Tributes paid to Michael Jackson
Family, friends, colleagues and admirers have been paying tribute to Michael Jackson, following the announcement of the star’s death at the age of 50.
“My brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson passed away on Thursday June 25th, 2009 at 2.26pm. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home.
“Our family requests that the media please respects our privacy at this tough time.
“And may Allah be with you Michael, always. Love you.”
“I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I’ve always admired Michael Jackson – the world has lost one of its greats, but his music will live on forever.
“My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”
“The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. … I love you Michael.”
“I am shocked. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life.
“He was not only a talented person, but he was unique – a genius. It’s such a loss. It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis died. My sympathy goes to the family. It’s a big loss and it’s not even sinking in right now.”
“I’m just devastated, very, very sad. I pray that his soul is up there now. I’m still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us.
“Michael was in good shape because he was practising, he was training, he was rehearsing for the shows. Michael was careful with what he ate, he was just fine. Last time I heard of what he was doing, he was in great shape. And this is why I’m so absolutely shocked by this news.”
“I’m having a million different reactions I didn’t expect I would feel.
“He was a great singer – God gives you certain gifts, and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability. He could sing like nobody else and he was able to connect with people.”
“I’m absolutely devastated at this news. I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we could do through the 80s.
“To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all – talent, grace and professionalism. I’ve lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him.”
“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.”
Lenny Kravitz has worked with Jackson
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“There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson.
“He was the first live performer I ever saw. I got to see him at Madison Square Garden when I was eight. If not for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.
“He gave me joy as a child and showed me the way to go. He was music. Period.
May you rest in peace sweet Michael. You gave us all you had to give.”
I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure.”
“As a friend of Michael’s for the past 35 years, I call on people from around the world to pray for him and his family.”
“Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic. I will miss him.”
“I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson, is dead. He lived with me for a week on the ‘Golden Pond’ set after Thriller.
“He was one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry.
“Our hearts go out to the Jackson family, Michael’s children and to his fans worldwide.”
“My heart goes out to the King of Pop and his family.”
“Definitely one of the greatest stars of recorded music. There is no doubt of that. He would be in the top 10 of all time, regardless of who the other nine people were.
“But you also have to remember that he went through different stages and owed some of his popularity to collaborators – Quincy Jones, with whom he did the great trilogy of albums: Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad.”
“I was so excited to see his tour in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly into see him.
“He’s been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated that he’s gone.”
“We have lost an icon in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow.
“He will live on in my memory, and most definitely through the music he shared with so many.”
“Michael Jackson was my musical god. He made me believe that all things are possible, through real and positive music.
“He can live forever. I love Michael Jackson. God bless him.”
Justin Timberlake has been compared to Michael Jackson
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“We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing.
“He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage 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.”
“I’ve known Michael for many years and we’ve done many different things together over the years.
“I know his family and it’s just a total shock. I don’t even have words to say. I mean I’ll miss Michael, the world will miss Michael and I’m sure the world is in a state of grief right now.
“I will personally miss him, I will miss his light, I will miss his star, I will miss who he has caused other people to become because of his greatness. He upped the standard.”
“I am heart broken. My prayers go out to the Jackson family, and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world, and the joy he brought to is millions of devoted fans throughout the world.
“I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.”
“Michael Jackson will live forever through the thing that he put all of his life energy into: his music.
“Long live Michael Jackson.”
“I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration. He gave me and my family hope. I would never have been me without him.”
“He was one of my childhood idols. I salute you King of Pop. You made the whole world moonwalk together.”
“Michael Jackson was my generation’s most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He’ll be missed greatly.”
“I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream, a bad dream. This cannot be. How can Michael Jackson not be here?
“As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible.
“Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.
“He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music.
“He’s the most misunderstood man in world. Everyone thought he was this weird freak but when you’re with him he’s as normal as everyone else. I don’t think he felt he was as famous as everyone else thought, he didn’t know any different.
“He was a very caring guy who would go out of his way to help the sick. One night in London he wanted to see some homeless people. He sent them loads of pizzas in secret. The guy had a good heart.
“We used to dress him up and sneak out of hotel room and do normal things in shops. People wouldn’t know who he was but we wanted to give him a taste of the real life.”
Once I was out driving with my brother when he stopped at a supermarket and I waited for him outside. Two guys got out of a car and walked towards me in an intimidating way. They started commenting on the way I look and the way I’m dressed.
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