What if Princess Diana had married Dodi in 1997 and moved to some Island somewhere then in August this year she died in that car crash, would there be the same public sobbing? Would Elton John be up in that church singing that irritating song? Of course not.
If Posh and Becks died in a plane crash at the height of his and her career, there would be public mourning, 52 page ok spreads, dvd's, you name it. If Posh and Becks die in a plane crash in 10 years time, it would most likely not raise more than an eyebrow, well certainly no more than a couple of newsdays.
Jackson was in the public eye, more so because of his up coming concerts. Prior to the concerts being announced, how many Jackson songs were being played on the radio?/Who even mentioned him unless it was to do with the aforementioned abuse cases?
It's all about being in the public eye at the right time.