Mourning the Loss

Ed McMahon

Farrah Fawcett

Michael Jackson

Three people whom were all legends in their own right. One, never craved the limelight, but was in it by default.  One wanted the limelight and got it in so many different ways.  And one stole the limelight as a kid and never let it go until his death.

Ed McMahon, for 30 years was the other voice of the tonight show.  His “Heeeeeer’s Johnny” is as much an icon of american culture as the Tonight Show itself.  His banter with Carson were hilarious and he himself was always brilliant.  A Far cry from the Late Show’s Alan Kalter’s scrīpted jokes. Everyone is quick to a retrospective on Jackson and Fawcett.  In death as in life, McMahon always played second fiddle to the big stars, but he was a star in his own right too. That booking voice of his, will forever live on in my head.

“Good Morning Angels.”  “Good Morning Charlie!”.  As cool as the Charlie’s Angles movies were, I watched some of the original show’s episodes on syndication and instantly enjoyed it.  Though she quit only after one season.  She went on to be a sex symbol and an icon to millions.  But not to get typecasted, she proved that she wasn’t just a pretty face and showed she had the acting chops to back her up.  Even before she died, she still looked as beautiful as ever.

My first real experiences with the King of Pop was what my sister listened to in the 80s.  And I instantly was hooked on the grooves of the songs.  Just the way the bass line sounded.  I had never actually gotten into his singing at the time.  But you always knew right away when a Michael Jackson song was on the radio.  It would just hook you in with that opening beat.  As i learned to appreciate the distinctness of his voice, I grew in appreciation, fondness, and respect for the man.  Having quickly also searched out his music with the Jackson 5, i knew instantly that i was in the middle of an amazing generation of talent. (Michael Jordan was also in his prime) Minus all the controversies, and the plastic surgery, he was still amazingly talented and never stopped being an awesome entertainer. Thriller, Billie Jean, Bad, Beat It, You are Not Alone, We Are the World, Remember the Time, Black or White, Smooth Criminal, ABC, I’ll Be There… The list just keeps on going.  The music shall live on.

As i write this, i actually am tearing up.  We are always quick to judge and scrutinise these stars and we forget that they are humans too and are not infallible to father time.  I feel sad, that we always highlight his legal troubles, his scandals, and her fateful appearence on David Letterman, where everyone thought she was high. True to life, McMahon was in debt and sick for a while but noone really knew about it.

But on these last few days, we finally get to remember these three people for their body of work, and the sheer brilliance of their craft.

Ed McMahon: March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009

Farrah Fawcett: February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson: August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009