Childhood Idols Dropping Like Flies

[Beezer]

I'm 57 years old.

When I was 10, most of my childhood celebrity Tv/ Movie idols were all in their late 20's/ early 30's. So most of them are pushing 80 today. I had a chat on the porch with my near 87 year old Dad.

Me: "Geez Pop. You hit your 50's and everyone starts dropping like flies."

Dad: "Son. Wait til you're my age...there's nobody left."

Can any of you relate?

 

[Robb.hisself]

When Elvis died my era ended. We seem to define our eras in many different ways. Popular icons being one of them.

 

[StarSong]

I'm 57 years old.

When I was 10, most of my childhood celebrity Tv/ Movie idols were all in their late 20's/ early 30's. So most of them are pushing 80 today. I had a chat on the porch with my near 87 year old Dad.

Me: "Geez Pop. You hit your 50's and everyone starts dropping like flies."

Dad: "Son. Wait til you're my age...there's nobody left."

Can any of you relate?

Celebrities of our childhoods were obviously older than us, so while startling and sad when they die, it doesn't feel unexpected.

More disturbing is when those our own age or younger pass away. Stronger reminders of our own mortality.

 

[Pepper]

More disturbing is when those our own age or younger pass away. Stronger reminders of our own mortality.

When Tom Petty died I said "Uh oh, getting close."

 

[StarSong]

When Tom Petty died I said "Uh oh, getting close."

It is if you're combining fentanyl, oxy, and other sedative/opioids. I was a huge fan who saw him in concert many times, and while I was saddened (and angry) by his passing, it didn't make me feel as personally vulnerable as those who've died of natural causes.

 

[dilettante]

When Tom Petty died I said "Uh oh, getting close."

Geeze, I hadn't kept track. I still remember his cameo in "The Postman" where he played a future version of himself.

 

[Pepper]

Well, at least he made it to 67 @StarSong, not that scary 27

 

[StarSong]

Well, at least he made it to 67 @StarSong, not that scary 27

Amen to that. We've lost an astonishing number at 27.

 

[911]

Not only childhood idols, but childhood friends are dying. Just last week, I attend 3 funerals of friends from high school. One died from liver cancer and never drank or smoke in his life. He was a big shot with one of the big drug companies. I kept telling him he should retire. He told me a few years ago that he had over $40million. I asked him what was he doing still working. He said he couldn’t give it up.

He didn’t want too many people to know he was dying. We had just played gold 2 weeks ago and he got sick when we were on the 12 hole and couldn’t finish. I took him to the clubhouse, got him changed and just like that, he said he felt better.