“I am trying to find closure, I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center. I am there in my heart.
I have decided to pause and be silent. This feels right for me. Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express.
Michael wanted me to be there for his children, and I will be there if they ever they need me. I hope, today brings closure for all those who loved him. Thank you Katherine and Joe for sharing your son with the world and with me. I send my love and condolences to the Jackson family.”
Diana Ross – singer
(Read by Smokey Robinson at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service)
Diana Ross and Michael Jackson New York City, Sept. 28, 1977
“He was the greatest entertainer of all time, bottom line – there’s no one who can compare to him, there’s no one who’s had over 40 years of music in them from a child on up to being a 50-year-old and about to go on a world tour”
“Michael Jackson will be remembered, most likely, as a shattered icon, a pop genius who wound up a mutant of fame. That’s not who I will remember, however. His mixture of mystery, isolation, indulgence, overwhelming global fame, and personal loneliness was intimately known to me. For twenty years I observed every aspect, and as easy as it was to love Michael – and to want to protect him – his sudden death yesterday seemed almost fated.”
“He was one of, if not THE greatest entertainer of all time, and was without question the ‘King of Pop.’ He was also my friend. He recorded a song of mine on his 1979 Off The Wall album and in 1981 we sang a duet together. We spent a considerable amount of time together in 2001 at my home music studio and I saw him in a totally different light – as a nurturing and caring father. I was so honored that he dedicated that album to me. My heart and prayers are with his family, his three children, my friend Elizabeth Taylor, and all us who are mourning the premature loss of his very precious life.”
Carole Bayer Sager - songwriter, singer
Michael Jackson dedicated the Invincible album to Carole Bayer Sager
“I am really shocked and deeply saddened, 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.”
“Being a huge fan, I was – of course – extremely nervous to meet him. Michael was unquestionably eccentric, but to my surprise, he was warm, curious, amusing, and un-temperamental. I was particularly struck by how this legendary megastar became just another affectionate, playful, protective big brother whenever Janet was around.
I took the opportunity to chat with him between takes and he always skewed the conversation away from himself. He asked about my childhood, my favorite films, if I knew how to swim, my religion, etc. My mother visited the set, and Michael immediately charmed her, asking her to hold his jacket while he filmed, giving her a warm hug and kiss as he left the set each day. My mom felt like she had a new best friend. The chance to experience the phenomenon of his gift from only a few feet away was the treat of a lifetime. Over those ten days of filming, I felt like I had the single greatest job in the world. And I think, perhaps, I actually did. I’m sorry his life became so horrendously complicated. As a person, he didn’t actually seem that complicated to me.”
“Whenever I saw Michael Jackson he seemed to be so fragile and overwhelmed by the circumstances that he had to deal with in his life. My own experience with the corrosive effects of fame and lack of anonymity made me view his circumstances with alot of compassion. I got to know Michael when he was just a boy around 10 years old working with the Jackson Five. My good friend, Bill Cosby use to pick up the Jackson kids on many Sundays to take them to play basketball. When I wasn’t playing for UCLA I would always join them for this Sunday tradition. The Jacksons have always been my supportive friends and my thoughts and prayers are with the family as they mourn their loss.
Michael’s star will continue to shine forever because his talent was stupendous and made him the most well-known entertainer of the late 20th Century. I hope Michael can finally rest in peace.”
“I am very sad. No one will be able to replace him. But I know that the light that he emanated from the stage will live on with all of us who saw him for what he was and always will be – a great teacher, pure musical inspiration.”
