What a day for my childhood

As a purveyor of pop culture from the 70's,80's, & 90's, this week has seen some of the more visible icons from my childhood disappear. Trying to explain to Ben about these people is difficult because he doesn't really have any idea how they contributed to the world and to my youth. I explained to him today that I still remember where I was when the news broke of Elvis Presley's death. I told him to remember this day as well, so he could explain it to his kids someday on his pop culture holocast.

First off was Ed McMahon. Before I knew the man's name, he was just known as 'Heeeeere's Johnny!!" to me. I used to share a bedroom with my brother Jon when I was a tyke. From what I recall, when I was in a crib up to 5 years old. When I was sent to bed, it was reasonably early, but Jon had two things in the room. One was a Soundesign hi-fi stereo playing Boston, ELO, Genesis, & hits of the 70's. The other was an orange Zenith black & white 11" television playing the Tonight Show on Dayton channel 22. I would stay up and watch Johnny and Ed quite a bit growing up in that room. I was also a crabby kid the next day for not going to bed early.
I also remember when the end of summer came, and it was time to go back to school. The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon was on. I don't remember it for Jerry Lewis, but I remember Ed McMahon helping co-host.

Farrah Fawcett. I was too young for the"poster", but I do remember Charlie's Angels. Most importantly back then, Charlie's Angels trading cards. Yes, that's right. Trading cards. They weren't easy to find, but every year we took a fishing trip to Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada. There was a little general store down the road from our fishing village that sold gumballs, toffee, and various trading cards. I'm sure they sold other things, but what did I care. Me and my cousins would buy as many packs as we could and try and comlete the puzzle on the back of the cards that showed the famous silhouette of the Angels from the tv show. You had Sabrina, Kate, but the best was Jill. It was sad to lose her today.

Michael Jackson. This is a shock. I don't think anybody expected this at all. Jackson was the epitome of 80's pop culture. Who didn't have a Members Only jacket trying to be like Michael? There was the moonwalk, and of course, Thriller.I played drums as an adolescent and took my love of that, & Michael's glove, and combined the two. I would play fake drums with a golf glove on. I don't know. I guess I was imitating Michael in the only way I could. I knew I couldn't sing or dance like him, but it was the closest thing I could do to be like the King of Pop. My mom even had a birthday cake made with Michael's glove and drum sticks on it.
Later in life, he had some rough times and very suspect actions. Hopefully the world will remember him for his contributions to the music world.