LAS VEGAS -- The following are statements on the death of singer Michael Jackson:

"I feel very privileged to have known Michael Jackson, and I am saddened by the loss of such a phenomenal talent. I truly admire his professionalism and contribution to the entertainment industry.” - George Maloof

"Michael was a wonderful dad, and I feel very sad for the children." - Steve Wynn

"I am so devastated by this terrible news. From the beginning of my career, he was my idol in show business. He was a genius and an incredible artist! I remember when I was growing up and watching him on TV, and all his videos ... I had his poster on my wall ... he was so amazing ... his singing, his writing, his dancing. We had the same record company, and they knew I was a huge fan, so when things started to happen for me, they arranged for us to meet. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time, and Michael was so nice. He autographed one of his hats for me -- I was so thrilled. Years later, he came to see my Las Vegas show, and we spent some time together, and we were really looking forward to seeing his show in London. It's unbelievable that he's no longer with us. It still hasn't sunk in. I guess we're just finding out what happened, but all I can say is that he must have been under an enormous amount of pressure -- to do the shows and to keep on top of everything, plus this was going to be his big comeback. This is a lot of pressure, and it can be overwhelming for anyone. I'm sure it was just too much to handle. Right now, along with millions and millions of others I am so sad, and I just want to send my prayers and love to Michael's family. I can't imagine how difficult this is for them -- to lose someone so special. And it's the same for everyone in the world who loses a loved one. It just keeps reminding us of how precious life is and that we never know when it's our time. God Bless his soul." - Celine Dion

"My heart aches for Michael's children and family, Farrah's loved ones, and my prayers are for all of us today." - Marie Osmond

"Michael Jackson was brilliant, and I will miss him." - Neil Diamond

"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

"I can't stop crying over the sad news ... 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." - Madonna

"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." - Former wife, Lisa Marie Presley

"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." - Longtime friend who also dated Michael, Brooke Shields

"I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him." - "Thriller" director, John Landis

"It’s so shocking. Michael was a gregarious prankster, but so advanced for his age talent-wise. He was watching everybody and learning all the time. He was a typical young boy too. One of my fondest memories is of him riding the golf carts when Bobby Taylor, who brought the Jackson 5 to Motown, and I played golf.

“The world is mourning the loss of his talent, and people will miss his music. Michael Jackson was one of the most intense, dynamic talents to ever live. When I was in London recently, the whole buzz was about those 50 concerts. He was still Michael Jackson." - Smokey Robinson

"It’s the death of an American icon. There are three people that stand out in my mind -- Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. That's the triumvirate that sums up American popular culture, iconic people who became worldwide figures with worldwide popularity in the music industry … He was the single most talented person I’ve ever known. There was every aspect of creativity, as a performer -- from the early days with the Jackson Five and being the biggest phenomenon in the world -- and as a songwriter, (he wrote) some of the most outstanding and memorable songs you ever will hear. His videos were groundbreaking -- he defined the video age. He was the person who married video and music more than any individual ever did or ever will …He was a rare and beautiful and gifted and extraordinarily talented person. I think the pressure of this quote on quote comeback was overwhelming to Michael, because it was being billed and staged as a comeback, and that’s incredible pressure. It's overwhelming." - Former worldwide chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Thomas D. Mottola

"This loss has deeply saddened me -- with a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you, Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire JACKSON family, particularly Michael's mother and all his fans that loved him so much. 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. In so many ways, he transcended 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

"You cannot say enough about what he has given to us musically and culturally. We take for granted people like him. ... All he wanted to do was give us great music, and that's what he did. Every single day was dedicated to us ... I'll tell you this -- seeing him in concert in 1983, the ‘Victory’ concert with his brothers, to watch people faint in the audience -- grown men fainting, women fainting just because he was that dynamic -- all you can say is that you hope we put our arms around his family. So much turmoil toward the end of his career, and I think that's the only thing that you can really hope for is that there is finally peace to this whole situation ... What a great time. What a great entertainer. There will never be anybody (like him) ... So, our condolences go out to his family and let's take time to do the right thing and honor the beauty of what Michael Jackson was and not the craziness and all of the circus things that the media can grab a hold to sometimes and just go nuts. Let's just honor that guy for all he's done, and that's all you can say." - Jamie Foxx

"Nobody had a voice like Michael’s. As I got older, it was ‘Beat It’ and ‘Billie Jean,’ then I got into the producer world and, wow, really got inside the music more. You can’t duplicate what Michael Jackson did. He was something very special.

