Death Hasn't Taken the Summer Off

By Marc Schneider Posted Sep 1st 2009 02:00PM

JUNE Deaths
3 -- Blues queen Koko Taylor, 80, complications from stomach surgery.
3 -- 'Enter the Dragon' villain Shih Kien, 96, kidney failure.
4 -- David Carradine, 72, asphyxiation.
23 -- Ed McMahon, 86, natural causes.
25 -- Farrah Fawcett, 62, cancer.
25 -- Michael Jackson, 50, homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication.
28 -- TV pitchman Billy Mays, 50, heart disease.
28 -- Entertainer Fred Travalena, 66, cancer.
29 -- 1950s sitcom star Gale Storm, 87, natural causes.

JULY Deaths
1 -- Karl Malden, 97, natural causes.
1 -- 'Fargo' actor Harve Presnell, 75, pancreatic cancer.
4 -- 'Tarzan' actress Brenda Joyce, 92, pneumonia.
17 -- Walter Cronkite, 92, natural causes.
19 -- 'Angela's Ashes' author Frank McCourt, 78, melanoma.
19 -- British invasion singer Gordon Waller, 64, cardiovascular disease.
21 -- 'You Can't Do That on Television' star Les Lye, 84.
22 -- 'American Idol' contestant Alexis Cohen, 23, struck by car.

AUGUST Deaths
6 -- John Hughes, 59, heart attack.
10 -- Folk music revivalist Mike Seeger, 75, cancer.
13 -- Guitar innovator Les Paul, 94, pneumonia.
28 -- Adam Goldstein (DJ AM), 36, cause pending autopsy results.

It's being called the Summer of Death, and for good reason. Beginning with the bizarre passing of 'Kung Fu' actor David Carradine and then recently the sudden end to DJ AM's life, the past few months have been rife with over 20 fallen celebrities and pop culture figures.

There was no pattern in the levels of prestige among the fallen, just death upon death, involving the trustworthy (Walter Cronkite), the quirky (Billy Mays) and the innovative (Les Paul). Each were met with sadness, or shock, or ambivalence -- depending on the person.

Which celeb left the biggest legacy? How did you react? Take our end of summer (of death) polls after the jump.

Of course, the bigger the star, the bigger the reaction.

On any other day, Farrah Fawcett's cancer death would have garnered hours of coverage, with every cable network looping footage from 'Charlie's Angels' and other moments in her career. But she wasn't the only celebrity to die on June 25, was she?

The summer of 2009 will be forever defined by the loss of perhaps the world's most recognizable figure: Michael Jackson.

When news broke on TMZ that Jackson had been rushed to the hospital, the Internet literally convulsed with activity. Millions began feverishly updating their Facebook and Twitter pages while simultaneously seeking news updates and Jackson videos on YouTube to blast over office computer speakers.

It was a once-in-a-generation spectacle, and the aftermath -- ongoing as we await MJ's actual burial -- has been as intriguing as the actual event.

How people learn about, react to and cope with celebrity deaths is a story unto itself, especially after this funeral-filled summer. Tell us what you think:

Tags: michael jackson, MichaelJackson, obits, obituary, summer of death, SummerOfDeath

Comments

(211)

Tuesday 08 September

By NotFondOfLibs

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Good riddance, cronkite.

Monday 07 September

By Carol

Although many of these deaths were tragic and Shocking.....the most to me that left an impact and brought me to Tears was the passing of a true American Icon...........Ted Kennedy
May he find peace.............

Tuesday 15 September

By michelle

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god bless michael jackson RIP everyone should go out and buy his stuff to support him and his legacy.

By Patrice

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I'm still going thru grieving process over Michael. I loved him so much. I cried so much and still am. God performed thru him for us. I have trouble believing this really happened. The world lost a great human being much less the greatest performer the world ever knew. He was fantastic, excentric, beautiful, infinitly talented, loving, kind, fun. Evil always wants to attack the light, but alas, the light quietly wins just by shining itself for all to see. Michael continues to shine in our hearts forever. He came to me in a couple of dreams. God Bless Michael Jackson forever!

