When Megastars Die, We Get Old
by Daniel J. Flynn
You are realizing your age today if you grew up in the 1970s or ’80s. Farrah Fawcett, whose iconic image was as ubiquitous on the bedroom walls of American teenage boys as Kim Il Sung’s was in the homes of North Koreans, died of cancer at 62 yesterday. Age is the cruel fate of all sex symbols. In Fawcett’s case, she not only contended with Father Time but with the public’s changing tastes that dated what once symbolized sex. Demographics, and Sir Mix-a-Lot, killed the pin-up girl monopoly of bleach-blond anorexics. But even twenty years after her heyday, ’70s postergirl Fawcett so symbolized sex that her 1995 appearance in Playboy became the bestselling issue of the 1990s. To put this in perspective, an over-the-hill Farah Fawcett beat Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, and Denise Richards in their primes.
Six years after Farrah Fawcett appeared on the bestselling poster of all time, Michael Jackson released the bestselling album in history. Thriller was so big that, not only did it inspire fashion and dancefloor trends, it outsold numbers two and three on the all-time list combined. Jackson, who before our eyes morphed from cuddly, precocious singing/dancing machine to the world’s biggest pop star to Howard Hughes, died yesterday too. For Jackson, life’s victory lap–that even an overweight and jumpsuited Elvis enjoyed–eluded him. The last image embedded in the public’s mind is that of Michael Jackson in a courtroom rather than on a stage. A court of law acquitted him of sexually abusing a minor. The court of public opinion convicted him of being strange. Seeing Farrah Fawcett in her red bathing suit, or Michael Jackson moonwalking, brings us back to a time when we were young. News of their deaths reminds us that we’re old.
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44 Comments
Holy cow, does it EVER!!! I remember the 80's, where colors were bright, shoulders were HUGE and I was skinny.
The 80's have to be my favorite decade, and I still love that picture of Farrah. So sad to have to lose these two, especially on the same day.
They will be terribly TERRIBLY missed. God rest their souls.
Personally I think it would impact me more if I were 10 years older than I am… I BARELY remember Michael Jackson before the 90's.. And I BARELY remember watching Charlies Angels re-runs… But honestly, I feel eh… I still have a while to feel old when a megastar dies…. I only have reoccuring trends and toys to feel old at the moment.
Yeah, it's hitting me. Those were my junior high school years that died yesterday. I danced and did so many cheerleader routines to his music, and I totally had the big Farrah hairdo. I feel so old.
Wonder if I should break out the electric rollers, fix up my hair, dig out my roller skates, and sail down the street to "Rock with You" on my ipod?
Twenty years ago I wondered what it would be like in twenty years. Now I know what it's like.
Deleted? They didn't even have time to read it. What's going on?
You are so right. Too many people are making this all about MJ & FF and debating how and if we should mourn them at all.
But for many of us, we are simply mourning ourselves. Farrah reminds us of a time when a wearing a bathing suit in the cold was *shocking* — in a good way. And Michael's Thriller album showed us a single album could rock ALL the way through.
Yes, we are mourning ourselves, our innocence, our youth. Those close to them will actually mourn the people. We mourn the impact that their stardom had on us, and feel the loss of the light we once had while basking in theirs — a long time ago.
Couple of points about both:
Farrah sold so well in the poster because of the erect nipple – they needed something to masturbate to.
As for Jackson, never liked him – during the "best selling of all time album" I was into totally different music. Be that as it may, he couldn't give a CD away in the USA, and child abuse aside, he was one of the strangest people around that wasn't committed to a crazy house. Dyed his skin white – destroyed his face – God only knows if those were wigs, hair club for men or what, but it sure wasn't his natural hair. I think the attention he is getting in the press is insane – even Fox news. Good grief!
Because of the high plastic content in Michael Jackson's body due to the numerous surgeries. It has been decided to melt his body down and convert it to Lego blocks. That way children can play with him for a change. (Sorry couldn't resist). Going to have to be honest and say I will miss Farrah a lot more, being a 40 something male, she was famous when I started to notice that girls smelled nice and were interestingly shaped. I am afraid I will not miss Wacko Jacko, thought his music was very over rated.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But Michael became emblematic for American culture and entertainment. His visage as recognizable to a generation overseas as the American flag itself. He really was a stupendous performer, a genius and an influence to countless other performers and musicians that spans the decades till this very day. Strange indeed, but watching him grow up before our very eyes we understood why. A captive child forced to live a life onstage, isolated, on the road, a victim of the American ideal of success and greed. Point, counterpoint. The embodiment of what our culture could be, and sadly what it often was. No denying the talent. That was there in abundance. Yet when we saw him age and the troubles and travails of HISstory, it broke our hearts because we watched the essence of ourselves morph into the dark night of the soul. Now he belongs to the ages, no debating that he is as much a symbol of the 70's and 80's as Marylin and Elvis are for the 50's.
