Mourning Michael Jackson: Love and Admiration, Shock and Anguish

Friends, family and fellow artists have nothing but the utmost praise for the late King of Pop

No one—and we mean no one—was ready for this. But the tributes to Michael Jackson, the pioneering pop-rock artist who died today at the tragically premature age of 50, started pouring in immediately.

And the flood isn't likely to dissipate anytime soon, as evidenced merely by the throngs of fans who lined the street outside UCLA Medical Center, where the King of Pop was pronounced dead shortly after suffering a massive heart attack.

Lisa Marie Presley, whose short marriage to Jackson in the early 1990s was far more notable for its randomness than for the mingling of two of rock's greatest families, says she is "completely shocked and saddened" by his death.

"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," Presley said.

Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's seminal album Thriller, "We Are the World" and many more hits, was one of the first to publicly react to his longtime friend and colleague's passing.

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," the 76-year-old mogul said. "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."

Added John Landis, who directed Jackson's landmark "Thriller" video and recently had tangled with the artists over rights to the 1983 project: "I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime.

"He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gift, he remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him."

But though "Thriller," at 14 minutes," is remembered as the most pioneering of Jackson's musical narratives, the Martin Scorsese-directed video for "Bad" clocked in at 18 minutes.

"Michael Jackson was extraordinary," the Oscar winner said in a statement Thursday. "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," Scorsese said.

Fellow cinematic luminary Steven Spielberg, a longtime friend of Jackson, is also mourning the loss, telling EW.com:

"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."

Motown honcho Barry Gordy, who shepherded the Jackson 5 to stardom in the 1970s, said that losing Jackson, who was like a son to him, is "like a bad dream."

"I am shocked beyond words," the record exec said. "It's like a dream—a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here?

"As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible...I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities. 

"When he was not on stage, he was loving, respectful and shy.  When he WAS on stage, he was so in charge you would not believe he was the same person. Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. He was exceptional, artistic and original.  He gave the world his heart and soul through his music."

A rep for fellow Motown icon Stevie Wonder said that the singer "is not available for any comment for the time being. He is emotionally distraught and chose to be quiet right now."

Jackson was a 13-time Grammy winner, and his impact on the entire industry did not go unnoticed by the Recording Academy, which gave the artist its Living Legend Award in 1992.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," Academy president Neil Portnow said in a statement.

"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."

Kenny Ortega, the High School Music director who was helming Jackson's scheduled 50-concert comeback in London, found it all "too much to comprehend."

"Michael was a dear friend and a consummate professional," the director-choreographer said. "This was the most exciting collaboration of my life with a man who has inspired me like no other. He will be deeply missed. I am terribly sad.

"We had a 25 year friendship...This was the world's greatest performer and the world will miss him. My heart goes out to his family and fans."

Soul chanteuse Dionne Warwick, who sang on "We Are the World" with Jackson, called him "a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with.

"We have lost an icon in our industry."

Will.i.am, who collaborated with Jackson on the digitally remastered Thriller 25 last year, says how grateful he is for the opportunity to work with the artist.

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

(Originally published June 25, 2009, at 4:05 p.m. PT)