MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Pop Icons Michael Jackson

With a perceived addiction to plastic surgery, and a reputation for bizarrely eccentric behavior, Michael Jackson had been since childhood - and right up until his death on June 25, 2009 - forced to view the world through the prism of show biz agents, personal managers, and millions of adoring fans.

The stunningly successful entertainer compared to another tragic pop icon, Elvis Presley, Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center in a deep coma on June 25, 2009, and pronounced dead from a reported heart attack a short time later.

Autopsy and funeral arrangement updates: An autopsy scheduled for Friday, June 26 revealed "no foul play" leading to his death, although it will be weeks before pharmacology tests reveal if an overdose of drugs were to blame.

The autopsy results remain questionable due to Jackson's reported heavy use of pain killers and other factors that may delay an announcement on the definitive cause of Jackson's untimely death at the age of 50. The Jackson family has also requested a second autopsy to independently confirm the reason for Michael's death.

Millions of Michael Jackson fans who thought they would have opportunity to take part in a public viewing of the body, at Jackson's Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara, later had their hopes dashed when the Jackson family made an official announcement that no public viewing would be planned.

Discussions now center on other public memorials in cities worldwide for the world famous pop icon, who was planning a spectacular comeback in a series of concerts in London's O2 Arena that were to kick off in July.

Meanwhile, OK! magazine is reportedly about to publish a controversial cover story on Michael's final moments under the headline "The Last Photos" depicting a dying Jackson as he is rushed to LA Medical Center on June 25, 2009, the day of his death.

The Early Years ...

Born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the future King of Pop was the fifth son of Joe Jackson, who first began organizing his family into a musical group in 1962. By the time the Jackson 5 issued their debut Motown album in 1969, it was clear that 11-year old Michael - with impossibly adult dance moves and singing voice to match - was the star attraction.

An instant sensation, the pop group became the first ever to have their first four singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There) hit number one on the charts. Later, after a brief solo stint that included the hits Got to Be There and the Oscar nominated theme song, Ben, Michael rejoined his brothers now simply known as the Jacksons on the Epic label.

Michael again gained notoriety in 1977, starring with Diana Ross in the film musical The Wiz and the following year his career took another sudden solo leap when he teamed with producer Quincy Jones, producing the breakout album Off the Wall that resulted in four top ten singles.

Thriller a Career High

Nothing compared to Jackson's next solo project, however, when Thriller was released in 1982. It stayed on the charts for over two years, spending 37 weeks at number one, and later became the best-selling album of all time with practically every track spun off as a hit single including: Beat It, Billy Jean, The Girl Is Mine (a duet with Paul McCartney), Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' and the title track which also resulted in an award-winning video.

The spotlight remained squarely on the pop star throughout the rest of 80's as he helped Lionel Richie pen the mega-hit, We Are The World in support of African famine relief - with much attention at the time suddenly given his personal eccentricities, as well. His apparent though frequently denied bouts of plastic surgery, his Neverland Ranch filled with amusement park rides, and general reclusivity was just the beginning of increasingly bizarre behavior that became fodder for major tabloids worldwide.

Despite the negative press, Jackson released his next hit album, Bad which debuted at number one in 1987, resulting in such hits as The Way You Make Me Feel, Man in the Mirror and I Just Can't Stop Loving You.

The Downward Slide

And while many pop stars would have given anything to achieve a success anything near its equal, Bad was still something of a disappointment compared to the phenomenal success of Thriller which Jackson never managed to surpass.

He continued to enjoy success through the early '90's with a new album, Dangerous, spinning off such hits as Black or White, Remember the Time and In the Closet. In 1993, however, Jackson faced the first of a series of rumors and allegations of child molestation when charges were brought against him on behalf of a 13-year old boy and frequent guest at Neverland. The case was later settled out of court for a rumored $20 million.

In 1995, Jackson also began to faulter professionally with HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, a two-CD set combining past hits with new material, and the one saving grace being the hit duet Scream with his younger sister, Janet Jackson who by that time had become a pop superstar in her own right.

However, as Janet's star continued to rise, Michael's began to fall precipitously - although he would remain in the news constantly for his behavior both on, and off, the stage.

In 2003, his Neverland Ranch was extensively searched by police resulting in the arrest of the former superstar on new charges of child molestation. Neverland was again searched in December, 2004 for DNA evidence as part of an ongoing investigation.

In 2005, Jackson was for months embroiled in the court case, led by a publicity manager and an army of attorneys, who helped fight 10 charges against the pop star filed by lawyers for the the Arvizo family. Charges included that he molested the then 13-year-old Gavin Arizo in early 2003, gave wine ("Jesus juice") to the child, and conspired to hold the boy's family captive.

On June 13, 2005 Jackson was exonerated of all charges, with a 'not guilty' verdict on all ten counts by a Santa Maria, California jury.

Since the trial's end, Jackson has continued to make headlines over his financial troubles, despite his reported purchase of a palace in the tiny gulf kingdom of Bahrain where Jackson's brother Jermaine is close friends with the king's son, Sheik Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa.

In 2006, Jackson attempted a major comeback starting with an appearance at the World Music Awards in London. However, his career continued its downward spiral after canceling a promised live performance at the London venue.

In September 2007, Jackson was again back in the news for his reported marriage to Grace Rwaramba, long-time nanny to his two children - Prince Michael, nine and Paris, eight. The story, which formerly circulated widely in October 2006, was once again denied by Jackson's management team in 2007 amid wild speculation by the press.

Although Jackson has not taken up residence in his famed Neverland Ranch in years, he reportedly had to pay the $24 million he still owed on the property in 2008. On the block were Jackson's beloved merry-go-round and locomotive that were later saved when Jackson cut an 11th-hour deal to keep 2,800 acre estate off the auction block.

By February 2009, Jackson was again making headlines over rumors of a reported comeback in the works at London's O2 Arena in July. In the month-long series of appearances, the former king of pop stood to make $7 million a performance, or just enough to pay off his debts.

However, the long-awaited return of the King of Pop was not to be — when weeks before his scheduled concert series in London — it was reported that Michael Jackson had suffered a serious heart attack on the afternoon of June 25 resulting in the shocking news of his death just hours later.

More about Michael Jackson around the Web:

Michael Jackson News

Yahoo! News - Michael Jackson Complete Coverage - Late breaking headlines, news, photos and slideshows from Reuters, AP, BBC and other top news sources around the Web.

Michael Jackson News - Breaking news about the pop star from various sources around the Web, from Topix.net.

Smoking Gun - Inside the Jackson Grand Jury - The Web site - famous for releasing police reports on the rich and famous - with almost 2,000 pages of court testimony that led to Jackson's indictment for child molestation in 2003.

Michael Jackson, The Entertainer

Michael Jackson.com - The official site hosted by record label Sony featuring news, the complete discography, career history, photo gallery and short films.

MTV.com - Michael Jackson - Breaking news, biography, discography, photo gallery, audio and video clips.

M-Jackson.com - The Path to the Future - Fan site for the beleagured pop star with the latest news and messages of support regarding the court case..

MJSite.com Michael Jackson - Fan site with a look back at the young Michael and the Jackson 5, with photo galleries, complete lyrics to the early hits and messageboard.

The HisTory of Michael Jackson's Face - Parody site on the pop legend's plastic surgery fetish, "with blithering, yet witty commentary."

The Many Faces of Michael Jackson - As he has appeared throughout the years in public appearances, publicity and candid shots, from BBC News.