A road trip to the American southwest listening to Michael ON AN 8-TRACK is what I remember best about him. Thriller was amazing and my 80s teenhood went with Michael yesterday (I'll never be able to fit into those clothes ever again *sob* – somehow those cool jackets that were so prevalent in the 80s dont look the same on me). Rest in peace, Michael.
Very well put sir.
I'm not interested in those who can't see the forest for the trees. Both Fawcett and Jacko were icons, cultural landmarks. The reaction to their deaths speak for themselves.
I felt old when Ed McMahon died and I'm only 53.
Filterglitch, intermittent.
I'm still sad about Ed McMahon. Good guys aren't supposed to die.
Michael sure had his demons. Farrah seemed to take age gracefully. Never had a Farrah poster nor did I watch Charlie's Angels. Maybe once and thought the plots were brain dead.
Didn't even watch the macabe Farrah "cancer show" which was weird, to say the least. Weird because I thought any dying celebrity deserves a little dignity to be left alone and Farrah seemed to revel in this. Maybe revel isn't the right word but sheesh – you are dying and want to make a show of your last days?
I don't think Michael was a very happy person. In fact, in one of the inevitable programs (last night no less – which is kind of spooky to think every celebrity has a "memorial edition" all ready to go when they die) – but last night Jackson was lamenting the fact that he could not go anywhere in public without it turning into a circus. The price of fame, I guess.
Will his music stand the test of time? Good question. His Thriller Album has to have set some kind of record that will stand for some time. I remember it for a very peculiar reason – it was huge at the time the KAL 007 was shot down by the Russians.
I'll bet you that, like Elvis, drugs played a part in his heart attack. Prescription drugs that some unscrupulous Dr. would dispense like candy. .
I had that happen yesterday. Annoying as heck.
I can't look at that poster of Farrah with out remembering high school, that poster actually hung in my high school locker room.
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer and certainly revolutionized a lot in music and dance. His passing does remind a lot of us of our youths and how time is flying. But, to me, he's not someone who should be viewed as an icon (in the literal sense of that word) because the man was a perv. Sure, he wasn't convicted of molestation. And OJ wasn't convicted of murder. But Jackson was a child-diddling freak. The fact that he made some songs and videos doesn't change that fact. His songs remind me of a time in my life that was fun. I try to remember that and not the fact that he got off on little kids.
Thanks for the vulgar images of Sir Mix. Didn't need that at all to make your point. YOu could have had the courtesy to say it was disgusting.
Luckily for me, I'm not yet old enough where this really causes me to think I'm old. But I do remember that Thriller album and understand the cultural implications that his death has. Last night there was a car that pulled up to the curb in the middle of the street, opened all the doors and windows, and the sole driver danced to MJ in the street. Eventually a crowd formed and joined in. Everyone has his own way of commemorating someone else's life, as well as the part of his own life that passes with MJ.
Farrah still kicks butt over the silly bimbos that show up now. Megan Fox couldn't carry her sun screen. THe blonde goddess look will always be the ultimate symbol of American womanhood. No matter what stupid Hollywood or some fashion mag who feels the need to cater to some focus group thinks. We all wanted to look like her, we all wanted our hair cut like hers. I remember too well. Sorry but todays bimbos just don't have the grace, the charm or class. They are all just inflatable blow up dolls. God Speed Farrah. Heaven just got another angel.
I didnt care for Michael Jackson, so Ill leave it at that – I pray his family find comfort in God. Farrah was a sweetheart. I am truly brokenhearted at her loss. It seems as we loose each one of these special people that made up our lives, we loose a little bit of ourselves along with them. My time goes back to the Duke, Elvis etc.. those have been gone a very long time but I still lament sometimes because of the years that have passed. Sometimes God is merciful, sometimes he allows the pain. Fair winds, following seas Farrah – sister in Christ.
I was a Sailor in the Navy at the time. Alot of us had that poster too.. She was awesome.
"Time hath a wallet at his back… wherein he puts alms for oblivion, a great-sized monster of ingratitudes. Those scraps are good deeds past; which are devoured as fast as they are made, forgot as soon as done." (Troilus and Cressida, Act 1/ Scene 3) I always think of Shakespeare's lines whenever I hear of the death of someone who like Mr. Jackson and Ms. Fawcett; events that remind me of the relentlessness of the passing years.
