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Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades, died on Thursday. We invite you to share your thoughts and memories of Michael and the way he changed pop music.  Just Click the “Comments” link right below.  Once you’ve posted your comment, use your browser ‘Back’ button to return to the MJ Tribute page.

Celine Dion:
“It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis Presley died; we are not only talking about a talented person dying, it’s an amazing loss.”

Uri Geller (close friend and psychic):
“I’m still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us.”

Rapper Ice-T:
“Rest In Peace Mike. People can say what they want but you were 100 per cent original. We will always love, miss and remember your greatness.”

Brooke Shields:
“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.”

Russell Simmons:
“Michael Jackson was my generation’s most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He’ll be missed greatly.”

John Mayer:
“I think we’ll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.” and “I truly hope he is memorialized as the ‘83 moonwalking, MTV owning, mesmerizing, unstoppable, invincible Michael Jackson.”

Rev. Al Sharpton:
“A friend of Michael’s for the last 35 years, I call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour.”

Ashton Kutcher:
“Rip. Sending love and light to family and friends but especially his kids.”

Elizabeth Taylor (through staff):
“Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger:
“We lost a great entertainer and a pop icon. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson’s family, friends and fans.”

Dick Clark:
“Michael Jackson was THE MOST OUTSTANDING of any entertainer.”

Donna Summer:
“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.”

Madonna:
“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.”

Justin Timberlake:
“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 and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Jamie Foxx:
“You cannot say enough about what he has given to us musically and culturally. We take for granted people like him. … All he wanted to do was give us great music and that’s what he did. Every single day was dedicated to us. … I’ll tell you this. Seeing him in concert in 1983, the Victory concert with his brothers, to watch people faint in the audience. Grown men fainting. Women fainting just because he was that dynamic…all you can say is that you hope we put our arms around his family.”

Steven Spielberg:
“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.”

Martin Scorcese (Director of Bad Video):
“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.”

Usher:
“This loss has deeply saddened me, 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 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.”

Liza Minelli:
“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.”

Lisa-Marie Presley:
“I am completely shocked and saddened by Michael’s death. My heart goes out to his children and his family.”

Smokey Robinson:
“It’s so shocking. Michael was a gregarious prankster, but so advanced for his age talent-wise. He was watching everybody and learning all the time. He was a typical young boy too. One of my fondest memories is of him riding the golf carts when Bobby Taylor, who brought the Jackson 5 to Motown, and I played golf.”?Though controversy dogged the latter half of Jackon’s career, “the world is mourning the loss of his talent, and people will miss his music.”

Britney Spears:
“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!” 

Brooke Shields:
“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.”

Will.I.Am (who was working with Michael on his comeback album):
“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.”

Ellen DeGeneres:
“So sad to hear about Michael Jackson. His music changed our lives. The world has lost an amazing singer and dancer. I will miss him.”

Ne-Yo:
“Michael Jackson will live forever through the thing that he put all of his life energy into: his music. I will do my part to keep the melody alive, to keep the energy forever changing form, but never ever dying! Long live Michael Jackson.”

Gloria Estefan:
“The two great losses that we experienced today can only be balanced by the beautiful things they left behind for us on this earth. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson will forever live in my heart as unforgettable and eternal.”

John Landis (Director of Thriller):
“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.”

Kelly Clarkson:
“Someone pinch me! RIP Michael. My thoughts and wishes go out to his family. We’ll always love you Michael!”

Mariah Carey:
“I am heart broken. 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.”

Eddie Van Halen, who played guitar on “Beat It”:
“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.”

 
John Landis, director of “Thriller” and “Black and White” Videos:
“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.”

 
Elizabeth Taylor, long time close friend ‘too devastated’ to comment - here’s a statement from her publicist:
“Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time.”

Cory Feldman:
“I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, 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.”

Alice Cooper:
“Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that’s saying a lot.  He was the Fred Astaire of his time.  We had Vincent Price in common — I used him first on “Welcome To My Nightmare” in 1975, and he later used him on “Thriller.”  Nobody moved like Michael, he was truly the King of Pop.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger:
“We lost a great entertainer and a pop icon. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson’s family, friends and fans.”

