American pop legend Michael Jackson has died of a heart attack in a Los Angeles hospital late on June 25.
The pop legend, whose life was deeply rooted in controversy, had been hoping to give his career another kick start, and was just about to perform in sold out shows in London when he passed away.
He had had a history of health problems prior to his sudden and tragic death, and speaking on behalf of the Jackson family, Jermaine said doctors had tried to resuscitate the star for more than an hour without success, the BBC has reported.
So what about a Toon connection? Well there is one ... if ever so slight.
When Mike Hooper signed for Newcastle from Liverpool he did a talk-in at Langley Park Cricket Club with Supa-Goalie John 'Budgie' Burridge.
Budgie took centre stage and made the point: "Kids these days don't get out and play like they did when I was a kid.
"We were out every minute of daylight, playing football. But they stay indoors these days playing computer games, because their parents are too frightened to let them out in case they bump into Michael Jackson".
Good on yer Budgie! Tell it how it is.
1989/91 J.Burridge 80/0 0
Budgie was a huge favourite at the club, despite arriving when he was almost 40. A goalkeeper who played to the gallery. Regarded himself as the best in the country, so he wasn't exactly a shy lad. Left under controversial circumstances because manager Ossie Ardiles was told to sell all of the 'big earners'. He went to Hibs and won a League Cup winners medal. In his time he played for: Workington, Blackpool, Aston Villa, Southend, Crystal Palace, QPR, Wolves, Derby, Sheff Utd, Southampton, Newcastle, Hibs, Scarborough, Lincoln, Aberdeen, Dumbarton, Falkirk, Man City, Darlington and Queen of the South.