MICHAEL JACKSON has died in Los Angeles, aged 50, after suffering a heart attack.
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The King of Pop, due to perform in London next month, was rushed to hospital at 12pm local time, 9pm in London, and given CPR in the ambulance, but paramedics were unable to revive him.
The Los Angeles Coroner has now confirmed his death and has said that a full post mortem will take place tomorrow (Friday 26 June 2009).
However, the full results of the post mortem may not be available for weeks, due to the various complex chemical tests being carried out.
It is believed Jackson had been taking a number of prescription drugs to help him through the physical demands of the intense rehearsals for the O2 gigs.
Some reports say the singer was injected with the painkiller Demerol immediately before his heart attack. One of the rare side effects of Demerol is cardiac arrest.
People who have bought the often expensive tickets for the O2 shows via LondonNet will have gone through our ticket agency affiliates Ticketmaster and Get Me In! Both agencies, part of the same group, have yet to announce their refund policy.
“We have no official information at this stage,” say Ticketmaster.
“As soon as we have any information we will immediately contact all customers who have booked tickets through Ticketmaster.”
Michael Jackson – A Life in Quotes
“He was a great singer – God gives you certain gifts and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability. He could sing like nobody else and he was able to connect with people.”
– Cher, on the Jackson 5 era
“Michael had it all – talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
– Quincy Jones, producer of Jackson’s trio off great albums, Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad
“He was the biggest world star since the Beatles. You have to recognise that he was the first American male star of the video era – Madonna was the first female star.”
– Veteran music broadcaster Paul Gambaccini
“Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on Bad, I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion.
– Martin Scorcese, director of the video of Bad.
“He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together.”
– Justin Timberlake
“The last time we saw him he was in London a few weeks ago. He was absolutely fine. I can’t believe this, it’s such a shock.”
– Mark Lester, the star off the film Oliver!, said to be Jackson’s favourite musical.
