WORLD> Fans in Shock
Celebs' reactions to Michael Jackson's death
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-26 15:12

Michael Jackson's sudden death at the age of 50 brought reactions from across the music world and elsewhere. Below are some of those reactions.

-- Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock great Elvis Presley who was married to Jackson in the mid-1990s, said in a statement:

"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."

-- Jackson's sister, Janet, was "grief stricken and devastated at the sudden loss of her brother" and flying back to California to be with her family, according to a statement released through her manager.

-- Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy told Reuters that Jackson had raised standards of music and performance to new heights, but was a victim of the culture of celebrity.

"Jackson probably died of a broken heart and a broken soul. ... He was a victim of the drug of celebrity and he was never trained to wean himself off it."

-- 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."

Jones added: "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."

-- Representatives for actress Elizabeth Taylor, a close friend of the Grammy-winning performer, said she was "too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time."

-- Actress Brooke Shields, another 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."

-- Pop star Madonna said in a statement: "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."

-- Singer Justin Timberlake, who has called Jackson his idol and a strong influence on his own career, told the celebrity Web site TMZ.com:

"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."

-- 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."

-- Singer and Jackson friend 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."

-- Filmmaker Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly magazine: "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend."

-- Disco star Donna Summer, in an interview with CNN, said Jackson's death came as a "total shock."

Of Jackson's talents as a performer, Summer said: "His greatness was perfection. Michael was one of those people who wouldn't stop until he was perfect and he would keep going after that."

-- Spoon-bender Uri Geller, long a close friend of Jackson, said of the entertainer's life and death:

"He lost his childhood, it was gone, finished. And then the trauma of suddenly becoming so famous, becoming a legend, becoming a millionaire, this is hard."