Falling Stars

I had an entirely different post written for today. I’ve decided to save it for next week.

As someone who’s worked in the entertainment business, one way or another, for more than 30-some years, and who’s loved all things show biz for even longer, I can’t skip over the passing of three performers who made their mark on my younger days.

Ed McMahon
Maybe it's wrong, but I will always think of Mr. McMahon as Johnny Carson’s sidekick. When I was growing up, Johnny Carson was King of the late night talk shows. What a treat when I got to stay up late enough to watch The Tonight Show.

Then later, I was old enough to watch it whenever I felt like it . . . which was whenever I could. I vividly remember thinking very early on that I would someday perform on The Tonight Show—meaning I’d made the big time. That didn’t happen, but that’s another story. I never met Johnny or Ed, but I did meet Doc Severinsen . . . but that’s another story. Mr. McMahon was the ultimate second banana, a good sport, and a kind soul. For years he worked tirelessly alongside Jerry Lewis on the MDA telethons.

Farrah Fawcett
I loved Charlie’s Angels. The original TV show, that is. I wanted to be one of Charlie’s Angel’s. My personality and looks were more suited to Kate Jackson’s ‘Sabrina’. But I wanted to be Farrah’s ‘Jill’. I wanted her smile. I wanted that hair! I went so far as to wash my hair with Farrah Fawcett’s shampoo—a Wella Balsam product. (Remember that anyone?) Later, she went on to prove she was more than a sexy pin-up (Remember her swimsuit poster?) with great hair. Her heartbreaking performance in “The Burning Bed” remains etched in my mind. Younger folk may only remember her ditzy appearances on David Letterman. Sad, because, okay, maybe she was a strange, but the woman was a cultural icon.

Michael Jackson
I hate saying I saved the best for last. So I’ll settle for, I saved the most influential for last.

Michael Jackson was a troubled soul. A seriously troubled soul. But he was also a musical genius. My admiration is solely aimed at his professional career.

To this day, anytime I hear a song by the Jackson 5, any song—ABC, I’ll Be There, I Want You Back, Never Can Say Goodbye, Shake Your Body Down to the Ground—I get a giddy thrill.

In kind, I adore every MJ hit all the way up to his 1987 album--Bad. Of course, nothing compares (J5 songs not included) to his mega hit--the 1982 album Thriller. I could be wrong, but I think it’s still the best-selling album of all time. The Girl is Mine, Billie Jean, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, PYT, Human Nature, and Thriller… all mega hits and all from that one album. That’s damned impressive.

Then there was the groundbreaking musical video for Thriller. Please don’t tell me you’ve never seen it. If not, click here.

Like I said, the man was a troubled soul, but he was also a consummate singer and dancer. He set the musical world on fire.

What about you? Any memories or comments on the show biz celebs we’ve lost this week?