Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) has issued the following statement regarding the passing of pop music legend Michael Jackson, who died yesterday (Thursday, June 25) at age 50:

"Every day the world mourns over the loss of a loved one, a relative, even a pet...but it's not every day the whole world mourns over a single person like they were a loved one or blood relative.

"On Thurday, June 25, 2009, we lost an icon, a legend, a superstar named Michael Jackson.

"I don't think there is a man, woman or child over 5 years old in the world who doesn't know the name Michael Jackson. This in itself is an achievement that is rarely attainable anymore but it shows this man was known for better or worse (in my book, always better; the negative side of his life was always something I always chose to ignore as the MUSIC blanketed this) by EVERY person in the 21st century, and he will be remembered through his music and his legend.

"Of all my childhood memories, many of them included buying my first 45 single (yes, that would be a small 8" vinyl platter called a 'record'!) of the JACKSON 5's 'I Want You Back' to standing in front of a mirror at the ripe age of 5 with a spoon in my hand, pretending it was a microphone and singing at the top of my lungs to every word little Mike was belting out. When my brother Joey and I were about 7 and 8, we would draw crowds at the local boys club of NY as the song 'Rockin' Robin' would be blasted on a record player. Joey would pound on benches/tables as they were percussive instruments while I crooned along to the alto notes of Michael's version. They called us the 'TWEET TWEET BROTHERS'. if you know the song, you'd understand why :)

"Last night, I was witnessing the birth of a new supergroup, an amazing incarnation called CHICKENFOOT (featuring the eternally youthful Sammy Hagar, the baddest bass pounder Michael Anthony, the untouchable Joe Satriani and the mischievous Chad Smith) performing in London — an energetic and amazing evening — only to be flattened by the news of what was happening in Los Angeles simultaneously.... A night to remember indeed!

"Today and forever, I celebrate the music and the influence of Michael Jackson.

"Long live the King Of Pop, long live one of my few mentors of the mic.

"RIP, Michael!"