Punishment
Well I'm up really early here being a supportive fiancee (aka listening to http://www/cmrcradio.ca at 6 am) and "I had what alcoholics would call a moment of clarity"
It was good that James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Kurt Cobain and a host of other stars died, and died young. This kept them in our memories as they were at their prime (for the most part). We seem to be able to overlook how they died (particularly in the case where it was a drug overdose/suicide) and iconize them for their "positive" qualities.
CASE STUDY:
For an example of why you want to die when you're young in the 'industry' lets look at Michael Jackson. He had been famous since he was about 5 (or some ridiculous young age). Then after the Jackson 5 he just kept going and going. And I would be safe to say--and many would agree-- that the 80s were his prime. He was dancing, singing, looking black and generally costing on the high of Thriller (though it was accompanied with other supreme hits like Billie Jean and Beat It and even Bad/Smooth Criminal near the end). But then things get kind of crazy after that. Black and White, not exactly the best album out there. Then due to biological and enviromental factors Jacko went Wacko. I completely sympathize because his dad was a tool and was only in it for the money and fame that he couldn't achieve himself. So after a hard but successful childhood and a very successful (though probably no less hard)young adulthood MJ went over the edge. Lets just suppose that when his hair caught on fire January 27,1984 that the worse case scenario happened. Michael would have died nobly (well as noble as a freak accident while filming a Pepsi add can be) but at least it wouldn't have been in his own vomit or with his pants down while his manager/agent tries to save his dignity. But we would have remembered the greatness that was Micheal, sure we wouldn't have You Rock my World and other such Invincible classics. But everyone would have loved Michael and it would not have been tainted (the degree depending on your views as to guilty/not-guilty) But even I who thinks that he did not molest the boys, realize that Michael's time has past us and will for the most part be just a memory.
And that pretty much sums it up
It was good that James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Kurt Cobain and a host of other stars died, and died young. This kept them in our memories as they were at their prime (for the most part). We seem to be able to overlook how they died (particularly in the case where it was a drug overdose/suicide) and iconize them for their "positive" qualities.
CASE STUDY:
For an example of why you want to die when you're young in the 'industry' lets look at Michael Jackson. He had been famous since he was about 5 (or some ridiculous young age). Then after the Jackson 5 he just kept going and going. And I would be safe to say--and many would agree-- that the 80s were his prime. He was dancing, singing, looking black and generally costing on the high of Thriller (though it was accompanied with other supreme hits like Billie Jean and Beat It and even Bad/Smooth Criminal near the end). But then things get kind of crazy after that. Black and White, not exactly the best album out there. Then due to biological and enviromental factors Jacko went Wacko. I completely sympathize because his dad was a tool and was only in it for the money and fame that he couldn't achieve himself. So after a hard but successful childhood and a very successful (though probably no less hard)young adulthood MJ went over the edge. Lets just suppose that when his hair caught on fire January 27,1984 that the worse case scenario happened. Michael would have died nobly (well as noble as a freak accident while filming a Pepsi add can be) but at least it wouldn't have been in his own vomit or with his pants down while his manager/agent tries to save his dignity. But we would have remembered the greatness that was Micheal, sure we wouldn't have You Rock my World and other such Invincible classics. But everyone would have loved Michael and it would not have been tainted (the degree depending on your views as to guilty/not-guilty) But even I who thinks that he did not molest the boys, realize that Michael's time has past us and will for the most part be just a memory.
And that pretty much sums it up