What can anyone say about the deaths of two of the most iconic people of the latter part of the twentieth century? They both were a huge part of many people's lives. I was not a huge Michael Jackson fan, growing up in Australia we saw more of the Osmond family but I am well aware of the contribution to the music industry that Michael made.
I also saw his bizarre behaviour coming as a direct result of his unusual childhood. He said in an interview with Oprah that he never had birthdays as a child or friends. He was the brightest star of the young Jackson Five but at what cost to his psyche? His perfectly choreographed dance steps and songs must have taken hours of rehearsal each day...days that could have been spent being a little boy. What price fame ...is talent and satisfaction in a perfect performance its own reward? Anyway, he is gone now leaving behind his children and his extended family and fans who thought of him as part of theirs.
Rest in peace Michael.
Farrah was a huge part of my twenties. I followed the fashion of the show Charlies Angels as did women the world over. Like Farrah and many other women of the seventies I went braless and proud of it! Not for us the constraints of our mothers and yes we were proud of the jiggle! The nipples bit was a bit harder...no pun intended but there were ways around that...avoiding tshirts in cold weather and Sophia Loren's nipple tape worked for some.
The way Farrah gave up her role on Charlies Angels showed her strength of character and her dedication to her craft. When I was an air hostess in the mid seventies one of my friends came into the transit lounge where I was on call for eight hours and said that she had Lee Majors on her flight. She went on to say that nobody noticed him because his wife was so incredible looking and so sweet. This was just before Charlies Angels started.
Farrah had a rare cancer, such an undignified cancer for such a private person. The investigations and treatments must have been humiliating although not as humiliating as when her medical records were stolen and sold to the press.... for the sum of $4,600. After that
in part as a result of Fawcett's experience, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law tougher penalties for institutions and individuals that violate patients' privacy. Farrah will have that as her legacy too.Farrah I wonder if we will ever forget that smile? I know I won't and my heart goes out to your family and loved ones.
May you rest in peace.
Jackson probably didn't have b-day parties because his family were Jehovah Witnesses. They don't believe in celebrating birthdays, Christmas, or any other holiday. Although I think they do Easter. We had a friend who was part of that religion. She explained it's really not that bad. No, they don't celebrate events and holidays. But they still give each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they're making stricter laws about medical privacy. The tabloid media can be incredibly evil.
I agree with Dina that the Tabloid media can be incredibly evil. I think they have contributed to a lot of the downfall in Hollywood. Another scandal that rocked my world is the Jon & Kate divorce. Those poor kids.
ReplyDeleteI never really followed Michael or Farrah's careers, but my heartfelt sympathy goes out to their familys.
Annie is having trouble posting this ....cj is looking into it for me sorry annie there must be an option somewhere for me to check for so called anonymous blogs
ReplyDeleteHey Kathleen,
It is odd isn't it that they both went on the same day - in the states
there is an urban legend that says they die in threes. If so, I wonder
who next.
Both were uniquely themselves and an indelible mark on pop culture.
Annie
I can so relate to this post ~ since you and I are of a similar age I too shared your icons. I was sad to hear both had died ~ and felt Farrah's death was swamped by Michael dying the same day.
ReplyDeleteI too thought ~ that if you must have cancer, what a simply terrible cancer to have.
I hope they are both now at Peace.