Michael Jackson - celebrity tributes

Last updated 13:49 26/06/2009

MICHAEL AND LISA MARIE JUNE 1995: Michael Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley said his death was "such a massive loss on so many levels".

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Michael Jackson's sudden death at the age of 50 has prompted tributes and reactions from across the entertainment world.

Music producer Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Jackson on three of his best-selling albums, Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, said: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at this young age, I just don't have the words.

"He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him.''

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock great Elvis Presley, who was married to Jackson in the mid-1990s, said: "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."

Actress Brooke Shields, a longtime friend of the King of Pop, said: "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.''

'HIS MUSIC WILL LIVE ON'

Pop star Madonna told People magazine: "I can't stop crying over the sad news ... I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.''

Representatives for actress Elizabeth Taylor, another of the singer's long-time friends, said she was "too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time.''

On his official website, singer Justin Timberlake said: " I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music.

"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."

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Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who performed Jackson's 1991 hit Black or White, said: "Really sad news about Michael. He was talent from on high.''

Another friend, entertainer Liza Minnelli told Entertainment Tonight: "He was a kind, genuine and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life.''

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, the group that organises the Grammy Awards, said in a statement:"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson.

"He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to world wide acclaim.

"A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories.''

'WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER'

Rudy Clay, mayor of Jackson's hometown, Gary, Indiana, called Jackson the "world's greatest entertainer,'' who had made Gary proud.

"Wherever a person from Gary, Indiana, went in the world, people would say, 'That's Michael Jackson's home town.' So Michael helped Gary just by being from Gary,'' Clay told the Chicago Tribune.

Pop star Cher told CNN that she preferred to remember Jackson as a “young man I would dance with all night”.

“I think of him more like that because in later years I didn’t see him that much and when I did see him his behaviour was very strange to me and so I didn’t relate to that person as well. I didn’t really understand him,” she said.

She said Jackson was uniquely gifted.

“He was a great singer. God gives you certain gifts….. some people he gives more gifts and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability to have people feel him.

“He was a great singer …one of the great singers. You can’t write him off as just a pop thing because he could sing like no one else, he was genius like Ray Charles, like Stevie Wonder … he was able to connect with people.”

US civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who knew Jackson for decades, said: ''A friend of Michael's for the last 35 years, I call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour.

"I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogise our mutual idol, James Brown."