Tears and tributes for the King of pop
26 June, 2009 | By Shaun Tandon
Fans from Los Angeles to Sydney held candlelit vigils for the 50-year-
old superstar who died on Thursday from a cardiac arrest. At the
Glastonbury pop festival in Britain, thousands danced to Jackson's best-
known songs such as "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."
US President Barack Obama thought the singer was a "spectacular
performer, a musical icon" and offered condolences to family and fans
of Jackson -- who like Obama is credited with helping bridge racial
divides.
"The president also said that he had aspects of his life that were sad and
tragic," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced admiration for Jackson's
ability to stir "emotion from different kinds of people all over the world"
and said he would always remember the singer's "Moonwalk" dance.
"I felt great emotion firstly because a page has turned and I found it
quite distressing to see these images of a young Jackson with his
childish face and hair and color that had not changed," Sarkozy said.
In one of the most moving statements, Hollywood screen legend
Elizabeth Taylor said her "heart and mind" were broken by her close
friend's demise.
"I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him.
We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together," said
the 77-year-old two-time Oscar-winning actress.
The top names in pop music described Jackson as a legend.
"I can't stop crying over the sad news," pop diva Madonna told celebrity
website People.com. "The world has lost one of the greats, but his
music will live on forever."
Beatle Paul McCartney, who collaborated with Jackson in the 1980s
before an apparent falling-out, hailed him as "massively talented" and
said he had "a gentle soul."
Singer Liza Minnelli called Jackson "a genius talent, who revolutionized
show business."
The star's first wife Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley,
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."
Jackson's influence was also highlighted by the new generation of pop
stars.
Justin Timberlake -- who like Jackson is known for both his singing and
dancing -- said in a statement that the world had "lost a genius and a true
ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music."
Singer Beyonce said: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a
bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music."
"Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis
Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson,"
film director Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly.
Jackson's career hit a pinnacle after 1982's "Thriller," the top-selling
album ever. But his behavior later became increasingly eccentric. In
2005, he was acquitted after a sensational trial on allegations of child
molestation.
But the Vatican's newspaper Osservatore Romano said that "no
accusation, however serious or shameful, is enough to tarnish his myth
among his millions of fans throughout the entire world."
Jackson was remembered particularly fondly in Africa. The pop star in
1985 co-wrote the song "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie to raise
aid for victims of Ethiopia's famine.
"In big Ethiopian cities, many people will have a special feeling towards
his death," said Mahmoud Dirrir, the country's tourism and culture
minister.
"Apart from his personal behaviour, he will be remembered as an icon,
especially for his song calling for us to leave this world a better place for
future generations," Dirrir said.
Mohammed Al Fayed, owner of London department store Harrods, said
he would erect a statue in honor of Jackson, as he did for the late
Princess Diana.
At Wimbledon, two-time champion Serena Williams said that Jackson
remained a "complete icon."
"Everyone listens to his music. You think of the Beatles, Elvis Presley
and Michael Jackson. They are lifetime icons that are never forgotten.
Everyone of every color and race is a huge Michael Jackson fan," she
said.
Roger Federer, the five-time Wimbledon champion, said he first heard
Jackson's music in the late 1980s when he came to Basel and the future
tennis star and his sister listened from outside the stadium.
"I love his music. It's a very sad moment I think in the music world. He
touched many people. Same for me," Federer said.
. Courtesy
26 June, 2009 | By Shaun Tandon
- LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The world's most
powerful figures from politics to entertainment
joined Friday in mourning Michael Jackson, hailing
him as a musical genius but also grieving over a life
filled with tragedy.
The death of the "King of Pop" reverberated
throughout the world, with heads of state,
entertainment heavyweights and ordinary fans
Fans from Los Angeles to Sydney held candlelit vigils for the 50-year-
old superstar who died on Thursday from a cardiac arrest. At the
Glastonbury pop festival in Britain, thousands danced to Jackson's best-
known songs such as "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."
US President Barack Obama thought the singer was a "spectacular
performer, a musical icon" and offered condolences to family and fans
of Jackson -- who like Obama is credited with helping bridge racial
divides.
"The president also said that he had aspects of his life that were sad and
tragic," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced admiration for Jackson's
ability to stir "emotion from different kinds of people all over the world"
and said he would always remember the singer's "Moonwalk" dance.
"I felt great emotion firstly because a page has turned and I found it
quite distressing to see these images of a young Jackson with his
childish face and hair and color that had not changed," Sarkozy said.
In one of the most moving statements, Hollywood screen legend
Elizabeth Taylor said her "heart and mind" were broken by her close
friend's demise.
"I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him.
We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together," said
the 77-year-old two-time Oscar-winning actress.
The top names in pop music described Jackson as a legend.
"I can't stop crying over the sad news," pop diva Madonna told celebrity
website People.com. "The world has lost one of the greats, but his
music will live on forever."
Beatle Paul McCartney, who collaborated with Jackson in the 1980s
before an apparent falling-out, hailed him as "massively talented" and
said he had "a gentle soul."
Singer Liza Minnelli called Jackson "a genius talent, who revolutionized
show business."
The star's first wife Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley,
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."
Jackson's influence was also highlighted by the new generation of pop
stars.
Justin Timberlake -- who like Jackson is known for both his singing and
dancing -- said in a statement that the world had "lost a genius and a true
ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music."
Singer Beyonce said: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a
bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music."
"Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis
Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson,"
film director Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly.
Jackson's career hit a pinnacle after 1982's "Thriller," the top-selling
album ever. But his behavior later became increasingly eccentric. In
2005, he was acquitted after a sensational trial on allegations of child
molestation.
But the Vatican's newspaper Osservatore Romano said that "no
accusation, however serious or shameful, is enough to tarnish his myth
among his millions of fans throughout the entire world."
Jackson was remembered particularly fondly in Africa. The pop star in
1985 co-wrote the song "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie to raise
aid for victims of Ethiopia's famine.
"In big Ethiopian cities, many people will have a special feeling towards
his death," said Mahmoud Dirrir, the country's tourism and culture
minister.
"Apart from his personal behaviour, he will be remembered as an icon,
especially for his song calling for us to leave this world a better place for
future generations," Dirrir said.
Mohammed Al Fayed, owner of London department store Harrods, said
he would erect a statue in honor of Jackson, as he did for the late
Princess Diana.
At Wimbledon, two-time champion Serena Williams said that Jackson
remained a "complete icon."
"Everyone listens to his music. You think of the Beatles, Elvis Presley
and Michael Jackson. They are lifetime icons that are never forgotten.
Everyone of every color and race is a huge Michael Jackson fan," she
said.
Roger Federer, the five-time Wimbledon champion, said he first heard
Jackson's music in the late 1980s when he came to Basel and the future
tennis star and his sister listened from outside the stadium.
"I love his music. It's a very sad moment I think in the music world. He
touched many people. Same for me," Federer said.
. Courtesy
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