The Los Angeles Times reports that Mr. Jackson was found unresponsive Thursday morning after collapsing at the West Los Angeles home he was renting during preparations for his upcoming world concert tour. Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center where he later died. The seventh of nine children born in Gary, IN, Michael Jackson launched to stardom as part of the Jackson 5; the group's hits included "The Love You Save," "ABC" and "I'll Be There." Mr. Jackson later found unparalleled success as a solo artist with a series of best-selling records, including "Off the Wall" (his first solo album, which sold more than seven million copies) "Thriller" (won eight Grammy Awards and included such Jackson signatures as "Billie Jean" and "Beat It"), "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory."
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| Michael Jackson in "The Wiz" |
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| photo by Universal Pictures |
In recent years the pop icon, who faced accusations of child sexual abuse and financial problems, became more and more reclusive.
Mr. Jackson was married twice — to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe. Both marriages ended in divorce. He is survived by three children.
