Mourning for ‘The Stars’

By TIM PRESTON
The Independent

ASHLAND July 06, 2009 10:51 pm

— Local fans of Michael Jackson and other celebrities who passed away in recent days are sharing their grief through Internet sites and buying anything that bears the image of the fallen stars.
“We’ve been selling out — all of it. Thriller has been a hot one. That’s the first thing they ask for,” said Amanda Robbins, store manager at F.Y.E. in the Ashland Town Center.
Robbins said Michael Jackson recordings have also been popular for parents and others who want to introduce his music to younger music lovers. Posters have also been in high demand and short supply, she said.
Cassy Addis of Pedro, Ohio, said customers at Walden Books in Ashland have also been hungry for celebrity-related materials. A rack of magazines with Jackson on the cover, including Time, Newsweek and Entertainment, are displayed near the check-out counter, as well as the People magazine featuring Farrah Fawcett.
“Everyone has just been shocked by how many there have been. This was not a good time to be a celebrity,” she said.
Greg Noble of Ashland said Jackson’s death overshadowed the passing of Fawcett, whose iconic image will be forever lodged in the memories and imaginations of a generation.
“If you didn’t have that poster, there was something wrong with you,” Noble said Monday afternoon.
Enjoying a warm day beneath the shade of a canopy beside Jolly Pirate Donuts, Mike Gumbert of Raceland said he has heard many Michael Jackson jokes in recent days, prompting nearby companions to nod in agreement. Gumbert said the widespread media coverage about Jackson’s passing has been “overboard” since his death was announced.
“I’m still curious about Steve McNair,” he said, noting the unusual circumstances surrounding the former NFL quarterback’s shooting death on July 4.
While coverage of Jackson’s death seems to have been non-stop in recent days, Gumbert said it is not unprecedented.
“Michael Jackson still hasn’t gotten the coverage they gave that blonde lady ... Anna Nicole Smith. She had more coverage than Kennedy did,” he observed.
Musician and songwriter Kent VanHoose of Winchester, who grew up performing with his own brothers and sisters during the height of the Jackson 5’s popularity, said the King of Pop made a lasting impression.
“Michael Jackson entertained us for decades! I enjoyed his super talent, his song and his dance. He left us too soon. His music will live on,” VanHoose said.
VanHoose agreed that media coverage of Jackson’s death has been extensive, although “I suppose that’s what the fans want.”
Considering some of the notable names on the list of celebrities who passed away in recent days, percussionist Kevin Griffin said too much attention has been paid to Jackson’s passing.
“Farrah, Sky Saxon and Don Coldsmith will be missed. For those unaware, they passed away on the same day, and the latter two haven’t been mentioned on any television or newspapers I have been aware of,” Griffin said. “Maybe I’m a cruel person, but I find that the nonsense everyone goes through about the ‘loss’ of whichever celebrity is at the very least dishonest and disrespectful to our own family and friends concerning the fuss over the whole ordeal.”
Nancy Price of Paintsville said, “I just think that we have become a world that lives vicariously through ‘the stars.’ Their lives become our lives and somewhere the build up is so grand that we forget these are just people with jobs. Their jobs are to entertain — just like with sports. We all can’t be ball heroes or entertainers so many live through the glass tube and fall short of reaching their own personal potential — easier to idolize. Back to the days of the Greeks and Romans.”
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.