I liked some of his music a lot, and there is no doubt that he was a very talented songwriter and performer. As the guy who has had the biggest selling album of all time, he even deserves his 'King of Pop' title.
I'm just a bit dismayed that the media have jumped in to a feeding frenzy, and that the "Dianafication" of Michael Jackson has already started. The parallels with the media portrayal of Princess Diana are obvious
Before tragically early death: Mad scheming bitch who is a bit of a slapper
After tragically early death: Sainthood
Michael Jackson
Before tragically early death: Mad, weird recluse with dodgy surgery and a cloud of kiddy fiddling
After tragically early death: Tortured musical genius with a troubled childhood
I guess it's neither of their faults that living in the public gaze exposes them to sensationalism of the worst kind. Oh for a balanced media