LIFE - Stars Remember Michael Jackson

Madonna: 'I Can't Stop Crying'

Mon, 25 Mar 1991 03:00:00 EST

Among the many stars who remembered Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, the day of his shocking death, was fellow pop icon Madonna (pictured with Jackson at an Oscars after-party in 1991). "I can't stop crying over the sad news," she said in a statement to People.com. "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." Click through the gallery to read more tributes from Jackson's famous friends.

Elizabeth Taylor: 'Such Loving Fun'

Wed, 01 Jan 1986 03:00:00 EST

"My heart … my mind are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him," Taylor, 77, said in a statement Friday. "We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together...." (Continuing reading Taylor's loving tribute on the next page)

Elizabeth Taylor: 'The Purest, Most Giving Love I've Ever Known'

Sat, 16 Mar 2002 03:00:00 EST

"I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest, most giving love I've ever known. Oh God! I'm going to miss him. I can't yet imagine life with out him. I guess with God’s help ... I'll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself, which says, 'To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.' And, I will love HIM forever." -- Elizabeth Taylor

Lisa Marie Presley: 'Every Emotion Possible'

Thu, 08 Sep 1994 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley (kissing Jackson at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1994)

Justin Timberlake: 'We Have Lost a Genius'

Fri, 07 Sep 2001 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- Justin Timberlake (performing with Jackson at a 30th anniversary tribute show at Madison Square Garden, 2001)

Brooke Shields: 'Overcome With Sadness'

Mon, 16 Jan 1984 03:00:00 EST

"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." -- Brooke Shields (with Jackson, whom she briefly dated, at the American Music Awards in 1984)

Diana Ross: 'Unable to Imagine This'

Fri, 30 Jan 1981 03:00:00 EST

"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

Sheryl Crow: 'I Am Grateful to Have Known Him'

Sun, 01 May 1988 03:00:00 EDT

"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 2 years I worked for him and will mourn his loss with his many millions of fans across the world." -- Sheryl Crow (in concert with Jackson in 1988)

Britney Spears: 'I Was So Excited to See His Show in London'

Fri, 07 Sep 2001 03:00:00 EDT

"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 (performing with Jackson at the 30th anniversary tribute concert in 2001)

Quincy Jones: 'I've Lost My Little Brother Today'

Tue, 28 Feb 1984 03:00:00 EST

"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 '80s. 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 (celebrating a big night at the Grammys for "Thriller," 1984)

Jane Fonda: 'I Am Stunned'

Fri, 25 Feb 1983 03:00:00 EST

"I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson is dead. He lived with me for a week on the 'Golden Pond' set after 'Thriller.' " -- Jane Fonda, via Twitter

Beyonce: 'He Was Magic'

Mon, 27 Oct 2003 03:00:00 EST

"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!" -- Beyonce (presenting a humanitarian award to Jackson in 2003)

Paul McCartney: 'Massively Talented Boy-Man'

Sun, 12 Jan 2003 03:00:00 EST

"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." -- Paul McCartney (at the BPI Awards in 1984 with Jackson, Pete Townsend, and Kim Wilde)

Cher: 'A Million Reactions'

Sun, 20 Mar 1983 03:00:00 EST

"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

Usher: 'His Legacy Is Unparalleled'

Tue, 11 Sep 2001 03:00:00 EDT

"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 (comparing moves with Jackson at the 30th anniversary tribute concert)

Marey Carey: 'My Prayers Go Out'

Sun, 21 Oct 2001 03:00:00 EDT

"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 (backing up Michael Jackson in 2001), via Twitter

Jon Mayer: 'Dazed'

Tue, 19 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- John Mayer, via Twitter

The Reverends Remember

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 03:00:00 EST

"We are out of our joy. He is out of his pain.... He was constantly challenged in the press and all he really wanted to be was the greatest entertainer and he was that." -- Rev. Jesse Jackson"We thought we'd see him moonwalk one more time." -- Rev. Al Sharpton, outside the Apollo theater

Diddy: 'He Made Me Believe in Magic'

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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, via Twitter

Miley Cyrus: 'My Inspiration'

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings" -- Miley Cyrus, via Twitter

Russell Simmons: 'Cultural Hero'

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

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

Martin Scorsese: 'Like Watching Quicksilver in Motion'

Fri, 15 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- Martin Scorsese, who directed the video for "Bad"

Dick Clark: 'His Talent Will Never Be Matched'

Sat, 20 Apr 2002 03:00:00 EDT

"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. He was truly one-of-a-kind." --Dick Clark

Lindsay Lohan: 'OMG'

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"NO OMG ... sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family ... i feel sick.." -- Lindsay Lohan, via Twitter

LL Cool J: 'One of My Childhood Idols'

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

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

Arnold Schwarzengger: 'Great Entertainer'

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

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

Celine Dion: 'It Feels Like When Kennedy Died'

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:00:00 EST

"I am shocked. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life.He was not only a talented person but he was unique – a genius. It's such a loss. It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis died. My sympathy goes to the family. It's a big loss and it's not even sinking in right now." -- Celine Dion

Ne-Yo: 'Will Live Forever'

Thu, 14 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"Michael Jackson will live forever through the thing that he put all of his life energy into: his music. ... Long live Michael Jackson." -- Ne-Yo

Joe Pesci: 'A Fun Kid'

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:00:00 EDT

"He was a fun kid and did so much. He always reinvented himself time and time again and certainly was a great entertainer and dancer and great to watch with all that energy." -- Joe Pesci

Paris Hilton: 'Just at My House'

Thu, 21 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"Michael and his kids were just at my house a few months ago, I can't believe I will never see him again. He was such a kind and gentle soul. Love you Michael, you will truly be missed by the entire world. Your music will live on forever, truly timeless and iconic. Miss you :(" -- Paris Hilton, via Twitter

Questlove: 'The MJ I Will Forever Remember'

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- Questlove of the Roots, via Twitter

Steven Spielberg: 'Never Be Anyone Comparable'

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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."

Ludacris: 'Live on Forever'

Wed, 06 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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, via Twitter

Ellen DeGeneres: 'His Music Changed Our Lives'

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:00:00 EDT

"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." -- Ellen DeGeneres, via Twitter

Ashton Kutcher: 'Sending Love and Light'

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:00:00 EST

"Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids." -- Ashton Kutcher, via Twitter

Wyclef Jean: 'God Bless Him'

Thu, 07 May 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"Michael Jackson was my musical god. He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music, he can live forever! I love Michael Jackson. God bless him."--Wyclef Jean, musician

Samantha Ronson: 'R.I.P. Mr. Jackson'

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:00 EST

"His music is just as relevant now as it was the day they pressed record, I'm sure it will remain so for generations to come. R.I.P.Mr Jackson." -- celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson

Eddie Van Halen: 'Michael Will be Missed'

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:00:00 EDT

"I am really shocked, as I am 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." --Guitarist Eddie Van Halen

Ice-T: 'You Were 100% Original'

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"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, via Twitter

Mark Hoppus: 'First Album I Ever Bought'

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

"first album i ever bought was thriller. with birthday money. on cassette. for my brand new sony walkman. truth. rest in peace." -- Mark Hoppus of blink-182, via Twitter

Whitney Houston's Simple Statement

Thu, 10 Mar 1988 03:00:00 EST

"I am full of grief." -- Whitney Houston