Inspired by the thread about sad/cruel celebrity deaths…
My answers:
I thought of this a couple of weeks ago. Since then my answers changed.
John Lennon’s death hit me the hardest. I was 19 at the time and attached way too much importance to my heroes, and he was sure one of them.
Living celebrities: Probably Steve Martin or Neil Gaiman. I don’t imagine (as I did with Lennon) that they’d be terribly fun to hang around with, but I respect their work immensely.
I think everyone gets one big celebrity death in their lifetime, be it JFK or Elvis or Kurt Cobain. For me it was Lennon, and I just don’t have that much emotion invested in celebrities anymore.
Jim Henson death’s was so unexpected and it hit me so hard. I was in love with Kermit the Frog.
For living celebrities, probably Bob Dylan and/or Bruce Springsteen. Dylan is the best living poet, and I am in New Jersey, so just image how Bruce’s death will affect the state.
John Denver’s death in 1997 hit me hard. He became a big success during my high school years and I still listen to his records today.
Glen Campbell’s illness and death in 2017 hit me hard for the same reason.
Linda Ronstadt was a teen crush of mine. It hurts seeing her sick and unable to sing.
Neil Young’s death will be very hard to accept. He’s 73 and looks a decade older.
Celebrity deaths don’t affect me. However the one I initially found most puzzling was the suicide of Robin Williams, as it was so in contrast with my memory of him from the films he was in:
It turned out he had a neurological disease, Lewy body disease:
Already gone: Jim Croce, David Bowie, Dolores O’Riordan
Still here (and hopefully a lot longer): Steven Wilson, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush
The ones still alive would hurt even more.
Yes, I love music.
Jim Henson bummed me out, especially with how unnecessary it probably was.
More recently, Anthony Bourdain. I swear, if he offed himself because his girlfriend held hands with somebody else, I’ll get really pissed. That’s some middle school shit.
Of the living, I think Tom Baker, the fourth Doctor will make me the saddest. He’s eighty-five now, and mentions death in interviews quite a bit.
1 - Jim Henson because he was far too young and so talented.
2 - Mandy Patinkin, maybe. Hard to say.
3 - Definitely Henson.
Very hard to say, but I’d say:
Heath Ledger, Anton Yelchin, Robin Williams, and Anthony Bourdain. All too young, all had a lot to offer.
Roger Federer
Federer would be devastating at this point.
I suppose I’m stretching the definition of “celebrity” a little, but Kate Millett, author of Sexual Politics and The Loony Bin Trip. I not only met her but was the host of an activist support group meeting of psychiatric survivors up in Washington Heights, and therefore had her as one of several guests in my apartment.
As many board regulars know, I’m both a fanboy of radical feminism and a psychiatric oppression activist lunatic, and like me she had a foot in both camps. And sure could write.
ETA: oops not following the instrux. That ^^^^ was death that affected me the most.
Of deaths that would affect me powerfully moving forward… Joni Mitchell would tear me up. So would Robin Morgan. Neil Young as others have said. I need to pick one, I’ll go with Robin Morgan, and stick with her for the overall “win”.
Put me in the John Lennon camp. I was a senior in college and very into the Beatles, especially John.
Nowadays, I don’t think there are any pop stars that would effect me very much.
John Lennon. I was a Beatle fan since 4th grade, I still remember waking up and my parents telling me the news, I was 11 years old.
Barack Obama
It’s got to be Lennon.
I’m affected whenever one of the Apollo astronauts passes away. Only 12 people have been to the surface of the moon, and it will be sad when we no longer have anyone around who’s had that experience. Even if we go again soon, the Apollo era was unique and I never tire of reading about their recollections. I got to interview one of them, which was wonderful.
Roger Ebert. As relevant as ever right up until his death.
George Carlin. I’d been a huge fan since 1970 or so.
John Lennon. Like many of you, I learned about it while watching Monday Night Football. I worked nights at the time, had to work all night after hearing the news. Co-workers were joking about it.
Princess Diana and Michael Jackson. Not particularly a fan of either, but both shocked the hell out of me.
Still alive:
Bob Dylan. I may need a few days off work.
Neil Young. Ditto.
Paul or Ringo. Especially whomever goes last. No work missed.
mmm
Nobody’s mentioned Freddie or Prince yet.
To date, it was Phil Hartman. Someone today would have to be unexpected. I mean, Harrison Ford is 77. I’d be sad, and affected, but not really all that surprised. I suppose I can’t say who would affect me most until it happens.
Of the two, Zevon will be tougher.
Umm…I have some bad news for you…
link
mmm
Phil Collins has to take the prize for aging Rock star.
He looks 80. Phil has trouble walking. He’s performing now sitting down. Phil is actually only 68.
That’s quite a shock because I remember when Genesis hit it big.
Phil’s voice is still strong and I’d love to see him in concert.
His death will hit me hard.
I wrote Zevon as the one who’s death hit me hardest, and Prine as the entertainer who is still alive but will hit me hard when he dies. I remember Zevon’s death very well.