Why do I get the feeling that the MJ death story will take on a life of its own, particularly if there are doctors fleeing and if others come out in the weeks to come talking about addictions, etc? It has the potential to make the circus-like atmosphere surrounding O.J. Simpson in 1994-95 seem like a quick news blurb.

I think there were two separate aspects of Jackson's life: his music and his public persona. His musical legend, whether or not one liked his style of music, is indisputable. He changed music with his sales figures (highest selling LP of all-time), the face of music video with his elaborate productions of Billie Jean, Beat It & Thriller), and his larger-than-life presence on a music stage.

His main problem was that he stopped putting out music (for the most part) since the early 1990s. Musically, he became irrelevant. Look at Prince, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen. All three were very big at the same time as Michael Jackson (1983-1985), but none were bigger. Yet all three still tour and continue to release new music today. Jackson would never have been able to outdo Thriller in terms of sales, but then again who else could either? He simply should have made music that he wanted to make instead of further withdrawing into his role of recluse.