The LA Times says it the best:

How does one eulogize a superstar who, even without the various accusations of pedophilia, was something of a freak? Or was, as several talking heads put it, "a troubled individual." In recent years, Jackson has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood.

For me, a child of the 1980s, Michael was one of my first obsessions. It was he would inspired me to beg my mom for a pair of faux leather pants and a small purple faux leather purse with the cover of Thriller ironed on. I played my cassette tape of Thriller to death... literally.

Then of course the '90s came and Michael got off track. There was the odd extended ending to the "Black or White" video. Then there was his philanthropic work, from "We are the World" to pediatric AIDS. Accusations of child molestation, his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley and of course his children (including the baby dangling episode).

News broke on the internet of his death, swamping Twitter and Facebook. Even celebs were Twittering their thoughts. One would expect that celebs would be polite in their choice of words, but even those of us without bodyguards were virtually crying over his death.

I came home and turned on the radio knowing that someone would be playing one of his songs. I turned it up, danced and then I was done. I cherish the music he gave this world, mostly everything Thriller and earlier. As for the man? I'll be polite and just say that I am sending love to his family and friends.