As tributes pour in from fans and celebrities alike, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney remembered "the massively talented boy man with a gentle soul" as he spoke of his occasional musical partner Michael Jackson.
The pair collaborated on tracks in the 1980s, though the relationship was strained later by Jackson's ownership of much of the Beatles catalogue.
But Sir Paul spoke warmly of Jackson's talent and "gentle soul".
He said today: "It's so sad and shocking.
“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."
Sir Paul joins the growing number of stars conveying their sadness at the music legends passing.
Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cirus, MC Hammer and many more have already paid respect through social networking site Twitter, whilst Madonna, Uri Gellar and Michael’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley are said to be devastated at the loss.
Share your Michael Jackson memories with us here.
Last updated: 26 June 2009, 13:54
The links provided allow you to bookmark this page into your favourite social media website. For users with JavaScript disabled copy and paste the URL from the address bar into your chosen social bookmarking site.