Stars in Our Eyes

When significant pop icons die, people reminisce and share memories of how that person impacted them.

Today, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson both passed away. The fact that neither was an old person made their deaths somewhat tragic. And both of these people were pop icons in the real sense. Farrah was THE poster pinup girl of the 1970's. Everyone knew that pose - you can see it in your head right now. Regardless of her other accomplishments -- and there were many from the news articles pouring out today -- it's as that '70's icon that we remember her.

Farrah's death at 62, while untimely, was expected. Reports earlier this week had her hospitalized, and she publicly discussed her cancer on TV just a few months ago. But, we still see her as that young tanned smiling beauty queen in the red bathing suit. It's the passing of that girl we mourn today.

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. For Real! He was Elvis to another generation and now he has also tragically died too young. Michael Jackson reinvented himself several times. He was a true creative genius and the biggest pop icon of the 1980's and some would argue the 1990's.

I found myself humming "I'll be There" and "Beat It" today after hearing the news. I am not embarrassed. I admit it. I have liked Michael Jackson since he was that cute 6 year old singing with his brothers in the Jackson 5. I always had a soft spot for how his tragically atypical childhood turned him into a weird adult - after all, he gave up his childhood for all of us. And we loved him for it. Some part of me also feels dying at age 50 (he would have turned 51 in late August) seems just for someone who couldn't seem to deal with growing up. Now, he won't have to grow old.

I guess I should point out that according to an old wives tale, death comes in threes. And, that held true in this case too. Earlier this week, Ed McMahon died at 86. I had actually speculated about another Hollywood star's pending demise being number 3 -- guess he's safe, for now.