The King of Pop Michael Jackson suddenly passed Thursday, an abrupt end for a deeply-troubled celebrity.  Jackson was rushed by paramedics in Los Angeles to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, though a serious cardiac arrest ultimately prevailed.  Jackson was pronounced dead by local authorities shortly after 3 pm PCT after slumbering into a coma.

Jackson had been renting an expensive Bel Air property, and practicing for an extensive series of dates at London’s O2 Arena.  That is of course canceled, though the sold-out string of gigs offered another example of just powerful the Jackson image remained.

The 02 dates were potentially part of a much larger ‘comeback,’ with potential to elevate Jackson towards an Elvis-like enterprise, or beyond. Discussions were floating on a Vegas residency and even a Thriller-themed casino, though the Jackson legacy will continue to burn strong.  Indeed, the marketing exploits may just be starting, as cynical as that thought process is so quickly after Jackson’s death.

Post-death, complications involve the transfer of assets (and liabilities) to the Jackson estate.  The details of the inheritance path are not clear at this early stage, though complexities and legal battles could surface.  Michael Jackson was part owner of the Beatles catalog, thanks to a brilliant acquisition of now-Sony/ATV in the mid-80s.

Online, the death strained some heavyweight news outlets, as hordes of fans rushed online.  TMZ broke the news, and was quickly brought to its knees, followed by Perez Hilton, and ultimately the Los Angeles Times.  Others facing serious strain included Twitter, all a reflection of how deeply the news terrain is shifting.

The legacy of Jackson will be a confusing one, and a sad commentary on a life of glaring celebrity.  One of the most recognizable performers on the planet, Jackson arguably peaked in the 80s following Thriller.  Fast-forward twenty-five years, and ‘Wacko Jacko’ has become an almost unrecognizable figurine, thanks to a scary plastic surgery addiction.  Additionally, Jackson spent a large portion of this decade fending off child molestation charges, and battling severe financial debt.