London - British soul star Shirley Bassey said Friday she had "fond memories" of US singer Michael Jackson whom she described as "quite simply magic."

In a statement, Bassey said she was shocked and devastated at the sudden death of the pop icon.

"I have very fond memories of Michael with one dinner in particular where he renamed me Lady Goldfinger. For the rest of the time I knew him that was my name. He was an icon and the King of Pop, quite simply magic." (dpa)