MusicRadar

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

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Brian May: "Hard to know what to say - what to feel. I find myself wondering what might have happened on his tour... The number of dates in the UK that he had committed to was insane. I did have a feeling it was impossible, but I was so shocked to hear that he went so suddenly. Very sad.

"Of course, I still think of him as a boy - he used to come and see us (Queen) play when we were on tour in the States, and he and Freddie [Mercury] became close friends, close enough to record a couple of tracks together at Michael's house. Tracks which have never seen the light of day... It was Michael who heard our track Another One Bites The Dust when he came to see us on The Game tour ... and told us we were mad if we didn't release it as a single."

Rikki Rockett (Poison): "Michael Jackson - huge loss!!!The words genius and musical are used in the same sentence too often. Not in the case of Michael Jackson. His musical expression will never be topped and his inspiration will live forever. R.I.P."

Calvin Harris: "I can't believe it, Michael Jackson rest in peace. Prince and Michael where I come from was our Elvis and Beatles..show sum Respect!!!" (via Twitter)

Nile Rodgers: "It's devastating to me. I don't quite get it. I just don't understand how a person who is younger than I was and to me still had a lot to give the world, is no longer here. I still haven't really digested it."

RIAA President Neil Portnow: "Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim.

"A 13-time GRAMMY recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss."

Michael (left) with his brothers in the Jackson 5

Russell Simmons, founder of Def-Jam Records: "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly."

"The world has lost a genius" Justin Timberlake

The Roots' ?uestlove: "i know we make light of me never getting sleep and overworking. but i'll say that he didn't go in vein. i will do my best to slow down as to not overwork myself to the point in which i can't even enjoy life anymore. im am devastated over this but we all have memories.

"i just hope that he will get due justice in all the press memorials and whatnot. i know he was mired in controversy the last decade of his life but i think its time we let him rest in peace and learn to separate the ART and the ARTIST – that is the MJ i will forever remember." (via Twitter)

Jackson in the era of Thriller

LL Cool J: "Peace to the King. He was one of my childhood idols. I salute you King of Pop. You made the whole world moonwalk together."

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