by Wayne K. Wilkins

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: July 19, 2009

Michael Jackson is known to the world as "The King of Pop" due to his epic music career which has spanned over 40 years. He is arguably the most famous and most popular musician of all time and his 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time. Being apart of the Jackson family, Michael began his career performing alongside his siblings, Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie and Tito as the Jackson 5 and after the addition of Randy Jackson to the band, they became known as The Jacksons.

With countless best selling albums ranging from "Thriller", "Bad" and "Off The Wall", Jackson continued on his path of success well into the 2000's with his 2001 release "Invincible". Prior to his death in June of 2009, Michael had been working on a brand new studio album with such names as Akon, Usher and Will I. Am of the Black Eyed Peas. According to sources close to Michael, there are still plans to release many of Michael's unreleased songs, past and present, which apparently number to the hundreds.

Michael's career was constantly barraged by a merciless onslaught of media creation and rumors attempting to break the gentle superstar. Void of a childhood due to his strict father's regime, Michael dedicated his career to ensure that children were given the best childhood possible. He donated countless millions to countless charities and entered the Guinness Book of World Records as such for the most charitable actions from a pop star. Despite these attempts however, Michael remained at the top of the world despite keeping a low profile due to a controversial trial in 2005 in which Michael was proven innocent.

The following year, Michael returned to the center stage to perform one of his hits "We are the world" at the World Music Awards to a huge standing ovation. This was the moment that the fans had been waiting for; the return of the King to the stage. Many rumors of a new album and a new tour came to pass shortly after and these were later confirmed by Michael himself in 2009. His "This Is It" tour was due to start on July 13, 2009, in which he was scheduled to perform 50 back-to-back dates at London's O2 arena. It is rumored that his album would be released shortly after to coincide with the end of his tours which were the fastest selling in the history of concerts; this was to be Michael's big "comeback" of sorts, although in reality, he had nothing left to prove and never really left the scene anyway.

Sadly, Michael Jackson, the legendary and iconic King of Pop was found dead in his home on June 25, 2009. Reports state that Michael died of a cardiac arrest due to complications of pain killer drugs, although his sister La Toya Jackson has claimed that Michael was murdered. As such, the case is currently being investigated as a homicide. A memorial concert for Michael was held in July of 2009 which featured performances from such names as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Usher and Mariah Carey as well as a beautiful and heart-warming rendition of "Smile" by Michael's brother, Jermaine Jackson.

Despite many media created controversies, Michael Jackson will always be remembered as a loving father, a dedicated family man, one of the most popular charitable individuals and of course, the most famous man in the history of the music industry. Michael Jackson's legacy will never be tarnished no matter what the media attempt to write; his career in music is something that will live forever. On the eve of June 25, 2009, the world lost one of God's greatest gifts, and as such, we bid thank you, farewell and a solemn and heart-clenching Rest in Peace to the great, Michael Joseph Jackson.

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