Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett: Death of icons for 'Me' generation
TMZ is reporting Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead at 50; other sources have confirmed this startling news. On the heels of news earlier Thursday that Farrah Fawcett, most famous for her iconic role as one of the original Charlie's Angels, had died of cancer at 62; suddenly two of the seminal contributors to pop culture of the 70s and 80s are gone, in one day.These twin deaths are striking evidence of the mortality of the "me" generation. Americans in their late 30s and 40s identify with Michael Jackson as the child star who never aged (and, in his age, grew grotesque and thus was shunned, a gollum that one imagined living forever); Farrah Fawcett was the sex symbol, the very inspiration for an entire industry of hair care products. Without Farrah, would Suave exist? Without Michael, who would emblemize dripping-with-crystals, gold-painted, always-near-bankrupt excess?
Their twin contribution boggles the mind, but at the same time, we must admit -- we, too, are mortal. Michael's legacy begins with his moniker "The King of Pop" (bestowed by friend Elizabeth Taylor, repeated by everyone) and continues with his amazing double induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (once as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001). A biographer described him as "an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed of all the tools to dominate the charts seemingly at will: an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility and loads of sheer star power." One analyst estimated the value of his catalogues, which includes such high-energy, infinitely memorable albums as Thriller and Bad -- he also owns the rights to works of many other artists, including the Beatles -- at a billion dollars. Tickets to his 50 London concerts, scheduled between July 13, 2009 and March 6, 2010, are already sold out, every seat.
Unfortunately, by all accounts, and despite his tremendous intellectual assets, Michael Jackson lived far beyond his means. In early 2008, when his enormous Neverland Ranch was scheduled for foreclosure, Jackson worked out a deal with a private equity firm to save the property and reinvent it as Sycamore Valley Ranch. During his 2005 sexual abuse trial, one expert estimated he was spending $2 or $3 million a year more than he was making; still, this winter, he decided to rent a home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, for $100,000 a month. It was here where he went into cardiac arrest this afternoon. He's reportedly a few hundred million dollars in debt today.
Instead of wiping out Jackson's debt, his 50 concerts will of course be canceled. And if his life was any preamble, untangling his estate will be messy and fraught with familial accusations, infighting, and public tears.
Next to Jackson's death, Fawcett's is a quiet, somber thing, but no less saddening. After a three-year battle with anal, and then liver cancer, Fawcett had spent most of the last two months asleep, and despite promising to marry her longtime romantic interest and her son's father, Ryan O'Neal, she died unmarried.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
6-25-2009 @ 7:51PM
philemon said...
so long
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6-25-2009 @ 8:03PM
guy l said...
makes me feel old and mortal 2 day
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6-25-2009 @ 8:18PM
Betty said...
I felt very sorry , I grew up with his music. A great musician has left us.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:47PM
Eileen said...
I AM SO SADDEN BY THE PASSING OF TWO GREAT PEOPLE TODAY. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY'S OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM ALL.
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6-25-2009 @ 9:53PM
doug said...
FARAH WAS A BEAUTIFUL PERSON....VERY VERY SAD..........MICHAELS STORY IS ALSO VERY SAD..HIS LIFE IS VERY SAD AND HIS DEATH IS NOT SURPRISING AND PERDICTABLE
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6-26-2009 @ 12:09AM
Crystal said...
Today is my birthday and I couldn't have a better birthday present then to know Michael Jackson is dead I hated him always he is a child molestor and I am so greatful that he is finally dead. I too gave been waiting so long for this day.
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6-26-2009 @ 8:55AM
MICHAEL said...
CRYSTAL, YOUR A SICK BITCH !!!
6-26-2009 @ 10:37AM
Lucy said...
You have a very rotten birthday beatch!!
6-26-2009 @ 10:56AM
christine said...
You must be turning two years old today Crystal because your comment it immature as well as ignorant. Someone who influenced music in many great and amazing ways is now gone and this is how you show your respect. Grow up and get some manners little girl
7-09-2009 @ 5:59PM
lilstunna said...
hope you had the worst birthday ever!!!!!!!!! BIATCH
7-14-2009 @ 8:07PM
joanne said...
THIS IS VERY SAD A SON, A BROTHER , AND A FATHER IS GONE. WHAT EVER YOU THINK OF MR JACKSON BEFORE YOU TYPED IT AND SENT IT YOU SHOULD THOUGH OF HIS PARENTS HIS SIBLINGS AND MOST OF ALL HIS CHILDREN.. YES I AM A FAN BUT I AM A HUMAN BEIBG FIRST
6-26-2009 @ 12:44AM
Ganesa said...
@Val and Crystal
You're both horrid examples of human beings.
RIP Michael and Farah
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6-26-2009 @ 1:31AM
Ed Simonian said...
My folks taught me that we should never say bad things
about dead people, they are not here to defend themselves.
How true it is, as I think Shakespeare said, that one bad thing in one's life, erases all the good things that one has done in one's lifetime.
Let us remember the good memories, and thank them for that.
Condolences and prayers to their families. God bless their
souls.
Ed
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6-26-2009 @ 5:22AM
sasha said...
It's sad that Farrah is gone. I remember growing up when Charlie's Angel's was on (Mom and Dad wouldn't let me watch because of the jiggling as they put it, LOL) I remember having the Farrah haircut, back it must have been 7th grade.
As for Jackson, may he find peace in the here after that he never found in life. I, too, am not sorry he is gone. One less pervert who abused children on this earth will not be missed by me.
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6-26-2009 @ 9:42AM
CC said...
Who gives you the authority to judge any man? God said, the same manner in which you judge, you will also be judge. May God have mercy on you. Michael is absent in the body and present with the Lord.
Where are you going when you die?
7-09-2009 @ 5:55PM
lilstunna said...
go to hell biatch.y dnt u die
6-26-2009 @ 6:52PM
MyKisa said...
...great opportunity....bring on the cap n trade while the herd is distracted
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7-09-2009 @ 10:42PM
bk said...
It is very sad!! Michael Jackson had those accusations hanging over his head, but we really do not know if he was a child molester. I really believe he was a child at heart, and only he knows for sure. It was said that the people that accused him wanted money!! None of us know for sure, but people are always ready to believe the worse. The people who are accusing him, have no idea what he did. Speculation and hearsay!! He was really a great musician, and I am sorry he did not have a happier life!!
Reply
6-26-2009 @ 7:35AM
nick said...
Two dirt bags who went two different ways at the end. Farrah tried to warn folks about her cancer and not too take the risk in life she took for the way she lived. Then we got The Jack Off who made millions but spent millions on drugs and other stupid things, spent his whole life trying to turn white. Have people like slime ball Wolf Blizter ready to be his Monica even in death. The scum bag took the easy way out. The only reason he isn't in jail is his hired guns got him off of hurting children. This is just like the scum bag doctor who was put out, no one thinks of the children. The world is going to the dogs, good riddens to Jacko.
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6-26-2009 @ 1:08PM
Ganesa said...
Seriously sir, find another soapbox for your uncouth drivel.