Michael Jackson: Celebrities Pay Homage to the King of Pop

The following is an outpouring of love and respect from artists and celebrities for the man who forever changed the scope of music -- Michael Jackson:

"I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer... I think that Michael Jackson will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. His brilliance as a performance also was paired with a tragic and in many ways, sad personal life." -- President Barack Obama

"There is nothing to be compared to this, 'cause we lost our brother, our hero. The world is mourning. We are mourning. The fans are mourning. It is unreal. Unbelievable." -- Jermaine Jackson

"To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts... On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much, thank you so much." -- Janet Jackson

"I knew Michael as a child and watched him grow over the years. Of all the thousands of entertainers I have worked with, Michael was THE most outstanding. Many have tried and will try to copy him, but his talent will never be matched." -- Dick Clark

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all...talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. 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." -- Quincy Jones

"It's so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones... I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world." -- Sir Paul McCartney

"I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 -- one of my fondest memories in my career.
Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace." -- Eddie Van Halen

"It is always hard to lose a friend. I will miss Michael and all that he brought to the world through his music and his creative genius. I know that his legend will live on and that the world will miss him dearly." -- Smokey Robinson

"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. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him." -- John Landis

"I am shocked and saddened by Michael's passing. I, along with his millions of fans, looked forward to seeing him tour one more time. Now, may he rest in peace." -- Tina Turner

"He really went to the fringe with MTV his videos of "Beat it", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" were state of the art cutting edge videos that it was not just that he had hits all of his life from his childhood but he also was at the cutting edge , whether it was with his moonwalk, whether it was with those videos that really brought MTV to the fore. He was the main reason MTV emerged as a major pop culture force... He (Jackson) would be remembered as one of the major artists like an Elvis, like Frank Sinatra uh...who emerged as a major pop cultural force." -- Clive Davis

"I am having a million reactions. When I think of him, I think of this young boy, this teenager I first met ... He was a great teenager, optimistic and adorable." -- Cher

"Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt sorrow upon hearing the new of Michael Jackson's passing. I was blessed to be able to work with, and witness first hand, his tremendous talent and growth through the years as he truly became an icon. Today we have all lost a legend who has touched each of our lives through his music and showmanship over the past five decades." -- Paula Abdul

"We lost a great entertainer and a pop icon. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson's family, friends and fans." -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Rest In Peace Mike. People can say what they want but you were 100% original. WE will always love , miss & remember your GREATNESS." -- Ice T

"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." -- Madonna

"I can't stop crying; this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family." -- Diana Ross

'Thriller' was the first album I ever bought with my own money. Michael Jackson was truly a pioneer." -- Joe Nichols

"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama. Michael did with music what they later did in sports and in politics and in television. And no controversy will erase the historic impact." -- Reverend Al Sharpton.

"I remember being a kid, my brother and I dancing to "Dancing Machine." It was one of our first records when we were little, trying to robot and stuff. And watching their cartoon. They were huge. Michael just -- there'll never be anyone like him. He just introduced us to the world, just an international megastar. And a heart of gold. And just, you know, brought attention to things going on around the world and to being an African American man. All these people, in every country, they were just crying, happy to see him and dressing like him, people of every nationality and culture. Just an amazing human being from an amazing family. I just feel for his family. Sudden death is never easy to deal with. You can't wrap your mind around it..." -- Queen Latifah

"I feel like his music will never die and his spirit will never die, because he influenced so many if us. He gave us a lot of hope that we feel like we can be big. He was very inspiring and up close and personal with his fans. That to me was special. That's one of the things that I loved about Mike. When I got a chance to meet him, that's the feeling and spirit that I got from him." -- Snoop Dogg

"I called Diana Ross in New York and told her it was true. She had to get off the phone. My phone [was] ringing off the hook, I had to shut it off for sometime." She later added: "It's been a heavy loss ... and the hope is that we all remember time is fleeting and we have to stay close." -- Debbie Allen

"I will remember Michael Jackson as the kid that overcame, as the mesmerizing, moon-walking worldwide artist. He was forced to fill shoes that must have been crippling to walk in, but yet MJ found a reason and a way to dance in them like no one on earth." -- Rodney Adkins

"I am heartbroken. 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 his 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." -- Mariah Carey

