Black, best known for her 1964 single "You're My World", died on Saturday.
The 73-year-old musician, who is currently in LA, expressed his grief through an statement, reported the Daily Mirror.
"Such a shock to hear about Cilla's passing. She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit. From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at the Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around.
During the early days of her career the singer became close friends with The Beatles and her first single "Love of The Loved" was by late John Lennon and McCartney.
