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June 25, 2009
Metro - Michael Jackson dead: LA Times
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Photo: REUTERS
LA Times: Singer Michael Jackson is dead
Remembering the King of Pop
Send us your memories of Michael Jackson at letters@metro.us or leave a comment below.
LOS ANGELES. Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and went on to set the world dancing to the thumping rhythms of his music for decades, died on Thursday, TMZ website reported. He was 50.
"We've just learned Michael Jackson has died," TMZ said.
"Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the entertainment site said.
There was no official confirmation of the reported death and spokespersons for Jackson could not be reached for comment.
Earlier, the Los Angeles Times said that the singer had been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived at the singer's home.
The newspaper said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.
Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits include "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.
The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within hours of going on sale in March.
Jackson started out as a child star in the band "The Jackson 5" more than 40 years ago.
He has lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation.
There have been concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
AUCTION GAVEL TONIGHT ON Dr. NICK'S ELVIS DOUCHE + Marilyn Monroe - Robin Leach: Luxe Life | Vegas Deluxe
At auction: Elvis Presley prescription bottles and Marilyn Monroe items
Posted June 25, 2009 • 7:47 a.m.
One of the most extraordinary collections of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia is about to go under the hammer at auction, and as an added bonus for pop culture fans, there are Elvis Presley items from his physician “Dr. Nick.” Dr. George Nichopoulos. The exhibit will be unveiled this evening at Planet Hollywood with a gala viewing preview party and then tomorrow and Saturday the Julie Auctions Summer Sale.
Photo: Priscella
New Peepshow star Holly Madison re-created the images of Marilyn yesterday in a photo shoot with photographer Denise Trustful. Holly was given permission to use some of Marilyn’s wardrobe going on sale for the session. “She’s definitely a new Monroe,” said producer Scott Niger of BASE Entertainment, who hosts tonight’s gala opening of Holly and co-star Shoshana Bean in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood. “She has all that natural charm, very sexy and vulnerable just like Marilyn was. It’s uncanny how similar they are.”
One of Holly’s friends who watched the photo shoot told me: “It was amazing. She was in heaven doing the photo re-creations that appeared in the auction catalog. When people see them on display later, everybody will be blown away. It’s Marilyn all over again!”
Trustful
Bidders and buyers can attend the auction at Planet Hollywood or follow via live streaming video at wow.misconstructions.com. It is a spectacular exhibit of rare Hollywood memorabilia and personal items that have never before been available. Photographer Denise Trujillo captured the medicine bag and Elvis’ prescription bottles, along with Marilyn’s clothes, glasses and hairpins. I even snapped some of Marilyn’s gowns, skirts, dresses, belts, blouses, her massage table and her prized copy of the Some Like It Hot script with La's Vegas resident Tony Curtis.
In addition, there are dozens of other items from everybody including Michael Jackson, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Audrey Hepburn. You can go online to see the entire listing in advance.
Truelove
The spotlight, though, is on the Elvis and Marilyn possessions. After Marilyn’s death in 1962, her home in Breastwork, Calif., was purchased at auction by Dr. Gilbert Nunez, who has now decided to sell many of the contents. There are more than 45 items consigned by Dr. Nick, including Elvis’ jewelry, guns, electronics and autographed books and photos.
The Elvis memorabilia will be put on sale during the two Friday sessions, and Marilyn’s collectibles, which also includes furniture and clothing, will be sold during the two Saturday sessions.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.