Hundreds of people rushed to UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles as reports began emerging of the death of singing legend Michael Jackson.
Fans of all ages gathered at the hospital to show their support and await news of the 50-year-old entertainer.
Television vans converged on the centre, while news helicopters circled above. Police officers arrived to keep the growing crowds back.
Some of the fans were silent, while others climbed on fences to try to get a better view.
As Jackson's death was confirmed, many broke down in tears and embraced each other.
"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," fan Tonya Blazer, 50, told Reuters news agency.
"I grew up with his music. I used to wear Michael Jackson T-shirts every day to school," another unidentified fan told US broadcaster CBS. Fan cries outside UCLA medical centre Many fans were in tears as reports of the singer's death emerged
"At my work I was the Michael Jackson freak! I loved him so much. I don't know what to say. I'm just really sad. I think I'm going to start crying."
Groups also gathered outside Jackson's home near Bel Air, from where he was rushed to hospital around midday local time on Thursday.
Melanie Bromley, west coast bureau chief of Us Weekly magazine, spoke of "pandemonium" in the city.
"There is complete disbelief and confusion at the moment. His death came from nowhere," she said.
'Always remember'
In New York, passers-by learnt the news when it was flashed up on a big screen in Times Square.
Some expressed sorrow and shock, while others took out their phones to call friends.
"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said 18-year-old Nicole Smith. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."
Everyone engaged with his brilliant songs, which, coupled with incredible superhuman dancing, made him such a great performer Katie Dailey
New Yorker Michael Harris received the news by text message.
"It's like when Kennedy was assassinated," he told the Associated Press news agency. "I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."
At Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, mourners left flowers and small gifts on the porch.
Mayor Rudy Clay described him as the "world's greatest entertainer". "Our hearts are heavy, heavy here," he said.
'Amazing music'
As Friday dawned, fans across the Asia-Pacific region awoke to the reports of the singer's death.
In Japan and Australia, broadcasters interrupted scheduled programming to report the news. outh Korean fan as saying.
In the UK, thousands of fans heard the news late on Thursday at the Glastonbury music festival in Somerset.
Some stalls played Jackson's hits as the news spread through the crowds by mobile phone and word of mouth.
"I'm devastated because I grew up with him," said Ellen Hartley, 23, from Nottingham, who said her parents introduced her to Jackson's music.
"There might be a lot of bad press about him, but in the end I view him as having amazing music," she said.
Katie Dailey, 27, from London, was among those looking forward to seeing him get back on stage at the O2 Arena next month.
"Everyone engaged with his brilliant songs, which, coupled with incredible superhuman dancing, made him such a great performer.
"That made it more sad when he lost his abilities. Everyone desperately hoped that during that series of concerts he'd get them back."
. . . .
The legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson passed away on Thursday June 25th 2009 at 2.26pm. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home.
MADONNA, SINGER "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I've always admired Michael Jackson - the world has lost one of its greats, but his music will live on forever.
"My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
CELINE DION, SINGER "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."
URI GELLER, FRIEND Uri Geller says his friend Michael Jackson 'went through hell'
"I'm just devastated, very, very sad. I pray that his soul is up there now. I'm still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us.
"Michael was in good shape because he was practising, he was training, he was rehearsing for the shows. Michael was careful with what he ate, he was just fine. Last time I heard of what he was doing, he was in great shape. And this is why I'm so absolutely shocked by this news."
CHER, SINGER "I'm having a million different reactions I didn't expect I would feel.
"He was a great singer - God gives you certain gifts, and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability. He could sing like nobody else and he was able to connect with people."
QUINCY JONES, MUSIC PRODUCER "I'm absolutely devastated at this news. I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we could do through the 80s.
"To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all - talent, grace and professionalism. I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him." LISA MARIE PRESLEY, JACKSON'S EX-WIFE Michaal Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley The couple married in 1994
"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." REV AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER "As a friend of Michael's for the past 35 years, I call on people from around the world to pray for him and his family."
P DIDDY, SINGER "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."
JANE FONDA, ACTRESS "I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson, is dead. He lived with me for a week on the 'Golden Pond' set after Thriller.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR "He was one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry.
"Our hearts go out to the Jackson family, Michael's children and to his fans worldwide."
USHER, SINGER "My heart goes out to the King of Pop and his family."
PAUL GAMBACCINI, MUSIC JOURNALIST Paul Gambaccini: "Michael Jackson was the greatest showman we had ever seen"
"Definitely one of the greatest stars of recorded music. There is no doubt of that. He would be in the top 10 of all time, regardless of who the other nine people were.
"But you also have to remember that he went through different stages and owed some of his popularity to collaborators - Quincy Jones, with whom he did the great trilogy of albums: Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad."
Paul Gambaccini's tribute in full
BRITNEY SPEARS, SINGER "I was so excited to see his tour in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly into see him.
"He's been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated that he's gone." DIONNE WARWICK, SINGER "We have lost an icon in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow.
"He will live on in my memory, and most definitely through the music he shared with so many."
WYCLEF JEAN, SINGER "Michael Jackson was my musical god. He made me believe that all things are possible, through real and positive music.
"He can live forever. I love Michael Jackson. God bless him."
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, SINGER Justin Timberlake Justin Timberlake has been compared to Michael Jackson
"We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of, not only pop music, but of all music. I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing.
"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage 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."
DONNA SUMMER, SINGER "I've known Michael for many years and we've done many different things together over the years.
