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The President Pays His Respects To the King of Pop

PopEater / Wire Services

posted: 11 HOURS 7 MINUTES AGO

comments: 152

filed under: Gut Reactions, Music News, Obits

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The King of Pop had a big fan in the White House.

In his first public comments on Michael Jackson following his death last week, President Barack Obama described himself as a longtime follower of the superstar.

"I grew up on his music, still have all his stuff on my iPod," Obama said in an AP interview adding that he "will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers."

"I think that his brilliance as a performer also was paired with a tragic and, in many ways, sad personal life," Obama continued.

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A Michael Jackson Retrospective

Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital suffering from cardiac arrest. According to reports, he has died at the age of 50. A Retrospective of His Life

X17online

Known as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson began his life as a child sensation who blossomed into one of the greatest pop stars of all time.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

He was the lead singer for the very popular Jackson 5 that included the his brothers -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. He then morphed into a highly successful recording artist, making his first solo album in 1972.

Ron Galella, WireImage

Jackson appears in the 1982 music video for 'Thriller,' one of the best-selling albums of all time with at least 27 million copies sold worldwide.

Everett Collection

Over the course of his storied career, Jackson won 13 Grammy awards -- eight of them for 'Thriller' alone.

Liason

His stage presence captured the hearts of millions -- including his signature "moonwalk" dance which he unveiled in 1983 while performing 'Billie Jean.' At 50 years old, he was attempting to make a comeback with several dates scheduled in London.

Dave Hogan, Getty Images

Jackson's successes were also marred by personal strife and controversy. In later years, the singer was twice accused of molesting children. In the first, he settled out of court with the accuser, and in the second he was found not guilty.

Roslan Rahman, AFP / Getty Images

Jackson is seen being escorted into court in January of 2004 -- the second time he was charged with child molestation. The first, in 1993, resulted in a settlement reported to be worth about $23 million.

Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images

Jackson is shown here in his 2003 mug shot where he was booked on child molestation charges. The singer was later acquitted.

Robyn Beck. AFP / Getty Images

The 'Dangerous' star caused a stir when he held his youngest child, Prince Michael II, over the balcony of his Berlin hotel in 2002. His son was later dubbed 'Blanket' due to this incident.

Olaf Selchow, Getty Images

He expressed pleasure that the public is celebrating Jackson for his talents, instead of dwelling on his personal tragedies.

"I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer."

The president said he didn't see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement upon Jackson's death, and said he was unaware of any dissatisfaction in the black community with his response.

"I know a lot of people in the black community," Obama said. "I haven't heard that."

Obama added that the interview with the AP was the first time he had been asked about Jackson's death.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had told the media last week that Obama thought Jackson to be a "spectacular performer and a music icon." Gibbs had also sent condolences to "the Jackson family and to fans that mourn his loss." Senior advisor to the President, David Axelrod, had also spoken to this.

Obama was prepared to discuss Jackson's death during a press conference on June 26th, Gibbs had said, but no one asked him.

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2009-07-03 06:59:01

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Jbsasktheape

06:09 PMJul 03 2009

That's nice Obama the monkey muslim is a fan of a child sex addict and drug addicted. Oh I forgot he's every black persons hero.http://conservusa.proboards.com

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Folsomessex

05:59 PMJul 03 2009

Our current "pop" president can really relate with Michael Jackson. Both Barack and Michael are only celebrities with very little to offer to the public other than entertainment. Barack is molesting our economy with his socialist nationalization while Jackson molests children. Both are/were narcisists and require constant media attention or they begin sulking and pouting. Barack will also begin to understand how Michael felt once his supporters realize what a liar he is.

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YColeman

05:57 PMJul 03 2009

There are some crazy people on here. You do act as if you know Michael Jackson pesonally when you say he was a child molester. I guess you were there in the room with him and saw him do it. If you were not in the room and say him do it and you continue to call him a child molester, then you are making an inacurate statement. But, maybe, it takes one to know one. If the shoe fits wearit.

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Unitdpt

05:53 PMJul 03 2009

EVERY BODY HERE IS JUST BEING WHAT I CALL FOOLISH. WHEN SHALL ALL THESE NONSENSE COME TO AN END. BLACK, WHITE, YELLOW, RED, GREEN, ASH. ME, MY COLOR IS BLUE!!! ISN'T THAT A NICE ONE

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Papacoolrice42

05:52 PMJul 03 2009

Chilco99 get a life or let me know what country you were hatched in and I will gladly pay for a one way ticket back since everything that comes out of your mouth is demeaning to most respectful citizens .Time must have passed you by low life POS.

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KMKiaski

05:51 PMJul 03 2009

I loved "Thriller", "Billie Jean", and the Jackson Five, especially Michael. We watched him grow up. It's a nice remembrance to hear his music being played in many places now. I'd forgotten how fun it was.

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Stevenjw777

05:49 PMJul 03 2009

mj is a child molester

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susnow2002

05:48 PMJul 03 2009

I think some of you need to STOP and think before you open your mouth did you no MJ personal are are you going bye what you hear on news reports dont belive every thing from TV.tHE MAN IS GONE GIVE IT A REST AND LET HIM REST. WE AS PEOPLE THAT LIKE THIS INTERTAINTERS BUT THEN WE SOME TIME FOR GET THEY ARE HUMAN ALSO AND THEY HAVE HURTS AND PROBLEMES OF EVERY DAY LIKE WE DO SO STOP AND BE NICE ABOUT THE NASTY REMARKS SOME OF YOU ARE SAYING PLEASE

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chilco99

05:46 PMJul 03 2009

Ladies and gentlemen please direct your attention to the bag of used syringes and dessicated jesus juice preserved for eternity and enshrined here in neverland.

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POAMOM51

05:44 PMJul 03 2009

Think about it! If he were really guilty there would have been many more come out for the $$$$! What is wrong with you people. He was a very quiet loving caring man who just got robbed of his childhood. He had a mean father and the old man just wanted $$$$! Why would they not want Joe around his kids! Debbie Roe doesn't now and sounds like Micheal didn't when he was here! People grow up! Everyone tries stuff when we are teens! He will be missed!

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