London - Former Beatle Paul McCartney Friday said the death of Michael Jackson was sad and shocking but his music would be remembered forever. "It's so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael," McCartney said in a statement.
"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."
The pair collaborated on tracks in the 1980s though the relationship was later strained later by Jackson's ownership of much of the Beatles catalogue.
"I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world," McCartney said in his tribute.
