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Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dies at 50

Arts Jun 25, 2009 5:53 PM EDT

Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon of an apparent cardiac arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 50. Jackson was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center by the paramedics after they found him at his home not breathing and tried to administer CPR.

“Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times,” the newspaper reported on its Web site.

On the NewsHour tonight, Jim Lehrer talked to USA TODAY music critic Steve Jones about Jackson’s life and musical legacy.

A musical prodigy, he began performing with his brothers as a child as the Jackson 5, making his television debut at age 11. Most recently, Jackson had been preparing for a series of sold-out performances in London.

Here are some classic Jackson clips.