Michael Jackson Dead at 50

[Recusant]

He is one of the top three most important musical artists of all time, whether you want to believe it or not.

Just... no.  I will agree that he was the most prominent musical artist of the last two or three decades of the 20th century, and indisputably a great showman.  When you put him up against "musicians of all time" though, his importance is not that great.  In my opinion: A) He was not particularly innovative, but took pre-existing forms and did impressive things with them.  B) His impact was more cultural than musical, and for what he did in the realm of culture he deserves respect.  I think McQ makes a strong case for his true worth in the world of music.

As for personal peccadillos, well, all great artists are entitled to a certain level of eccentricity.  It's sort of expected of them.  It seems probable that he liked young boys maybe a little too well, but whether he acted on that in such a way as to cause them harm is not really knowable, and he was judged not guilty.  Regarding  the article Nineteen45 linked to about his accuser recanting, though, I would direct you to this blog, which at the very least calls the veracity of the story of the recantation into serious question. The blog is written by a fan of Jackson's, from what I understand.
I don't blame his true fans for springing to his defense, however, and I respect the fact that they mourn his premature death.