Barack Obama: 'I grew up on Michael Jackson’s music'

President Obama has commented on the death of Michael Jackson, having avoided releasing a formal statement in the days after his passing.

Jackson died a week ago on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home.

In an interview today, the President said that the King Of Pop will "go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. I grew up on his music."

Speaking to the Associated Press, Obama said that the star had led “a tragic and in many ways sad personal life" and says he has all of his music on his iPod.

When asked why he didn’t issue a statement in the wake of Jackson’s death, Obama said this is the first time he’s been asked about it.

A Michael Jackson fab memorial is rumoured to be taking place at the Los Angeles' Staples Center - where the singer had been rehearsing for his O2 Academy shows - on Tuesday (July 7) after an initial plan to have the burial at Neverland was thwarted.

The company that owns the ranch was refused the right to have the burial on the private property.

Poll - vote for the greatest Michael Jackson track

--By our New York staff.
Find out more about NME.