I wouldn’t be too concerned about Eddie Izzard just yet. He’s only 48, and last year he managed to run 43 marathons in 51 days for charity.
Anyone know how pterry is currently getting on? I’ve heard good things about his latest book at least.
I was pretty bummed when I heard Kurt Cobain died in my 20’s. I was at work when I heard the news on the radio. His music turned me on to my second love almost instantly the first time I heard SLTS in a bar. Said to myself what the fuck is that ???
Ran out bought all of their albums then within a couple of months bought a guitar and tried to figure it all out. Back then cock rock was the commercial flavor of the day and didn’t appeal to me at all.
Thanks Nirvana.
P.S. you should of stuck around Kurt.
Julia Child.
I had the distinct pleasure of having lunch with her about nine months before she passed away. At the time, I was working as an event planner in the entertainment industry and had hob-nobbed with hundreds of celebrities, none of whom particularly impressed me. Meeting her was the highlight of my life and the day she died was devastating to me, prompting me to drink my very first Martini (her favorite cocktail).
Less than a year later my mother passed away and I drank my second Martini. I’ve been a gin fan ever since.
Roger Ebert
I grew up with him (and Gene) on PBS when they hosted Sneak Previews - loved the cult film episode with ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘Rock and Roll High School’.
I met him a few years back (prior to his big health issues) as he was traveling on the train from the airport into town for an international film festival. A softspoken gentleman, we chatted about the local goings-on. I was surprised at how short he was when he stood up at his stop and I helped him unload his luggage to the platform.
Stevie Ray Vaughn. It hit me hard. He is the artist I saw most in my life. He is also one of the few famous people I had met in person.
He was starting to expand his music exploring more genres and styles. Would have been great to see where he would be today. After going through the depths of addiction it was a shame to go out that randomly.
Hmmm…I guess I’d be sad if Gwen Stefani or any other member of No Doubt died because I’ve loved their music since I was about 12 and I’ve seen them in concert 3 times now.
I was sad when Heath Ledger died, but more because it was such a shock…no one expects someone young and in their prime to die, plus he left a young daughter behind.
John Lennon’s death was a very sad day for me.
I was always a huge fan of the Beatles, but of all of them, I liked John the best and continued to really like his solo albums.
Then there was the day I was walking through Central Park and saw John and Yoko, hand in hand, walk by.
Add to that some correspondence I had written (but not sent) and I guess you could say I felt like John Lennon was a part of my youth and coming of age.
His death came so suddenly, at what seemed to be a good time of his life.
I often wonder what music he would have created, how he would have grown politically and as an artist, how he would have reacted to the World Trade Center terrorism and other events of the day.
His death was sad for me too but I’m a bit too young to have a huge impact. I was woken up to the news and I remember running home from school to hear what Scott Muni was saying about it on the radio.
I think there’s a huge difference in my reaction if a sick celebrity dies as opposed to un expected death. John Lennon was a shock, George Harrison was very sad but not shocking.
Sammy Davis Jr. and Jim Henson died the same die. I expected Davish’s death, but Henson was a total shock. Ditto Johnny Cash and John Ritter.
If I hear Zsa Zsa Gabor or Charlie Sheen died today, I would be sad. If I heard Jim Parsons or Jon Cryer died, I would be shocked.
There have been several shocks - John Ritter, George Carlin and Phil Hartman stand out for me in a big way.
But the one that actually made me mourn was Hunter S. Thompson. I’m still sad and angry about it - it affected me more deeply than I would have thought.
I’m rarely that sad when celebrities die. But there have been a few that got me a little.
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Phil Hartman. A very talented, funny man. He was, by all accounts, a fine man who was friendly to everyone he worked with. Unlike a lot of SNL cast members, he was not a wild party guy, but an actor who demonstrated professionalism at all times. I was sad to see his life end in such a tragic way.
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Jack Buck. I grew up listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio called by Jack. So did my parents. He was the voice of summertime for me for the first 20 years of my life. Losing him was like losing a great uncle. I still listen to the Cardinals and think “I sure do miss Jack”.
Argh… should’ve - contraction for should HAVE… “should of” doesn’t mean anything..it’s just a spcial form of torture being inflicted on me daily…