Once in a while, as the night sky glimmers with its sparkling stars, a shooting star dances across the milky way with a rare beauty that captures the eye and encourages the heart to wish; and while the shooting star does not stay forever, the sky is forever more beautiful because it was once there.

Pop music fans around the world are currently mourning the death of pop music king Michael Jackson. On June 25th, 2009 the music legend was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California after suffering cardiac arrest. Jackson was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 3:15 PM local time.

While Michael is no longer with us physically it is undeniable that while he was here he inspired countless people and graced us with a level of musical genius that is rarely seen, and music will forever be more beautiful because he was here.

The world first fell in love with Michael Jackson as a child when he performed as the frontman for the Jackson 5. Over the years he grew into the iconic artist that he will now forever be remembered as, providing pop music with some of its greatest hits including tunes from his album Thriller which still stands as the best selling album of all time. His songs are a part of us; they hearken back to our childhoods and our special memories. His music made us dance and gave us a sense of contagious joy. For many people his music is the soundtrack for their lives, and for many musicians his music inspired them to reach higher and dream big. A consummate entertainer who could leave you breathless, he had the ability to make even the naysayers tap their foot or bob their head. At the time of his death Michael was preparing to embark on a 50-date concert set in London set to kick off on July 8th, 2009.

It’s easy for people to shift the focus away from Michael’s musical genius to the drama and controversy that often surrounded this tortured and often misunderstood soul. However at the end of the day he did what he set out to do—he entertained us. His personality was childlike, his approach to music was magical, and the legacy he leaves behind is larger than life.

As the tears continue to fall for one of the most admired, loved, and idolized artists to ever grace the stage our hearts go out to those closest to Michael—especially his precious children Prince Michael I, Paris, and Prince Michael II.

At the age of 50 pop music’s most beloved icon has had his final curtain call after four decades in the spotlight, but his music will forever live on.


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