After Jackson became one of the most popular entertainers in history — and saw his image tarnished by a 1993 allegation of child molestation — some doubted that he would have a No. 1 hit again. But he did.

Still, after a seamy, graphic trial featuring an avalanche of porn and allegations of sex with young boys, can Jackson's career withstand this latest blow, even with Monday's acquittal on all counts? According to industry analysts, the answer is of course.

"I would say that he has to just make great music and concentrate on nothing else but making great music and making great live performances," said Antonio "L.A" Reid, chairman of Island Def Jam.

The public hasn't concentrated on Jackson as a musical figure for a long time. His last album, a greatest hits project, was released the day of his arrest on child molestation charges in 2003. For the past year and a half, news around Jackson has centered on allegations of sex with children, of giving them alcohol, and other alleged behavior at Neverland Ranch.

"People have been fascinated with Michael as a celebrity," says Jack Isquith, head of label relations at AOL Music, which premieres the latest videos, concerts and singles by the nation's top pop acts.

"He has declined in terms of his record sales and his musical standing ... there's no question that Michael has been perceived on the wane," Isquith said. "... (But) if Michael Jackson were to play the Apollo and it was monumentally brilliant ... I think that would really register a lot of focus on Michael as a musical (figure)."

Las Vegas might be a possibility for him to make that great live performance. Yesterday, Jack Wishna, who has a minority interest in Trump's New Frontier Hotel and Casino, said he had been in talks with Jackson before the trial to perform on the Strip, and hopes to continue those negotiations.

"I am still interested in bringing his talents to Las Vegas," he said in a statement.

Even before the trial, Jackson's musical career had taken a back seat to what was perceived as his increasingly bizarre behavior — from extensive plastic surgery to holding his infant son over a balcony. And his career was damaged by the 1993 child molestation accusation.

THE 'ICK' FACTOR

There is a considerable "ick" factor when it comes to Michael Jackson.

Though he was acquitted of child molestation, some people find distasteful his admission to sleeping in the same bed with children, even if it was non-sexual.

He also carries plenty of baggage from his eccentric behavior over the years and plastic surgery that has given him a sometimes disturbing visual image.

But negative publicity — no matter how unseemly — doesn't necessarily mean the end of a career.

Take R. Kelly. In 2002, videotapes circulated showing a man bearing a striking resemblance to Kelly having sex with what appeared to be an underage girl — and then urinating on her. Later that year, he was charged with child pornography, and pundits declared his career over.

A year later, he released the critically acclaimed "Chocolate Factory" — which debuted at the top of the charts. Since then, he has released two other platinum projects, and worked with several top acts, including Britney Spears and Jay-Z.

Jackson faces plenty of challenges in making a comeback. First, he doesn't have a label home — his commitment to Sony Music is just about over, and given the acrimony that relationship devolved into in recent years, he won't likely be recording a new album for them.

But people believe in Jackson's talents, and that his career can be rejuvenated.

One pundit said his criminal case has been a career boost, and predicted a public rehabilitation of his reputation, a la Martha Stewart.

"I think that his acquittal will be enormously helpful to his career. Now he has the David and Goliath (parallel) on his side," said Paul Levinson, chairman of Media and Communications at Fordham University. "He stood up to the government. ... He proved almost all the pundits wrong."

As far as refurbishing his tarnished image?