In August alone we lost three public figures. All famous for completely different reasons.
On August 25th Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died after a year-long struggle with brain cancer at the age of 77. The younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Ted followed in their footsteps when he entered the Senate in 1962. In 1980 he ran for President, but lost the Democratic Primary to Jimmy Carter.
Over the course of his run in the Senate Kennedy fought hard for health insurance, civil rights, children’s health insurance, education and many more worthy causes. He will be remembered for his determination and sympathy.
The very next day we lost best-selling author and crime reporter Dominick Dunne when he died at age 83 after a battle with bladder cancer.
An American writer and investigative journalist Dunne made a name for himself reporting on celebrities and the judicial system.
Dunne started writing for Vanity fair in 1982 when his daughter, Dominique Dunne (who starred in the film Poltergeist) was murdered and he wrote the article “Justice: A Father’s Account of the Trial of his Daughter’s Killer.” He went on to host the TV series Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege, and Justice.
Then on August 28th Adam Goldstein, AKA DJ AM, was found dead at age 36 in his NY apartment. It has been reported as a drug overdose, it is not known if it was accidental or not. He was sober for nine years.
Goldstein was an American club DJ who often collaborated with Travis Barker of Blink-182. On September 19, 2008, Goldstein and Travis Barker were seriously injured in a Learjet crash that killed four others. Some say that was the cause of his relapse into drugs. He will be remembered by many for his willingness to help others in their quest for sobriety.
We all remember September 11, 2001 as if it were yesterday. Where we were, what we were doing, how we found out. It is a memory, no matter how horrifying it was, it is one that will haunt us forever. That was a day Americans finally realized that we are not untouchable and there are evil people in this world whose sole purpose is to destroy us.
As we all watched the Towers collapse, the Pentagon wall crumble and a big crater in the ground where a plane crashed our hearts broke. They broke for all those innocent people who were killed that day, that’s right they didn’t just die they were killed, viciously and intentionally. They still break every time a birthday or anniversary passes and every year we realize this day was not a nightmare.
So today we remember all those that lost their lives that day eight years ago. We remember the people who simply went to work that morning, the ones who sat on a plane and all those who gave their lives trying to help others. We will never forget.
I want to remember my friend Deanna, who was pregnant with her first child Matthew. I will never forget.
To the disgusting, evil men who took her life and the lives of almost 3,000 people that day, may you rot in hell. America will never forget.
John Hughes has died at 59 of a heart attack. He reportedly suffered the heart attack while taking a morning walk in NYC.
He will be remembered for writing and directing popular ’80s films as “The Breakfast Club,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Through those movies he helped launch the careers of many of the famous 1980′s Rat Pack, especially Molly Ringwald.
Vibe Magazine, that focused on hip hop and R&B music was founded in the 90′s by Quincy Jones and quickly began to enjoy significant success. Early this afternoon Daily Finance broke the news of it’s immediate closure.
It was said that the magazine on the eve of it’s sixteenth anniversary was scheduled to work on a Michael Jackson Tribute. Sadly, it doesn’t seem that will happen now.
He was found unresponsive this morning by his wife at his home in Tampa, FL. Mays was known to have a larger-than-life personality and he will be missed.
It was confirmed by the L.A. Coroner and by now every news station around the world, Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. The singer was rushed to the hospital after going into cardiac arrest. There were claims that he was unconscious when the ambulance arrived and some say he had already passed away by that time.
His fans have camped out in front of his home where police have been called and UCLA Hospital has blocked the entrance to the emergency room. News stations, such as CNN, have been playing clips of his best hits including the best selling album of all-time Thriller.
Today with the death of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson networks are scramming to rearrange their prime time lineups and make room for special coverage on their passing. I will post more as news comes in. As a fan of Michael Jackson I am shocked and sad. He was the best entertainer of my generation. You will be hearing more from me on his passing.
Actress Farrah Fawcett has died at age 62. The iconic star of Charlie’s Angels battled anal cancer for 3 years after being diagnosed in 2006. There were reports this week of bedside vigils when she was hospitalized again.
Fawcett’s longtime partner Ryan O’Neal was by her side when she passed away. He hoped to marry her before she passed away. They share a son Redmond.
