Michael Jackson Dies at 50

Michael Jackson lived a life shrouded in chaos. Incredible highs and terrible lows marked his life and career.

Always said he identified most with Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. He and his brothers quickly grew from the small town of Gary, Indiana to the top of the charts.

His 1982 album Thriller, remains the top album ever sold even today.

Yet somewhere along the way, he went from the King of Pop to Wacko Jacko. Some closest to the singer would say that his problems began when the singer was injured while filming a commercial and allegedly became addicted to prescription pain killers. He gradually became increasingly reclusive and odd. His denial that he had cosmetically altered his appearance seemed unbelievable, especially the marked change in the shape of his nose.

Scandal after scandal led to a very public trial where Jackson stood accused of child molestation. Jackson appeared in a documentary in 2003 where he was shown holding hands with a young boy and stating that having them in his bed felt very right.

Inconsistent testimony from the boy and his family convinced a jury that Jackson was not guilty, yet the acquittal never quite convinced the general public of his innocence.

Jackson led a strange live embroiled in controversy. He fathered three children and was briefly married to the daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. He remains one of the most controversial and mysterious personalities of all time. Michael was a clearly troubled man who seemed almost a modern day tragic hero. He seemed stuck in childhood and displayed a reluctance to grow up and live life as an adult. He will be mourned the world over.