A young Russian woman fixes a tribute to entertainer Michael Jackson to the fence surrounding the U.S. Embassy in Moscow,
Fans of pop megastar Michael Jackson across the world were paying tribute today.
Distraught at being deprived one last chance to see the singer perform on his planned farewell tour before he hung up his dancing shoes – including 50 concerts in London – they posted heartfelt tributes on social networking sites including Facebook.
In Shropshire, one Bridgnorth family had tickets for the opening night of Jackson’s planned London concerts.
American-born Mar Dixon said her family had been allocated three tickets for the July 13 event at London’s O2 arena, and they had been planning to make it the centrepiece of a five-day break in the capital.
Mar and husband Michael had received permission to take daughter Charlotte, seven, out of school for what would have been her first live concert.
Instead Charlotte woke her parents with the news that the star was dead.
Mar said Charlotte had heard of people having heart problems, but did not know that they could be fatal. “The idea was new to her,” she said.
“She is in school today but she is upset about it.”
“It’s devastating,” added Mar, who has lived in Bridgnorth for nine years. “But you feel selfish for saying what you had planned because at the end of the day he died.
“He was fifty and he was pushing himself, but it’s devastating.”
Mar said the star had always been a fixture of her life in America.
“We grew up with Michael Jackson. He was huge over there. He has always been in our lives. He has always been there.”
“He was an icon all over the world because of his music, whether you liked it or not.”
She said the shock of his death had been like a “smack in the face” because it was so unexpected.
Some friends in America had thought it was a publicity stunt, ” she added. “People had thought it was all part of the show.”
Mar said it was sad that the singer had died without his family at his side, and said it showed that money and success could not necessarily buy happiness.
She said they would be keeping hold of the tickets, and had no plans to sell them to collectors.
On one Facebook group, called Michael Jackson Tribute, with 434 members, Anish Raj, from New Zealand, wrote: “Michael Jackson you will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace.”
Lynn Khoo wrote: “My deepest condolences to the Jackson’s family. MJ, you will always be remembered as the “KING OF POP”. R.I.P Michael.”
Adam Lui in Australia summed it up in three words: “simply the legend.”
Other comments were less charitable, alluding to child abuse allegations Jackson had been dogged by. But for others, the news brought only sadness.
Andy Cunningham wrote: “In many ways this man touched the hearts of everyone who listened to his music, watched his performances, was entertained by his films and seen him live.”
Michael Adrian Vickers, from the West Midlands, wrote: “RIP Michael . . . Your music will live on strong.”
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