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JACKSON, FAWCETT DEATHS PUT IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE: CELEBRITIES WHO EARNED IT, THE HARD WAY

By JOHN YOUNGREN

Given her recent condition, I was not surprised – but was nonetheless saddened – by the death of Farrah Fawcett today. She’s long been a favorite – from the “Angels in Chains” prison episode to the iconic poster; the red swimsuit edition on every boy’s wall in the 1970s.

I was one of those boys. Farrah Fawcett was my first celebrity crush, and certainly the first “pin-up” celebrity poster I ever hung over my bed, back when I was in fifth or sixth grade and “Charlie’s Angels” was TV’s hottest show.

I was remembering that Farrah fact with my friend and co-worker Kelli Fratto, who’s about a decade younger than I. “Farrah was my first pin-up poster,” I said. And Kelli answered, “Michael Jackson was mine. Isn’t that funny?”

And about six hours later, Michael Jackson was dead, too. Totally unexpectedly.

Random? Bizarre? Sure. It’s no stretch to say that both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson were pure American icons; pop cultural images emblazoned in our memory forever. In this day and age of Facebook and Twitter, of YouTube and “American Idol,” of Jon and Kate and Susan Boyle and others who take the stage for a few seconds and become “celebrities,” Farrah and Jacko were celebrities the old-fashioned way. They earned it.

During tonight’s live coverage, it’s Jackson who’s getting most of the attention – for if Fawcett’s tragic bout with cancer made her passing somewhat predictable, Jackson’s sudden heart attack at the age of 50 made his death from-the-blue shocking.

Comparing Jackson’s death to the sudden news of Elvis dying, or John Lennon’s death, is not unreasonable. His later problems – and all those pedophile jokes people were making were tasteless, bastards – might have consumed the last 10-15 years of his life, but at his peak Jackson had the world of pop culture rolled up in his hand, so dynamic, charismatic and talented was he as a performer and musician.

I can still remember the day in 1983 – I was in high school – when Olympus High was buzzing. Jackson had performed on some TV special the night before; this was in the days before cable saturation and Internet access and pop culture penetration. A “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” special had been on TV. And Jackson had performed – live – and unveiled, for the first time ever, his infamous “moonwalk.”

And we couldn’t talk about it enough the next day. Just before “Thriller,” during the “Off The Wall” period, Jackson was ready to bust big-time. But here we were, electrified, guys (including myself) trying to do the moonwalk dance themselves, girls laughing and swooning over what we’d all seen.

Early MTV was all Michael Jackson. As a child of the MTV generation, I can still remember watching him team-up with Paul McCartney in “Say Say Say” or his amazing dance moves in “Beat It” or the epic that was “Thriller,” which MTV played ad infinitum, all 42 minutes of it (or whatever) in its official version.

Jackson defined a sound and approach for a generation; not since Elvis or the Beatles had anyone been so influential on a musical basis. But he went beyond that, too. He smashed generations – my grandfather knew who he was, as would my children, if I had any. His music is as vibrant and fresh today as the day he recorded it. His influence has been linked to the racial acceptance of Tiger Woods or Barack Obama.

He was also the kind of celebrity that evolved from childhood and never let up; the Jackson 5 provided the soundtrack for much of the ‘70s, and Michael was always at the forefront. Just listen to hits like “ABC” and you can hear the pure joy and exquisite, sophisticated vocals.

I don’t have more memories of Michael than Farrah, seriously, from that original poster to DVDs of “Angels” and her Playboy issues, all of which I’ve always held onto.

I can still remember the day – I was in sixth grade, I believe; it was for sure 1976 – when “Angels” first premiered, long before DVR, or even VHS. We were at some kind of crazy overnight camping trip; the whole sixth grade class. And every guy in our class was lamenting the fact that we were missing the series premiere of “Charlie’s Angels.” Kate Jackson? Cute. Jaclyn Smith? Beautiful.

But we all wanted Farrah. She was the original girl next door. Goddamned good-looking girl next door, yes, but she was ours. Who didn’t want to play a little tennis with Jill Munroe?

Two celebrities dying on the same day has happened before. Two so iconic, maybe never. Much will come out over the next few days about each that might change my opinion. But right now, tonight, I keep thinking about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett on all those posters and lunch boxes, creating joy for so many girls and boys of all ages, of any age. They were celebrities who earned it. They started young, endured the years, made good moves and bad (Farrah on “Letterman;” MJ on that weird "20/20") and aged before us. They were enduring. Until today.

Icons.

So tonight, I just feel old.



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ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com