by Shaun Tandon

LOS ANGELES - The world's most powerful figures from politics to entertainment joined Friday in mourning Michael Jackson, hailing him as a musical genius but also grieving over a life filled with tragedy.

The death of the "King of Pop" reverberated throughout the world, with heads of state, entertainment heavyweights and ordinary fans offering condolences for one of the most influential artists in pop history.

Fans from Los Angeles to Sydney held candlelit vigils for the 50-year-old superstar who died on Thursday from a cardiac arrest. At the Glastonbury pop festival in Britain, thousands danced to Jackson?s best-known songs such as "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."

US President Barack Obama thought the singer was a "spectacular performer, a musical icon" and offered condolences to family and fans of Jackson - who like Obama is credited with helping bridge racial divides.

"The president also said that he had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced admiration for Jackson's ability to stir "emotion from different kinds of people all over the world" and said he would always remember the singer's "Moonwalk" dance.

"I felt great emotion firstly because a page has turned and I found it quite distressing to see these images of a young Jackson with his childish face and hair and color that had not changed," Sarkozy said.

In one of the most moving statements, Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Taylor said her "heart and mind" were broken by her close friend's demise.

"I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together," said the 77-year-old two-time Oscar-winning actress.

The top names in pop music described Jackson as a legend.

"I can't stop crying over the sad news," pop diva Madonna told celebrity website People.com. "The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever."

Beatle Paul McCartney, who collaborated with Jackson in the 1980s before an apparent falling-out, hailed him as "massively talented" and said he had "a gentle soul."

Singer Liza Minnelli called Jackson "a genius talent, who revolutionized show business."

The star's first wife Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, said: "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."

Jackson's influence was also highlighted by the new generation of pop stars.

Justin Timberlake - who like Jackson is known for both his singing and dancing - said in a statement that the world had "lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music."

Singer Beyonce said: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music."

"Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson," film director Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly.

Jackson's career hit a pinnacle after 1982's "Thriller," the top-selling album ever. But his behavior later became increasingly eccentric. In 2005, he was acquitted after a sensational trial on allegations of child molestation.

But the Vatican's newspaper Osservatore Romano said that "no accusation, however serious or shameful, is enough to tarnish his myth among his millions of fans throughout the entire world."

Jackson was remembered particularly fondly in Africa. The pop star in 1985 co-wrote the song "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie to raise aid for victims of Ethiopia's famine.

"In big Ethiopian cities, many people will have a special feeling towards his death," said Mahmoud Dirrir, the country's tourism and culture minister.

"Apart from his personal behaviour, he will be remembered as an icon, especially for his song calling for us to leave this world a better place for future generations," Dirrir said.

Mohammed Al Fayed, owner of London department store Harrods, said he would erect a statue in honor of Jackson, as he did for the late Princess Diana.

At Wimbledon, two-time champion Serena Williams said that Jackson remained a "complete icon."

"Everyone listens to his music. You think of the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. They are lifetime icons that are never forgotten. Everyone of every color and race is a huge Michael Jackson fan," she said.

Roger Federer, the five-time Wimbledon champion, said he first heard Jackson's music in the late 1980s when he came to Basel and the future tennis star and his sister listened from outside the stadium.

"I love his music. It's a very sad moment I think in the music world. He touched many people. Same for me," Federer said.