[OT] Sad: the man in black is dead... (merged)

[Mean Eyed Cat]

This news is very sad to me. My dad, also a big Johnny Cash fan, phoned me this morning to tell me.

Very Sad ...

 

[Rel]

I hate losing Johnny Cash. But I know he was heartbroken at losing his wife a couple months ago. I'm glad they're together again.

I do like country music and I can recall growing up with my dad listenting to Cash 8-tracks. Cash easily had one of the most distinctive voices in the whole of modern music and his songs were from the heart.

As for John Ritter, I just couldn't believe it. I too grew up watching Three's Company and I agree that Ritter was among the best physical comics ever.

I know it's a hazard of getting older that we're bound to lose some of our childhood icons. But this week has been brutal. I'd really appreciate it if we could get next week off.

 

[Praeco]

I was never much of a country fan but Cash was one of those musicians that transcended genre. His songs were rooted in the stories they were telling, not about beats per minute or demographics.

And yes Djeta, it is indeed sad that musicians like this are slowly dying off, and very rarely does one see an artist who has the potential to take up the mantle of the storyteller. Most musicians now (at least the ones that actually receive exposure) are content with shaking booties rather than shaking hearts and minds.

 

[Bleys]

For both of them.

Hurt.

When I first heard that Johnny Cash had covered this Nine Inch Nails song I thought the myself "Odd." Then I heard it, and as with most of his music that I've heard, I was quite amazed at the range of emotions he conveyed with it.

Then about a month ago I was watching Control Freak on MTV2, and back to back the Nine Inch Nails version and the Johnny Cash versions of the videos were played, and I thought Johnny's was far superior... the range of emotions was intensified by the viewing of the music video.

He'll be sorely missed.

The same can be said for John Ritter. Being the father of two young daughters (2 and a half and 1 year old) I found that I could very easily relate to what was being portrayed on his most recent sitcom. Yeah, my kids aren't at that age yet, but I could already see the signs of what's to come. The portions in the show when they'd show a "flash back" from his mind's eye of his little girls being little girls, to juxtapose it with how they were now, always got to me.

So long to John Ritter, as well. I've been watching shows and movies that he's been in for a very long time.

*sigh*

 

[Sirius_Black]

Not to be depressing, but it seems like we're losing older, great enteratiners left and right. It troubles me a bit to know that a lot of the kids these days (wow I sound like my mom!) are going to grow up without anyone with any real, lasting, entertaining talent.

I can't even name 95% of the current top 40 music and actors. Some of them I've heard of, but ask me what they sing, or what show they're on and I'm lost. And I think most of them will fade away within a few years.

Not like Cash, and Ritter who did their thing for decades, and [hopefully] will still be appreciated in the decades to come...

Rest in peace guys. You'll be missed.

Well said Djeta. This year does appear to have had a large number of entertainer deaths.

As for today's current music artists, I definitely relate to what you said about being unable to name most. In the Sunday paper, I occasionally scan the Top 10 of pop. It's like I'm reading a foreign language.

Mr. Cash's death I was expecting given his state of health. Mr. Ritter's passing still stuns me even an hour after I was told in an email from a loved one. I grew up watching him...<shaking head> As you said, rest in peace to both.

 

[Datt]

Henry was talking about this over in the Recently Dead Celebrites thread over in movies. John Ritter's passing just bums me out. It just does. For me more so than Johnny Cash. You could tell Cash was getting ready to go and join his wife.

But with Ritter's passing it was just so sudden. While I never really got into 8 Simple rules, I heard nothing but good things about it. I always enjoyed his movies. From the Problem Child movies to Stay Tuned.

 

[thundershot]

*sigh*

John Ritter's death took me by surprise... I... It just wasn't his time, dammit.

I grew up watching Three's Company, and never missed it. Every Tuesday night. Even continued it into Three's a Crowd.

Well, I'll definitely buy the DVD sets when they start shipping next year.



Chris

 

[d4]

if you like John Ritter, i'll strongly recommend tracking down a copy of his movie "Real Men." it's one of my favorite comedies and both he and Jim Belushi do an excellent job with it.

 

[MerakSpielman]

It troubles me a bit to know that a lot of the kids these days (wow I sound like my mom!) are going to grow up without anyone with any real, lasting, entertaining talent.

Funny thing is, I'll bet your parents said just about the same thing when their idols started dying when you were a kid...


I've never been much of a music/movie fan, but there are still names I recognize. These artists will be missed.

 

[StumpwaterJack]

Well said Djeta. This year does appear to have had a large number of entertainer deaths.

We have a lot more celebrities now than ever. The old rule of threes is going to have to increase to fives, at least, or be split into categories like "film stars" or "musicians". Maybe "really good entertainers" vs "people we've heard of". Someday the reality tv gang is going to start dropping, and unfortunately it'll be reported as news.

I know I didn't buy it when someone was saying "these things happen in threes...Katherine Hepburn, Buddy Epsen, and now Barry White" (no offense to Epsen or White). I could buy Hepburn, Hope, and Cash, though.

-SJ