their website RIGHT NOW:
(CNN) -- Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.
(CNN) -- Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.
69
WOW. I can't explain how weird I feel right now. maybe the explanation lies with nos @ #3 - you are right about our childhoods. i feel like mine was just ripped away from me.
71
@52 Excuse me, but Sky Saxon's death today matters much more.
Thanks for straightening us out on that.
Thanks for straightening us out on that.
72
Wasn't he a pedophile? I thought he couldn't even come back to the US for fear of being arrested.
73
cosby, rest easy. LA Times' confirmation is based on their actual reporting:
[Updated at 3:15 p.m.: Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/20…
[Updated at 3:15 p.m.: Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/20…
74
I would wager money that this is the fastest travelling news story in the history of the world..unreal
75
63 - "Waiting for CNN is like waiting for Godot."
That is the funniest thing I have ever read. Thank you.
That is the funniest thing I have ever read. Thank you.
76
How long before the MJ tribute single comes out?
Janet needs a comeback, ride your dead brother's coattails!
And get John Landis to direct the video!
Janet needs a comeback, ride your dead brother's coattails!
And get John Landis to direct the video!
77
Mama say mama saw mama cu WHAT THE FUCK GOD.
All my thoughts go out to his family and kids. I'll admit, I was sobbing in traffic when I heard. Michael Jackson soundtracked my childhood. My parents had Bad, Thriller, and Off the Wall on vinyl, and I beat their copies all to hell, playing them repeatedly on my steel-needled kiddie record player.
I have a copy of Moonwalker and want to watch it tonight with some Jesus juice, to fully acknowledge both sides of the Michael Jackson story. RIP, you crazy, brilliant, crazy sad man.
All my thoughts go out to his family and kids. I'll admit, I was sobbing in traffic when I heard. Michael Jackson soundtracked my childhood. My parents had Bad, Thriller, and Off the Wall on vinyl, and I beat their copies all to hell, playing them repeatedly on my steel-needled kiddie record player.
I have a copy of Moonwalker and want to watch it tonight with some Jesus juice, to fully acknowledge both sides of the Michael Jackson story. RIP, you crazy, brilliant, crazy sad man.
80
I feel bad about all the dying in the world, but then I see the photo of that ass in the blue panties in the Lustlab ad and I feel all better again.
81
Remember this day. Your kids are going to ask you where you were on the day that the King of Pop died.
82
totally faked to avoid the fans, lawyers, and reality. Just like Elvis did. Good luck Mr. Barry Simpson of Wyoming... or whoever you are now.
89
@81: man that's some dry humor.
IF this were during his creative "peak" (when was that? 1978?), maybe. but do you remember where you were the day Elvis died? Cobain? no you don't.
IF this were during his creative "peak" (when was that? 1978?), maybe. but do you remember where you were the day Elvis died? Cobain? no you don't.
90
@89: Dude, Cobain passing was a huge point in my life. Everyone in my school had badges that said RIP Kurt. Are you fucking kidding?
I wasn't alive when Elvis passed, but if I was I would have remembered. WTF? Really?
I wasn't alive when Elvis passed, but if I was I would have remembered. WTF? Really?
94
92 - Me ten minutes after I found out Heath Ledger died:
"Dude, can I bum some Tylenol? But, like, I'm only going to take one because I don't want to pull a Heath Ledger and OD."
"Dude, can I bum some Tylenol? But, like, I'm only going to take one because I don't want to pull a Heath Ledger and OD."
95
Two monuments: the 12-inch versions of "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground" and "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough". Those two alone are a pretty great resume, let alone all the others. Don't let the freakshow fool you.
96
I agree with @54. He may have had a troubled life, but his music was a major force since he was a little kid, for many decades.
99
To quote a poster on the LA Times article: "Can you imagine how much cover this is going to give politicians and government to sneak things through with little to no media coverage because the public and the media will only be interested in MJ's and Farrah's deaths??? "
Things to look for immediately:
-A new Tiananmen in Tehran
-A New Dear Leader, Kim Jong Un
-More Republican adulterer disclosures
-universal health care
Any other guesses?
Things to look for immediately:
-A new Tiananmen in Tehran
-A New Dear Leader, Kim Jong Un
-More Republican adulterer disclosures
-universal health care
Any other guesses?
102
Aw shit. The whole thing is a tragic mess for that whole fucked up family. MJ died for all our sins.
104
i quickly ran to locate my kids and said, "michael jackson died."
daughter, age 9: "is he a basketball player?"
me: "no, that's michael jordan."
daughter: "well, no offense then, but i'm not sad because i don't know who he is."
me: "well, one day you will, and i want you to remember this moment. look around the room, remember everything you can. you'll talk about this one day."
daughter, age 9: "is he a basketball player?"
me: "no, that's michael jordan."
daughter: "well, no offense then, but i'm not sad because i don't know who he is."
me: "well, one day you will, and i want you to remember this moment. look around the room, remember everything you can. you'll talk about this one day."