“He’ll be remembered for his music, his voice, his dancing and just being him.

“He’s not an everyday thing. You can’t mold somebody to be Michael Jackson. A musical genius has been taken away.” - Timbaland

"I am so grateful to have worked with the King. He was a gift to the world. He is a bright light, and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow.” - Will.i.am

"When I first met him, I was shaking like a leaf ... Growing up, Michael Jackson could do no wrong. Everything the man did was magic ... There will never be another Michael Jackson ... It's a really sad day for us." - Ne-Yo

"The news of the passing of Michael Jackson comes as a heartbreaking shock for me. Michael was 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, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow that they are now going through. He will live on in my memory and most definitely through the music he shared with so many." - Singer Dionne Warwick

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

"I'm shocked. He was a pioneer who transcended genre and race with the most unique talent and style the world has ever or will ever see." - Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas

"A friend of Michael's for the last 35 years, I call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour. I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogize our mutual idol, James Brown. I have known him at his high moments and his low moments, and I know he would want us to pray for his family." - Rev. Al Sharpton

“He was really in good shape. That’s what’s so upsetting. There was no doubt in my mind that he was ready to go, that these shows would be significant. The show looked terrific. It had some incredible values, a huge screen, great visuals, lots of 3-D graphics. But most important, I saw six or seven numbers, each signature Michael. Watching this, after not seeing him perform for so long, you realize he wrote this book. When you see Usher or Chris Brown or Justin Timberlake, they’re channeling Michael Jackson and adding their own touches. Seeing him do those moves again, you’re struck by the impact he’s had on the whole popular culture for 40 years.

“(His stage persona) projects the attitude, ‘I won’t be happy unless you’re feeling what I’m doing.’ It’s his whole ethic about performing.” - Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. 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. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news, and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss." - The Recording Academy

"The first album I ever bought with my own money was ‘Thriller.’ His performance at the Grammys is a milestone in the history of American music. I watched it on TV and spent the next two weeks in my kitchen trying to learn how to moonwalk." - Blink-182 singer Mark Hoppus

“It is with deepest sadness today that I have lost my friend, Michael Jackson. Michael was my business partner, who became a dear friend. I am the only composer on earth that Michael Jackson never attached his name to a project that was not of his creation. Michael was the Executive Producer, Presenter and investor of my stage musical "Sisterella," and with his support, “Sisterella” went on to do great things. While in Los Angeles, “Sisterella” received rave reviews, 16 N.A.A.C.P. Theater Award nominations and 8 N.A.A.C.P. Theater Awards, including best play and best director. In Europe, “Sisterella” was voted show of the decade.

“Michael Jackson changed my life with his belief in me, his support and his extraordinary talent. I learned many new techniques in the studio while recording the cast album for “Sisterella” from Michael, and my days working on the album at Sony Music and at MJJ will always be cherished. Michael influenced so much of “Sisterella,” from the music, to the costumes to the choreography by Raymond G. del Bariio. “Sisterella” was, in many ways, homage to Michael. It was an extraordinary time in my life, made possible by an extraordinary friend.

“To celebrate the success of “Sisterella,” when it opened in Los Angeles, Michael hosted a celebration at Neverland and invited my family and the whole cast. That visit became the first of many. On closing day, Michael came to see the show and see us off before we left to go on tour in Europe. For the European tour, Michael again was the presenter and executive producer of “Sisterella.” To this day, I attribute the extraordinary success of “Sisterella” to Michael, his friendship and support.

“The last time I heard from Michael was last October. He left a voicemail message for me to sing Happy Birthday. I hadn't heard from him in awhile, and that message is more poignant today, as it was surprising and touching then.

“I will miss my dear friend Michael. You changed my life, and I will always love you.” - Larry Hart

Hart said he will be performing a tribute to Michael in his upcoming show, "Praise!" at 2 p.m. on July 12 at Southpoint Casino.