"I know his family and it's just a total shock. I don't even have words to say. I mean I'll miss Michael, the world will miss Michael and I'm sure the world is in a state of grief right now.
"I will personally miss him, I will miss his light, I will miss his star, I will miss who he has caused other people to become because of his greatness. He upped the standard."
NE-YO, SINGER "Michael Jackson will live forever through the thing that he put all of his life energy into: his music.
"Long live Michael Jackson."
MC HAMMER, RAPPER "I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration. He gave me and my family hope. I would never have been me without him."
LL COOL J, RAPPER "He was one of my childhood idols. I salute you King of Pop. You made the whole world moonwalk together."
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."
MATT FIDDES, FORMER BODYGUARD "He's the most misunderstood man in world. Everyone thought he was this weird freak but when you're with him he's as normal as everyone else. I don't think he felt he was as famous as everyone else thought, he didn't know any different.
"He was a very caring guy who would go out of his way to help the sick. One night in London he wanted to see some homeless people. He sent them loads of pizzas in secret. The guy had a good heart.
"We used to dress him up and sneak out of hotel room and do normal things in shops. People wouldn't know who he was but we wanted to give him a taste of the real life." STUART WILLIAMS, MUSIC JOURNALIST ''Michael Jackson was the biggest news story - this year in music anyway. A man who has not played live for over a decade, a huge comeback, one of the biggest-selling artists of all time, 50 sold-out dates, 750,000 tickets at the 02.
"And that was going to be, people thought, the beginning of the next stage of his career - maybe getting back with The Jackson Five, maybe playing in Vegas, it is just utterly flabbergasting."
this is like another big news. life's really unpredictable. it's life.
and i thought he was coming back out again. and he died. RIP MICHAEL JACKSON.
LOVE <3
;6/26/2009 04:12:00 pm
20090625
HAHA. some jokes to share, by a colleague during ITP. A lady tells her Man: 'I demand good! manners in bed, just like at the dinner table'. The man climbs into bed slowly and says: 'Honey, would you please pass me the vagina?'
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHA. it's really stupid but really funny!!ROFLOLOL!!
this is really DUMB. but it's funny. the BRAIN PROBLEM.. LOL.
'Hi, i am your Doctor. Sorry to inform you that you have a 'brain problem'. Your brain is in 2 parts... Left and right. The left part has nothing right in it, and the right has nothing left in it' . . . . . . went for interview today. it's quite informal, very near my house, only have 3 people in the company.lol. well, if i got in, then i shall work, if not i shall just look for another job, or go back to my ITP company? :\ shall seee.
i need to floss my teeth!I NEEEEEEEEED!
anyway, watching Ghosts of girlfriends past. my brother say it's REALLLLY touching!! so excited!:D
after this, my next movie will bePELHAM 123!!
OHYAR, went to watch transformers 2; revenge of the fallen yesterday! SUPERB. i rate 9.5/10 SERIOUSLY LIKE DAMNNNN COOOL! hahahaha. i like Shia LaBeouf he is totally cute and REALLY FUNNY! hahahhaha.
MEGAN FOX IS VERY HOT! she is so hot! >.< john turturro is really funny too. hahaha. he is crazy!LOL
well... EVERYBODY SHOULD WATCH IT. will not regret,REALLY. anyway, ciaoz, hungry~~~
LOVE <3 `ihavebeendreaming~
;6/25/2009 04:32:00 pm
20090624
i feel like typing SO MUCH THINGS, but not now.LOL
I HAVE A GREAT BDAY ANYWAY! THANKS TO: all my loves. XD
it was really funny.
i totally look like shit so NO PICTURES YIPPPPIE! :D and the first time it's good with no pictures.WOOOHOOO!
hahaha. shall put this.Lol.
i shall pose my long hair nice pic and try to get some nice short hair pic now. *CRIES* HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF!!! and of cox to ZHUMING and qifang (a secondary school friend, always remind me of her when it's my birthday, just cant seems to forget anyone) (:
that I DONTKNOW how tall that heels. really get my nerves. and i really had cramp on my small leg muscles after 3minutes of walk. BELIEVE ME and im like a balloon. although wasnt that skinny though. HAHAHAHA. BUT THAT dress, gets my nerves. it will be LOCKED and put very deeply inside my closet as a treasure, because it's a bday gift from my almost 15 years friends. (IM ONLY 20!!) YAY! i love my friends. oh, we need another farewell. HAHAHAHHA. im only leaving next year! XD YAY! you all get to see me moreeeeee. im so happy.
so now. PR or no PR? JOB or no JOB? yes uni and of cox YES uni. :D
LOVE <3 `everything's fine. on track!(:`
;6/24/2009 02:09:00 pm
djn-dreams@blogspot.com
whatever written in this blog is true.
what i felt and what i do.
about my family AND my friends.♥
if you dont like my blog,
(which i dont believe anyone does!)
just leave the page!:)
thanks♥.
p/s.REMEMBER TO TAG BEFORE YOU LEAVE!♥
The LOVED one.
About me,HSUHSINWEN. FRIENDSTER &
FACEBOOK
23june 1989
im TWENTY!:\
design student
architecture.
♥sing&design+compose
♥DANCE:D
♥I LOVEMUSICS♥
FOREVER the same.
i LOVE♥ taiwan!
i like people who laugh alot!:D
and seriously if you think you are one, i'd like to make friends with you! haha.