THE ISSUE: The death of Michael Jackson

OUR OPINION: Controversial star will live on as music icon

The “King of Pop.” “The King of Rock.”

The death of music icon Michael Jackson on Thursday has eerie parallels to the passing of Elvis Presley on Aug. 16, 1977. Their deaths are events that have people talking, remembering where they were when the news came.

As the world waited for confirmation of Jackson’s death in the late afternoon, people in stores around Orangeburg weren’t waiting for official confirmation. They were telling others.

“Did you know Michael Jackson died?”

“No! What happened to him?”

The exact answer to the question of what happened will be determined, but as with Presley, what really killed the 50-year-old superstar will forever be the subject of speculation.

Jackson was known to have health problems, including drug issues. Some will marvel that he lived as long as he did.

His legacy will be marred by long-standing questions about his relationship with children, but few will doubt his influence on so many over so many years.

Jackson was a man whose life always was under the public microscope. As a child, he was the leading figure with the Jackson Five. In the 1980s, he was THE music superstar. His 1982 album, “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time worldwide.

But Jackson was nothing if not controversial.

Reports of a disease that made his skin white led to widespread reports that the singer was purposely altering his appearance. That he did just that with cosmetic surgery to his face was obvious.

A child molestation trial in 2005 resulted in acquittal, but the reports and rumors followed Jackson until the day he died.

Jackson was preparing for a series of 50 concerts to begin in July, looking for a major comeback not unlike Presley’s.

Just as Elvis died mysteriously and unexpectedly ahead of his time (age 42), so did Jackson.

Elvis will forever be the “King of Rock.” Jackson will forever be the “King of Pop.”

Jackson ranked alongside Presley (and the Beatles) as the biggest music sensations of all time. He even united the two in another way when he was briefly married to Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie.

Elvis lives on today with a body of adoring fans. So, too, will Jackson long be seen as an entertainer larger than life. He arguably will be more famous in death even than he was during a lifetime of fame.

As Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde told The Associated Press: “The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it. He’s literally the king of pop.”

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