Tributes to Michael Jackson

Leading the tributes was his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley.

In a statement reported on the BBC website, she 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."

A host of celebrities from the music and entertainment worlds lined up to acknowledge the star's genius.

Madonna said in a statement on the BBC website: "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."

Friend and psychic Uri Geller told the Press Association from his home in Sonning, Berkshire: "I'm shocked and devastated. I am hoping this is a dream I will wake up from, but it is not. Michael is dead.

"For him not to be around, that he's gone, is just surreal. It cannot sink into my psyche. He was a genius."

He said he feared it may have been the "stress" of Jackson's planned comeback tour that killed him.

Music producer Quincy Jones told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."

He said Jackson "had it all - talent, grace, professionalism and dedication".

He added: "I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Demi Moore paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "I am greatly saddened for the loss of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Especially for their children!"

Her husband, Ashton Kutcher, also posted: "RIP. Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids."

He added: "Plea to the press to respect his wishes of maintaining the anonymity of his children. I plea to the public to refuse to consume media that does not respect the anonymity of Michaels children."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband wrote on Twitter: "Never has one soared so high and yet dived so low. RIP Michael."

Rev Al Sharpton, a leading US civil rights campaigner and friend of Jackson, told Sky News: "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."

Singer Cher said on the BBC website: "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."

Fellow singer Celine Dion added: "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."

Friend and actor Joe Pesci told Fox News: "He was a fun kid and did so much. He always reinvented himself time and time again and certainly was a great entertainer and dancer and great to watch with all that energy.

"He was excited about getting back to the stage. He was downhearted for a while and I think he finally got himself up."

In a tribute reported on the website MTV.com, 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 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."

Katie Price, aka Jordan, said on the Twitter website: "ooooh my god sooo shocked rest in peace mj you were the KING OF POP a total legend xxxxxxxxxxx."

Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis said on Twitter: "So sad to hear the news about MJ. There will be tributes all over the site all weekend. A truly great artist. Emily"

A tribute on the star's website from his record company described him as a genius.

The head of the Sony Corporation Sir Howard Stringer said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era.

"His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever.

"We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work.

"The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."

Pop star Missy Elliott posted a link on Twitter to a YouTube video called Michael Jackson Best Dance Moves, adding the message: "a little something to remember the KING by."

Film directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg also paid tribute.

Scorsese told MTV.com: "Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on Bad, I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other.

"Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion.

"He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and - it really goes without saying - a true artist.

"It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us."

Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly: "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."

Actor Stephen Fry, a regular user of Twitter with more than 500,000 followers on the website, wrote on it: "Goodness. Michael Jackson. Poor old soul. Oh dear."

Family friend Mark Lester described him as "a very sweet, kind and loving man".

The former child star, who is godfather to Jackson's children, said they first met more than 30 years ago.

He said: "The last time we saw him he was in London a few weeks ago.

"He was absolutely fine. I can't believe this, it's such a shock."

He told GMTV the star was ready for the planned gigs in London, saying: "If he didn't think he could do it, he wouldn't have done it."

He added: "I'll always remember him as being a very sweet, kind and loving man."

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini paid tribute to the "biggest world star since the Beatles" and said Jackson would really be remembered for his career as a solo artist.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "In decades to come people will look back and remember the historic records", and insisted "the freak show" part of Jackson's life would fade into the background.

Speaking of the musician's turbulent life, he said: "His career as a solo artist, that's what he'll really be remembered for.

"The way people are getting music has changed but it's likely that they will remember the number one album of all time."

He added: "He was the biggest world star since the Beatles. You have to recognise that he was the first American male star of the video era - Madonna was the first female star.

"It was Michael Jackson and Madonna who were the first big stars of the MTV generation."

And he said 15% of the tweets on Twitter last night were about Jackson - evidence of how the star had captured the public imagination.

Former child actor Corey Feldman, who was a close friend of Jackson's, wrote on his website: "He was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend."

He said the pair fell out eight years ago, but he remained close to the Jackson family.

He wrote: "I am trembling and shaking at the moment and it is very hard to type. I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse.

"All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world.

"Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again.

"I am truly and deeply sorry for all of the heartbroken fans and supporters worldwide. I think I am still in shock."

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