SINGAPOREANS have started to show an outpouring of condolences over the death of Michael Jackson on forums and social networking sites.

'I don't think we were ready for this. R.I.P Michael Jackson - one who truly made an impact...,' said straitstimes.com forum user Adriel.

Many expressed sorrow, and remembered how they grew up listening to his songs.

'He was a great talent and I grew up listening to his music. Everything gone horribly wrong when he 'changed' from black to white and the subsequent rounds after rounds of plastic surgeries after that which literally destroyed his face. It was sad to watch him morph to a different person,' said geewheez on the asiaone.com forum.

Said abideh on asiaone.com: 'Michael Jackson songs like, Ben will forever stay in my heart and mind. This is the song that really really touch my soul and made me cry... I will miss the great pop artist...'

Other said though he was a 'quirky' person, Jackson remains a legend

'He might be a quirky chap.... but his songs are something which makes me want to sing along till today,' said forum user Supervisor on asiaone.com.

Michael Jackson first performed in Singapore on August 29, 1993, in front of 47,000 at the National Stadium - where he literally exploded on stage in a hail of fireworks - on his 35th birthday. The concert was part of his 'Dangerous' tour.

The superstar however cancelled his second show here that year after making his fans wait for over an hour.

Concert promoters said then that the superstar "had taken ill". They said that the 'Gloved Wonder' had showed up at the stadium but had to return to his room at Raffles Hotel at the last minute because he was not well. He was said to have collapsed backstage.

He also twice postponed the second show of his two-concert performance in Bangkok that year, citing acute dehydration from the heat.

Jackson was then under investigation in Los Angeles for alleged child abuse. Jackson performed in Singapore again in 1996 as part of the 'HIStory' tour.