Diddy:
“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!”

John Mayer:
“Dazed in the studio. 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.”

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

Whitney Houston:
“I am full of grief”

Quincy Jones, Producer of “Thriller” Album:
“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.”

Miley “Hannah Montana” Cyrus (via Twitter):
“Michael Jackson was my inspiration. Love and blessings”

Ludacris (via Twitter):
“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.”

MC Hammer (via Twitter):
“I have no words.. I loved Michael Jackson.. RIP..”

Kelly Rowland (via Twitter):
“Michael you left such a legacy on this earth, have touched SO MANY!!! We thank you for such a driving inspiration in music & our lives!! This has got to be one of the saddest days in music history!! Michael Rest In Peace! WE miss you!”

Star Jones (via Twitter):
“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument.” He IS and WAS the greatest entertainer of all times…Peace to you brother.”

Lindsay Lohan (via Twitter):
“NO OMG … sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family … I feel sick..”

Pete Wentz (via Twitter):
“Prayers and thoughts with Michael Jackson … I haven’t hoped in so long that news isn’t true.”

Kim Kardashian (via Twitter):
“Wow I am truly in shock that Michael Jackson has passed away! I love u Jackson family, my prayers are with the whole family!”

Ashton Kutcher (via Twitter):
“R.I.P.  Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids.”

Check out this video of Michael performing with the Jackson 5 on Ed Sullivan in 1970:

Michael Jackson moonwalked his way thru Billie Jean on live TV at the Motown 25 Event - a performance still talked about today.

August 29, 1958:  Michael Jackson is born in Gary Indiana, the 7th of 9 Jackson children.

1964:  At the age of 6, Michael joins his brothers’ band.

1968:  The Jackson Five signs with Motown records.  Their first four singles go to #1.

1970:  Michael has his first #1 solo hit with “Ben” 

1979:  With Quincy Jones as producer, Jackson releases his “Off the Wall” album and it sells 10 million copies.  The biggest hit on the album is “Don’t Stop ’til you Get Enough”

1982:  The ‘Thriller’ album is released and went on to become the biggest selling album of all time.  7 of the 9 songs on the album go to #1.  No future album release from Michael would come close to this success.

1983:  Michael’s legendary ‘Moonwalking’  performance on ‘Motown: 25′

1984: Michael’s scalp is burned after a pyrotechnics accident while filming a Pepsi commercial.  He also wins a bidding war with Paul McCartney for rights to the most popular Beatles songs.

1987:  Michael releases his follow up album, Bad.  It spawns 5 #1 singles and sells 8 Million copies.  ‘Skin Bleaching’ rumors begin over his noticably lighter appearance in the ‘Bad’ video.

1988:  Michael purchases the land and home that would become his ‘Neverland’ theme park.

1993:  Jackson reveals to Oprah Winfrey that his skin tone issues are a result of Vitiligo skin disorder.  First child molestation accusation from an 11-year old boy.  Jackson settles out of court for a reported $20 Million.

1994:  In what was widely believed as a publicity stunt to help repair his image, Michael marries Lisa-Marie Presley.  They would divorce just over a year later.

1997:  Michael marries again, this time to his nurse, Debbi Rowe.  They have two children and eventually divorce.  She relinquishes all parental rights to him.

2001:  Jackson’s next album, “Invincible” is released.  It debuts at #1 but fades fast and sells 2 million copies.

2002:  Michael famously dangles his son over a hotel balcony in Germany.

2003:  Jackson reveals in a documentary that he has ‘innocent sleepovers’ with children sharing his bed.  Law enforcement officers raid Neverland and charge him with child molestation.

2005:  Jackson acquitted of all charges.  He leaves Neverland, never to return - and moves his family out of the U.S.

2008:  Jackson announces his comeback and signs on for 50 London shows starting in July, 2009.  Tickets for all shows sell out within hours.

6-25-2009:  The day after rehearsing for his upcoming concerts, Michael is rushed to an LA hospital in cardiac arrest.  He is prounounced dead several hours later.