Wow, first Farrah, then the Gloved One; if and when C-3PO dies the 80s will official be over.

Anyhoo, for all his ubiquity during most of his 50 years, Mr. Jackson was quite an enigma.

For instance, his religion. He, and all the Jackson Five (and Janet, I think) were raised Jehovah’s Witness in Indiana.

But Michael reportedly converted to Islam in 2008, changed his name to Mikaeel and even took to wearing a burqa in public. (Though, maybe that had more to do with plastic surgery than piety.) His brother, Jermaine, who converted to Islam in 1989, was reportedly an influence.

UPDATE: Adelle Banks has unearthed this 2000 first-person article by Jackson on his childhood as a Jehovah’s Witness.

With the media circus surrounding this story, undoubtedly something about the burial will eventually surface.

Perhaps all we can do now is all we ever should have done: enjoy his music.

Take it away, Slash.