Music mogul Quincy Jones, who worked with the late Michael Jackson on numerous music and film projects throughout the ’70s and ’80s, has issued a statement on the passing of the child star turned King of Pop.

Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 50 years old.

“I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on ‘The Wiz’ and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the ’80s. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all.talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Michael Jackson died this afternoon after suffering a heart attack at his L.A. home this afternoon. Michael’s big brother Jermaine Jackson read a statement to the media during a press conference at Ronald Reagan UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles this evening. Jeremaine told the press that a team of doctors at the medical center tried to resuscitate the King of Pop for more than an hour before he was pronounced dead.

“My brother, the legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, at 2:26 p.m.” an obviously distraught Jeremaine told the media gathered outside the hospital shortly before 6:30 PM.

“It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known.”

He continued: “The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitate my brother. As did paramedics who transported him to the hospital.”

“Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m., a team of doctors, including emergency phsyicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of one hour and they were unsuccessful.”

“Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time, and may Allah be with you Michael, always,” Jeremiah said before walking away, visibly shaken.

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PDT (9:26 p.m. EDT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson was taken ill at home and his personal physician tried to resuscitate him but could not, his brother Jermaine told reporters. He was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where doctors worked for more than an hour to try to revive him before pronouncing him dead, the brother said.

Late Thursday, his body was flown by helicopter from the hospital to the coroner’s office.

The self-styled "King of Pop," whose hits included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," leaves behind a mountain of debt and an unfulfilled series of comeback concerts set for London in July. Many hoped the shows would rake in millions and erase his financial troubles.

Jackson’s dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world who mourned his death.

His lifetime record sales tally was believed to be around 750 million. With his 13 Grammy Awards and boundary-breaking music videos he was one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson’s belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart," his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson led a reclusive life after his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, the second time he had faced ultimately unproved allegations of abuse of young boys.

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," said Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, said in a statement.

Celebrity tributes poured in for the singer who was one of the first black entertainers of the MTV generation to gain a big crossover following.

Pop star Madonna said: "I can’t stop crying over the sad news … I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever."

The Daily Mail has obtained a photograph of Michael Jackson and his two oldest “kids,” Prince and Paris, leaving a Los Angeles dance studio sans masks on Wednesday.

Despite Michael Jackson’s insistence that he is in perfect health, British tabloid The Sun is standing by its scoop that the King of Pop has been diagnosed with skin cancer. This week, the paper claims Jackson is living in constant fear of dying and terrified that his nose will fall off.

We don’t make this stuff up.

“Michael has become convinced that his nose is going to fall off. The doctors have reassured him that this won’t happen…” says a Sun spy.

According to The Sun, cancerous skin cells were discovered on Jackson’s nose, chest, and arm in May.

He’s on the brink of one of the largest comebacks in the history of pop music, but Michael Jackson has hit a major roadblock along the way.

The “Beat It” hitmaker was spotted leaving his doctor’s office in Beverly Hills, California yesterday (May 20) looking a bit concerned.

According to a report, the 50-year-old King of Pop will have to undergo a painful skin-shaving operation to remove potentially lethal growths on his body.

Jacko’s medical team will remove layers of skin on his chest and nose before deciding if he needs further radiation gun therapy to snuff out the potentially cancerous sections of his skin.

However, Michael’s medical condition isn’t the reason that he recently pushed back the start of his residency at London’s O2 arena.  AEG Live’s Randy Phillips told press, “The date change has nothing to do with his health. The truth is the show has grown in scope and complexity and size.”

Michael Jackson is determined to make a full recovery after being diagnosed with treatable skin cancer last month.

Doctors reportedly discovered spots of the disease on the King of Pop’s upper body and precancerous cells on his face during a routine checkup.

“Michael’s tests showed spots of skin cancer on his body, and cells which could turn to skin cancer on his face,” a source tells Britain’s The Sun. “He was at first very concerned, but says he has been assured by the doctors that they can treat this and he will recover.”

Jackson has fought a series of skin conditions and was diagnosed with vitiligo over 20 years ago. The disease affects skin pigmentation and is allegedly responsible for the singer’s pale look.

Despite his health setback, the “Can’t Help It” hitmaker is excited about going ahead with his eagerly-anticipated 50 concert tour O2 Arena in London, kicking off this July.

“Michael is really looking forward to his concerts and is determined to wow his fans at each and every gig.”

“He said he’s insisted that any treatment must fit around the concerts, and the show will go on,” the source added.

Michael has been spotted making regular visits to a dermatologist in Beverly Hills. In April, he was seen at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, which has a specialist lab to test for skin cancer.

This guy just can’t seem to catch a break – Michael Jackson is trying to get himself afloat financially with a 50-concert run at London’s O2 Arena.  And already someone is trying to get a piece of the pie.

Jacko’s former spokeswoman Raymone Bain has filed a $44 million lawsuit against him claiming that she is owed a 10% cut of his business dealings.

Bain began working for the King of Pop back in 2003 and says that he has failed to honor their agreement.  Hence, she’s suing him for what she considers to be her share of his earnings.

“I have been left no choice” she told press.  In 2003 Bain oversaw Jackson’s image during his child molestation trial and in 2005 she handled his relocation overseas and back to Los Angeles.

Michael Jackson seen out antique shopping wearing a hat and covering his face with a surgical mask.
Meanwhile Jackson’s car reportedly crashed into an ambulance.
Emergency services technician Jamin Mauro claims he was on a medical call in
Beverly Hills, California, yesterday (04.22.09) when the stationary vehicle
was hit by the 50-year-old pop superstar’s car.
The black Escalade SUV (sports utility vehicle) was reportedly on its way to
pick up Jackson.

Michael Jackson, who is set to make a comeback with his London O2 Arena, will be introducing his eldest son Prince Michael I, who will make his stage debut at the concert.
The 12-year-old, who has been masked for his most of his life, will be unveiled to audiences, as Michael wants him to carry on his father’s showbiz family tradition.
"What better way to introduce his son to the music world than to have him come on stage during the most anticipated concert in history?" the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.
Michael is also said to be determined to prove his critics wrong and show them that he can manage 50 shows despite his fading health.
"The shows begin on July 8 and the singer will perform to more than a million people during his 50-date London residency," the source said.