Michael Jackson the former Jehovah's Witnesses has died of cardiac arrest it has been reported in Los Angeles today, Thursday 25th June. The reclusive star was reported to have had issues with prescription drugs during the buildup to a 50 date London tour. Firefighters arrived to a 911 call to his Bel Air home after he had collapsed and took him to UCLA Medical Center.

Before his death at age 50, Michael Jackson was one of the most accomplished musicians in history.


Jackson, the seventh child in the famous Jackson family, first rose to fame at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5, with hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.” The pop star went solo in 1971 and released some of the best-selling albums of all time, including 1979’s “Off The Wall,” 1982’s “Thriller” and 1987’s “Bad.”


Jackson’s “Thriller” holds the title of the best-selling album of all time and was the first album to spawn seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including the title track, “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” and “Beat It.”


Jackson, who was often referred to as the “King of Pop,” redefined the art of music videos with groundbreaking offerings like “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller,” which became staples on MTV during the 1980s.


Jackson was also known for this amazing live performances and massively successful world tours, where fans could see his signature moonwalk live.
Some more newsworthy moments in Jackson’s life included:

- On January 27, 1984, Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial in LA when pyrotechnics for commercial set his hair on fire.

- In 1985, Jackson co-wrote “We Are The World” with Lionel Richie and recorded the single with a slew of popular singers and recording artists, under the name USA for Africa, which became one the best-selling singles of all time with 20 millions copies sold and raised millions of dollars to help fight famine in Africa.

- In the 1990s, Jackson was accused of sexual abuse by a 13-year-old boy and investigated by police. On January 1, 1994, Jackson settled out of court with the boy’s family for $22 million.

- In 1994, Jackson wed Lisa Marie Presley. They divorced less than two years later.

- Jackson married again in 1996 to his nurse Deborah Rowe. They had a son together, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., also known as “Prince,” and a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. The couple divorced in 1999.

- Jackson had a third child in 2002, Prince Michael Jackson II, also known as “Blanket,” with an undisclosed surrogate. Jackson made headlines in November of 2002, when he dangled “Blanket” out of a window of a hotel room in Berlin.

During recent years, Jackson was forced to give up the title of his Neverland Ranch to the Sycamore Valley Ranch Co. LLC. He had gone into default on the $24.5 million he owed on the property.


The star had been slated to headline 50 sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena beginning in July 2009, billed “This Is It” – his final London performances, which were being billed as the singer’s comeback.


In March, AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke, told Billboard that Michael was “very healthy. Despite everything you read about him, he was fine. The man took a physical for us to go do these concerts.”


In addition to his three children, Jackson is survived by siblings Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet – along with his parents Joseph Walter “Joe” and Katherine Esther.


During his decades spanning career, Jackson was honored with 13 Grammys, 13 number one singles and sold more than 750 million albums. He is also one of the few artists to have been honored with a double induction into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.

Question: Does any one remember what it was the Watchtower put out shortly after all the Michael Jackson eruption? I remember there were comments, but just shy of a name. We all knew who they were talking about. Any one remember?? It was a Watchtower article.

"In the spring of 1987 Michael disassociated himself from the congregation and that he no longer wants to be known as a Jehovah's Witness."

More Michael Jackson stories:

Michael Jackson Jehovah's Witness from childhood describes his faith and relationship with his own children

Michael Jackson and his sister La Toya Jackson both left the Jehovah's Witnesses whilst their sister Rebbie Jackson and mother Katharine Jackson are both still active Jehovah's Witnesses. Read about this and other famous African American Jehovah's Witnesses here.

Randall Watters, founder of Free minds, former high ranking Jehovah's Witness and Hollywood observer offers his thoughts. Read Randy Watters on Michael Jackson.

The Watchtower Society has had a troubled relationship with its African American members over the years - read more about Jehovah's Witnesses and African Americans.

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written by thosh , June 27, 2009

"Despite the fact that Michael was a devote Jehovah's Witness-and no doubt had donated quite a bit of money to the religion-the church's elders were extremely upset with him, mostly because of the "Thriller" video."

On the other hand, if he had remained in the JWs, despite having violated whatever tenets he was seen to have violated, would not this same author carry on about how he bought his way out?

And since his departure from the Witnesses came a full three years after Thriller, it seems clear that the video had little to do with it. I doubt this author has any idea of the true circumstances. Nor do I.

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written by scott , June 28, 2009

To thosh, who are you to guess what the author would have written about under different circumstances? He was harassed about thriller, among other things, and eventually left. What is so hard to understand about that?

I remember a TV interview with Jackson. He was shown shopping and a sales person suggested he purchase a very fancy coffin. His reply was something like, "I don't need that I'm going to live forever."

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written by viceroi63 , July 10, 2009

Randall Watters, if you were a former JW, why call yourself a 'former high ranking JW?' There is no such thing as high ranking JW. exept only if you are refering to the remnants, who are called Priest and Kings.

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written by viceroi63 , July 10, 2009

despite the fact that MJ is a devote JW...? anybody here define what devote or devoted means? He's not even active, how can he be a devote?

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written by Cautious , November 19, 2009

JW are hypocrites. JW is a cult.
Because their only concern was for self, it's religion, they let a sheep suffer.

Remember the story of the Good Smaritan?

Where were they in MJ's time of need?
Why were they not praying?

MJ maintained love throughout his pain and remained humble. His activities of charity does not define JW.

It defines an act according to the word of God and not JW.

No one acknowleged MJ's integrity.

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written by Cautious , November 19, 2009

JW is a cult.
It is not like other churches who believe that prayer accomplishes much. They dont believe the HOly SPirit is active today. They believe that after the last disciple of Jesus died it came to an end. God still exists and so does the HOly SPirit and the gifts that God promised.

Such belief is a lie. MJ was better with JW, but should have found himself another place to worship.

I dont think coverting to Muslim was the answer. Should not have listed to Jermain. What was wrong with believing in Jesus?
The enemy causes confusion because many are confused. Blind and unable to see, deaf and unable to hear the truth.

Only God can save.

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