Jackson's life was sad and tragic:::US President Barack Obama

Washington, June 27 (DPA) US President Barack Obama extended his condolences to Michael Jackson's family and fans, and noted that the pop icon's life at times was 'sad and tragic', the White House said Friday.

Obama's condolences came one day after Jackson died at the age of 50 from an apparent cardiac arrest. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters that he discussed the death with Obama.

'He said to me that, obviously, 'Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon',' Gibbs said.

'The president also said ...'aspects of his life were sad and tragic',' Gibbs said.

'His condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss,' he added. Gibbs said he was unaware of whether Obama called the Jackson family.

Jackson's sudden death has generated worldwide grieving for the icon who dominated the music scene in the 1980s and into the following decade.

The US House of Representatives held a moment of silence at the beginning of its session Friday.

Reaction From MJ Fans

It was a huge risk, with a potentially huge reward: Michael Jackson's 50 sold-out London comeback shows.

And now it's a huge financial disaster.

Concert promoter AEG Live must return $85 million in ticket sales for the eerily billed "This Is It" dates, the first Jackson live shows in a dozen years.

It's already spent more than $20 million on production costs for the shows, billed as the most expensive arena gigs ever.

AEG is out millions more in lost merchandise sales, and perhaps another $10 million in upfront money paid to Jackson.

AEG won't say if insurance covered its outlay for the mega-deal with the notoriously unpredictable Jackson. The first date was set for July 13.

"We're still dealing with all our financial people," said AEG spokesman Michael Roth. "There are a lot of numbers out there, everybody has it wrong so far. It's too early."

Jerry Kroll, a California insurance lawyer, said the Jackson deal was a perilous proposal from the start.

"You look at Michael Jackson's history of cancellations, his history of unreliability," said Kroll, who was involved after the singer shut down a 1993 world tour over a prescription drug addiction.

"It's a very risky deal. On the other hand, no risk, no reward."

The Jackson estate - already a reported $400 million in debt - could take a hit, too. The singer was likely responsible for pre-tour expenses, including rehearsal costs, Kroll said.

There was no word on how refunds will be distributed to the 750,000 ticketholders for the shows at London's O2 arena. Ticket agencies assured buyers they would get their money back.

Fans from around the world - from as far away as Botswana - snapped up seats for the shows. Tickets sold at a rate of 11 per second, 657 per minute and nearly 40,000 an hour.

For ticketholders like Seth Faber, 27, of Manhattan, the lost shows aren't about refunds. Faber - who planned a family trip to London - was disappointed about missing a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"This was going to be my Beatles at Shea Stadium moment," said Faber, who bought four tickets to the Aug. 17 show. "It's weird, because we had this suspicious feeling that one way or another, this wouldn't come together.

"But not in this way, this tragic ending."

Jonas Twitchen, 27, a London business consultant, said for him, the show will go on - sort of.

He and three friends plan to take their refund money - about $132 apiece - and rent a private karaoke room, where they will sing Jackson songs as a tribute.

"This is the most I ever paid for a gig in my life," he said. "I definitely want to get my money back."

Reactions to Michael Jackson's death

(Reuters) - Michael Jackson's sudden death at the age of 50 brought reactions from across the music world and elsewhere. Below are some of those reactions.

-- U.S. President Barack Obama called Jackson a "spectacular performer" and said some of aspects of the performer's life were "sad and tragic," according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

-- Elizabeth Taylor, acting legend and good friend said in a statement: "My heart ... my mind ... are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We has so much in common and we had such loving fun together."

"I keep looking at the photo he game me of himself, which says, 'To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.' And, I will love HIM forever."

-- Singing legend Diana Ross: "I can't stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family."

-- Motown's Smokey Robinson: "It is always hard to lose a friend. I will miss Michael and all that he brought to the world through his music and his creative genius. I know that his legend will live on and the world will miss him dearly."

-- Political activist and family friend, Rev. Jesse Jackson talking to reporters at the Jackson family home in California:

"He was so excited about going to London ... The world was waiting for Michael's return. And Michael was practicing maybe three hours a day, real vigorous exercise. That's why we are so taken aback by the suddenness of this heart attack, because Michael was really in good physical shape," Jackson said.

-- Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley who was married to Jackson in the mid-1990s, said in a statement:

"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."

-- Jackson's sister, Janet, was "grief-stricken and devastated at the sudden loss of her brother" and flying back to California to be with her family, according to a statement released through her manager.

-- Music producer Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Jackson on three of his best-selling albums, "Off the Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad," said:

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at this young age, I just don't have the words."

"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."

-- Former Beatle Paul McCartney said on his website:

"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."

-- Actress Brooke Shields, another long-time friend said:

"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."

-- Pop star Madonna said: "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."

-- Singer Justin Timberlake, who has called Jackson his idol, told the celebrity Web site TMZ.com:

"I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music."

"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him."

-- Motown Records founder Berry Gordy said in a statement that he was "shocked beyond words" to hear of Jackson's death.

"It's like a dream -- a bad dream. This cannot be. How can Michael Jackson not be here?" Gordy said.

-- Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who performed on Jackson's 1991 hit "Black or White," said: "Really sad news about Michael. He was talent from on high."

-- Singer and friend Liza Minnelli told Entertainment Tonight: "He was a kind, genuine and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."

-- Filmmaker Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly magazine: "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend."

-- Rock star Lenny Kravitz said in a statement:

"There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson. Many people are saying what a performer, what an icon...They speak about the controversy and countless other things. But the truth of the matter is he was a boy that God blessed with the most angelic voice...He was a beautiful human being. I am deeply saddened this evening."

-- Singer Mariah Carey: "I am heartbroken...Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world, and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world.

"I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend."