The day legends died...

This was initially supposed to be a Farrah Fawcett tribute only. But when Michael Jackson passed away this afternoon, I realized I couldn't omit him.

Let's start with the blonde bombshell...



Having a 65-year-old father, I grew up watching reruns and tapes of a lot of classic television shows most kids my age didn't watch on a regular basis. One of those shows was Charlie's Angels. Three beautiful Barbie Doll type women who solved crime? Sign me on! I wanted to be just like them. I want to have the full-bodied, flowing hair of Farrah. I wanted to wear the hip hugging bell bottoms. I wanted to kick ass without breaking a nail.





Farrah was truly an icon for her generation. Millions of women wanted to look just like her (radio programs used to give step-by-step details on how Farrah shampooed her hair). Millions of guys wanted to date her. She was beautiful. She was talented. She was a legend.



I was driving to meet my dad for lunch when I heard the news of her passing on the radio. It broke my heart. She was young (62) and her long battle with cancer must have been absolutely horrific. I can't even imagine what pain and sadness was going through her mind in the past week.



I hope she rests in peace.

And now...



I don't know about you, but the whole Michael Jackson suddenly dying thing was pretty random to me. I didn't even know he had that terrible of health conditions. I have mixed feelings about his passing. It seems that in life, he was so troubled, that perhaps death was a blessing for him. I hope it finally gives him the peace he deserves.

Like most people my age, I don't remember Michael Jackson as a superstar. By the time I was old enough to know what was going on around me (late 80s) he was gaining his creepy status and his skin had changed color. I knew he was a legend and listening to his music, I could tell he was a genius. But I never got to experience the amazing concerts, tacky fashion trends, and overall insanity of his status back then. Which is sad.

And I know he was weird and had a lot of shady things going on in his life, but I felt like the media backlash against him was too harsh. The cruel jokes on television...the cartoons...the clear lack of respect. The man was obviously troubled and disturbed, but nobody cared. That breaks my heart. No one should have to endure ridicule like that, especially if they are messed up.



But I think now that he is gone, his legend will be preserved as it was back when his career took off. We will always remember him for being the King of Pop. The glove. The moonwalk. Thriller.

May both of these Hollywood icons rest in peace.