A HOMETOWN HERO:

Let me first begin by saying that I have very few happy, positive memories of my childhood with my family. But both of my parents were born in Gary, Indiana and grew up knowing of the Jackson family, listening to the Jackson 5, and passing on, with pride, their appreciation for the locals gone national.

In 1983 we moved from Indiana to Maryland and one of the first things we did to christen the new home was put on the Thriller LP. For the length of the album we laughed and danced and enjoyed ourselves in one of the most carefree moments we ever shared as an entire family. MJ provided a rare moment of family cohesiveness and for that I will be forever thankful -- Michael Mattix

ROYALTY:

Whenever Billie Jean was played at Studio 54 -- yes I was of one the lucky ones -- the crowd on the dance floor, already filled with boisterous dancing, would immediately double, as no one could resist the teasing opening and build-up of Michael’s beautiful voice. It was glorious a time and we were all rooting for him. He truly was royalty in our time. -- Hector Erazo in the Bay Area

A SOUL MATE:

"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 80's. 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 (TMZ.com)

A CULTURE ICON:

"No controversy will erase the historic impact. He learned how to create even beyond his own shortcomings. Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama." -- Al Sharpton

AN IDOL:

"I was two years-old when Thriller dropped. I have been shown photos (and doctor bills) of me twisting my knee when I was three years old in hopes to get that dance move right. And I recall a “big kid” showing me how to moonwalk in kindergarden.

We never gave into idolizing him as the King of Pop. We never engaged in heated arguments with anyone about his child molestation allegations for which he was acquitted. He was one of the most talented artists and his music helped my father and I bond. Now as an adult, I still consider Michael Jackson’s music is still a part of our relationship.

For that, I would keep myself from laughing at jokes targeting the pop artist. I wouldn’t engage in any negative conversations about him our of respect for the bond between my father and I. And out of the same respect and love for MJ’s music, I was the child who raised his glove with the rest at the concert at the Capital Centre back in the day. I’m the one at weddings and other celebrations imitating Michael Jackson’s dance moves." -- Melvin Mooring