Yeah, I feel kinda the same way. But as a musician, I can appreciate Jackson's music and talent without being a fan.
And yeah, the jokes are still going to be out there. "What's the difference between Michael Jackson and a grocery bag? One is made of plastic and is dangerous to children, and the other is used to bring your groceries home."
Wow, I'm 20 and feeling old… I think it's just a permanent reminder that all is finite (except for God of course) and that no one does live forever. Thriller is the best video of all time and it will never, ever be topped.
I agree with you 95% – you dont think the Gibson Girl was iconic of American womanhood? She was usually brunette…
Oh well, I was always old fashioned anyway…and when shined up, can look Gibsonesque….
I remember about the time of the Farrah craze, Dorothy Hamill – the figure skater – had her own following with her hair style. But I think the Farrah craze eclipsed that…
[...] Additional reading: Indianapolis TV Examiner: Farrah Fawcett: Marilyn Monroe of the 70s Daniel J. Flynn, Big Hollywood: When Megastars Die, We Get Old [...]
If this was Tampa.. what were they stealing? LOL sorry.. been there, done that. LOL.
Thank you for putting to words what I have been feeling. That's exactly it.
I'm with you. When Thriller came out, I was listening to the Clash, Fripp and Eno, David Bowie and the Talking Heads.
Madonna and Jackson both represented mega-conglomerate packaged junk to me. Video Killed the Radio Star was about them. Lip-synching, quick-cut videos of dance steps stitched together, carefully crafted images down to the psuedo-style. I was always astounded that no-one noticed the 3rd rate, drum machine disco music was vapid beyond belief, and that this stuff sold. Today, Disney and at it's phalanx of Britneys, Miley's, Timberlakes, Jonas Brothers, HS Musicals continues the tradition.
Michael Jackson was a package that was sold to people that didnt really like music, they were engaged by the bells and whistles.
As he moonwalks his way to hell, he represents to me what is wrong with having an elite monopoly controlling the Media. He represents the need for anit-trust legislation in the Movie/Cable/TV/Music/Game industry.
I just have to look at my children to feel old…. and you just confirmed it…. Thanks..
Sharon I am a blonde by choice and I am glad I made the change. And as far as the Gibson girl….smirk…..lets see Jean Harlow, Carol Lombard, Veronica Lake, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Betty Grable…..Of course in the 70's you had Farrah, Bo Derek, Sheryl Ladd…….Betty Grable was the most popular pin up of World War Two.
Sarah Bernhardt (of Mucha fame, not that freak we see today) Gene Tierney. Vivien Leigh. Ava Gardner. And in the 70s, Jane Seymour (talk about your classic Gibson beauty)
Of course, I am a redhead by nature, so either one doesnt really impress me *wink* (Maureen O'Hare)
Thriller Schmiller. Waaaay too much ado about not-so-much. Other than making varying sized dents in their contemporary popular culture, neither of these people really did anything of true, lasting importance. Nothing truly inspiring, compelling, courageous, seminal, etc. What makes me feel old is the way people are so focused on superfluous rubbish. I feel sorry for their passing but not as much as I do for someone who served his or her country, worked hard, raised a family, provided employment for others, volunteered their time to help their community. Celebrities for the most part aren't worth a damn.
Farrah Fawcett was excellent in a couple of TV movies ("The Burning Bed" was one; the other's title escaped me but was about a rape victim capturing her attacker). The girl in the red bathing suit was stunningly beautiful.
"Thriller" probably was the best video ever produced. I had it recorded on the VCR and watched it often.
They both gave us some wonderful moments; let them rest in peace.
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testPuhleeze. Blondes are what Hollywood wants to sell not necessarily what men want to buy. Jane Russell, Liz Taylor (anyone ever bigger?)
Blondes are the iconic ideal of Scandanavian womanhood. Most American blondes are "bottle-babies" Can anyone think of an iconic American woman bigger than Liz Taylor?
Can anyone think of a more iconic American woman bigger than Liz Taylor? Most American blondes are and have been "bottle-babies"
Men who prefer one hair color over another are kind of wierd. That is what Hefner does. And as far as Liz Taylor is concerned, the Megan Fox of her era. Not a woman to admire. And I often discover the people most incensed by hair color are women. When I was a brunette I was very anti blonde. Then I went blonde and discovered the interesting jealousy of the so called sisterhood.
Just about every hair color turns my head at one time or another
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