Michael Jackson's impact on pop culture is indelible. But perhaps his biggest legacy will be how he changed the music industry. "As a performer he changed history ... his singing, his songwriting, his choreography, his dancing, his business acumen," said Howard Bragman, a public relations expert who worked with Jackson to launch the singer's shoe line with L.A. Gear. "He rewrote the history of the entertainment industry in his time," Bragman said. Jackson crossed color lines and broke down barriers ...

Michael Jackson had a level of hero worship on a par with Elvis Presley or the Beatles but he was the first black star to inspire such a massive following around the world. Total worldwide sales of more than 350 million records over his 40-year career give just a hint of the adoration there was for the "King of Pop." The fact that his death came on the eve of a comeback tour in London will leave his devotees feeling ...

Following is a sampling of reactions from Michael Jackson's friends and admirers to his death: Russell Simmons, pioneering hip-hop artist: "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly." Lisa Marie Presley, musician and Jackson's ex-wife: "I am completely shocked and saddened by Michael's death. My heart goes out to his children and his family." Jim Henke, vice president of exhibitions and curatorial affairs at the Rock and ...

Late Thursday afternoon, after nearly two hours of speculation, the Los Angeles coroner confirmed that Michael Jackson had died, apparently of cardiac arrest. Hundreds of fans gathered around UCLA Medical Center, where the 50-year-old "King of Pop" had been rushed reportedly after collapsing at home. Jackson's sudden death raised immediate questions about the singer's health history. But little is known about his medical record, which has always been a mystery, characterized largely by rumors and speculation — which sometimes ...

The tragedy of Michael Jackson's death at age 50, reportedly from cardiac arrest, pales in comparison to the tragedy of his life. To understand all that Jackson had and lost requires wiping away three decades of plastic surgeries that deformed him, erratic behavior that made his name synonymous with the warping powers of fame, and a 2005 trial for sexually abusing a child that, even though he was spared of any finding of wrongdoing, made him a pariah to ...

Tickets for Michael Jackson's 50 "final curtain call" concerts in London sold out in four hours Friday. The tickets went on sale at 7 a.m. Friday, with promoters allowing fans to start queuing at midday on Thursday. They were limited to four tickets per household at a cost of up to $105 for general admission. VIP tickets cost up to $1,100. Around 750,000 were old. Some tickets have already appeared online for resale, with one person seeking $35,000 for VIP ...

Pop star Michael Jackson has sued to stop an auction house from selling millions of dollars of the iconic singer's property. Jackson's company, MJJ Productions, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Julien's Auction House. "The conduct of the defendants was malicious, fraudulent, extreme, outrageous and without any legal justification whatsoever," the suit said. Julien's has scheduled a five-day auction for April to liquidate items from Jackson's former home, Neverland Ranch, including the gates, the ...

For days rumors have circulated that Michael Jackson was startin' somethin'. And Thursday afternoon, before a couple of thousand screaming fans at London's 02 arena, the King of Pop revealed what has been referred to as "the worst kept secret in the world". Namely, a 10-concert residency beginning July 8 — his first full tour in 12 years. "I love you so much," said Jackson, 50, barely audible over the whooping of his loyal supporters who crowded a shopping arcade outside of the arena. ...

The world has certainly changed since Michael Jackson last staged a concert tour in 1997 to promote the "HIStory" album. Since then, other performers have gained prominence -- some who have even been tagged as heir-apparents to Jackson, such as Usher and the currently legally troubled Chris Brown. Now the original is back. Jackson announced Thursday that he'll perform 10 concerts in London in July. But is the world ready to receive Jackson, who has had his share ...

Movie director John Landis is suing Michael Jackson, accusing the reclusive entertainer of fraud in his handling of profits from the iconic "Thriller" video the two made together more than 25 years ago. Landis claimed his 1983 contract with Jackson gave him 50 percent of net profits from the 14-minute video and the documentary about the making of it, both works that he directed and co-wrote with Jackson, court documents say. Jackson "wrongfully refused to pay or account for such ...