MELBOURNE - Michael Jackson’s Australian guitarist has spoken about her grief over the death of the singer, describing him as “a beautiful spirit.”

Orianthi Panagaris, of Hawthorn, the blonde guitarist who featured prominently in the final video of Jackson Los Angeles rehearsal before his death, is due to perform at the King of Pop’s public memorial next week.

The South Australian-born musician had been rehearsing with the star six days a week for the last three months, reports Adelaide Now.

“He had this wonderful aura about him, a beautiful spirit. It’s been a surreal time working with him and it’s devastating what’s happened,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Orianthi as saying.

She continued: “We practised so much and knew the songs so well. Because we rehearsed so much . . . we knew the parts like the back of our hands.”

Orianthi’s mother, Sue Panagaris, told the Sunday Mail her daughter was very upset by Jackson’s death like his other fans all over the world.

She said: “She’s very sad at the moment. It’s not that she is disappointed that she won’t get to play with him, she’s just so sad that he has died.

“She said he was such a wonderful person and she wishes the world had gotten to know the same person she had come to know over the three months they had been working together.

“She said it was the best experience of her life and she’s just so very sad that the world didn’t see what the band saw every day. The world has missed out.” (ANI)