Michael Jackson's death has been greeted with a mixture of shock, sadness and disbelief, as fans jumped online to confirm the news and express their grief.
Many fan sites and social networking sites had buckled and some even ground to a halt as discussion about Jackson's heart attack, and ultimate death, took hold.
On the website of iconic music magazine Rolling Stone, many fans equated the King of Pop's passing to that of other music greats such as Elvis Presley and John Lennon.
"I remember the night Lennon died," wrote a fan named Crazy Joe.
"Every radio station of every stripe played his music, solo & Beatles. I wonder if tonite [sic] everyone will play Michael's music. I hope so."
The life and times of Michael JacksonOn Jackson's own website, frantic fans had followed closely, and disbelievingly, as news of his heart attack first broke.
In a forum discussion titled 'LET'S PRAY FOR MICHAEL EVERYBODY', one fan wrote: "Please God, for once please don't let a bad thing happen to such a good person. Please make Michael well."
Another said: "This is just tabloid rubbish isnt it..!!! PLEASE>>>!! It has to be!."
But as the news was confirmed, grief and shock set in.
"i cannot belive it, im just in shock, its now been confirmed, im just shaking and crying," wrote KAthyK.
Another wrote: "Im crushed. MJ was my generation's Elvis,,,,,,Im actually crying as I write this. I am remembering his cute face as a child, then as a young adult, then his break-out masterpiece BillieJean. I am sooo sad. 'Keep on with the force now,,,Don't stop till you get enough'."
Celebrities also posted their reaction to the news on Twitter.
"NO OMG ... sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family ... i feel sick..," wrote US actress Lindsay Lohan.
Actor Marlon Wayans wrote: "My prayers, my love, my heart goes out to michael jackson and the entire jackson family. I pray so hard for them. I'm crushed! Please pray."
Ashton Kutcher wrote: "Rip Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids.
"I plea to the press to respect his wishes of maintaining the anonymity of his children."
Twitter has been slow and down at various times throughout the morning, with Michael Jackson's death the hot "trending" topics of discussion on the site.
About 9am, Jacskon's official site also crashed with the message: "The Official Michael Jackson Site is currently unavailable."
Meanwhile, Australian pop guru Molly Meldrum said Jackson was a different person when he was not performing.
"He was two different people, I think," he told Fairfax Radio Network.
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