一代巨星迈克尔·杰克逊逝世 终年50岁

Michael Jackson, the self-anointed "King of Pop" who revolutionized music but whose legacy was marred by allegations of child molestation and bizarre behavior, died after suffering cardiac arrest Thursday. He was 50 years old and preparing for his final series of live performances.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to Jackson's residence at 12:26 p.m. P.T., according to the Los Angeles Times. Paramedics performed CPR on Jackson, who was not breathing when they arrived at his home. He was rushed to LA Medical Center, just six miles from his home.

Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of legendary rock and roll innovator and pop megastar Elvis Presley, was married to Jackson from 1994 to 1996.

"I am completely shocked and saddened by Michael's death. My heart goes out to his children and his family," said Presley in a statement.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who some would say was one of Jackson's closest friends, was "too devestated by the passing of her dear friend" to issue a statement, according to her publicist.

"For a long time he was unquestionably the most famous person on the planet," Jed Hilly, the executive director of the Americana Music Assocation, told .

Chris Connelly, an ABC News contributor, was one of the last people to interview Jackson, and said today that the pop star was "determined to convey that he had greater things ahead of him."

"The word he spoke with the greatest emphasis was the 'More!' that he exclaimed when I asked if he could still do all his famous moves and hit all those notes at the age of 50," said Connelly of his August 2008 phone interview with Jackson.

Connelly asked Jackson if he had received his AARP membership, a question that garnered a laugh from the star.