Thought it was a radio stint, however it has been confirmed by sources around the world, Michael 'The King Of Pop' Jackson has died at age 50 due to a cardiac arrest, unable to be revived while being rushed to UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles.

I still remember putting on his tracks on the local jukebox when 5-6 years old.

Though his personal life was one of controversy, what major influencing artist has been considered 'normal'?

reported by news.com.au

MICHAEL Jackson has died after suffering a heart attack, reports from the United States have said.

Jackson was rushed to hospital after ambulance officers were called to his home, where he had stopped breathing.

TMZ were told: "when paramedics arrived, Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back."

The Los Angeles Times reported Jackson was in a coma when he arrived at the UCLA hospital.  It reported that he was pronounced dead by medical staff soon after his arrival.

CNN reported the LA coroner had confirmed Jackson's death.

Reports from Los Angeles have said some of Jackson's family were with him.  TMZ reported his sister La Toya ran into the hospital sobbing after he was pronounced dead.

There was "choas" in the hospital when Jackson was brought in, TMZ reported a source as saying.  It said one of the people accompanying Jackson screamed "You've got to save him! You've got to save him!" as the singer was rushed to emergency.

Some of the first reaction from others in the entertainment industry have come via Twitter.  Ashton Kutcher has posted "pray for his kids".

Comeback

Jackson was reportedly planning a comeback and was living in LA while rehearsing a series of 50 sold-out shows in London.

However those concerts - billed as the "final curtain" - had been thrown into doubt after Jackson pushed back the opening dates last month.  Organisers of the concerts had stressed the delay was not linked to Jackson's health.

"Like the whole world I'm absolutely devastated and lost for words," Jackson's friend Uri Geller told Sky News in the UK.  "He was in good health - he was rehearsing and dancing. I'm shocked."

Jackson was known as the King of Pop for his dominance and reshaping of the music industry in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Jackson Five and later as a solo artist.

His Thrilleralbum remains one of the biggest selling of all time and went platinum 14 times over.  The music video for the title track was a worldwide sensation and a landmark moment for a generation.

But his career began sliding in the 1990s, when attention turned from his musical abilities to his bizarre personal life and he earned the nickname "Wacko Jacko".

Reports of plastic surgery, odd behaviour and surprise weddings became tabloid fodder, but allegations of improper treatment of boys turned into a media frenzy when he faced trial on related charges in 2004.

His acquittal was carried live around the world, in scenes now echoed by the crowds of fans and followers massing outside his Los Angeles home and UCLA hospital.

Find the story here - http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25692752-7484,00.html

TMZ Report - http://www.tmz.com/category/michael-jackson/

Perez Hilton Report - http://perezhilton.com/category/michael-jackson/

Twitter Flooded - http://twitter.com/home#search?q=michael%20jackson

E News - http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b131160_michael_jackson_suffers_heart_attack_he.html