20 theSun | MONDAY JUNE 29 2009

in memory

MICHAEL Jackson’s sudden death at the age of

50 shocked many from across the music world
and elsewhere.
Below are some reactions from his close
friends:

»
wife
Jackson’s former
Lisa Marie
Remembering MJ
Presley: “I am so very FRIENDS AND FELLOW ARTISTES FAR AND WIDE
sad and confused with
every emotion possible.
I am heartbroken for his
MOURN THE LOSS OF THE KING OF POP
children who I know
were everything to him
and for his family. This
» Disco star Donna » Long-time friend spoon-bender Uri
Summer: “His greatness Geller: “He lost his childhood, it was gone,
is such a massive loss on
was perfection. Michael finished. And then the trauma of suddenly
so many levels, words fail
was one of those people becoming so famous, becoming a legend,
me.”
who wouldn’t stop until becoming a millionaire, this is hard.”
» Music producer
he was perfect and he
would keep going after » Sony Corporation chairman, CEO and
Quincy Jones, who
that.” president Sir Howard Stringer: “Michael
collaborated with
Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his
Jackson on three of his
best-selling albums, Off
» Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, generation, a genius whose music reflected
who performed Jackson’s 1991 hit Black or the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry
the Wall, Thriller and
White: “Really sad news about Michael. He and magnetism changed the music landscape
Bad: “I am absolutely
was talent from on high.” forever.
devastated at this tragic
“We have been profoundly affected by
and unexpected news.
For Michael to be taken
» Rapper Chuck D his originality, creativity and amazing body
of Public Enemy: of work. The entire Sony family extends our
away from us so suddenly
“Jackson probably died deepest condolences to his family and to the walking human jukebox. He knew the lyrics
at this young age, I just don’t have the words.
of a broken heart and a millions of fans around the world who loved to all the great songs from the 1920s right
“He was the consummate entertainer and his
broken soul. ... He was him.” through to today. We’ll never see the likes of
contributions and legacy will be felt upon the
a victim of the drug of this sort of person again, ever. He was a musi-
world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today
and part of my soul has gone with him.”
celebrity and he was » A&R Sony/ATV Publishing America cal genius. I don’t think normal would be a
never trained to wean senior director Paul Ellis, who worked with good way to describe him, but just incredibly
» Representatives for actress Elizabeth himself off it.” Jackson in the US: “[Michael Jackson] was a talented.” – Agencies
Taylor, Jackson’s close friend: “[Taylor is] too
devastated by the passing of her dear friend
Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this
time.”

» Long-time friend August 29:

actress Brooke Shields: Michael Joseph
“My heart is overcome Jackson born in Gary, In Quincy Lisa Marie
with sadness for the Indiana. Seventh of nine Jones-produced files for
devastating loss of my children. Brothers,Sigmund Thriller, Jackson divorce. Singer
true friend Michael. He “Jackie”, Toriano “Tito”, duets withPaul marries nurse
was an extraordinary Jermaine, Marlon, Steven McCartney, Debbie Rowe.
friend, artiste and “Randy”; sisters, Rebbie, brings in guitarist Fathers three children:
contributor to the world. Janet and La Toya Eddie Van Prince Michael I(1997),
I join his family and Halen for jaw-dropping Paris Michael (1998), and
his fans in celebrating solo, and Vincent Price for Signs $65 million recording Prince Michael II(2002)
his incredible life and mourning his untimely Michael a creepy recitation.Thriller deal with Sony. Fourth album Releases
passing.” joins becomes biggest-selling Dangerous marks end of Invincible –
family pop album of all time with 65m singer’s collaboration with album gets cool reception
» Pop star Madonna: Just as group The copies worldwide Quincy Jones
Following four-
“I can’t stop crying over
the sad news. ... I have
there will Jackson 5,
with Jackie, Tito, Marlon,
Accused of
molesting
month trial
Jackson is acquitted of
always admired Michael never be and Jermaine Massive
hits from
13-year-old boy; Jackson
categorically denies
charges of child molestation
Jackson. The world has 10-year-old
lost one of the greats but another Michael and his Thriller allegation. Pepsi cancels Jackson and
music promoter
include fiery sponsorship deal
his music will live on
forever. My heart goes
Fred Astaire brothers sign contract with
Motownrecords Billie Jean and and Van AEG Live announce he will
perform 50 concerts at
out to his three children or Chuck Debut single
Halen anti-gang-violence
track Beat It. Jackson Marries
London’s O2 Arena
and other members of
his family. God bless.” Berry I Want You
Back hits number one
performsmoonwalkdance Lisa Marie
step for first time on TV
June 25:
Michael Jackson
» Singer Justin
or Elvis Jackson 5 Jackson lands
Presley
suffers cardiac arrest at his
becomes first Beverly Hills home.
Timberlake: “I can’t Presley, largest
group in pop history to have individual sponsorship Pronounced dead at UCLA
find the words right their first four singles top the deal in history with $5m ad Releases HIStory:
now to express how there will U.S. charts Past, Present
campaign for Pepsi Cola. Future, Book 1
and
medical
centre
deeply saddened I am by
Michael’s passing. We
never be Jackson has Is injured when his hair album
have lost a genius and a anyone first solo U.S.
number one single Ben –
catches fire while filming
a commercial. Rejoins
true ambassador of not
only pop music but of all comparable title song from children’s Jacksons for “Victory”
thriller about gang of tour – donates his $5m
music.
“He has been an
to Michael homicidal rats performance fee to
Solo career loses charity. Wild rumours
inspiration to multiple generations and I will Jackson. momentum – about bizarre private life
always cherish the moments I shared with him
on stage and all of the things I learned about His talent, signs with his brothers to
Epic as the Jacksons
begin to circulate
Release of third
music from him.” his wonder- album, Bad.
Buys Neverland ranch
» Singer and friend ment and Singer
Liza Minnelli: “He was
a kind, genuine and his mystery lands
starring Publishes
wonderful man. He was
also one of the greatest
make him role as a autobiography,
entertainers that ever legend.” scarecrow Moonwalker
in all-black film musical
lived. I loved him very The Wiz, a retelling of
much and I will miss – Steven Spielberg The Wizard of Oz. Movie is
him every remaining day box office disaster but
of my life.” Jackson meets music
impresario Quincy Jones
» Filmmaker Steven
Spielberg: “Just as
there will never be With Jones
another Fred Astaire or producing,
Chuck Berry or Elvis Jackson
Presley, there will never records his
be anyone comparable first solo Caricature:
to Michael Jackson. His Bob Hoare
album, Off
talent, his wonderment Pictures:
The Wall. Album goes on to Associated Press
and his mystery make sell over seven million copies
© GRAPHIC NEWS
him legend.”