By Uncle Steve

When I first met Les Paul back in the mid 80's at Fat Tuesday's, he was always happy to see ya. Almost amazed anybody would come on a Monday night, in a area of town that may have raised an eyebrow or two.
He loved chatting with one and all about music (he played with just about everybody you ever heard of) He would tell you his recording tricks, chat about speakers that he liked (JBL). Jokes, he knew a million of them. I took my wife to see Les, and he played music the her Grandma would like. Then he told jokes. Lou and Gary would tell jokes, Les would rest his fingers. Over the years, I would come back and was always welcomed by Les & Rusty and Tommy. They became friends. When Les passed at 94 years young, I cried, I'll miss him. I'll pop in at the Iridium on a Monday night, and maybe order a drink, and tear up again.
Goodbye Les, I'll miss ya

By Laura

May God bless all who passed recently.

Patricia- you're a PIG & a loser for posting what you posted.

By disgusted

farrah fawcett's death deserved more coverage.she never sleep whith kids

By Jonitia

Farrah Fawcett was yesterday's news. After she left Charlie's Angels, no one cared about her. We only heard about her when she and Ryan O'Neal were fighting. OH...and when she had Redmond. Hell, they did not think enough of her to give her a cameo in the newer Charlie's Angel's movie. IN an attempt to get back in the limelight, she recorded her fight with cancer.

By mamster

who cares? There were just people like any other, so they made the big time and had their groupie followers, woo hoo, it.s not like you are their family and that they knew you or gave a poo if you lived or died, emotional idol worshippers are those who don't have a life and live it thru these people--now that's sad!

By lakerboy747

I agree. People living sheltered, pathetic lives.

By ERICH

Many great people have past this year, I beleive that with each seperate death, each have given us a lesson in life and a memory to hold onto. GOD BLESS THEM EACH AND EVERYONE!!

By klday001

Michael was a great musician but not a great human being. He should not be considered a hero by anyone. He could have done so much for this world with all his money but he chose to be a druggy and kill himself with drugs - it was no better than an assisted suicide. SAD!! Others, like Ted Kennedy, Farah, Walter C., etc really left legacies by all they did for people. However, the true heros of this country are all those men and women who fight for freedom and hope - the freedom for people to be who they are and say what they want, including dumb inept warped comments about idols. God bless all the people who have gone before me.

By Robin

Are you kidding??? You may want to get with the picture. MICHAEL JACKSON is in the Gusiness Book Of WORLD RECORDS FOR THE MOST CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. His donations to Children's Hospitals & Orphanages are in the amount of millions. You would rather pay tribute to a MUDERER like TED KENNEDY, what a joke!

By Brittany

Everybody on who is on that list made an impact on our lives. I dont think Michael was a bad person. He helped plenty of children. Wow, he had many kids around him, that doesnt make him guilty. && there is no one who can do the red jackets and glitter socks like him. Half the stars now wouldnt be where they are now without him. And what about Farrah, nobody can do charlie's angels like her. Forget about the bad things and remember the good things. R.i.p to all of them.

By trainwreck

I never really cared for Michael Jackson. He was like the Beatles. Way to overrated. Yes he had some good songs but he wasn't that amazing. (of course that just my humble opinion.) I've had friends tell me he should get his own national holiday. which is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of. The death that most shocked me the most this summer has got to be Billy Mays. I still can't believe it.

By Libby

I believe that, just because they were celebrities, things have to be done different. They have the money, popularity, etc...BUT, when one celebritys' death drowns out the others, and lasts for months instead of a few days...that's when things get "oh no. not THIS again on the news"
I never liked Michael, nor his ways. Actions speak louder, and his actions said: I like boys! Little boys! His family is expecting LA to pay for his services, golden coffin...it's been a month and they just NOW lay him in the grave!?! and now, HE"S the KING of pop! Get real people. this was a sick pervert! A sick man being donned as a god. Our world has priorities all mixed up.

By jm

Keep it to yourself ass....U have no idea.

By starkuli52

they forgot one person who was just as great as the rest of the,if not better than a few of them. Senator Edward M. Kenndy.May they all find PEACE.

By Raven

that has absolutly nothing to do with celebrity deaths...

Odd, not included was Teddy Kennedy. If he had been included in the list, I would have voted for him instead of Walter Cronkite for greatest legacy.
I also thought the media went a bit overboard with Michael Jackson. He was certainly important as an artist, but the coverage on TV was a bit much.

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