105
Sad. I'm with Fnarf. Off the Wall was a great album. Rock With You and Don't Stop kicked ass. Poor guy. This hits me much harder than Farrah, for some reason.
108
105-Poor guy! That's how I feel for all the children he molested. He was PEDO. I'm remembering Wacko by listening to Aqualung.
109
I didn't expect to burst into tears, but I did when I went to CNN's home page and saw little 5-year-old Michael; I adored him when he was five (because I was five, too).
110
Where's Mudede's take on this? I feel like this is prime Mudede territory, and I am eager to see what cosmic parallel the King of Pop's passing holds. I'll wait (and I'm serious--I love his posts).
111
@89: Elvis was before me. Cobain was in a car with my mom and my friend on the way to Southcenter. I heard it on KUBE. (This sort of encapsulates my entire suburban youth.)
112
Ya know I have been a fan for a while. I wasn't alowed to listen to any of "that music" When Thriller came out I remember watching him on the news and I thought to myself [I know he is a singer but who did he kill?] Later I found out who he was. When I was 13 I wanted to go to his concert in Vancouver CA, but my mother told me that I could only go if I got my cousins to go. They refused. After they watched me cry for a while they told me hat my MOTHER paid them $10 not to go. So he came back I slept out for tickets I got 2nd show 2nd row in the middle on my 18th birthday.... Michael canceled. I was upset..... Now I'm about to turn 40 I hear rumor that he is hooking us in vegas... If I have to hitch hike what ever I wanted to see him live... Today news on a personal level very disapoining.
NOW HEAR THIS. HE WAS A GOOD ENTERTAINER WITH A GREAT HEART (NOT LITERALY) BUT HE DID A LOT OF STUFF FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND INSTEAD OF HEARING WHAT A GREAT ENTERTAINER WE LOST I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ALL THE OTHER STUFF HE DID ALSO.
NOW HEAR THIS. HE WAS A GOOD ENTERTAINER WITH A GREAT HEART (NOT LITERALY) BUT HE DID A LOT OF STUFF FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND INSTEAD OF HEARING WHAT A GREAT ENTERTAINER WE LOST I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ALL THE OTHER STUFF HE DID ALSO.
113
@89 Elvis... at home in the basement (I was 8).
Cobain... the 'Electric Fetus' record store/head shop in MPLS.
MJ... at work. Really wasn't too worked up about any of them.
Losing Stevie Ray, and especially Jerry, those were painful.
Cobain... the 'Electric Fetus' record store/head shop in MPLS.
MJ... at work. Really wasn't too worked up about any of them.
Losing Stevie Ray, and especially Jerry, those were painful.
114
I have thought for years that this human being was brought up in such unusual and exciting circumstances, that very very very few children have ever experienced, and that is probably why he ended up such a strange and troubled person. not easily comparable to any other human we've known (is that a stretch?), because of the unbelievable, rare upbringing he had. i'm trying to think of another child star who had a childhood like his, I can't!! he was as famous as a freakin beatle by the time he was what, 11? exageration?
another thought- perhaps hundreds of millions of humans would have fainted just from shaking his hand, yet he died a very lonely person, is what it's sounding like. hmm
who knows if he really molested kids, unfortunately we don't know, if he did that would make it hard to say anything good about him. but he sure lived like a very kind, angelic person (except for blowing tons of money on ridiculous things nobody needs, w/ the exception of beatles records). which is a brave and tough thing to be in this society of ours that often looks up to and celebrates asshole personalities
another thought- perhaps hundreds of millions of humans would have fainted just from shaking his hand, yet he died a very lonely person, is what it's sounding like. hmm
who knows if he really molested kids, unfortunately we don't know, if he did that would make it hard to say anything good about him. but he sure lived like a very kind, angelic person (except for blowing tons of money on ridiculous things nobody needs, w/ the exception of beatles records). which is a brave and tough thing to be in this society of ours that often looks up to and celebrates asshole personalities
Most Commented on Line Out
-
Ode to Cathode: The Best TV Theme Songs Ever by Dave Segal
-
Mr. Green, on Aurora, with the Afro by Trent Moorman
-
Big Business @ El Corazon by Kelly O
-
Dirty Projectors @ Neumos by Dave Segal
-
Cut Chemist, Mateo Messina, 280+ Other Motherfuckers @ Benaroya Tonite (Plus- Free Stuff!) by Larry Mizell, Jr.
-
The Bad Things: How to Play a Saw by Trent Moorman
-
OK, Hotel by Eric Grandy
-
Robbie Baron by Dean Fawkes
-
Filthy Nice Fridays Debuts @ Baltic Room by Dave Segal
-
Ted Leo's Misfits Cover Band! by Megan Seling
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (115) RSS