Across the country, people reacted in stunned disbelief Thursday as word spread that Michael Jackson had collapsed and died.
Within minutes of Jackson's arrival by ambulance at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, people began arriving by the hundreds, the crowd quickly filling a grassy entrance outside the hospital. Overhead, news helicopters whirred noisily, and TV trucks clogged streets.
As word spread a few minutes later that Jackson had died, several people burst into tears. Others stood silently, looking pensive, as they waited for official word from the hospital. Still others whipped out cell phones and began calling or texting friends to pump them for information.
A similar scene played out just a couple miles away, in front of Jackson's tony Holmby Hills home, where a Fire Department ambulance had arrived to take him to the hospital.
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"I'm in shock," said Becky Williams, a 26-year-old Jackson fan from Salt Lake City who happened to be visiting her sister just down the street.
"He's gone. The legend of music," Williams said in disbelief as she stood outside Jackson's home.
Jackson's fans were those whose devotion knew no bounds, who visited the gates of his private ranch north of Santa Barbara, Calif., arriving at Neverland on pilgrimages from Europe and Asia, and who were among the first to flock to UCLA Medical Center as news of his death spread Thursday afternoon.
Those were the same kind of fans who camped out at the Santa Barbara Superior Courthouse, to show their support during his 2005 trial. They released doves and wept when he was acquitted.
Then there was the other kind of fan, who preferred to keep memories of the singer locked firmly in his 1980s prime: Today's young adults all have memories of being toddlers and grade-schoolers who moonwalked across their mother's just mopped kitchen floors. Even the hardest rockers will easily confess to the first album they ever bought: "Thriller."
"I am just devastated," said Bridgette Cooper, 44, of Mitchellville, Md., who was driving her children to math tutoring when her 12-year-old got the news by text. "I don't ever remember not loving him. I have been a fan forever. Even through the turmoil and the public spectacle, I still loved him and his music."
Jackson's death set off an instant media frenzy befitting the later chapters of his celebrityhood. Web sites began reporting that singer had been taken to the hospital.
Soon, streets in the Westwood neighborhoods around the hospital were closed and crowds of onlookers formed, much as they did wherever the singer had appeared. Soon enough, they were dancing and playing Jackson's music.
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," producer Quincy Jones said. "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."
"On the one hand, it's shocking," said Alan Light, a journalist who has edited Spin and Vibe magazines. "On the other other, everybody had the sense that there was not going to be a happy ending to this story. I don't know what other final chapter there was going to be. ... It's almost impossible to overstate the impact he had on popular music and popular culture. He really defined what the music video could be."
QUOTES
Comments on the death of Michael Jackson on Thursday:
• "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." — Lisa Marie Presley, former wife of Michael Jackson and daughter of Elvis Presley
• "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." — Dick Clark, host of the old "American Bandstand"
• "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly." — Russell Simmons, hip-hop entrepreneur and founder of Def-Jam Records
• "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." — Dionne Warwick, singer and Jackson's friend
• "Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity. Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe." — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
• "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." — Neil Portnow, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences president.
"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, rapper and former member of the Fugees.
"Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, and our hearts are heavy, heavy here. Michael Jackson was the world's greatest entertainer but more than he was great humanitarian and a great, humble individual. The people of Gary, our hearts are full of tears because of the loss of Michael Jackson." — Gary, Ind., Mayor Rudy Clay.
"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, pop star.
"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, rapper-actor.
"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." — Ricky Martin, pop star.
"Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life! He made me believe in magic." — Sean "Diddy" Combs, rapper, record producer and entrepreneur.
"Michael's example of musical artistry was rooted in the proud tradition of black American music. His career trajectory — from the working-class streets of industrial Gary, Ind., during the post-World War II boom, to the heights of the entertainment industry — is a classic example of black American achievement, and of the American Dream." — Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP president.
