Larry King speaks about Michael Jackson's death at 50 years old.

Michael Jacksons brand of pop knew no borders and needed no translation, linking listeners around the world through the accessible corridors of rhythm, beat, and dance. And as reaction to his sudden death began to pour in Friday, its extent underscored how far his influence had spread.
Skip to next paragraph
Multimedia
Fans React to Jackson's DeathSlide Show
Fans React to Jackson's Death
Michael Jacksons CareerSlide Show
Michael Jacksons Career
Related
Bits: Michael Jackson Tops the Charts on Twitter
ArtsBeat Blog: Latest Updates on Jacksons Death (June 25, 2009)
An Appraisal: Tricky Steps From Boy to Superstar (June 26, 2009)
Shock and Grief Over Jacksons Death (June 26, 2009)
Comment Share Your Thoughts and Photos

From Sydney to Hong Kong, China to Los Angeles, fans spoke of their shock and sadness. His music echoed from cafes and car speakers, and everyone from national leaders on down seemed to weigh in.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez called the stars death lamentable news, though he criticized the media for giving it so much attention. Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who had met Mr. Jackson, said: We lost a hero of the world.

In Paris, fans planned a memorial moonwalk at the Eiffel Tower for Sunday, and a ceremony in his honor to be held at the 13th-century Notre Dame cathedral Friday night.

Fans lit candles at a spontaneous gathering in Hong Kong, while in the Philippines, a dance tribute was planned for a prison in Cebu, where Byron Garcia, a security consultant, had 1,500 inmates join in a synchronized dance to the Thriller video.

My heart is heavy because my idol died, he said.Online, the traffic was so thick with people sharing news of his death that the microblogging service Twitter crashed, and even Google, the search giant, believed it may have been under service attack, the BBC reported.

The former Philippine first lady, Imelda Marcos, said she cried on hearing the news.

Michael Jackson enriched our lives, made us happy, she said in a statement. The accusations, the persecution caused him so much financial and mental anguish. He was vindicated in court, but the battle took his life. There is probably a lesson here for all of us.Quincy Jones, who worked closely with Jackson on some of his most successful recordings, led tributes from the music world.

I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news, he said of one of the first black entertainers of the MTV generation to gain a big crossover following.

The film directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg also paid tribute. Mr. Scorsese told MTV.com: 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 hes no longer with us.

Mr. Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly: 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.

Fellow singer Celine Dion said in a statement, I am shocked. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life.

Mr. Jackson had been scheduled to begin a comeback tour in London next month, and fans there gathered to mourn. Ben Bradshaw, the culture secretary, issued a statement to announce his grief in which he said he was a long-time fan of Michael Jackson and had Billie Jean played as the first dance at his civil partnership, the Guardian reported.

Bands playing at the open-air Glastonbury Festival this weekend were expected to pay homage to Jacksons musical achievements, and a tribute show featuring Mr. Jacksons songs, Thriller Live, was to go forward as planned on Londons West End.

Matthew Saltmarsh contributed reporting from Paris.
Sign in to Recommend More Articles in World »

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Michael
• Jackson
• is
• dead
• died
• death

[honeysucklejasmine]

On the contrary it was extremely easy to love him and if I ever had the chance to embrace him I wouldn't have let go. Miss & love you more every day Michael.

[chansherly212]

i totally agree with larry, there was solid proof about his talent and his generosity, there's doubt about those accusations, and the negativity which the media only gained from

[al18631963]

@nishaboston You are right....... for all those haters hating michael they just wish they had the ounce of talent,skill and knowlegde that michael had....you haters need to stop right now!!!!!!!

[al18631963]

@nishaboston Micheal jackson was the man!!!!! Regardless about his life style.....He changed the world with his music.....Nuff said!!!!!

[AleezaChocolat]

LOL who is that stranger bitch interviewing Larry King. Every question she asked was quite passive-aggressive, and the man had JUST passed away. Give it a rest, damn.

[1tonykirk]

See a different Larry King ... "Conspiracy of Silence" on You Tube.

A special made for the Discovery Channel that never aired.

BTW, Michael was framed and assassinated.

[vicious321]

So Larry King was actually pro Michael, I thought he didn't like Michael Jackson. Tell me who's not sad hearing Michael's passing in the show business, unless they are devils or just jealous bunch. Michael should rly still be here with us had he not isolating himself from his family and true friends. Sad Sad Sad.

[TerrellWalkerMusick]

this ignorant person larry king is the problem with the world fake ass western media and yall talk about mj being wierd lol! this is the weird you all should worried about these backstavbber s

[cierragarcia34]

hear about this all the timei go over it angin because I am a fan too i miss him so much too think he know about that too and i think about this all the time too and i think too why is a ht

[jazzythegreatest]

@nishaboston We do it because we can fucktard.

[28847dd]

@Nazz53 lol ur right!

[rwilliams2290]

oops, he inspired the charities and if u were for truth u would know the real culprits that stole the funds, but i suppose u r more interested in destroying someone whose light out shines yours.