*UPDATED* Michael Jackson RIP

*Michael Jackson has died after paramedics were called to the singer's home around midday local time on Thursday after he stopped breathing and suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. He was rushed by ambulance to a local medical centre, but his death was announced shortly afterwards.*

The article written before the news was confirmed is overleaf.

Har. Har de har. Ho! HO! HAAARGH! Stoppit! Y'killin' me! He's a kiddie fid, right! HAR! HAR! AND THAT THING HE DID WITH PAUL MCCARTNEY!? HARDEHARHAR!

And so goes the general response to the news that Michael Jackson, who has been taken to a Los Angeles medical centre, according to the US media. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Jackson wasn't breathing when paramedics arrived at his home. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to the UCLA medical centre. On the cusp of his dates in London, feverish fans will be wondering if he's pulled through. There's no immediate reports suggesting either way... regardless, I won't be cheering the death of Michael Jackson for a whole buncha good reasons.

First up, I've long thought that Michael Jackson has been mentally ill for some time. It's not surprising really. I mean, you live under the microscope and too often, the sun's gonna burn you out. However, that's not stop people sniggering and laughing at the weird kinks in his personality. I guess no-one would mind if I pulled the nose of someone who was in the middle of a nervous breakdown... or kicked someone up the arse who was suicidal and bipolar. Right?

People are wheeling out the whole 'child molestor' schtick as well... which doesn't sit right with me. Sure, he's messed up a little in the head, but did a judge ever convict him? I sure as hell wouldn't rest until he was behind bars forever and a day if that was my kid... unless, y'know, getting a big wap of cash is enough to make you forget about all that stuff surrounding the unending mental anguish of your kid.

Just sayin'.

Also, and most importantly, he made a whole bunch of brilliant records from the '60s onward. Hell, Michael Jackson has more brilliant tunes on Thriller than the Sex Pistols - a universally canonised buncha idiots - ever made in their entire career. He's made more great tunes than the entire output of solo Beatles. None of those guys ended up with a fresh line of LA Gear sneaks. None of those guys were signed to the coolest record label in the universe. And I'm not even a hardcore Michael Jackson nut!

There's people speculating (10.30pm, 25 June) that he's died. Jumping the gun with remebrance galleries and the like. Seems a bit wrong. While we wait for reliable sources and news, I figure it'd be best to remind yourself of some of the coolest, most brilliant songs anyone ever made. Forget all the crap that surrounded his life. If you believe the rumours, Lennon funded the IRA, Sid Vicious killed his missus, Chuck Berry filmed gals taking a leak and... on and on and on the rumours go. Don't piss on a man while he's dying down the hospital. Gallows humour is only fun when you're witty in the first place.

[Mof]

Comments

[David Walker]

Nice article.

Got to say, between the late 60s and (in my opinion), Off The Wall, he contributed to some of the finest pop music ever made. And although not to my taste, Thriller and Bad changed the pop landscape forever.

Regardless of his personal problems, he should be remembered for that. The world would have been a far worse place without Michael Jackson's input.

[cait]

nice article mof. not a well man at all in recent years, but probably the best pop star of our lifetime

[Johnny Zero]

It m akes me slightly sick to see all this adoration for child molestor.

[Marcus]

Mixed feelings here Moffster. Jackson, in my mind, was the greatest popstar to have ever lived. However, that doesn't make for a clean soul (regardless of his mental health),and everybody knows there's no smoke without fire.

Yes, nobody will ever forget his music but Glitter had some banging tunes as well, so what's the difference?

The kind of reverance being cried out is a perfect picture of humanity's dirty addiction to celebrity. "Yes, he may have ruined some childrens lives, but remember when he first did the Moonwalk at the Motown 25th Anniversary?"

Jade Goody was a racist pig and Michael Jackson was a billionaire pederast, yet the heart of the Nation bleeds.

State Funeral for Gary Glitter!! Join the Facebook group now!

[cait]

gary glitter was convicted.