"God gave him a gift. When Michael was in the studio ... he was dancing and singing at the same time around the mic. I had never seen anybody dance, maybe I did a bit of head-bopping myself, but I was trying to save all my breath to sing. Michael was dancing for real and singing at the same time. He comes out, he's sweating and said 'James, am I singing all right?' I said, 'Michael, you killed it, you can sing anyway you want to.' Man, I loved that brother." -- James Ingram

"This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day. 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. He will always be the King of Pop! Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away. For anyone who has ever seen, felt or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you, Michael." -- Beyonce

"He was larger than life. He's an artist that has had an impact on every other artist, consciously or subconsciously. Musically, he helped to change the world, and his records will live on forever." -- Miranda Lambert

"Michael Jackson was one of the most talented and dynamic performer/singer/songwriters I ever had the pleasure of working with, he was amazing. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding his personal life in recent years overshadowed his unparalleled contributions to the music world, which is a tragedy in and of itself. But his music will live on forever no matter what and his memory will be adored and admired for years to come." -- Slash

My heart...my mind...are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and can't imagine life without him." -- Elizabeth Taylor

"Teaching [my daughter] Owen about Michael Jackson right now, playing all these amazing songs. She's 3 1/2 and she loves it. Amazing, life changing music." -- Michelle Branch

"His was a rare talent that we witness once in a lifetime. One who makes such an indelible mark that for generations singers and dancers attribute him as inspiration. I had the great privilege of watching him every night doing what he did best -- entertain. I am grateful to have known him for the two years I worked for him, and will mourn his loss with his many millions of fans across the world." -- Sheryl Crow

"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." -- MC Hammer

"This loss has deeply saddened me! It is with a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you, Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family, particularly Michael's mother, children, and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for him, and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer, who in so many ways transcended the culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten." -- Usher

"My Jackson was my musical god. He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music, he can live forever!" -- Wyclef Jean

"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." -- Brooke Shields

"As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years, he was an innovator, he was genius at what he did. He had a knowingness about him." -- Berry Gordy, Jr.

"I am so grateful to have worked with the King. He was a gift to the world, he is a bright light and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow." -- Will.I.Am

"Michael Jackson, and the talented family-members he leaves behind, represented the pride and promise of generations of people around the globe. His dedication to humanitarian issues, including helping to raise untold millions of dollars to alleviate poverty and hunger, showed us that he understood how to use his fame to advocate for equality and freedom worldwide. Michael's compassion and vision for a better world extended beyond recording studios and arena stages." -- NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous

"Michael Jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings." -- Miley Cyrus

"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." -- Liza Minelli

"If it were not for Micheal Jackson I would not be where or who I am today.His Music and Legacy will live on Forever.Prayers to the famR.I.P." -- Ludacris

"I personally can't believe it. But it's more unfortunate for the world of music.... My love goes out to his family.... A sad day in history, not [just] music." -- Lil Wayne

"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." -- Lisa Marie Presley

"I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!" -- Britney Spears

"The news of the passing of Michael Jackson comes as a heartbreaking shock for me. Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that i fortunately had the pleasure of working with. ... he will live on in my memory and most definitely through the music he shared with so many." -- Dionne Warwick

"The thing that went through my mind was that he lived so big. He just worked it so hard. He was such a big imagination. He danced, he sang, he pushed so hard to entertain us. He was so driven that it was really amazing. I think the best thing that Michael will leave is his ability to captivate people. He captivated us." -- Rev Run

"I was on my way from Poland to Berlin following a show. At 1 A.M. I got the news and was immediately saddened. I remembered being six years old and seeing the Jackson 5 on our black and white TV. His brothers were cool but he had a halo around him. Superstar at 12. What promise. He had magic! It was by chance that I recorded and rearranged his song 'Billie Jean' and have been amazed at the response it gets when I perform it every night. He was amazingly talented and largely misunderstood. I hope that the media will be kind and celebrate the genius instead of cashing in on the tabloid angles that made him a prisoner. I think he deserves that." -- Chris Cornell

"Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented." -- Russell Simmons

"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." -- Justin Timberlake

"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!" -- Diddy

"He was just a fabulous guy. Phenomenal. I watched him as a kid and I was like, 'Man, he works very hard.' His music was incredible. Everybody from Chris Brown to everybody who started dancing -- he influenced all of that." -- Timbaland

"A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss, as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player." -- John Mayer

"Thank you for everything, Mike." -- Kanye West